hairbank

Glad to hear you had a positive experience. I haven't seen any of their work before and would love to see the pics when you have time to post them.

LOL, you kill me, Spex, you really do!! The Aloe Vera King Lives!!!!!

Post-op first HT, I took about two weeks off, then resumed close to my normal routine with lighter weight. Right or wrong, I started back full-steam at 1 month and really had no problems. Scar was only so-so, but I don't believe it was due to the weights, more the surgeon. He was good, just not great and didn't use trichophytic closure with hair growing through the scar. Post-op 2nd HT I had taken a bit of a layoff from lifting so it wasn't an issue. I believe I did start lifing again around 2 months after............scar is great!! Assuming I go ahead with HT #3 at the end of this month, I'm thinking I'll take one week off, no lifting whatsoever. Then, 2nd week do very light reps with most all exercises........maybe follow through with that routine through week 4. I'd like to be back to normal pretty much by week 5 but maybe that's too optimistic. You're a little over 2 weeks out, right? Have you tried any kind of lifting yet?

Not necessarily. It totally depends on the individual/situation and the Doc. Many have chosen to start HT's only being NW3 or 4, with a good bit of native hair remaining, so, they initially need less grafts in order to plan for the future and see how their loss progresses. Others who hit NW5-6 early on, or at any age for that matter, are free to go for the gusto. Actually, I think I've heard of over 7700 grafts harvested in one session by Dr. Hasson........maybe this is old news but the biggest session I've heard of. Yes, the larger sessions will depend heavily on a patients hair characteristics with respect to donor density and scalp laxity. I started HT's at age 38 with an already established balding pattern, was a NW 5 heavily diffused, but still had enough native hair in the frontal 1/3 I would have approached it in two sessions rather than one. I ended up in the chair 1st HT with a decent Doc, he just wasn't staffed to do more than 1200 grafts so it was somewhat of a waste. My 2nd surgery with Dr. Wong almost yielded 4000 grafts and I'll be going in for my 3rd and hopefully final surgery to finish it off very soon. Hope this helps\!

Well repo-man - Only thing that comes to mind is if your scar is stretched much it will be to the detriment of a plentiful harvest. Instead of having a thinner scar and more grafts with the harvest, assuming the surgeon's swatch will be the same width in either case, with a stretched scar you'll be getting more scar and less grafts, make sense?? I'm likely going back into the chair for my 3rd HT at the end of the month and am reviewing my weightlifting strategy post-surgery. That's one of the downsides, the layoff, for me I'm close to being in the best shape I've ever been in so I kind of hate it.............but the visions of working out with more hair on my head later this year make it palatable!

There's no reason I know of why a surgeon would risk going too low.......so I have to assume that it isn't . Seriously, it may be a little lower than some I've seen but it doesn't appear to me that the hair harvested is any different in density than the rest. It may appear the way it does due to being so fresh after surgery due to shock-loss, that's my best guess!

I believe I'm paying around $68 dollars at walmart for generic Proscar. If you quarter it that will last you 4 months, I take it EOD so it lasts me 8 months. Not too shabby. I'm not sure how much you'll save going elsewhere but I feel $68 for a 4-8 month supply is pretty cheap.

Bushy..... Where the heck you been, braddah??? How's that mop holdin' up?? Sorry..........just taking a thread-break to say hello to an "old" poster/friend....lol Have to agree with you Bushy, as I also mentioned, in my tenure here Pat has always been fair-minded and all about what's best for the site and hairloss sufferers. Peace ~

Scars are in their respective location because the donor hair is taken from the "safe zone" which is below the occipital protuberance....you know, the "bump" at the base of the skull. So, if you're wondering if the scar is to high, just see if it's below the bump and I believe you should be okay.

I've been a regular here over the years but am just coming back after being away for a few months. I haven't posted much w/ NG2GB and won't say aye or nay as to whether he should be banned. I do believe there's a point where a poster can taint a forum...............I'm not referring to NG2GB, I haven't read many of his posts, but, it can happen. Those of you that have been around for awhile, remember the poster "Mahair".......case in point. I guess I'm just saying it can happen and I don't blame Pat for making decisions he feels is best for the forum in the long run. Nothing wrong with freedom of speech on a public forum, but, there still must be guidelines of a sort of we could have a free-for-all to the detriment of the forum, which is meant to help us balding types, not hurt us. Jupiter - in my tenure here, I've seen many negative comments against paying Docs here, and to Pat's credit, he doesn't waste any time removing them if their quality of work is in question. That's one of the reasons I've stuck around so long on HTN was because the integrity of the site is high, IMO. We aren't going to agree with all decisions made by anyone. As I've mentioned I haven't read through NG2GB's posts so I won't comment about him. I can say from experience that I trust Pat to make the decisions that are in the best interest of the site. It's hear as a help to all of us that hate hairloss. As was mentioned, it's possible NG2GB could talk with Pat and maybe these differences can be resolved, hopefully so. If not, I have to trust Pat is doing what he feels is best for the site. It's been around 10 years and has helped countless hairloss sufferers (myself included) so I have to believe, though Pat is human and makes mistakes like the rest of us, he is only doing what he feels is best for the site.

Wish I could help you but I've not heard of Dr. Keller, but then I've been off the boards for a few months, too. Have you seen any of his work or has anyone from HTN had a HT from him?

Best of luck to you, LaGrange!! I'll look forward to following the journey. You'll be in the best of hands with Dr. Hasson!

The fact that TTDS is experiencing very slow growth is a concern. For now, the only thing I haven't seen that I need to see is before/after pics, along with a better pic for comparison. As for the comments about the Techs partying the night before, I imagine of the two times I was in the chair if the Techs were talking about partying the night before I may be a little concerned about my precious grafts. At the same time, what they do on their personal time - as long as the results don't suffer, I couldn't care less. The quality of Dr. E's work over the years has been solid in my opinion. The fact that there have been a few cases in question recently is too bad, but, I'm sure things will come to light. As Pat mentioned, and one of the very reasons I'm a supporter of this sight, the bar is set very high, nothing is hidden and recommended Docs are accountable for top-notch results. Hopefully we'll see some before/after pics for better evaluation.

I'm not sure how accurately you can actually count the graft survival rate?? I know clinics can do it and there have been studies performed but I assumed it was because they were equipped with staff and technology the average person doesn't have?? Anyway, to each his own. I suppose documenting with well-taken pictures has always been good enough to me. After evaluating several before/afters with # of grafts and other specs, it's really not too tough to tell if the majority of the graftss grew.

Sorry to hear of your situation but you've come to the right place . Well........if you want to try and salvage what you have, for as long as you can, you really need to think about Propecia (Finasteride) at a minimum. I understand your aversion to taking meds, I had one too but I've been on Finasteride for 2 years now with no problems and it is definitely helping me. I had mild regrowth in the hairline so I'm assuming it's stoping further recision on the back and sides which is my goal..........I've already had two HT's at ages 38 and 39. I'm now 41. In your post it sounded like you're referring to Minox and Finasteride as the same thing or meds......they aren't. Minox is topical. It has been proven to work but I didn't stay with it due to the messy regimen. Maybe others can chime in about the foam which I hear is easier. Do some research and see if you can get comfort with Finasteride. If you want to hold on to what you have the meds are the only way. A good shampoo like Nioxin and/or Nizoral will help you to keep your scalp and hair healthy but will do nothing to regrow hair. Hope this helps.

I'm from the school of Wong myself so thought I'd put in my $.02!! The number of grafts he pulled was great, but I think the caveat is my scar - which is paper thin and has hair growing through it. I honestly couldn't have been more pleased. I clip down to 1/2" by the scar and it's undetectable.

Your progress looks good.....especially for the crown which traditionally comes in a little more slowly. Really coming along! Kudos to you for taking pics in the bright outdoor sunlight. There's not a bit-o-scalp that can hide from direct sunlight! I'll look forward to seeing your updates ~ best of luck!

The work looks great so congrats to you!! Although, looking at your before's..........many here would die for the head of hair you had. How old are you? Have you been experiencing loss for awhile now?

Just posted on your other thread w/ pics, IH.. Looks good. Best wishes with the crown! Any reason you only have 1000-1500 donor left? Looks like you have more in the pics.

Hey KamCal, Just came across your thread.........took a little break from the boards for awhile but I'm back!! Looks good my friend, really does. Remember, you're not done growing yet. Just compare your before after pics to see how far you've come. I know in my case, the crownwork took a little longer to grow and mature, I actually still noticed change from 9mo-1yr. I'll be anxious to follow along with your updates!

IH, Hey, just came across your pics..............it really, really looks good. Just remember where you came from, my friend. So you're thinking of maybe adding a little to the crown?? One thing I noticed after HT #2, having crownwork done, is that even though if I style my hair forward and expose the thinning crown, it's "thinning" not bald by any means. In any case, it looks great my friend. Thanks for the update!

I looked at TTDS's pic again. A bit of a quandry because there's no before pic, or post-surgery pic to see EXACTLY where the grafts were placed. If they were placed in the frontal 1/3, 2500+ grafts, many haven't grown. I would have to disagree somewhat with the 9-12 month waiting period. Of all the HT's I've tracked progress on, and I've tracked several, I don't know of any cases where you see this little evidence of growth by 9 months, then see mucho hair at month 12. By "evidence" I'm talking about the majority of the grafts sprouted. I have seen changes from months 9-12, even in my own growth, but not zero or 10-20% growth at 9 months. Still, without before/after surgery comparison pics I wouldn't want to make any claims. I really think TTDS needs to meet w/ Dr. E. and find out what he thinks. Though I do question only 2500 grafts for round one on a guy with this level of loss, some Docs don't staff for 3000-5000 graft sessions. I've always been a fan of Dr. E's work. In this case, or possibly other recent cases if growth is poor, it should be thoroughly researched and given HTN's reputation for holding Doc's accountable I'm sure it will be by Bill and Pat.

Best of luck to you Mike. I didn't pick up from your thread when you're going in or what your goals are?? As NG2BB said, you may want to cut that post up into paragraphs !! I'm from the school of H&W (Master Wong) and know you'll be pleased with them. From Mike in Seattle to the office in Vancouver, class act all the way around. I'll look forward to following your story!

If I were you I'd take a step back, take a deep breath and give it a little time. Consult with a several docs and see what you come up with, have you spoken to others besides Rahal and Armani? Yes, H&W for sure, Shapiro and many others could safely harvest the numbers you're looking for and do great work. As for the Rahal and Armani debate.............personal choice. "My" personal choice would be Rahal. I've frequented other sites than HTN and Armani's ethics will always be in question to me. Many twentysomethings come out of there with 4000 grafts in the frontal 1/3. There's NO WAY to tell in many cases what your balding pattern will be at that age unless you've already hit NW6 in which case you can't load the front with 4000 grafts and come out looking normal. It's your call and whatever you decide, as a fellow recovering bald guy, I wish you the best!

Your pics with Nanogen do look good. I don't use concealers but used dermatch briefly while recovering from HT #2. Do you have any issues with Nanogen in bright lighting, or flourescent indoor lighting? I've heard of guys using Toppik that have mentioned these conditions are harsh on those type concealers and that it's evident something's up. Just curious - thanks.