bash77

Hello mate, Yes, it progressed well thanks! Better on the left side though... which I found to be a little odd. The growth was so much quicker there and the end result much better. Very odd! Re the pills, thanks for confirming. I'm down to my last two strips so will need to contact Dr Ashcroft again at some point. Could you PM me his details if poss? On a side note, been experiencing lots of pain recently in my important bits! I'll be seeing a doctor in due course... hopefully not related to the medication! Hope you're well. When you in London next?

Long time Spex... hope you're well. Remind me, do you take take finasteride daily and do you take quarters or fifths or the 5mg pill?

Good luck friend. Keep us posted on how propecia/finasteride performs for you (should have a better indication in about 6-12 months time from now)

Michael, what kind of results have you been getting with Propecia? What stage of hairloss were you at 11 years ago and how are things now? Cheers!

Cheers Spex - i'll keep you all posted on developments.

I paid $6 per graft with SMG and I considered that reasonable! The healing process was notably quick (superior to strip) so I was ultimately prepared to pay the extra bucks. By the way, my grafts are still there after 4 week. Long may that continue!

KWIH, Sincerly sorry to read about your plight. We are certainly hit when we start losing our hair but thank goodness for a community like this one. We are with you 100% and I trust the finasteride will stabilise your hair loss in due course. Any chance you could post some pics so the forum could assess your situation in more detail? All, KWIH at the beginning of his post stated "I'm shedding like crazy. If I run a hand through my hair, I'll have about 30 hairs". My question is this. How do we measure a 'shed' by quantity? Regards, Bash

Yikes, i spent 10 mins in the sun yesterday and 20 minutes today. Currently in LA (late 70's) and 21 days out. Trust everything will be okay? Fyi, the grafts haven't started shedding yet...

Congratulations to you and the rest of the team on an absolutely fantastic result - i'm sure the patient is over the moon! It's tremendous to see results like this coming out of Europe too. Again, well done and keep it up!!

Thanks for sharing your experience Timt - glad it was a good one! Do you have any photos that you can share?

Thanks for your response Bill. Chanyouzhe, as much as poss try and keep your chin up. Please keep us posted....

Thanks all for your responses. I'm assuming there are probably no variances between strip & FUE? I'm 13 days since the first 750 grafts and everything is still firmly in place. Additionally, what's actually happening right now in the transplanted zone? Are the hairs growing are or just enjoying laying dormant in their new home?

Chanyouzhe, I'm truly saddended to read about your case. Unfortunately, the glitz of Armani's website punishes many. We relate as young men to the guys on his site, and are often desperate for change. His procedures are unclear and its truly unethical (i was quoted between 3,000-3,500 grafts for zone 1) and have just had my 1,300 grafts with Shapiro Medical Group. As bushy has stated, most of the pics are probably strip and not FUE. If you're not on propecia or rogaine, I suggest you start that immediately as this should stabilise your hair loss and offset some of the panic. Moving ahead, suggest you stay on this forum (from my experience, its one of the best in the business) and do plenty of research. Do not rush into anything and know that you are supported by us on this community. We are with you bro. Bill/All, it's likely that many hair sufferers come through this site before opting for Armani. Could something not be posted clearly on the front page (in clear font) that warns potiential patients of such clinics like this? This is very sad stuff indeed...

Hi All, I know that post op, the shedding stage can vary from patient to patient but I was wondering if these time frames (i.e. 10 days, 20 days etc) were in any way linked to the regrowth phase. For example, if i shedded all my transplanted hairs after 10 days could i expect quicker regrowth? Have any trends been spotted? Fyi, i'm one week out and haven't had any shedding yet. Long may it continue Cheers everybody, Bash77

You're an absolute gent Spex - thanks again! Thanks to everyone for all the comments and all i can say now is "let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!"

I've just returned and I paid the $6 per graft. Great price and exceptional work/team/aftercare etc!

Hi JMorgan, Just wanted to wish you all the very best for your forthcoming op! I have just returned to the UK having had FUE over 3 days (with SMG) and the experience was fantastic. Fyi, Janna has posted my pics at this link: http://hair-restoration-info.c...0861/m/117102383/p/2 Look forward to watching your progress friend!

Janna, this is great - thanks very much! Any chance you could let the forum know the graft count by 1's & 2's etc? By the way, to everyone who looks at the pics from the top down you will notice a spot that looks slightly bald! Unfortunately, that's where i have hair discolouration but i'm now treating that with dermatch. Any questions, let me know...

Where you from friend? If from the UK, suggest you go through Dr Ashcroft (you can obtain details from Spex/his site)...

Hi 2Young, Sorry to hear about your situation. You mentioned that you tried propecia but was that from the same source - i.e. united pharmacies? If so, i suggest you go the correct routes so that you have absolute peace of mind on this issue. Being doubtful about the medication you are taken only exacerbates our stress (i also ordered from a website for about 15 months but stopped as it was becoming a concrn - wasn't convinced that anything was happening).

Yes, opting for rogaine foam is definitely another weapon that should be used at this stage. As for nizoral, results seem to vary (this might be the case for RF also) so definitely measure your results with regular photos etc. BB, i would definitely also consider shaving down to a no 1 all over - you might look great mate Keep on the propecia/finasteride (make sure it's the real stuff for peace of mind/confidence) and best wishes friend...

Yes, the hotel has really made this so experience so much easier. It's such a relaxed atmosphere and the receptionists pay no notice (they have no doubt seen hundreds of me!) I had another 200 today and the final count amounted to a little over 1,300. Again, i cannot explain how great this has been and Janna will be posting pics very shortly! By the way, the complimentary lunches provided by SMG has been awesome too (Chinese, Italian etc!) By the way, apologies Matt Zupan! I forgot to mention you also. You've been great too. Over and out for now

By the way, just another couple of pointers that i omitted! Prior to having the op, i had grown my hair quite long (hadn't had a hair cut for maybe 4 months!) and was really not looking forward to shaving down - i've never done that look before! Anyhow, Dr Ron & Tom shaved me down to a number 3 (in the styling room) and then cracked on. By the end of day 1, I had a shaved part at the back of the head (where the fue extractions were taken) so it was pretty important to shave the rest of the back and sides to a number 1! Surprisingly, it doesn't look too bad (it could look worse!) so i'm counting my blessings right now! I've also taken the decision not to wear any hat till day 6/7 to protect the transplanted area. Once i reach this stage, i might shave everything down to a no 1 or just shave the top part to a number 2. Anyhow, pictures to follow shortly folks!

Well guys, just thought i'd provide you all with the latest! I'm presently at the COUNTRY INN HOTEL - Minneapolis, and am having an amazing experience with the SMG clinic. I flew initially into New Jersey on the Thursday (too see friends) and then travelled across to MN on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, i arrived at the clinc nice and early (08:00am) and was warmly greeted by all the team. The consulation then proceeded with Dr Ron and we got cracking around 09:30. By the end of day 1 (which was about 17:00!), 750 grafts had been extracted (by FUE) and i was amazed by the coverage! Today, was day 2 and another 350 were transplanted into the frontal zones (I was out by 13:00 this time!). Tomorrow, the last day will probably see some additional top-ups and i'll be leaving here on a high come Monday!! It has been an absolutely incredible experience and I would once again like to thank all of you who have helped me in making this decision. The team at SMG are absolutely top drawer (Janna, Tom, Dr Ron and all the other ladies!) and the work is exceptional - i'm thoroughly delighted! I have spoken to Janna already, and we'll be posting pics/more details in the next couple of days. I'll be updating reguarly and i look forward to sharing the ongoing experience in due course! Thanks everybody - a burden has lifted!!

Thank you one & all for the responses! Special gratitude to both Spex and Bill who provided top assistance along the way. I will ask SMG to post my pics... Cheers all!