LaserCap

Doctor, you know the problem that I typically notice, (to call it a problem), with forums? We pick at things and try to notice all the negative things. Is there a visual change? Of course.....but here is what I notice just by briefly glancing at the the two images, Patient seems to be wearing his hair longer in photo #2. Who's to say that it is the length of the hair that is helping with the coverage. The top, area behind the front, seems thinner on photo 2. I realize here the patient is spiking his hair up and is not getting the coverage he did on photo 1. He was combing the hair to the side at that point. The majority of the change seems to be on the crown. Did you put any grafts back there? And only 1600? Is the patient doing any type of medical therapy? For how long? I am wondering if he lost more native hair, particularly in the front during the 10 mo period. Not sure, by the angle of the photo, if the hair in the very front is all grafts or if there is some native stuff in there Is the patient happy with the preliminary result?

Have a couple of questions for you, Did you have a consultation already? FUE or FUT? Will your scalp be covered after the procedure? Try to get an isle seat. Having to tell people to get out of the way, if you need to go to the restroom, is truly a pain - and more so if you have a light dressing on top of the head. Consider as well that you may experience some swelling after the procedure. It is likely the clinic will give you typed up post op instructions and perhaps even some products you can use. The problem is TSA may not allow you to bring them on board. You will need to check in your luggage if you want that stuff to reach destination. Ask the doctor if they can give you a small size, (or better yet, purchase small empty bottles and bring them with you to the clinic), with whatever solution they recommend that way you can have it with you at all times. Most believe you can start using camouflaging agents 3 days after a procedure. I'll typically tell people to wait 7 days. It all depends on hygiene and how proactive you are. Most patients tend to be quite gingerly because they think they are going to damage something. The most important things for you to bring are going to be your pain meds and a wrap around pillow you can put on your neck. This will prevent for you to rest the back of the head on the seat. That area will be tender. Make sure you have something light to eat before the flight. Let one of the nurses know, when you first get into the plane, that you had surgery earlier. They'll check on you and be extra nice......

Typically you'll want to color or dye just prior to doing the transplant, say 3 days before so you can get the ink off the skin and scalp. like you normally would. Then wait a month, (4 weeks) before doing it again. By that point you will not hurt anything and can keep up with your routine.

With so many people concerned about Propecia/Finesteride and potential side effects, (internal med), it is nice to know there are, at least, a few doctors that know what to do with regards to PRP/Laser.

Oh, but don't forget the clinic itself. If they have nothing scheduled, or lost a patient in the morning, (perhaps he took a blood thinner, for example), they might just allow better pricing or free grafts. If you are flexible in your schedule, you may want to say something to the staff.(Do you have a last minute list?), Bet you will get a call very, very soon. While my opinion differs from yours, just slightly, I really do not agree with the last 3 words, (results are remarkable). Sometimes they're not. Please do the research and view hundreds of photos before making a decision. This is the only way doctors can showcase their work.

The pathologist can do a biopsy and tell both the patient and the doctor what the actual condition is. They can then decide how best to proceed.

First thing is to consult the doctor. You could have him send you to a derm-pathologist and ask them to biopsy. This could give you some info. Third, ask the doctor about, perhaps, taking fin every other day. For how long did you take it before experiencing side effects? If months, they I would say that there may be something else causing the issue. Let's also consider...say you are truly experiencing a side effect and that fin is the culprit. You still have Rogaine, PRP and laser therapy which are external to you. Perhaps any of these or, better yet - all of them in conjunction. These work in different ways and are thus synergistic. Freaking out is not an option. Stress, while not the reason for loss, can speed things up.

I would not put a lot of value on filled schedules and waiting lists. I am aware of doctors that work 4 days in the month. Typically M,T, W, T. They'll create value by saying that they are full the rest of the month. He is happy doing 8-12 cases a month. He also avoids giving out discounts because of it. If a particular doctor is "full" go somewhere else. Plenty to go around.....but do the research!! The reverse is also true. Consultants will start hounding you and giving you special pricing for a last minute slot. Nothing wrong with this if the doctor is good at what he does so take advantage if your are flexible with your schedule.

Interesting indeed. I do know of a doctor, in particular that did work and grafts did not grow. Every case! Would then do a repeat case at no cost and that too, did not grow. Incompetent? I don't think so. But something was causing the issue. Staff? Perhaps. Time of harvesting? Were the incisions made too deep or shallow? How about placement? Many points to make but the most important, the patient was truly screwed. No donor left. It is imperative when you consider this subject, that you do the research. Ask to look at photos. HUNDREDS of them, not just a handful. Consistency, results, density...what will the doctor be doing? What will the staff be doing? ASK.

Take another set of photos and comb your hair out of the way. It could be nothing or it could be something. My first suggestion is find out if there is family history of hair loss. If there is, go to a reputable hair transplant clinic, (or a dermatologist), and see what they say. Depending on the outcome you can get started with some medical therapy. Have you started seeing some recession the frontal hairline? In the area of the crown the hair grows in all directions out from a point. The hair does not shingle like it does in the middle and the front. So this could actually be whirl issues and not thinning. Nothing wrong with finding out and being proactive.

Doctor, it looks like your design is that of a male, with receded corners. Perhaps is the angle of the photo. Too early to tell what the density will be. Please post in 6 months another set of photos.

When it' taken out, about 9mm. There are doctors however that will take a lot more which just puts a lot of pressure and can lead to wide scars.....But I realize you are asking about the scar once it has been closed and healed. This is a function of wound healing and it can vary. I've seen linear scars that are hardly visible and have seen a scar as wide as 1/2 inch. Typically this happens because the patient either slept in a certain position or he went to the gym and started lifting weights. It is imperative the patient avoids neck-stretching exercises after a procedure. Length will depend on what number of grafts you are discussing. Say ear to ear, 22-24mm depending on the size of your head.

With all the groups I've worked during my career I have yet to encounter any doctor that will not move forward with a hair transplant procedure if/when dealing with the conditions you've listed. You were specific to mention FUE, but I don't think this is an issue. FUT, FUE , are just different techniques. Like Dr. Charles indicated, a lot will depend on what the donor area looks like and the medical history. Do you take aspirin? A lot of patients don't think of this as a medication....but it is. I've seen doctors suspend the procedure because of it. Typically they would like you to be off 3 days prior to up to 2 weeks prior to the date of the procedure. It is important when you visit with the surgeon that you tell him all the medications you are taking.

Thanks Doctor, that makes sense.

Nice work, nice design.