GettingItRight

I would have written it off as wishful thinking, however besides myself noticing, others have commented as well recently on my "thicker hair". A friend just asked if I had another procedure, because "it looks a lot thicker now". Is it at all possible to see growth after two plus years ?

Not sure if this is just more of the same, thought I'd pass it on for those interested. GIR "We would take probably three or four hairy follicular units, send that to the company and the company will make the clones for us and then we would transplant those clones back into the patient," Dr. Mizuguchi said. Mizuguchi, the director of Manhattan's Hair Restoration Surgery Center, said they can make thousands of new hairs individually ready for transplantation. "We do expect it to be on the market possibly within the next year or two," Dr. Mizuguchi said. Then there's mesotherapy. It's a series of injections of tiny doses of medication and vitamins proven to stimulate hair growth. "It works especially with women," Dr. Alexander Kulick said. CBS 2 Seen At 11: The War On Baldness Technology Has Advanced To The Point Where Doctors Have Leg Up On Procedures For Both Men And Women Dr. Holly Phillips NEW YORK (CBS) ― It's a problem about 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women will experience in their lifetime. Severe hair loss can be devastating -- especially for women. But as CBS 2 HD found out recently there have been some major breakthroughs in the field of hair replacement to restore natural looking locks. Thinning hair, receding hairlines and bald spots... "This pony tail used to be about twice the size," Katya Kupava said. "I started to develop a bald spot about the size of a quarter right back here," Joe Paris Jr. said. "Open the towel and all hair, all hair, all about, I was so scared," Miskelina Aluotto added. There are many reasons men and women lose their hair. The number one cause is genetics, but it could also stem from an illness or hormonal changes in the body. And there are no cures. "It's hard to accept that because hair is of the things that everybody sees. It's the first thing they notice when you walk into a room," Dr. Richard Mizuguchi said. "I was devastated," Aluotto said. "And there is the possibility that it will get worse," Kupava added. But there is some good news. Incredible advancements in the field of hair replacement are offering new hope. "It was shedding profusely. I mean it was just kind of coming out," Kupava said. The 26-year-old's hair is thinning. Doctors said her hair follicles, or the roots of her hair, are swollen and the inflammation is preventing the hair from growing. Now, doctors hope an experimental new laser therapy can stop that swelling, which they believe is at the root of all hair loss. "If you decrease inflammation that hair will grow rather than falling out," Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadik said. Sadik said the laser drastically reduces hair loss and even stimulates new growth. "This is a major breakthrough in hair loss therapy," Dr. Sadik said. Remember "Dolly" the cloned sheep? Believe it or not, her birth led to a new baldness treatment. "Cloning is the most exciting thing coming around about in the hair transplant industry," Dr. Mizuguchi said. For years doctors have been transplanting hair. They harvest hair follicles from an area on the head where the hair is more plentiful -- usually at the back – and then transplant it to the thinning spots. But if you're balding, there's little hair left to work with. But now, thanks to Dolly, pharmaceutical companies are actually cloning hair. "We would take probably three or four hairy follicular units, send that to the company and the company will make the clones for us and then we would transplant those clones back into the patient," Dr. Mizuguchi said. Mizuguchi, the director of Manhattan's Hair Restoration Surgery Center, said they can make thousands of new hairs individually ready for transplantation. "We do expect it to be on the market possibly within the next year or two," Dr. Mizuguchi said. Then there's mesotherapy. It's a series of injections of tiny doses of medication and vitamins proven to stimulate hair growth. "It works especially with women," Dr. Alexander Kulick said. Aluotto was devastated when she started losing hair on the side and top of her head. Now after just a handful of mesotherapy treatments she has a full head of hair again. "I love it. I love it. You feel alive. You feel younger," Aluotto said. "When I look into the mirror, I really feel like this is my hair," Joe Paris Jr. said. It may feel like his hair and even look like it, but it's a hair piece and it's the latest advancement in wig and toupee technology. "The secret to the most natural looking hair piece is less hair, not more hair," Joe Paris Sr. Paris, known as the "Toupee King," has spent 40 years perfecting the design of toupees and wigs. His latest has a virtually undetectable hairline. Paris said it's constructed to look like it's growing right out of the scalp. "It's like a frame around a picture. You got to create proper balance," Paris said. The cost of one of these new hair pieces starts at about $1,500. Transplanting cloned hair is expected to cost upwards of $10,000. http://wcbstv.com/local/baldness.hair.follicles.2.1712842.html

I'll be heading in to see Dr Feller for a follow-up consultation next week and want to be sure I have all bases covered, and ask all the appropriate questions. I'm looking forward to seeing the good doctor, I hope all goes well. I've received several ht's, my last being two years ago with Dr Feller. I'm hoping to finally cover the frontal third and achieve a non see-thru look. The area comprises approx 64 cm2 or 10 in2. The photos were taken today. Dry, no flash. These are my concerns, in no particular order. - I'm told by Dr Feller this may very well be my last procedure. And that I have a limited amount of grafts left. Possibly only 1500. - Considering my last procedure didn't produce what I would consider great results, I'm wondering what I can or should expect from another final procedure. Or, if all things considered, should I just not go forward with it at all. - Considering my prior work, will the scar tissue reduce the amount of my already limited available grafts from growing. And greatly reduce the results. Or has technique and technology advanced enough to overcome this. - What exactly is the amount of fu's per cm2 needed to achieve a non see-thru result. I understand the variables involved, however one needs some way of quantifying this as to base their decision on. I've read 50 +/- fu's per cm2 was the usual number used. If so I would then need 3200 fu's. Basing this on the approx 64 cm2 I need to cover. 64 cm2 x 50 fu's = 3200 fu's. - Carrying that logic forward, if there are in fact only 1500 fu's available would an ht then be senseless for me to pursue. Since I would need 3200 to achieve some sense of coverage. This is were I stand now. What do you think are my chances of success ??? If I do go forward with this procedure I will of course continue to keep everyone up to date on my progress. And from time to time post photos. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, opinions, ideas, additional questions, observations and comments... GIR

Thanks for your advice Bill.... yes I agree. GIR

Dr Feller, Although you signed off from this thread, I feel compelled to respond to something you said. I have not lost faith in you at all, quit the contrary. And I'm very sorry if my posts implied as such. To quote myself from a previous post... "Dr Feller is as we all know, a skilled, dedicated and experienced world class surgeon" I do though frankly believe the results were not what I was hoping for, however I never believed you were at fault. Let's be honest about this, I am not qualified to make that judgment. Especially considering all the variables involved. I suppose that's why I'm here ? Hoping to find some answers. I'll see you at your office... GIR

M1A1, Thank you for your very kind words. Yes it is a life changing decision. And since there is a lot at stake, I certainly will tread lightly. Good luck to you...

Dr Feller, Yes, actually I found Dr. Konior's post very helpful. I do hope you can clarify something for me. As I mentioned in the Drs post, how well do you anticipate the grafts placed in the previously mentioned 'scared' area will grow ? And what percentage of those grafts do you expect to grow ? Will the 1500+ available grafts that are left make enough of a cosmetic difference to alleviate the need of any further comb-overs ? And after one is depleted of 'strip donor' what would be the possibility of further work if necessary via FUE ? Or perhaps even better a combination Strip/FUE session consisting of the remaining 1500 strip plus an additional 1-2k in FUE alleviating the need for any further work. Thank you...

Dr Konior, Thank you for your excellent contribution to our discussion. And for your very insightful and helpful comments. As to placement, in my untrained opinion I thought it might have been best if the bulk of the grafts were placed in the area behind the hairline. Be that as it may, here I stand and I hope to move forward rather than belabor the past. And for that I do need to determine the following... How well will further grafts placed in the 'scared' area in question grow ? And what percentage of growth can I expect ? This is of course paramount to making my decision. And will the 1500+ grafts I have available be enough to make a noticeable cosmetic difference ? Or, in the end will I have a 'somewhat denser' area but still be relegated to having to do a comb-over ? Realistically then, I would have to wonder what would be the point ? Lastly, and perhaps most important. Are repair patients who are sans 'strip' donor hair, still candidates for further work via FUE ? Whereas adding an addition 1000+ to the equation would obviously make or break the end result.

Thana and Ronald, I do hope you will take into account that what sounds good in theory and works for some, does not in fact work for all. As to styling and product, I couldn't be in better hands. Dr Feller is as we all know, a skilled, dedicated and experienced world class surgeon, and as I already stated my sister along with her staff has over twenty years experience as a beautician/hairstylist. However when illusion clashes with reality, we all fall to different sides of the fence. The amount of product I would need would be counter-intuitive. As I've learned you must use product judiciously at best or run the risk of drawing attention to the area in question. Thana eluded to this himself when he referred to naturalness and undetectability. "The three tenants throughout research: density (the illusion and actual increase), naturalness (both undetectability of product *and* boosting the naturalness of the HT itself) " That said... if I were able to properly fill in the area behind my hairline I believe I would be in a much better position. I would prefer to look as an older naturally thinning man, if need be, than an over-processed guy trying 'way too hard' to conceal his balding with a comb-over. Which I'm told by the women I've spoken to is all to obvious. Understand, the opinions I've expressed here and throughout this thread were derived mostly from feedback I received from friends and family. Mostly females.

Hi Bill, Thanks for getting back to us with your comments and opinions. I was curious as to what you thought. I agree with you that there is only a slight improvement at best. As to those who called into question why I posted those "horror show pics" "with an admitted effort to expose the HT for its flaws" I respectfully say to you it was not my intention to make Dr Fellers work look bad, but to clearly show the area in question and that the grafts in that area did not grow. The original 'after' photos posted, with my native hair combed forward to cover the area in question were not an accurate representation of what was, or was not there. Those photos were, as has been said, an illusion. This was not a thread about how well a dr can do a comb-over, or create an 'illusion' to disguise the bald area. It was to determine if the grafts that were placed in that area behind the hairline actually grew in. Which I believe they did not. Or at least most didn't. And to determine that, you have to brush the hair away from the area in question to view it. That is just the simple reality of this. And it is very puzzling as to why some here just don't seem to understand that. To those who questioned why I would post those hideous " horror show" photos I pose this question to you... If you were to go see an ht patient in person, or maybe one of the drs so called showcases to exam his results. Would you stand back five to ten feet from him to only view the drs 'illusion'. Compliment him on his perfectly coiffed hair, and leave satisfied you saw everything you needed to see ??? Or would you get up close, push the comb-over to the side and take a good close look to determine the yield, density and quality of his work. I know what I would do... But I'll wait for your reply(s). As to those 'great results' you see online and in photos. One question you should ask yourself is will this hold up in the real world. It's one thing to sit in your drs office with your hair perfectly combed. It's quit another to be in the real world with wind, sun, rain and general moving about. As for mine it doesn't last more than a few minutes before the hair combed forward to cover the bald area just behind the hairline blows back, falls to the sides or just sticks up. Exposing a heavy hairline with nothing behind it... not very attractive to say the least. So much for those great results. As many have said here, it's an illusion. However illusions don't always stand up to reality. This of course is by no means all the drs fault, but illustrates that you should understand why the patient is dissatisfied first before you dismiss him. To clarify, my sister has been a beautician/hairstylist for over twenty years. I've been through all the hairstyles and hair products. The point of this ht was to fill in behind the hairline, not do a comb forward to cover it up. Which in the real world doesn't work. At least for me. I believe if the grafts in the area behind the hairline had actually grown, my over all look would have been far better and more natural. And with this I would have been satisfied.

Hi TC17, I'm 52, started losing at around 30. Father has near full head of hair (bast***). I've had 3 previous surgeries. Hope that helps

Here are the photos I promised. They are all dry and product free. Except for one which I put up for the benefit of those who think I'm using wet photos. They were all taken yesterday. Close up - Dry & product free Close up - Dry & product free Dry & product free I believe someone requested I place a newspaper in the photo. I assume to date it ? I didn't have a newspaper handy so... Wet & product free

Hi Bill, Sorry for all the confusion. The first photo you posted was taken about three weeks ago at Dr Fellers office. The second photo you posted was taken by me two days ago here at my home. I'd say they both are accurate. The reason my after photo (the second photo you posted) looks as it does is that as I had said, I tried to copy the angle, hair style, lighting, ect as accurately as possible of the original 'before' photo taken by Dr Feller just prior to my procedure two years ago. I thought that would give me the most accurate comparison of before procedure and after procedure for me to judge my results by. However if I combed my hair down (my Moe look) it would look the same as the first photo you posted ( Dr. Feller's Photo). I hope that cleared things up...

Thank you Dr Feller for taking the time to post my photos for opinions and comments. And thank you to those who took the time to share your opinion. These are my questions/concerns... Here are two photos, the first was taken just prior to surgery that day and the second was taken just two days ago. Two years after my procedure with Dr Feller. I tried to copy the angle, hair style, lighting, ect as closely as possible of the original photo taken the day of the procedure to give a good comparison. As it's hard to compare with different stylings and angles. I don't honestly see all that much of a difference between the two photos, and don't believe there is enough of a real world improvement to 'get out from under the hat'. Is there more hair ? Yes, definitely. Is there enough coverage to be able to go out in the daylight without hiding under a hat ? Not really. Especially with the heavy hairline and nothing behind it. I know this, because when I tried to go out without a hat recently and meet with some people on the street or in the store their eyes went up and their facial expression told the story. Something I believe we all know, all too well. Obviously they weren't impressed. And therein lies my problem. I've seen a lot of great results here on these boards, however I don't think this is one of them. What do you think ? And more importantly, where should I go from here ? Now, given that I see the difference that 2600 fu's have made, I'm wondering if the 1500 more Dr Feller suggested will even make that much of a difference ? This is really the important question that needs to be answered. Should I even bother at all ? Where should I put them ? Will I then finally be able to 'get out from under the hat' ? Will I just have a very expensive ht that I have to keep hidden ? Will others still notice the heavy hairline with no hair behind it which is an obvious dead giveaway ? Photo taken just prior to procedure - two years ago Photo taken two days ago - Two years after procedure This is by the way NOT a criticism of Dr. Feller,or his work. I'm just looking to finally resolve this long standing problem. Something I'm sure most here will understand. There are more than enough cheap shots, and attacks on these boards. I'm just hoping for some helpful advice. I will probably be posting on other boards as well to get further advice. Thanks in advance for your help...