simplycomplicated

What did you decide on finally? I used Minoxidil 10% for around 7 months, 2 ml once a day and saw great results. I recently had my Hair Transplant on 8th August and have stopped using Minoxidil since then for few days. Will start again next week, but my H.T. Doctor has asked to use 5%, 1 ml twice a day and not to use 10% I am also confused now. What do you guys suggest?

Completely agree with you on this. Anywayz, allz well that ends well...So if the result is good, I will be happy.. Bytheway, Since you have used it and saw great results, wanted a suggestion from you regarding medication. Before my Hair Transplant, I used Finasteride 1 mg daily and Minoxidil 10% 2 ml once a day, for around 7 months and saw great results. Now, had stopped Minoxidil for the Transplant, but will start using it next week. The confusion now is should I start with 5% or continue with 10%. Dr. Madhu says that use 5% twice a day and dont use 10% now. Also, I will cut down on Finax to M W F as you do. What do you suggest??? Did Dr. Radha say anything on this?

Thanks for the wishes...I also really wish and hope that both of our result turn out to be good. And its good to hear about your experience with Dr. Radha. About my experience, I guess you have already read it completely. Dr. Madhu did not himself implant any grafts on me...It was all done by 4 technicians, while Dr. Madhu did come and supervised it. However, removal of donor strip and closing it was completely done by him. I also did see his techs extracting the grafts, but the idea of seeing from the microscope did not click me at that point of time Anywayz, lets hope for the wonderful results for both of us.

Hello Jim, I have gone through the side effects of using Finax...have'nt experienced it though....anywayz...will cut down to alternate day usage of 1 mg soon...and if it bothers...will stop it. Regarding 3400 grafts providing a good density on top....I seriously have no clue....Whatever is done, is done now...So, I will go with it... But I would like to mention that before my transplant, the no. of grafts estimated where around 3000 and the area which was to covered was little less than what it has actually covered. It was my biggest concern to cover the entire area in one session and I did express it to Dr. Madhu and his staff and I was then explained that if they cover the entire area with only 3000 grafts, it wont give good density and would look bad both in the frontal half and as well as behind it. However, 3400 grafts were extracted during my H.T. and after the transplant, Dr. Madhu, himself said that they did their best and extracted as much as possible and planted accordingly. So I believe, the area near crown was not touched as they thought that it would not do justice in the area where they have transplanted. Would appreciate if any other experienced member could speak on this. Regards,

Hey Jim, I wish I could cover the entire area in one session but I learnt that its not practically possible...as in...my donar area allowed only 3400 grafts to be extracted which was planted in frontal half to give good coverage and density... Now, if from the given 3400 grafts, they would have covered the crown area as well..then the density would have gone down which would have looked odd and unnatural...so basically, more no. Of grafts were required to cover the crown area with good density, which could not be extracted in one session from my donar area...That again depends on patient to patient and surgeon to surgeon... Well, Thats what I learnt from researching a lot about H.T., before I went for it...Would love if others could give their opinion on it... About me, I mite not go for 2nd session in next couple of years atleast...would see, if its required after that...Would anyways continue taking medication of finax and minoxidil, which mite help to an extent... Regards

Na...I had my transplant with Dr. Madhu...

Thanks buddy. I started washing my hair myself only yesterday....have followed the instructions i.e. applying coconut oil and then washing gently... Just a few more quick questions... 1) When did you go to remove the sutures i.e. how many days after surgery (excluding the day of surgery)?? 2) I have a swelling on my forehead since last 3 days...I m on my 5th day now...waiting for swelling to go on its own...have you experienced this??? 3) Even though Dr. hasnt advised anything on this...Just wanted to ask you guys...Do we have to apply anything on the Donor area to let it heal quickly??? Many ppl on this forum apply some kinda lotion or cream...so was just curious... Regards...

Hello Buddy... Thanks for the comment on my H.T...The waiting game begins now...just wishing that it grows well and looks great after that... Bytheway,How are you healing?Just a couple of quick questions which i want to ask you and vinny...which day from your surgery did you guys got ur staples removed?did you apply any cream/lotion on the donor scar to let it heal quickly? Another thing which i m facing right now is swelling on my forehead...I am on 5th day of my surgery....any suggestions?

Hey Buddies, HairyBear - H.T. on 25th July with Dr. Madhu. RogerFederer - H.T. on 26th July with Dr. Madhu. There are other three guys on this forum who had H.T. with Dr. Madhu in July... Please do update your progress regularly....As, whatever happens with you both, will happen with me 2 weeks later, as I have done H.T. with the same good Doctor, two weeks after you guys.. Also, Please suggest me if I have to do anything for first two weeks. I have a swelling on my forehead, guess it might go on its own. Take a look at my story and do comment if you wish to say anything about it... http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/162158-3400-grafts-dr-madhu-08-08-2011-need-your-feedback.html Regards...

Congrats for the Transplant. Your work looks pretty good. I had my Hair Transplant three days after you had, so, it seems like, we will grow together... Take care and Happy Growing..!!

Dear Jim, Thanks for the feedback and the wishes:o. Yep, I wish that yields high density hair growth and look natural. I have already shared the recipient area pics. As far as the donar area pic is concerned, I have myself not seen it yet, as its fully covered and I was wearing a band for 3 days. Will try and get the pics after the sutures are removed. Jim & Keshav, I understand your concerns as I have gone through the same very recently. I would be glad if I can be of any help to you guys and thats the reason why I gave such a detailed write-up on my experience. Whatever further queries/questions you have, you can write to me at my mail address and I will reply back as soon as possible. Have just messaged you my email address. Regards..

Hello David, I have gained so much knowledge from this forum...that I had to share my experience on it for everyone's good. Thanks for the feedback..Yes, the work looks clean and artistically designed, I wish that your words come true and I be a happy and hairy man in the next few months.. How awesome it would be if next 5-6 months just fly away...

Glad that someone actually went through my entire post and enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback and the wishes....I just hope, that the hair grows well and look good after that...

Please follow here for the detailed update on my surgery and please provide your feedback on my transplant. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/162158-3400-grafts-dr-madhu-08-08-2011-need-your-feedback.html

Pics taken after head-wash today.

Yet to receive immediate post-op pics from the surgery, which were taken by the clinic. Have asked them to mail me the pics, will post it once, I receive it. The following are the pics of immediate post-op, which were taken from my cell phone. Please provide your feedback on the hairline. It is'nt that low but perfect as per Dr. Madhu, what do you guys say?

Pre-Op Pics taken on the day of Surgery

Dear All, I had my first hair transplant with Dr. Madhu two days before on 8th August, 2011. The experience was quite great and it was as expected after reading posts of fellow members on this forum. Just to introduce myself, I am an Indian and 26 years of age. Coming to my story, I reached the clinic sharp at 7 A.M. as per the given time to me and since I was told to not to drive to the clinic, it was my father, who drove me to the clinic and was there at the clinic till the end of the process. On reaching there, Dr. Deepak, Junior Doctor at the Clinic had a look at my blood reports and I was asked to fill up a five page form regarding the Transplant, which I did. Then, I was given some medicines to reduce the tension/anxiety level and was asked to take rest for around 20-30 mins. After that, I met Dr. Madhu, who drew a hairline on my head and explained me that too lower a hairline will give a childish type look in the future and I readily agreed to the line he drew, as I knew that he is quite an experienced guy and knows much better. Few, pre-operation pics of mine were taken and I was asked whether I would like to get the transplant done with shaving or without shaving, to which I said that if possible, I would opt for not shaving. Then, Dr. Madhu explained me that since I have a weak hair in the frontal region, it might fold and obstruct the grafts to be transplanted and roughly around 3% of grafts could be damaged. On understanding this, I gave him my nod to do the transplant with shaving as I thought that its better to look weird for some time and have a good result of a transplant rather than risking few valuable grafts. Dr. Madhu also told that the day is not hectic and no other surgery is scheduled on that day. I was glad to hear that as I would get more attention. Well then, I was given a mock injection on my right hand by Dr. Deepak, to check for the reaction before performing the original surgery. I had taken rest for some time and the injection gave no negative reactions. So later at around 10:15 A.M., I was taken inside the Surgical Room where Dr. Madhu was ready to begin the surgery. And as most of you know that Dr. Madhu gives us an option to nominate one person to count the no. of grafts, my father was interested to do that as he was anyways going to wait for my surgery to get completed and take me home. So then, coming to the surgery, I lied down on the bed and Dr. Madhu started working on me....I could hear some noise, but I stayed pretty calm for some time. He told me, that initially it will pain for some time and it did pain a bit while he was giving injections of local anesthesia to me. I was calm and just bearing the pain, not knowing what was happening with me. I then asked Dr. Madhu, that had he removed the Strip and he replied, that he is about to finish closing it. I remember, I read on this forum, that few doctors perform two-layered trichophytic closure, so I asked Dr. Deepak in the morning, that what kind of technique will Dr. Madhu use. I was surprised when he said that Dr. Madhu has developed a new technique wherein he would be doing three layered trichophytic closure. I guess, he did the same thing for me... Coming back to the surgery, I was glad that atleast first part is over, then after few mins, he was done with it, he did something on my recepient area and handed me over to his staff for implanting grafts. There were around 4 female staff members who were working around me for quite a long time and planting the grafts. It was paining on and off, and as soon as I told them, they did something on my head, which reduced the pain. In between, I was offered few biscuits and water, which I finished in couple of minutes. Dr. Madhu kept coming in between to check, whether everything was going on fine. Once, in between, Dr. Madhu took me to other room where around 6 of his staff members where removing grafts from the strip and separating it, and my Dad was counting the grafts.. I was again shifted to another room, where they continued to implant the grafts and at last when around 80 grafts were left, Dr. Madhu woke me up and showed me the mirror and asked about my satisfaction on the hairline. I told them that the frontal hair line is not symmetrical and asked them to implant remaining grafts on the frontal left side...Dr. Madhu checked it and redrew the line and then the last 80 grafts were implanted. In all, 3400 grafts were implanted, the break-up of which is as under:- Singles - 700 Doubles - 2140 Triples - 560 Total Grafts: 3400 Total No. of Hairs: 6660 It was around 3:15 P.M. by then and I was bought to another room where my dad was waiting for me. Another Junior Doctor, Dr. Vijetha, who did my consultation earlier was also there and another staff member, Afroz was present. I changed from the surgical dress and wore my shirt. They then took immediate post-op photos and gave me biscuits, juice and medicines. I then took rest for some time and then they sprayed some fluid on my head and tied the band, which they asked me to wear till 3 days. My father counted the no. of grafts to his satisfaction, which was a very good thing..we then paid the balance amount as per the no. of grafts, took the bill and left the clinic. Was quite happy that I was done with the biggest thing and it wasnt even paining. Though, the donor area started paining on 2nd day and its still paining a bit on 3rd day...I went again for the hair wash today, when I was told that the transplanted hairs have settled quite well and the pain will gradually subside. Spoke again to Dr. Madhu & clarified few doubts, and he replied to each of them calmly. Must say, that he is a great guy and I am glad that I chose him for my transplant. Not only him, the Junior Drs, Dr. Vijetha & Dr. Deepak, other staff members, whom I encountered were really wonderful. The toughest part according to their clinic begins now for me and that is waiting for the hair to grow, which is the most important thing for me. I hope, it turns out to be good and worth it. Last but not the least, I wholeheartedly Thank this forum for giving me such knowledge about H.T. and I guess, had this forum not been there, I might have not gone for H.T. or might have not chosen Dr. Madhu. Guys, Need your feedback on my transplant. Please see the pictures and give your opinions on my H.T. Posting the pictures in a separate post below. P.S. Just saw the length of this post. I am sorry for such a long read.

Thank You for the wishes, Hairtohelp & Helpme245... Whew.....I am done with the transplant....went well....) Got 3400 grafts done...Will post a detailed write up sometime later, along with photos....pretty tired now.... Regards...

Reached hopital at 7 am sharp...Got few medicines for relaxation..Spoke to Dr. Madhu...Preparations going on...Surgery about to beigin in 20-30 mins....

Thanks for the wishes buddy...Will post as much as I can on my progress for sure... As of now, I am more worried about Short Term Pain rather than Long Term Gain, for which I am going for a H.T.. Just wishing that all this goes smoothly....

Dear All, I am 26 years old and 'm scheduled for my first H.T. by Dr. Madhu at 6 AM (India time) on 8/8/2011. I know, I am quite early to start a thread on it, but with less than 48 hours to go before surgery, I must admit that I am a bit nervous and having a lot a anxiety regarding the H.T. Suddenly a lot of questions are cropping in mind, which is just increasing the anxiety/excitement/nervousness.... I would like to thank this forum, which has played a key role in making me decide to go for H.T. and has also helped me deciding on the surgeon. Its really a great forum for people like us and I expect, that it would continue to help me in tracking my progress/seeking clarifications,if any, after my H.T. I would also love to post regularly on this forum and update regarding my progress (after HT), which would help others. Well, that's it for now....I guess, I can't do much to reduce the anxiety/nervousness apart from waiting for Monday morning and hoping for the best...

Hey Roger, Thanks for the wishes and `m glad that you had a wonderful experience. Wishing for my H.T. to be as good as the good work done by Dr. Madhu on others. Regards.

Glad that you are happy with the procedure. Gives me more confidence for my surgery on coming Monday...

Hello, Ya, his not disclosing the no. of grafts was one of the major reasons why I did not chose him. It seems, he says the same thing to all his patients that he will do 4000-4500 hairs (Not sure whether it is follicles or grafts). Though his calender is full for the entire month with 2 surgeries per day, I somehow have the feeling that there is something wrong for sure. Anywayz, thanks for the feedback on my decision. I have a surgery with Dr. Madhu on coming Monday. However, I have now understood that I wont get the full coverage with one HT, so have left the decision to the expertise of Dr. Madhu, he would do as much as possible with a decent density, starting from the frontal portion, and then I would continue Minoxidil and Finax, and if need arises, might go for 2nd HT few years down the lane. Lets see, how it goes.