Abedogg

I think most scabs come off between 7 and 10 days unless you are doing nothing to them (i.e. like rahal recommends). I used minox that Umar gave me that was oily and helped the scabs off. Hairterm - why even bother posting if you aren't going to follow-up? Abe

I agree. Great video. I'm surprised we see lots of strip procedures and very few videos of how the manual punch works or videos like this that show an electric drill. Anybody know how Dr. True's results have been? Abe

I've always felt dr. Feller was very upfront with his thoughts regarding FUE. If he thinks you'll get a good result, then I'm certain you will. Good luck. Abe

Lat, You're going to get a great result - you've got great characteristics for it. On the plus side, at least you didn't have to shave down your head and you barely have any redness which I'm sure you can cover with your existing hair. If it makes you feel better, check out how red I am still. The toughest part is wearing a hat everywhere. Thanks for keeping us updated. I'll do the same. Abe

Hairterminator, Why not post regular updates? Its encouraging for us in the same boat as you, post-transplant. Abe

I'm in surgical sales and I'm in the OR all day for a living. Some docs use slightly different instruments and slightly different techniques and acheive better results. Just recently, a gall bladder or an appendix, even placing a lap band, can now be done through the belly button. The only patient benefit is cosmesis (lack of already small scars and possibly less post-op pain). But patients are driving out of state to doctors that perform these procedures. Most doctors have not yet been trained on this procedure or have done it once or twice and realized that the procedure is tougher and takes longer. Their response has been that this isn't a safe procedure or that it doesn't make a big enough difference to add more time to a case. But to the patients that have had it and request it there is definitely a difference. In a few years most general and bariatric surgeons will be doing these procedures through the belly button. In part, because companies like mine are spending millions to create new products that will make this procedure easier. But also because as more docs master the technique, the procedure becomes easier to tackle. But there will always be naysayers. As FUE evolves maybe more docs will be willing to share their technique and experiences. Eventually all of the naysayers retire. Abe

Wow - I didn't expect such a response. Mr GQ - I have a red head that looks like shit and I've been wearing a hat going on three weeks. I'm certainly staying humble. If you read any of my other posts I have given truly unbiased reports on my experience. Check out the experience/review section on my experience with Umar. If you read others reviews, like chargedup's recent review, you will see that its post like those that are written for the docs benefit and leads people to poor choices. Also - from a scientific perspective I'm completely right. I would definitely say there is lots of anecdotal evidence of poor results with FUE - if there is a conclusive study please show it to me. But most educated patients (patients on these boards) are not going to Boseley and the other hacks out there for their strips. And they are not posting their poor strip results either. Strip has definitely been mastered by the greats like H&W and Rahal, etc. FUE is getting there. IMO Armani doing over 3k fue grafts in one day is part of the reason for some of his poor results. Umar did 1600 grafts on me in one 14 hour day (I got there at 7 am and left at 9pm). Thanatopsis - I agree with your post. Glajo - I think your point is that FUE has a place in HT. I agree. I went into this procedure and paid more for it with full knowledge that I there is a good chance I may not have as good a yeild as I would have with strip. But the benefit of not having a scar and maintaining the option of short hair in the future outweighed the benefit of possible (even probable) lower yeild. (i've been on these boards for years as an observer). Please grow Please - I think that just like with strip there will eventually be a select few docs that master the FUE technique and consistently get good results. I don't think there has been enough time yet to refine the procedure and enough results to say any one doc has mastered it. But I'm confident there will be. And - Guys I will definitely keep you updated regularly. It was many of you veterans that helped me make my decision. These boards are addictive too. Abe

There is more risk in the hands of a surgeon who doesn't know what they are doing. There may definitely be less yield with fue but I know it hasn't been 'proven.' Simple deduction doesn't prove anything. There needs to be a study. Abe

Dakota - I didn't want the scar and wanted the option of keeping my hair short if I want to in the future. Plus - I figure a transplant will last your life, so many wasn't a big obstacle. Its also not a proven fact that FUT results in higher yeilds than FUE. FUT with a bad surgeon will have poor yeilds and FUE will as well. There is probably more risk with FUE of transection, etc. Spex - Thanks! being patient is the tough part.

The dinner went suprisingly well. I was able to use dermablend with great results and only a few people I know said that I got a haircut. Anyway, lots of stress releived. Thanks for the advice. Abe

Thanks Bill and Lat, I'll let you guys know how the dinner goes tomorrow. Abe

Thanks guys. I think it looks too much like a perfect hairline to try and get away with a bad rash. I may try a little toppik just for the night. Wish me luck. Abe

I've updated my weblog with Day 14 pics. My head is not looking any better. I have a big work dinner tomorrow and I'll probably have to tell anybody that asks about it. Fun... The redness is the worst part at this point. I can't wait to get to two or three months. Abe

Reading your post I really didn't answer your question at all. Here is my guess why pacific islanders have dht resistant hair. Because having hair on the top of the head blocks out intense sun that is abundant where they live. This sun would cause cancer on a bald head.

Dr. Lindsey, It is an interesting question. I'm no scientist either but here's my guess... I think the general thought is that species evolve (change) to survive. And generally they do. but this happens by sheer luck. For instance, a monkey is born with a freak gene that makes his hips more adaptable to upright walking. This allows him to pick fruit where he couldn't before or allows him to run faster and tackle more female monkeys and impregnate them (whatever the reason it gives them some sort of advantage). Unfortunately, I think the hairloss gene, which was probably due to a freak gene mutation, has no evolutionary benefit. If hairloss did have a benefit - let's say it kept us cooler as the earth gets hotter and we are able to live more reprodcutive years than men with a full head of hair - more women would mate with men that carried the gene and possibly, the horeshoe pattern would get lower and lower through selective breeding until eventually we all would just go bald! So, I believe the hairloss gene just happened to be a freak mutation that only affects certain areas of the head, that has carried down through generations. Maybe global warming will be good for us. Abe

Clint, It doesn't actually look like you've lost that much hair. I'm 2 weeks out now and I haven't lost much from the transplant. When did you start to lose the implanted grafts? Abe

Ricardo - you won't be able to get FUE for 4 bucks per graft from anyone with much experience in the US. 6 to 10 is probably more in range with the better docs FUE in the hands of a bad doc is prob not a good idea. Consider strip with any of the big guys, H&W, Rahal, Shapiro, alexander, etc.....There's a guy in CO that has a good rep too, can't think of his name. Good luck Abe

Thanks Dr. Lindsey.

Charged up - no offense taken. I saw your pics and it looks like you are healing quickly. Since we both finished our ht's on the same day, I will be keeping track of your progress. Good luck to you. Glad you had a good experience.

Charged up - good luck to you. It looks like you don't have much redness which must be nice. And i agree with hoose's sentiments as well. Just an FYI - to a casual observer it does sound like you are promoting ross. Which is fine and your results will speak for themselves. Good growing to you.

Jim - Thanks - I'm excited. I have no idea if the minox will keep the grafts from jumping ship. I don't expect them too, but I like his minox mix (it seems to soften the hair and doesn't cause any irritation). Umar did say he thought it was possible I wouldn't lose that many grafts. I don't remember why he said this, but he did. I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best. Abe

Hey Chargedup - I didn't have any pain during the procedure or after. Just the needles to inject the scalp prior to the procedure were way more painful than I expected - I think its because of the nape hair and the location. I paid cash for most of it so I didn't pay 3% but I would have had to if I used a credit card which I felt was a little chincy. I was dissapointed he didn't have Capital One Cosmetic loans or similar as an option (which would have given a great rate similar to yours). However, 20k for 3k FUE grafts is actually a very good rate for FUE - probably the best in the country for someone with Umar's experience and results. Armani or cole would have been closer to 30k. I definitely considered saving some money and going strip. Rahal and H&W were at the top of my list and I would have saved about 60%. But I figure I'm 30 and this is going to last my lifetime - I'd rather have FUE. I haven't had a bad experience at all and I am fully confident in Umar's expertise and I expect a great outcome. But I wanted to give a truly unbiased opinion. I've always felt there were either glowing positive reviews or really bad reviews on here -the glowing positives always seemed suspect. At the same time I do realize that some of these clinics treat you as a king. I wasn't treated bad at all but I do think his office lacks in the small details which I've outlined. I don't know how much a surgeon like Umar makes (probably plenty) but I think he could afford a patient advocate that is strictly dedicated to transplants (he doesn't have this). Setting up and paying for a taxi would be cool too. Hopefully my remarks will help those visiting Umar more prepared in what to expect. My results will be the ultimate factor that determines my recommendation. As of now, I would say yes, definitely go, I'm very happy so far. Just keep your expectations regarding the small things realistic. With Umar you're paying for a hairtransplant. Abe

Thanks Eman and GQ - I'm using the post op minox without PG that Umar gave me after the procedure - I really like this stuff, smells good too. I also just started taking MSM - Umar isn't a fan of MSM but it has speeded regular hair and nail growth for me in the past and I can't wait to get to that 4 month mark. I find myself checking these boards at least 3 times daily since the procedure - so thanks for the encouragement. Abe

Hey Guys, I updated my pics with Day 9 results. Let me know what you think. I think my right side is a little bit weaker but I'm not super concerned at this point. I think its dense enought to look decent. Thoughts?

I second this question. I've seen the same thing and don't understand why the effect wouldn't be the same.