Pilot Ron

I am now 7 months post-op with Dr. Feller. 3000+ graphs strip procedure. Over the past few weeks, I've experienced some shedding in the recipient area. I can validate this shedding by lightly running my fingers through the transplanted hair, which picks up a hair or two each time. I'm getting a little worried, but then read some material about synchronized shedding. Essentially, all of the transplanted hairs we're "reset" and now have similar growth cycle timelines, which may last for several years. Is there anyone who has experienced this before or can validate that "synchronized shedding" is factual? Thanks, Ron

To put your mind at ease, I had post-op shedding around 10 days as well. I was extremely worried because everyone else on the forum mentioned 2, 3, or even 4 weeks. When my hair shed, it REALLY shed. Like you mentioned, every time I ran my hand through my hair, there were tons of hairs that came out. Now, I'm 3 months post-op and the hair is growing like crazy. No problems. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the football season! Ron

Aaron/Jason, Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. It's a relief to know that I have many more months of scar healing before I can really grasp the visibility factor. My hair is thick and dark brown, so I suppose this helps some? I also read about shock loss in the donor area, however, it is very difficult to determine if that is the case. If I shave down to #3 right now, I must use concealer. But with concealer, the scar is undetectable. I hope that one day I'll be able to simply shave with a #3 without any concealer at all. If I happen to be fortunate enough to be able to shave to #2, I will consider myself lucky. Any more stories/experience with the donor scar, redness, and shave guard settings are welcome. Thanks, Ron

I am 3 months post-op from a very awesome hair transplant by Dr. Feller. I have searched and read tons of information about the donor scar, but cannot find specific healing times and/or the redness of the scar. Right now at 3 months, I'm able to shave my head down to #4 and the scar remains hidden. I chanced it last night and shaved down to a #3, however, the scar becomes completely visible. What should my expectations be over the next year? Doctors always seem to mention #2 guard. Is this the norm or best-case scenario? What are your experiences? Thanks, Ron

I have not yet contacted my clinic about the issue. I had my hair transplant done in New York at Dr. Feller's office two months ago. Staples were used. I will however, be back in New York on August 20, so I might swing by just for safe measure. If the blisters come back, I will definitely try to capture a photo. But so far, so good. I will keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for the input. Ron

I'm about 2 months post-op and have noticed a few blood blisters in my donor scar. They are purple in color and caused discomfort when combing. I had a friend "relieve" them, however, my concern is that in a few weeks they reappeared. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a sign of the scar "fixing" itself? Thanks, Ron

I went to eat at a steakhouse a couple hours after surgery! Felt a little dizzy, got some stares, but the steak was great and it sure beat laying in the hotel room all evening long. Most of the people probably thought I was in a car accident. I wasn't from the area, so who cares. Ron

Greg, You and your doc will establish a lifetime plan. I suffer from frontal baldness. The doc fixed my entire receding hairline and thinning hair in the front. Even though I had hair in the front, he shaved it down and densely-packed graphs anyway. My mid-frontal region was thinning and would eventually be doomed. Maybe not today, maybe not next year, or in five years. But it would eventually leave for good. Thus, a good transplant doc will anticipate many years ahead for you. Hope this helps. Ron

Thank you for your feedback. After doing some research, I've come up with the following theory: These hairs should have shed and entered the telogen phase as normal. However, they experienced strong and thick growth immediately after the transplant, then weak and thinner growth for the weeks to follow. I think they may skip the telogen phase all together. In other words, it took more time for these hairs to realize "Hey fellas, something weird just happened, lets slow down now". Make sense?

I had a HT done by Dr. Feller 3 weeks ago and everything has gone perfectly thus far. I'm very excited for what is yet to come! I'm done shedding and am now noticing a few "teaser" hairs pushing through the scalp (good name given to these hairs by the community BTW). These new hairs have very interesting characteristics though. The tips are very thick and the base is very thin. It almost looks like the hair is burnt on the ends. I'm sure more natural and even growth will occur, but am wondering if anyone else has experienced this or has a more scientific explanation. Perhaps the saline injections may cause thick tips on new growth? I've attached a photo (zoomed). Thanks for any feedback. Ron

I had a HT done by Dr. Feller 3 weeks ago and everything has gone perfectly thus far. I'm very excited for what is yet to come! I'm done shedding and am now noticing a few "teaser" hairs pushing through the scalp (good name given to these hairs by the community BTW). These new hairs have very interesting characteristics though. The tips are very thick and the base is very thin. It almost looks like the hair is burnt on the ends. I'm sure more natural and even growth will occur, but am wondering if anyone else has experienced this or has a more scientific explanation. Perhaps the saline injections may cause thick tips on new growth? I've attached a photo (zoomed). Thanks for any feedback. Ron

I've been reading alot of information where doctors and patients have discussed "dense packing". Does anyone know if the grafts per square inch of dense packing is more, less, or the same as natural hair? I realize it will be different for each patient, but am wondering if the community can assume that dense packing is "generally" the same as natural hair. Thanks! Ron

I've been reading alot of information where doctors and patients have discussed "dense packing". Does anyone know if the grafts per square inch of dense packing is more, less, or the same as natural hair? I realize it will be different for each patient, but am wondering if the community can assume that dense packing is "generally" the same as natural hair. Thanks! Ron

First of all, I'm new to the forum. You guys are great! I have been seeing a skin specialist for the past few years who prescribes me Propecia for 12 months at a time. He actually prescribes 90 pills x 4. The problem I have is at the pharmacy. There is always a young new girl working the counter and every single time, they question the transaction amount, explain that my insurance didn't cover it, ask for a new insurance card, etc. I have to deal with it each and every time. Usually there is a long line of customers behind me and the girl is looking at me like I'm crazy for proceeding with what she believes is an over-priced transaction that my insurance does not cover. I'm okay with the price and of course its not covered by insurance. I want to switch to an online pharmacy, but have just started my research in finding one that is reliable. Has anyone else had such embarrassing moments at the pharmacy counter? Am I over-reacting or shouldn't these girls be a little more professional and just tell me a price and swipe my card?