Recession

Well I've finally reached the one year mark and I could hardly be in a more different frame of mind than I was this time last year. Looking back it was an incredibly stressful thing to go through but, thanks to the encouragement and information that I received on this forum, I was never really in any doubt that I was making the right decision. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then and it's been an emotional roller-coaster to say the least (I could set a record for cliches here) but it's definitely been worth it and I couldn't be happier with the results. I've been very straight with my family and closest friends all along and the encouragement that I've received has been a great help as have the kind comments of the board members here. As I mentioned in my blog, I would never have gone through with the surgery if it weren't for the honesty of those who have shared their knowledge and experience in such a generous way. My clinic has advised me that I won't see the full results for another six months but I'm really pleased with the way I look now so any improvement would just be a bonus.

Another landmark in the journey. I'm really happy that the pimple stage appears to be finally behind me but I fear that I may have lost some grafts where I had the worst of the cystic acne. As a result there are a few gaps here and there and ideally I would have liked a bit more coverage in the middle of the hairline. I understand that I've probably reached the end of the growing phase now but I'm hoping that, as the transplanted hairs mature and thicken, those gaps will begin to fill in. By the way, I've styled my hair in the pics the same way as before the surgery so that the changes are clear to see.

Hi Folks, I've hit the four month mark and I'm very happy with the way thing are going so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing further improvement over the coming months. I've added an update to my blog where you can see some pics.

Looking back over my diary notes, it was a huge relief when I had the nylon stitches (all 14 of them) removed on Day 7....I wouldn't say that I suffered too much from itchiness but there was certainly much less discomfort afterwards and it was a whole lot easier to sleep. I also second wb280's suggestion...nothing like a pretty girl to take your mind off things...oh, and a few beers...for medicinal purposes only of course

magicaltimes, Congrats on your surgery and I'm happy that you are pleased with the results so far...it looks great, yet more fine work from Dr. Path. I hope you find time to put together a website so that you can keep us updated on your progress. Recession.

Thanks for the update....you've shown great honesty in your comments and your perspective is admirable. I'm sorry that you are disappointed with your results and, like everyone else, I really hope that the next few months bring some surprises and that you end up with a result that you are happy with. I'm three months post op with Dr Path and wondering how it's all going to work out. Threads like this are as important as the good news stories, particularly since you've not attempted to turn your story into a crusade against your surgeon or the procedure in general. It's important for me and others who have recently undergone transplants and for those who are considering surgery to moderate our expectations. Optimism is all very well but I don't think it's being pessimistic to allow oneself be prepared for a result that falls short of what might be considered to be the industry standard. And equally, a balanced appraisal of a disappointing outcome should not be viewed as a slight on the industry or on a surgeon's ability. I look forward to hearing the next chapters of your story. Recession.

That looks great, and such a huge difference...you must be really pleased. I'm three months post op with Dr. Path and wondering which way it's going to go but your results at this early stage are very encouraging. Thanks for posting and keep us updated. Recession.

Hi Allan, I've been through the mill with acne since week five and still suffering but I'm dealing with it and still optimistic of a good outcome. Have a look at the latest entry on my website and best of luck.

Well I’ve reached the three month mark, the first landmark I guess and it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster trip so far. When I last updated my blog, I was three weeks post op and was very pleased with the whole experience up to that point. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then and there have been a number of challenges along the way. The first challenge was to conceal the signs of the surgery and, in common with most Irish people, my fair skin tone meant that there was quite a contrast between my natural skin colour and the redness in the recipient area. I played with a change of hairstyle for a while but, in the end, I decided that the least conspicuous option would be to use a cosmetic concealer. It took a while to find the right type and tone of concealer but I eventually settled on an option that seemed to work. It wasn’t by any means a perfect solution. I think most people knew that something strange was going on with my hairline but they couldn’t quite put their finger on it and that was good enough for me. In the midst of this I also began to develop folliculitis in the recipient area about four to five weeks after the surgery. This was somewhat earlier than I thought was normal but, as someone who’s suffered with acne for most of his life, it wasn’t really all that unexpected. I wrote to the clinic and they explained that when they remove the donor hair they bring along the sebum producing gland that lubricates the hair so, when the hair root is in the resting phase, sometimes the oil cannot come out and this can cause some acne. On their recommendation, I got a prescription for some Fusidin cream. I also started to use Nizoral shampoo a few times each week and, although neither of these has eradicated the acne, they have managed to control the problem and ensure that any outbreak is brought under control as quickly as possible. I’ve been assured by the clinic that this is a temporary problem and will resolve itself once all of the hairs have broken through the skin. I should mention though that some of the more aggressive and painful pimples have bled in the final phase before they’ve begun to heal and I’ve noticed that, on at least one occasion, a hair has come way when I’ve tried to stem the flow. I don’t know if the root came out also but, if it did, then I guess it’s possible to loose a graft through folliculitis long after they are supposed to be locked in place. And now to the important bit…the hair. I noticed that quite a few of the transplanted hairs failed to shed during the week three to week eight period and, as many of these were located at the front of the new hairline, it made the whole concealment effort a little more difficult. The folliculitis that I’ve already mentioned started to increase noticeably over the last few weeks, and for a very good reason which was unapparent until I took some photographs and transferred them to my computer for a better look. It seems that, in addition to the hairs that failed to shed and some native hairs that have grown back, I have a whole new group of little hairs pushing up through my skin and making their way out into the big bad world. At this stage it’s difficult to judge just how successful it’s going to be but so far the signs are encouraging. I've updated my blog to include some close-up pics so that you can get an idea of how many hairs are growing and the stage of their growth. These pics were taken under flash and without any concealer so my skin does not normally look that bad. Anyway, here’s hoping that the next few months will see the arrival of more little budding hairs and a growth spurt for those that have already appeared on the scene.

Hi Joey, You're not alone...I'm in exactly the same position; two months post surgery and getting lots of pimples in the recipient area. I wrote to my surgeon's clinic recently and received the following reply: "Folliculitis or pimples can be found occasionally after surgery because when we remove the donor hair we bring along the sebum producing gland that will lubricate your hair. When the hair root is in the resting phase sometime the oil cannot come out so it will be like pimple or acne on your face. Once the hair start to exit the scalp this problem will be gone. The folliculitis is normal. Wet warm compress for 15 minutes three times a day and apply antibiotic ointment will improve the condition. If any large pustule you can use a clean forceps or tweezers to pop up the pimples. Then apply an antibiotic cream like Fusidic acid or bactroban ointment. This should be available in most pharmacies. You can expect more pimples to appear in the next 4-6 weeks. So do not panic. They will subside with measures I suggested". I decided to try the compress thing for a while but it wasn't really helping. In fact the pimples were so bad by last Monday that I went to my local GP and got a prescription for some Fusidin Cream as recommended by the clinic. Four days later and the whole area is under control and clearing up nicely. As the clinic mentioned, there are likely to be more pimples over the next few weeks once the hairs start to break through but I feel a lot better now that I've got an antibiotic cream to get me through it.

In my case, I had made it clear during my consultation and all subsequent correspondence that I would prefer not to be shaved. However, on the day of the surgery, we agreed on a compromise that they would only shave the baby hairs at the front as these were not likely to survive much longer in any case. I'm 25 days on from my surgery now so I guess I'll find out over the next couple of weeks just how much, if any, of my native hair will be lost. If you're interested, you can keep an eye on my website for more updates.

Hi folks, I've just arrived home after twelve nights away in Thailand, during which time I had my first HT with Dr. Pathomvanich and his team. Overall I would have to say that it was a very positive experience and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out further down the road. The final count for my hairline and temples was 626 single hair grafts, 1,786 two hair grafts and 462 three hair grafts. This resulted in a grand total of 2,874 grafts and 5,584 hairs. I kept a diary during my stay there but have only got around to publishing the details now. I've published seperate entries for each day that I wrote in my diary and I feel that this provides a much better representation of how I felt on a day by day basis rather than trying to reinterpret the whole experience with the benefit of hindsight. I've detailed the daily developments up to a week after surgery and I'm going to leave it at that for now as there's not likely to be very much happening for the next few days. I will add another update once the grafts have been shed and I've been able to get a clearer picture of how successfully I can cover up the surgery when I return to work in the new year. I'm particularly interested to see just how red or pink the recipient area is after the grafts have gone and whether the grafts in the temple areas actually fall out at all. I was told by Dr. Path that these grafts may continue to grow so that will have an added impact on my approach to covering up the procedure. Anyway, many thanks if you find the time to have a look and I hope it helps anyone who has yet to take the plunge. Recession.

Hi wb280, Thanks for the advice. I agree completely about deciding to just go for it. In my case, I don't absolutely have to get it done right now as I still have a somewhat passable hairline and I can get by without too much comment on my hairloss. However, over the last couple of years, it's become very obvious to me that, if I don't do something about it soon, I will be bald and that's not something I can ever imagine for myself. That knowledge alone is enough to fuel my determination to take the plunge now rather than let the issue fester. As for my concerns about the surgery, I've not been worrying about it too much...just the odd sudden realisation now and then. As it happens, my dad is having heart bypass surgery on the day before I leave so that's occupying my thoughts right now rather than my own situation.

I'm now just 18 days away from my surgery with Dr. Pathomvanich and the doubts are already starting to creep in....not in a big way, just every now and then. Not sure what I'll be like on the day but I'm sure I'll be having a few of those "what the hell am I doing here" moments :eek:. To be entirely honest, I'm more worried about the blood tests than anything else. It's been four years since my last HIV test and it doesn't get any easier. As far as transferring money is concerned, I've already transferred the deposit and will send the balance early next week. I'm planning to send enough money to cover the larger of the two estimates that I was given during my consultation (I was given an estimate with and without grafts in the temple areas). At the current exchange rates, there should also be enough money there for an extra 200 grafts, just in case. I plan on posting the details of the surgery and my progress.

Yeah, no problem...I met with Dr. Kiely just over a year ago in early November

Hi vc, No doubts about Dr. Collins' credentials but, as you say, the price is the big stumbling block. I noticed the new pics on the website...not quite Hasson & Wong but better than nothing I guess. The consultation fee was €250 with an option to buy a year's supply of Finesteride for an extra €50.

Hi Dublinguy, I'm pleased to hear that you had such a good experience at Hair Restoration Blackrock and I'm not at all surprised. As I mentioned in my original post, I was very impressed with Dr. Collins when I had my consultation with him and I would have no hesitation in putting my trust in him if I could afford to have my surgery there. Unfortunately, like many people here in Ireland, my paycheck is considerably lighter now than it was a few years ago and the outlook isn't very good. If I were to have the 2500 grafts that Dr. Collins estimated, the cost would be over €21,000 and that's way out of my league right now. I understand that cost should not be the only consideration when choosing a surgeon but I can get the same number of grafts with the top surgeons in North America (including travel and hotel costs) for less than half that price or with the top surgeon in Asia for one third of the price. If Dr.Collins were to reduce his prices by maybe 30 or 40% then I might be willing to meet the extra cost in order to have my surgery at home in Dublin. However the differential as it stands right now is way too big and I just cannot justify the expense when the alternatives are so much more reasonably priced. I have to admit that I'm a little surprised, in the current economic climate, that Dr. Collins has been able to maintain his price structure and still be in such demand. Anyway, I hope everything goes well with the growth phase and that you achieve the results you're hoping for. I look forward to seeing a few pics.

Hi Allan, I've also booked with Dr. Path for early December this year and also find this thread very reassuring. As far as accommodation is concerned, I've booked to stay at the Adelphi Suites in Sukhumvit Soi 8. It's very close to Nana BTS station and it takes less than 15 minutes on the Skytrain to get to Ari...I had a consultaion with Dr. Path in June and the trip was a doddle. My reason for staying there is that it's a terrific hotel, it's close to the BTS, central (just three stop to Siam Square) and Soi 8 is a great street for restaurants and close to some good bars. Best of luck with your surgery...it sounds like we made a good decision. Also, thanks to James for the updates on his experiences with Dr. Path. Bren.

Since this is my first post I should first of all introduce myself and explain my hair loss history. I am 41 years of age and I live in Dublin, Ireland. I have had a high forehead since childhood and my hairline has been receding slowly since my twenties. In the last five years, the front of my hairline has started to thin out quite noticeably so I guess I am now closest to a Norwood 3 but so far I've managed to conceal the extent of the loss through the way I keep my hairline. I am currently weighing up my options with regard to whether I should proceed with having a hair transplant procedure and, if so, which surgeon is the best option for me. Since I live in Ireland the majority of the top recommended practitioners are not easily accessible so my first instinct was to try to find a non-coalition yet qualified and reputable surgeon closer to home. I fully understand that distance should not be a major determinant in the decision making process. However it is an issue nonetheless. From reading through many of the contributions on this forum it appears to me that there is a widespread consensus that hair transplant surgeons in the UK and Ireland, with the possible exception of Dr. Farjo, should be avoided at all costs. Despite this advice I made the decision a few months ago that I would have a consultation with each of the two transplant surgeons operating in Ireland, Dr. Conor Kiely and Dr. Maurice Collins. I won't go into any great detail on my consultation with Dr. Kiely since I was brought up to believe that, if you haven't got anything good to say, you should keep your mouth shut. Maybe that's not the most helpful philosophy to adopt on this forum but old habits die hard. What I can say though is that my consultation with Dr. Collins was very impressive. First of all, he operates out of a brand new facility in Dublin and, to my uneducated eye, it looks as if no expense has been spared. I filled out a small questionnaire prior to the consultation and then, once the meeting began, we discussed my and family's medical history, my own experience of hair loss and the history of hair loss on both sides of my family. Dr. Collins then thoroughly explained the options available to me and asked me if I had any questions that I'd like to ask. I had spent quite a bit of time reading through this forum prior to my visit and, thanks to the fantastic depth of information and opinion on here, I was well prepared and knew more than enough about the relevant issues to ask some pertinent questions. Dr. Collins then examined my hair and laxity and took some high quality photos which he immediately transferred onto his computer so that he could explain on screen and in greater detail the nature of my hair loss and what could be achieved through surgery. He told me that I had decent laxity, very good donor quality and quantity and he estimated that he could restore an age appropriate hairline with approx. 2000 grafts on the front and temple areas. This was based on his opinion that, judging by my age and my hair loss to date, my future hair loss was more likely to follow a path closer to my maternal grandfather than my father who is a Norton 6. He also showed me a number of before and after photos of his patients in order to show me the quality of the work that he carries out (Dr. Collins doesn't have any photos on his website as he claims that the results that can be achieved are dependent on each patient's specific physiology and, as a result, website photos can create unrealistic patient expectations). I was particularly impressed with his immediate post-op photos, both in the donor and recipient areas and it seems that one of his main goals is that the surgery should not be noticeable. I guess this probably seems somewhat fanciful to some veteran board members but Dr. Collins background is as an EMT surgeon and he claims that he is very experienced at closing wounds and minimising scarring. Overall I have to say that I felt very comfortable with Dr. Collins as a potential surgeon and with the standard of his work and the quality of his results. There was no hard sell at any point of the consultation. In fact, he went to great lengths to emphasise that I should not make any quick decision and instead that I should continue my research in order to gather as much information as possible and to think long and hard about the solution that is right for me. His tag line was that hair loss and hair restoration surgery is not so much a medical issue as a psychological one, involving self image and self esteem and that therefore it requires a great deal of self-examination and thought before deciding on whether or not to resort to a surgical solution. Having said all of that and, in view of the many opinions expressed on here about the relative merits of coalition and non-coalition surgeons, it would be remiss of me not to investigate all other options. So of course I have been looking closely at the coalition surgeons on this site and have already drawn up a shortlist of surgeons in North America plus Dr. Pathomvanich in Thailand, a country to which I regularly travel on vacation. Apart from their expertise and experience, the big attraction of these surgeons is cost. Allowing for the tax returns available in Ireland for medical procedures, the costs at Dr. Collins clinic work out at approx. ?‚¬6.80 per graft so the approx. cost for my 2000 grafts would be ?‚¬13,500. Obviously I could achieve the same number of grafts for a much lower cost at any of the clinics I've shortlisted so now I have to decide just how much importance to place on the cost element of the decision making process. There are other issues that play into that process, such as the pre and post-op care (and possibly corrective or additional treatment) that would be easily accessible at a local clinic. I would also like to be able to recuperate in my own home and to have the staples removed at the clinic where the procedure is carried out. One other factor that impacts on my decision is the continued availability of prescription medication. As part of my consultation with Dr. Collins, he prescribed and provided me with a year's supply of Finesteride. Now that I've already begun taking the drug I understand that I need to continue taking it as long as I want to protect my remaining hair. So the problem is that, should I decide to go with an overseas surgeon, I may be unable to source Finesteride in my own country. Dr. Collins surely won't prescribe the drug if I go with another surgeon and my own GP has reservation about the long term use of Finesteride as a treatment for hair loss so he may also refuse to prescribe it. Therefore, I would welcome feedback from: 1) anyone who has had surgery with Dr. Collins 2) anyone who can provide some insights on the merits or the experience of travelling overseas for ht surgery 3) anyone who has information on whether Irish GPs will prescribe Finesteride for hair loss 4) anyone who has an opinion on my predicament Many thanks in advance for any opinions offered and my apologies for the considerable length of my opening post.