Madcow

Hi there! I just had work done along my hairline in mid-November (to cover scars). I choose FUE because some of my previous scars in the past have widened and I didn't want a long scar on my scalp that could stretch. I also worried about shaving the donor area. My hair is down to my bra strap in back and I wondered if the area would be noticeable. Well, I took the plunge and had my donor area at the nape of the neck shaved in (I'm estimating) a 2" X 3.5" patch. I had read that shaving the area is best and it was also recommended by my Dr.'s office. I am happy to say that for me it has turned out to be unnoticeable. My hair is thick and long and the area filled in fast and will grow out with no one being the wiser. I had about 700 grafts, tho. If you are really concerned, I could email you a picture of right after my procedure and one now, 2 months later.

UPDATE: I'm at the 5 week mark now and a lot of the transplanted hair has fallen out, as expected. The scars are still a little red as you can see. After my HT, within 2 weeks the donor area had basically returned to normal with no tenderness. It took a bit longer for the recipient area which remained sore to the touch at least a week or more longer. I have tiny stubble in a few places and I'm not sure if it's where the transplanted hair broke off or what, it's much too early to expect growth I'm sure. Anyway, I wanted to post my progress because there might not be as many people on here discussing HT's into scar tissue and someone might be interested. I'll post more pics/info when I start getting new growth.

(While having HT), or was it only me? Come on ppl, fess up:D I did not tell Dr. Konior, but at one point I dozed off and when I woke up I thought I had been left with a janitor?? (good grief, where do I come up with these things), and since I had gauze taped over my eyes I couldn't see. Anyway, I felt pressure on the side of my face and I wanted the "janitor" to stop whatever he was doing so I worked my arm out from under my blanket and put my hand up there, mumbling "wha're u doin'?", or something to that effect and Dr. Konior causually says he's still working on me and I might want to put my hand down. Whoops. I seem to remember saying something silly too. I took a look at my long hair, which was partially shaved and tied straight up in some punk looking fashion and I asked if there was going to be video of that show up on Youtube...that's the thing about Valium, sigh, it sounded hilarious to me at the time....nurses did not think so. So, does anyone else have any stories, or am I just a lightweight? Madcow

Thanks for the well wishes! For some reason the Erythromycin antibiotic and I don't get along, it makes me feel like I've had a couple of beers. So, when I went to post my pictures I could only get one up and it kept posting sideways...sorry. This is not my first time using a computer, really:D As I heal up I'll see if I can do better.

I had some surgical scars on either side of my face, along my hairline, that to me seemed very obvious. I checked my options and thought moving my hairline out slightly would cover them and finally give me the option to pull my hair back out of my eyes. I chose Dr. Konior for the surgery, although he was a good 12 hour drive from my house, because his name came up again and again on Internet forums as someone who was a perfectionist that did quality work. After looking at pictures of his work and reading reviews from former patients, I made arrangements for a consultation. Communication was great from the start. I started with an online consultation and emailed some pictures in for him to review. I understood that I would be getting a ballpark estimate since he was not seeing me in person, and I was fine with that. He estimated 500 grafts would give me coverage. Next, I was contacted by Tom, the office manager, who patiently answered a lot of my questions and filled me in on the scheduling and financial details. Paperwork was sent back and forth so it would done before the day of surgery. Check-in time on day of surgery was 6:15.Tom came in the office, had me fill out one last paper or two, and then asked what trimmings I wanted on my turkey sandwich for lunch! I was led to a nice exam room by Lisa, the head nurse, and then Dr. Konior came in and discussed what I was hoping to achieve. They gave me my Valium to give it time to kick in and then started sorting though my hair looking for a good donor site that wouldn't be too noticeable shaved but also would match texture of the hair framing my face. He drew all over me with a blue marker, showed me his handiwork, snapped some pics, and off to the surgical suite we went. At that point I was given a chance to do any last "business" before things got started. Everyone was nice and professional and there was soothing music playing in the background. I had another shirt placed over mine and was laid face down on a table like a masseuse table and covered with a warm blanket by Dorota. Since I didn't sleep well the night before, I think at that point I could have slept through the surgery without the Valium. I lay face down for awhile dozing off, here and there. In the beginning I felt a couple slight pinpricks as something went back and forth across my head, but nothing I could say was painful. The only thing that ached was getting a stiff neck from sleeping so soundly with my head turned one way or another, but Dr. Konior was alert to any signs of discomfort and would patiently stop what he was doing so I could stretch and readjust. When it was time to roll over and numb the recipient area for transplants I saw why the numbing shots didn't hurt. He very thoughtfully uses a device that takes almost all the pain out of injections! I'm a bit fuzzy about some details of the day. There was another Valium. A DELICIOUS turkey sandwich. Gatorade, and more Gatorade, and cookies. And a lovely nap. And I was done! (I felt like I wandered into a spa by mistake, haha) I'm not quite 1 week out, and I know I have a ways to go but I couldn't be happier with the placement of the transplanted hair, I believe when everything is over with my results will be exactly what I was hoping for. I highly recommend Dr. Konior, and I will post more pics later showing my progress.