Business Teacher

I would think that some down time is in order, but after a couple of weeks you should be able to get back to working out. I wouldn't do any heavy weights for some time (1 1/2 months)... If you feel a pull or tension its probably a good sign to back down.... Just my thoughts.

I know that it's going to happen, and just wanted to see who started early, who started late, etc...... Thanks!

I know that it's going to happen, and just wanted to see who started early, who started late, etc...... Thanks!

Yes, I figure that I will start jogging soon, but I'm going to keep the weight lifting very light for 2-3 months..... Golf is around the corner and Dr. Wong said it shouldn't be a problem, but if I felt tension or pulling to back off...... Ron J, I believe that is an area that I had a lot of bleeding, so there are graphs, but the put some cream to help heal and stop bleeding.... Thanks again!

I know I have a long way to go, but just wanted some thoughts on how my scar was looking thus far..... I'm actually ready for these babies to fall out, so I can look like I did before the procedure and get started on them growing.... Thanks for the input guys!

Just updated my blog w/ pictures of my staples removed and my hair cut down to a 3 guard. Just wanted some thougths on scar, and progress up to this point...... Thanks!

Just updated my blog w/ pictures of my staples removed and my hair cut down to a 3 guard. Just wanted some thougths on scar, and progress up to this point...... Thanks!

Lost my swagger, Hopefully 9 months for now I will have to brush the hair out of my eyes! R4life, I have seen some talk about the fact that the survival rate of graphs will decrease after a certain time. I think it is something like after 8 hours the survival rate drops 1% each hour??”I'm not completely sure about that? (You can search and find a few thoughts on that subject) Now with that said??¦??¦.. My surgery was long, but I have read some/plenty of sessions that lasted just as long and didn't get as many graphs as I did, so I guess in a way that is positive in my eyes. I would say my donor strip was 'out' for approximately 12 hours (Just a guess). Arrived at 6:15, did pre-op routine (Pictures/discussion/hairline) until 7:15ish, and it took about 1 ?? to 2 hours to remove the donor strip, so strip was out around 9:00ish. Procedure ended around 9:00 that night??¦??¦. I also felt (as did Dr. Wong) a good candidate for this 'mega session'. Great donor density and great skin laxity (scalp exercises!). I also had/have advanced hair loss, so I offered the room for placement. I also feel like I'm a quick healer as well: young and in shape, etc. (This is nothing Dr. Wong expressed, jut my feeling) I also like the fact that Dr. Wong has the crew (techs) to get the job done. From most of my research I couldn't find many/any Doctor that had the number of tech that H&W provide. I think I had 8 working on my procedure (not sure on this?)??¦??¦. You can read differing views in the forum, but my thoughts were/are that I wanted as many graphs as possible in one session. I don't think all my graphs will make it, but I do feel that most will show up sooner or later??¦??¦.. Let's hope sooner! I'm on day 9 and things seem to be going well. Most of my scabs came off today; hairs looks good, etc??¦??¦ When it's all said and done it's a personal decision for the most part??¦??¦ Said it before and I will say it again??¦??¦. Do your research, find your Michael Jordan and go to that Doctor.

Congrats on the great amount of hair you have! Amazing!

Dang Joe! You should rock the "rocker" look! Sweet hair man and I've seen it in person....

Thanks SPEX...... Anyone else care to offer up their thoughts?

I did a search and found answers to all of the following but wanted some more input, so??¦??¦ When did you quit worrying about laying on your graphs? When did you start washing your hair normally with no concern for loss of graphs? When did you take your staples out? Thanks!

I did a search and found answers to all of the following but wanted some more input, so??¦??¦ When did you quit worrying about laying on your graphs? When did you start washing your hair normally with no concern for loss of graphs? When did you take your staples out? Thanks!

From everything that I heard and read its fine to tan, but make sure you don't burn......

Looks Great! You have to be on cloud nine w/ those rusults! Great look.............

Thanks guy! I can only hope that my experience continues in the fashion that it started.... I updated my blog as well if anyone is interested in looking at it!

One more......

Another view.........

Royrover, I in the chair for around 15 hours. I only watched about 4 movies, but I have to say the set-up was pretty sweet! Wish I had that at my house??¦??¦??¦. Tos7581, Met Nick as well (heard his mom call him ???scooter???. I actually had a ND hat on so I guess that helped in their willingness to talk and give an autograph. He said it was a done deal??¦??¦??¦ ND was his choice. TheEmperor, I could pinch my skin on sides fairly easily. Back was a little tighter. I swear I think they made a huge difference??¦??¦??¦??¦ Everyone else, Thanks for the kind words??¦??¦. Here are a few pictures. I will be updating my blog, but want to wait until everything is cleared up??¦??¦??¦ Let me know what you think!

I would first like to start out by saying that I am really thankful that I found this web-site and all the direction and help that if offered me. I hope to stay on here and offer the next guy the help that I received. Without it I would have never found Hasson and Wong. I would have instead stayed close to home, because until I educated myself on the situation, I assumed that all Doctors were the same and could offer the same procedures, professionalism and desire to run a top-notch facility. As you read this keep in mind that some was written before, during and after the trip and procedure. It's long so you might want to skip around if you get bored, but I wanted to share as much as possible. ---------------------------------Why did I choose to have a transplant?-------------------------- Short Answer??”A desire to have more hair and the security that I found the Doctor to do it the way I wanted it done with a proven track record. Long Answer??”I don't have insecurity about my lack of hair and in all honesty felt like I pulled the shaved head look off pretty good. I also got compliments once I started letting my hair grow back out for the procedure. But, when I saw picture of myself or looked in the mirror I don't see myself. I'm sure for most of you that makes sense. I'm young at heart; keep myself in good shape, and love living life. I don't have a heart wrenching story, a terrible experience, or a turning point situation (not downgrading those who do). I'm a golf playing, beer drinking, sports loving regular Joe that just wants more hair??”Plain and Simple. I will also go on record saying that I don't think it will be life changing. I'm not looking for life changing. I love my life and really don't want it to change. I do however want to live this life with a few more hairs on my head. -------------------------------Why Hasson and Wong?------------------------------------ Why would a guy from Kentucky travel to the other end of the North America to get his procedure done? I really wish I didn't have to travel this far, I wish I could get in my car and drive two hours, but I don't think that the hair transplant community is at that point yet. I'm not going to get in 'the which doctor is best'? argument, but I think there is room for vast improvement from a lot of clinics in the industry. Side Note: It was a strange experience to tell my mom and dad that 'I'm traveling thousands of miles, out of the country no less, to let someone that both of you have never heard of cut on my head, and did I mention that I would be paying him thousands of dollars to do so'. Just not something you say to your parents everyday, but after I explain why, they where in total agreement. Now back to the reason I chose H&W. I mean damn, this is my head and if I'm going to let someone cut and paste on it I'm going to what I consider to be the best option in the world. Why would I cut corners on a plane ticket, or a day off work when I am investing so much into the situation? Money is the obvious investment, but more importantly and a bigger investment in my opinion??”MY SELF ESTEEM. Why anyone would let travel/money effect their decision is beyond me??”If those two have to be a factor, then my advise is your not ready/prepared, so wait. You need to understand, and I have told my self this; once you take the plunge you are in it for the long haul. Also, I'm not saying you have to choose Hasson and Wong, I am just saying choose your Michael Jordan and settle for nothing less. Choose the Doctor that when the game is on the line, they have proven they can perform??¦??¦??¦??¦??¦.. Again this is your head!!!!!! In a nutshell why I came to the conclusion that Hasson and Wong was the clear cut choice for me. 1. Track Record. Everyone that I talked with on e-mail and websites had nothing but good things to say about them and their success rate. Results are what I want??”Period. Hasson and Wong have consistently produced Results. 2. Large session (mega session). With my degree of baldness I would need a large amount of graphs and I saw no reason in having 3 or 4 procedures to accomplish what I could in 1 or 2 with H & W. For someone with my degree of hair loss I feel this is a huge plus for them. 3. Their willingness to talk to me. They answered every e-mail and returned every phone call. Not once did I feel like they were tired of talking to me, or upset that I asked a question that to them was probably common knowledge. 4. A willingness to turn people away. This may or may not sound crazy, but the fact that they are willing to actually tell people that getting the procedure done would be a mistake for them showed me it wasn't all about money. -----------------------------------------Trip Report--------------------------------------------- How it all went down??¦??¦??¦.. Monday/Tuesday Me and my wife decided to make the trip together. We like to travel and add the fact that I was having surgery it was a no brainer for us. It would give a chance to check out Vancouver, somewhere that honestly we probably would have never thought about going to had it not been for me wanting Hasson and Wong to do my procedure. It started with an early wake-up (3 a.m.) to travel to the airport. We decided to leave early and steal another day in Vancouver. As we traveled on the road to the airport we discussed the surgery again. This was something we had done multiply times, but it was reassurance to my wife and honestly me. We talked about the journey that led me to 1) Having the procedure and 2) the choice of Hasson and Wong. Side note: I don't often fly United Airlines, but had a great flight to Chicago and even a better flight to Vancouver (Lucky enough to get exit row seating). Always been a loyal Delta guy, but may have to start reconsidering it. I found way more leg room on both flights than I had had with Delta the last few times. The same could be said for the return flight home. Side note 2: Met Joe Montana in Chicago??¦??¦. Honest to God??”JOE MONTANA! He had is son with him??”Scooter. Scooter will be attending Notre Dame next year for you sports fans out there. They were grabbing a bite to eat at the same place we were and after a double take I was like dang??”Joe Montana. My wife scored us an autograph, but we kept it low key as he seemed to want to avoid an autograph session. We touched down in Vancouver around 11:00 A.M. local time. We caught a cab to the hotel (Sheraton Wall Centre). The room was nice and the location was perfect for sight seeing and shopping. The people that worked there were nice as well. They were very helpful with things to check out and areas to go. We had done our own fair share of research (trip advisor) and felt like we had a good game plan for the two days before the surgery. I won't bore you w/ lengthy details but would like to briefly discuss a few things to do??¦.. Monday Seawall-Great walk to see the mountains and see. Robson Street-Nice shopping for the wife and wide/great selection of food! Tuesday Stanley Park-Biked around Stanley Park and have to say that it was outstanding! Love the views and scenery. I highly recommend it! Granville Street-Check out the Public Market! They have a huge variety of foods from across the world. Really cool. Road the sea bus back just to say we did. ---------------------------------Pre-Op with Wong/Dr. Wong---------------------------------------- Went in on Tuesday and met w/ Dr. Wong. Very nice experience as we discuss hairline, estimate on graphs, and a few other questions that I had. It was nice to take the wife so she could meet Dr. Wong and ask a few questions of her own. He looked and my donor density and skin laxity??”He thought both were great! Excited to say the least at this point. He asked me if I had done the scalp exercises and said that it was a direct result of the great laxity. He estimated in the neighbor hood of 5,500 graphs. Dr. Wong is an extremely nice gentleman! He's down to earth and showed extreme care in my procedure and a genuine concern for my comfort. As you will read below my surgery was lengthy and he constantly made sure I was filling no pain. He also offered numerous breaks when I became stiff and uncomfortable from the extended time in the chair. -----------------------------------The Surgery--------------------------------------------- Donor Size 37 x 1.8 1 Hair #'s 1319 2 Hair #'s 4591 3/4 Hair #'s 1155 Total Graphs 7065 Got up at 5:30 and headed to Doctor Wong's office. A word of advice to future patients??”Don't leave too early as it will only take 5 minutes that early in morning. Also, if you come that early you will have to take the elevator behind the building. It's inside the first gate on the left (took me a minute to find it). Went in and met w/ a technician first. We went over the basics (Had I followed pre-op instructions, allergies, and what was in store for the day). Doctor Wong came in short afterwards and prepared my hairline and took pre-op pictures. He again checked my laxity and density as I sat down to get started??¦??¦.. The numbing process was basically painless for me--A very slight bee sting, but pretty much nothing. Once I was numb Dr. Wong began to cut the donor area. I really thought that it would be a lot more painful that it turned out to be. We got a huge section and he had no trouble with the stitching and stapling. This did take some time, because he was being careful to not hurt existing donor hairs??”greatly appreciated. He again talked to me about the success of my scalp exercises and how it 1) let him take a larger amount of graph 2) Made it much easier in the stitching/stapling and 3) would help me in the healing process. After the donor area was removed and sent off with the girls to harvest Dr. Wong began with the slits in the top of my scalp. I really liked the fact that Dr. Wong would explain to me what was going and why he was doing certain things??”I had done my research, so I had a good idea, but it was very reassuring to have him walk me thru it. He also discussed what the technicians were doing with the graphs, etc. I would like to take moment and tell you what a great job the Tech's did as well. They were very easy to talk with, willing to take breaks at any point and time, and constantly checking on my comfort level throughout their planting of the graphs. It was an extremely long night and they put my transplant and comfort first! Thanks! At this point and time we are about 8 hours into the surgery. Dr. Wong then came back in to give a graph count??¦??¦??¦??¦. 7,053! I didn't know how to react??¦??¦.. I was so excited and knew that it would give a chance at great coverage! We discussed the high number and the fact that it would allow us to hit the crown and add more density to the front 2/3's??¦??¦.. He was extremely excited for me and filled me in that I was in rare company (7,000 graph club!) That number still amazes me??¦??¦??¦ I have to say that it was a loooooooooooong day for me and I'm sure for the tech's and Dr. Wong, again they were so attentive and kind throughout the process. They made sure that I had ample breaks to stretch, eat, use the restroom, etc. In total I spend 16 hours in the office??¦??¦. By the end of the procedure I felt like I had been in a boxing match. In all honesty my head wasn't that sore (somewhat, but not bad), it was my neck and back that were causing me problems. The long period of time in the chair took its toll on me by days end. Headed back to the hotel about 9:00ish and had some pizza with the wife and filled her in on all the details. I was so sore that I just sat there in a 16 hour, 7,000 graph daze. I had a rough night trying to sleep. With the amount of graphs that I had I was worried about laying on them, etc. I only got about 4 hours sleep and felt sore, sore, sore??¦??¦.. In hindsight I should have taken the sleeping pills (I would advise you to do so!) Dr. Wong gave me some Tylenol 3's that helped as well, but it was a rough night. The next morning I went in for my first wash. It felt great to have the water running over my head and get my staple area cleaned (Near 100 staples). Again the tech was very helpful and answered some question. Dr. Wong checked the area and discussed care, medication, and a few other odds and ends. So as most of you would expect I am extremely excited about the procedure, and hope to have a great recovery??¦??¦??¦ Hope that I didn't bore you with too much detail. ---------------------------------------------H & W STAFF---------------------------------------- Joe took me and the wife out to eat sushi on Tuesday and we had a blast! He answered so many questions for us, he offered advice on things that we hadn't thought about, and genuinely took an interest in my procedure. Great night and really appreciated it. He also checked in on my 3 or 4 times to make sure I was doing well and/or if I needed anything. I really have a lot of respect for this guy as he was one of the first to start the blogs, etc. That was a huge step and an invaluable tool for guys like me. Big Thanks Joe! Great guy! Christina is extremely nice as well. She's always got a smile on her face and throughout the months leading up to my surgery she was invaluable for me. Answered every phone call and e-mail. Thanks Christina! Doug was someone I had only spoke w/ a few time, but he took a bunch of pictures for me and also came in 2 or 3 times to see if I needed anything. Didn't get to meet Mike in person, but really appreciate the phone calls leading up to the procedure. He did call from Seattle during the surgery and congratulated me on the great number. He was the first person that I talked to at length from H&W and really helped me with the process. Thanks Mike! All the techs were extremely friendly and professional! They work extremely hard and are the unsung hero's in the process. Hope the Luvely (SP) got to catch the end of American idol. Thanks Girls! Doctor Wong was the perfect fit for me. Obviously the fact that he got me 7,000 graphs was great, but he's very kind hearted and put me first during the entire process. He could very easily be less attentive, less understanding, and less down to earth with all the procedures he's done and the results he's produced, but he's not. He's top-notch in every regard!!!!!!!! Thanks Doctor Wong! SCALP EXERCISES I really feel that if I hadn't been religious with my scalp exercises I would have not gotten the great number that I did. I started them about 2 to 2 ?? months be for the procedure. I did them at least 6 days out of the week for 30 minutes a day. I will tell you that I learned to hate them, but the pain of doing them was well worth results they helped produce.

I'm actually considering not wearing anything on my fligth home..... I really doubt that I will know a sole on the plane...... Game time decision I suppose. THX!

Although I hate the amount of hair loss that I have could it be a blessing now that I have decided on a hair transplant? (Pics on blog) I'm sure I could lose more, but I have a lot of loss and I hope that the transplant I am having at this point in my hairloss will not require me to go back due to further loss.... Not saying I might not go back for more coverage, but wondering if loss would be an issue. Thoughts?

Great News for you! I'm really glad that your procedure was a great....... I head out Monday and have procedure Wednesday with Wong....... Hope I can get the same amount as you! Best of luck during you healing and stay in touch if you want as we will both be on the same schedule of recovery...... Have a great vacation!

Doo-Rag seems like a good option, just worry about it tight on graphs..... Is that silly? Been doing a lot of checking on Tripadivisor (Love that site) about Vancouver and it seems like a great place...... Hope weather works w/ us. I would like a few days before the procedure.

Some quick questions??¦??¦ 1. One thing that concerns me is the trip back home. I will have some long travel time. (Vancouver back to Kentucky). I wonder what is the best option as far as protection of my new graphs. I will have a fairly large session (hope in the neighborhood of 4,500, but would love/take as many as possible) so I'm afraid that some hats could damage the graphs. I will be traveling home the day after my surgery and need some input. I have a bucket hat that I am planning on wearing, but have considered not wearing anything? Heck I don't really know the best option??¦??¦. (Got to get some gel packs) 2. What did you guys do during your early down time? I plan on staying in the house for about 7 days??¦.. Glad I have this option, but I will be bored to death. I like to golf, work out, hang w/ friends??”all of which will be on the back burner for a while??¦??¦. Not to mention the fact that my kid will want to wrestle, tackle, and act like fool. That will be tough??¦??¦.. 3. For those that went to Hasson and Wong??¦??¦ What did you do the day/s before? I'm taking the wife for some site seeing, etc. Figure we will never have the chance/reason to go back to Vancouver and wanted to take it all in. We love to travel??¦??¦. We are arriving on Monday (Early, so an extra day)??¦.. Pre-op on Tuesday??¦??¦ Operation on Wednesday??¦. Flight home on Thursday??¦. I know that I am rambling, but I'm excited about the trip and surgery....... I plan on posting my experience thing go??¦??¦??¦ Head out Monday and Operation on Wednesday. Thanks for any input!