Northwest-Hairline

The narrative from the original poster to this thread is difficult to follow, and since there are no photos to offer a visual understanding of the results of his session with Dr Umar, there's no point in commenting on it. What I will say is that if even a part of what the OP claims is true, it is completely at odds with my own personal experience with Dr Umar and his staff. First of all, I arrived on time for my appointment. I learned enough in my emails exhanges with Dr Umar and his staff to know that each of my two day-long sessions were labor-intensive and time consuming. I would not arrive at mid day, expecting them to accommodate the fact that I had more important things to do than plan for adequate time for a serious medical procedure. Would you ask your neurosurgeon if he could do HIS work a little quicker because you couldn't quite get to the OR on time? I don't mean to belittle your situation, but when I made my appointment, THAT was the priority.... from travel, to the actual appointment, to recuperation. My pre-op was thorough. I don't recall the complete roster of medications I was given, but I will tell you that I was intent to let the clinic know that I'm kind of a nervous patient, especially with needles and things... so I doubt I was given less medication for relaxation and anxiety, etc. Throughout the pre-op, I was repeatedly asked if I had any questions or concerns... whether they were written down in advance or not, I was asked verbally by Dr Umar at least 4 or 5 times prior to the procedure. So much so that I remember actually thinking to myself... "c'mon Doctor, let's get this show on the road!" Dr Umar is good humored, and was very intent on making me understand the realistic possibilities for my procedure. I didn't take his serious nature in this area as "pompous". Perhaps others would, I don't know... but the fact that he is quick to crack a smile and poke fun at himself would not ordinarily be the characteristic of a pompous personality. To the OP... I hope you find happiness as a final outcome. Some photos would be interesting to see. This reply of my first hand experience is not a criticism of your narrative, but you haven't offered a lot to go on so far.

Progress marches on. The front hairline is remains comparatively sparse to the eye... but this is due at least in part to the fact that there are many very fine hairs that are just getting with the program. I'm guessing in another 8 to 12 weeks, it should be catching up with the rest.

Hi gang... it's that time once again when you get to check out my progress. I sort of feel like an expectant mother... it's 18 weeks and I'm starting to show. Very pleased with the developments. For those that have been following, I experienced some stubborn redness (but no swelling) along the frontal recipient area. It has definitely diminished.

Hey Raphael... I wish I had an answer to your density question. Relatively speaking, I think I can say the hairline was grafted at the same density as the crown, perhaps a bit more. The hairline is definitely taking a little longer than the crown to show visible results, but on very close inspection, there are many grafts beginning to emerge. I would guess that in another 4 to 6 weeks it will be easy to see the density at which they were planted.

Here is a set of photos at approximately the three month mark. The redness is fading from the hairline, and new growth is emerging.

Thanks for the reminder for Pre Op photos Spanker... it's much more useful to follow things when you have a starting point for reference. It is also worth noting that these pictures are among the set that I provided to Dr Umar for his online consultation. More update photos within the week which will represent the three month mark.

The inevitable, albeit... slow process of regrowth is underway. Here is a photo set at week nine. I'm very pleased. There is still some lingering redness in the frontal area... but not atypical for a fair skinned patient. There is no swelling or irritation, and it continues to improve, so no cause for concern by either myself or Dr Umar at this stage. Nothing like the sensation of 3000+ hairs fighting to emerge.

Very strange... on this end, it shows that I uploaded the new photos. I'll repost or figure it out. Thanks for catching that Slickers... appreciated.

Here's a series of photos for the 4 week update. Shedding began in earnest at the two week mark. A side note; For many of us, strategic covering with hairstyling is a way of life. So getting it all buzzed off is quite an adjustment, but I must say that it is an enlightening experience for getting to know the true status of your scalp... and I say this probably more to those of us who have gone through less-than-positive procedures in the past. I knew I had scarring of course, and obviously I had thinning... it was beneficial in some respects to be able to see it all completely unfiltered. If nothing else, it exposes the lay of the land so to speak. Anyways... I'm very pleased at this stage of the game. Post op, Dr Umar has me on a semi-gel based Minoxidil, which I'm supposed to use for 4 months. Can anyone enlighten me on the benefits of the 12.5% foam? I'm definitely going to use the OTC foam (5%) after the 4 months, but curious about the more powerful recipe. Note: These photos look very similar to the earlier ones.... Yes, I have been sitting in the same spot for two weeks.

An in person consult is the ideal, but I will say that I had good results using Dr Umar's online consultation. One of the other niceties with Dr Umar's clinic is that it is relatively slow paced part of town with couple of hotels within a 5 to 10 minute walk. I have a thread going ( http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168384-3100-grafts-repair-job-dr-umar.html ) that I will update from time to time. My procedure was done Nov 12 & 16.

Check my thread here: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168384-3100-grafts-repair-job-dr-umar.html FUE method is essentially a cherry-picking option that afforded many of us new possibilities. With respect to Dr Charles' opinion about donor selection, I think you'll agree that my donor area is among the worst-case scenarios. I have had several strips preceded by a couple of disastrous plug sessions from the 80s. The photos on my thread to a fair job of showing the donor selections at the two week mark. With respect to avoiding FUE above prior scarring, I can tell you that many grafts (I'm guessing 1500+) were taken above my scars and I have no concerns about coverage. In fact, I would say the harvesting from the band between the scars and recipient area will actually help blend the hair density in this transitional part of the scalp. I also had side and beard hair harvested. If you are in a situation that your donor area truly is not an adequate source, BHT is the only surgical solution today. The merits of that approach are discussed at length in other areas. It was an easy option for me because I had no other. Of course there are a lot of factors. Existing density, hair color, severity and size of the scars. I will update my photos at 1 month mark so you can see for yourself how my particular case is progressing. I echo Janna's feedback for evaluation strategies. A next-best approach is very good (well lit, high resolution)photos for online consults. The obvious advantage is the ability to obtain many opinions.

It's probably just me.... thanks for all you do here Bill. Have a great weekend.

Hey Bill....I thought I would mention it because I expected to be reading a negative report about a physician. I'm certainly not the writing police, but would suggest this or similar: - Dr. Rassman Offers Tips to Patients Before Undergoing Hair Transplantation

A heads up... the title to this thread can be taken in the context of.. Dr Rassman is the subject of the warning.

I would do a few online consultations if you haven't already. The opinions and strategies that you obtain from them may not trump the travel considerations, but they should certainly should be part of the mix. If you want a drivable distance, and presuming you could travel with your uncle, Dr Gabel is a delight and well worth a few hours of driving.