azn_guy

No offense to 3rd world countries, especially the doctors that are part of this coalition

but doctors, especially 3rd world country doctors (I am sure the coalitions doctors also agree) understand that the technology and advancements here in the US is usually far superior to those in 3rd world countries.

Why is this the case? Mostly $$$, and many big named pharmaceutical companies are based in the US (many are also european based)

There are many doctors from outside the US that immigrate to the US to realize how difficult it is to pass the boards.

I've also been to many clinics outside the US especially in Asia, I get VERY concerned about their skills and abilities.

I personally would not go outsider the US for a cosmetic surgery, I think the cons outweigh the pros.

Now if there is a hospital in china for example that is sponsored by an affiliation or group, then I may consider it (eg: mayo clinic) because they are putting their names on the line

just thought to get my 2 cents on the scenario.

happy,

I fully agree with aaron, one of the reasons you want to stay away from the big-named hair transplant companies is because with MHR or Bosley, you have no idea who your HT surgeon is and most likely he/she wouldnt have had a chance to be meticulously graded by sites like these.

If they did a terrible job or even a good job, it's very difficult to gauge their performance and skills.

Using the recommended HT surgeons from this site, it makes it very an easy choice because many doctors here take responsibility and know that if you are planning to get a HT, their credibility is on the line. If they do a bad job, you might post. On the other hand if they do a good job, you might post.

Notice though that many Coalition Doctors have had a tremendous positive responses for several years, which is really good news for you

Thanks aaron, much appreciated.

I'm going to spend the next 6 months focusing on the scar itself, haha

I think it'll allow time to fly by

Just an FYI for everyone, I had my sutures removed yesterday correct? My Donor area feels 100% better considering it's only been 1 day!

The feeling is literally night and day

Do you guys believe that the earlier you shed the quicker you will grow?

The HT Experience was positive, but while many on this site consider the "experience" important. I personally judge everything by the outcome.

Here are some things that I noticed about my HT

- Minimal Pain (minor pinches during lidocaine shots)

- I was pretty much dosed with drugs the whole time and time flew by quick

- The procedure was from 9am-7:30pm

- I definitely could not drive by myself back to the hotel

- Discomfort really started about 1 week later when the suture area started to itch

- Suture removal was a pain (I had them in for 21 days) ==> this was more painful the the whole HT surgery for me

Again, many people like the fact that the "doctor was nice" or the "food was great" or the "hotel was so accommodating"

If the outcome is terrible, none of that matters, right? So if I look back, it's purely about results in my book.

I believe I chose a doctor (and many if not all of the coalition have the same mentality) that also understands that it's all about results because their credibility is on the line.

haha, this is a great topic

I tried using toppik, and yes it leaves a residue.

I think this is also pertains to people with hair systems, if you're on a date, and your date wants to run her hands through your hair, how do you stop her?

I dont have issues with concealers or hair systems but I do wear topical medicine on my face and this may be too much information but I had one girl that wanted to lick my face. I was like

"uh, no, I have topical medicine on my face, unless you want to eat it, I suggest you not do that"

it was actually kinda funny. We're still friends and sometimes it'll be brought up in a conversation topic.

Luckily it's only topical meds, the whole hair thing is a completely different story.

So,

If you take a look at the NW Scale, the photo assumes the Cowlick (swirl) is in the center of the head where the crown is.

How does the HT surgeon take into account the removal of the donor strip if the Swirl is to the left of to the right of the head?

Take a look at the attached photo. Notice the Swirl is to the right of my head, and you can see where the donor strip was taken.

Now assuming that the crown starts to thin out, was the location of the donor strip ideal in this scenario?

If you just imagine my crown thinning, you'll notice that it'll get close to where the donor scar is currently located on the right side of my head

the left side, the donor strip is safe from crown thinning.

I think this makes sense, let me know if I need to clarify

How does a Doctor take this into account?

Hey Guys,

I got a haircut and rather doing a "Buzz" all the way around.

I had my sutures removed at Dr. Rosanelli's office and rather than just going to a random place, Dr. Rosanelli had a hairstylist available.

I was able to

- suture removal

- hair cut

all at the same place.

She blended it really well and it's actually quite difficult to see the donor scar

so to answer my own question "go to a hairstylist and if you tell them about the donor area, they will blend it in"

and no, doing a buzz clipper #5, you'll still see the donor scar.

Hey Everyone,

I've updated my blog with 21 day postop photos with suture removal.

I actually had Dr. Rosanelli's office remove the sutures since it made "commute" sense.

He was great and was able to squeeze me in with his busy schedule (compliments of Dr. Cooley's office)

I had the sutures removed at the 21 day mark. I will let everyone know that it felt like a pinches and was quite annoying. It wasn't that pleasant which I'm happy I went somewhere rather than doing them myself.

I also got a haircut all during the same visit, which was really convenient.

Dr. Rosanelli came in and did a thorough check of my recipient and my donor area which was awesome, he said everything looked just fine.

I will have to admit, he was pretty cool, his hair tech's were awesome, and they were actually really cute

most likely blood thinning

I agree with you Maxxy on this...

Also one thing to note, people keep discussion "how many days"

I believe with staples, you HAVE to have them removed at a certain day. Sutures can be left in longer than staples

just an FYI

Amazing density for an Asian (Oriental), 8200!!!!

Looks like he'll have a lot more growing in the months to come, I would love to see 18 month photos

I did mine only a week before and it was just fine

I think most doctors recommend 2-3 weeks before.

At first I thought about being extreme and doing it every day for 6 months

Hey Fingers,

When you got your Staples out, everyone says "it feels so much better"

Did you feel any difference the day after? Details would be nice...I'm getting my sutures removed soon, so I cannot wait!

Goodluck with your growing!!!

Wow, it looks really good!!!

I wish my MPB was an "A"

Thanks Sparky for the encouragement.

Also the reason I ask is because right now if I touch my donor strip (which still has sutures) it feels swollen.

Think of it this way, flat road, but then there is a speed bump

Is this caused by the sutures? internal sutures?

So again, I'm asking questions, but please feel free to answer my initial question, will my donor strip be noticed if I do a Buzz Clipper #5?

I'm thinking of getting a haircut after I have my sutures removed from a HT.

Any recommendations?

I obviously need to get a buzz cut (see my photos)

If I get a buzz #5 (1 inch), considering the scar is still only 3-4 weeks new, will it be noticeable?

I know many of you have gotten this done but I didn't see any discussions on this especially RIGHT after having the sutures/staples removed.

I may wait 3-4 days after the suture/staple removal to get it done

Thoughts on this?

At 6 weeks scars are in their maximal risk of hypertrophy (in most cases)

Dr. Lindsey, Can you give a good timeframe of when there is maximal risk?

4-6 week? 6-8 weeks? 4-8 weeks?

Any thoughts on this? I know it's subjective but it's good to get an idea of when to be the most careful after a HT

I was told that there are a few that do not shed, and just start growing right off the bat.

I wish I was in that select few people

Is that a Buzz Clipper #2 or a Buzz Clipper #1?

Sorry, I can't tell

Just for future reference

Great Work Dr. Arocha.

His frontal scalp you worked on looks really good. I'm sure he's a happy camper.

I have a question though, the photos you've shown, The Donor Scar is visible.

It would be great if you could elaborate on this a bit. My guess is the following

- Buzz Cut #2 within that area so the scar is visible

- His donor scar is still healing, is it possible that if you give him a few more months it will be undetectable?

I love the fact that I was just with Dr. Cooley. I cant wait for my 13 months!

Great Job Dr. Cooley

I like the fact that you added in the shaving of the head.

Unlike most Dr. Cooley's patients I actually had my head shaved for the procedure...I had to work but I also just wanted to make it as EASY as possible for him.

A compromise to these two methods described above is what Dr. Jerry Cooley calls the "modified stick-and-place" method, in which the sites are pre-made and then a small slightly blunted needle (to avoid puncture accidents to staff) is placed into the pre-made site to slightly dilate and hold it open. As it is withdrawn, the FU graft is then placed.

Really? This is what Dr. Cooley does? I had no idea, I obviously didn't do my homework, thank god his method works.

Plus when you're drugged and they're working on your recipient area (and the fact that you cannot see what they are doing). who would have thought...

Due to the fact that I had my HT across the US, I couldn't go back to see Dr. Cooley for the suture removal.

Ailene (the wonder she is) hooked me up to go see Dr. Tom Rosanelli

He'll be removing my sutures, checking on my donor scar and recipient area to see if everything is okay.

I could have seen a generic Urgent Care Doctor but I told myself "why not just see another Coalition Doctor"

I was told that Dr. Rosanelli's office will also brief Dr. Cooley's office with how things are going

Glad to see Coalition Doctors helping each other out. It's like one big happy family, haha.

Hey Guys, this is my experience

Many folks on here say they shed 100-150 hairs a day. Most doctors acknowledge this is normal.

But I don't shed hair! my hair continues to stick around. What I do notice is if a hair does fall out, I can see a difference in diameter by looking at the hair itself.

So not every HAS to shed 100-150 hairs, eg: me