LaserCaps

4 minutes ago, jbond007 said:

I'll disclose the clinic for sure very soon, but want to get a consult from them first before I start posting their name. Trust me i dont want anyone to ever go through this. 

On a different note, is there anything you guys suggest I should definitely ask from my doctor? From how I see it - It can only go two ways from here - either they accept responsibility that the grafts are mis-angled, or they try to fool me into believing that everything is as it should be. 

My major concern is that they'll tell me don't worry just wait for the hair to come in 6 months and everything will look fine. I honestly don't know how to respond to that. Have never seen anyone with fully grown hair who initially had bad direction. 

NORMALLY, TYPICALLY.....the clinic will provide post op instructions etc.  At about the 7th day you are to start washing your hair normally, (with the tips of your fingers....etc)  All crusts along with the hair will fall off.  3-4 months later the transplanted hair will start coming in.  Vellus-like at the beginning. It will be 6 months before you start noticing a bit of difference.  It will be at a year when you'll see the matured result.  

I was surprised to see how much your hair has grown, (probably from the get-go), which can happen from time to time.  (And typically, hair in the front grows forward, and so does the hair in the mid-scalp.  So, when transplants are done, they will also be done angled forward.  It is concerning they show angled to the sides, etc. 

So, it is quite possible for the clinic to say - let's give it a year and discuss once you see the full result.  If so, I would continue going to your scheduled appointments and voice your concerns.  Ask the doctor/clinic what options you have/will have if you are not totally satisfied with the work.

I do have a question.  How did you choose this clinic? Did you go there because they are close to you? Did you ask the doctor where he learned to do hair restoration? Did the doctor do the surgical part of the procedure? Or was it the techs? What method did they use?

1 hour ago, MeetYourMaker said:

Taken from a Turkish HT forum;

the situation before the HT : 

 

 

HT day : (4500 grafts DHI) 

 

Six Months Result : 

 

BEFORE HT - AFTER HT (8 MONTHS) :

 

ONE YEAR RESULT : 

Patient took finasteride 6 months after the surgery; then dropped. 

4 years after the HT, no finasteride (patient age 44 now) :

 

Isnt this a dramatic lose from the transplanted hairs or native hairs mostly? It looks scary especially it happens to a man in his 40s 

Discuss? 

 

 

 

 

This is interesting to me for a number of reasons.  Let's break it down from the beginning.......Starting with the very first photo.  Showing diffused thinning from front to back.  Day of procedure it also looks as if the doctor worked from front to back, concentrating some in the front and then sprinkling through the rest of the pattern.  My first question, why place grafts towards the crown if the patient was doing nothing to retain the native hair?

Going down the history, I am looking at the 6 month result.  So, the patient let his hair grow.  The fact the hair is wavy does help and gives the illusion of having more density than what he truly has.  I'll bet, if you move the hair out of the way, you would still be able to see the original pattern, perhaps with just a bit more density.  (At 6 months you are really not going to see much of a change, couple this with the fact he is not doing any meds so he could have been experiencing ongoing loss of native hair).

A year later, yes, it does look like more, but is it because he let the hair grow? And let's just say he did bump the density bar.....It is obvious something did happen in the ongoing 4 years.

If we are to decipher, I think most would agree the grafts remained. But they were, (mostly), diffusely transplanted throughout.  There was ongoing loss of native hair, and the only thing you see is the result of the transplants. (I wonder if there was a change in the donor as well, (but no photo has been posted). 

I would encourage this patient to consider all modalities, (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP and Laser) and try them for an entire year. He can decide if the outcome is worth continuing the regimen. SMP, in the meantime, would help him minimize the contrast.

Wear a baseball cap and sit up.  You can put some support on the neck, (perhaps a travel pillow).

Diffused thinning.  Unfortunately you have not posted photos of your sides and back.  First thing I would do is let your hair grow for 7-10 days and see if the hair shingles.  2nd, I would get consider all medical modalities to help you retain and perhaps enhance the native hair.  (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP, Laser).  I would do them for a good year as it does take this time period to confirm what exactly this will do.  In the meantime, and if you do want to create the illusion of more density, I would consider SMP.  This would buy you some time.

Without checking elasticity, etc....impossible to say.  Visually - patients would kill to have the hair you have.  

I am curious, why are you interested in hair restoration? Typically, it is those patients experiencing hair loss who start digging in this industry.  Based on the photo and the quality you seem to have; it seems you have 0 loss.  Can you post photos of your whole head?

41 minutes ago, Potemkin said:

I would try to avoid Fin given the risk/profit at this stage, but doing Regaine foam already and hoping for Pyrilutamide.

Pyrilutamide still in trial....this might take some time.  It will likely end up being another modality you'll have to do for as long as you want to keep your hair.  I doubt if we'll ever get that magical potion that will resolve hair loss once and for all.  At least not in my lifetime.

Yes, you do have an advanced pattern, and it seems you have realistic expectations.  You have a lot of miniaturized hair that hasn't left the building.  I would encourage you to consider all medical therapies, (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP and Laser), and give them a year.  You could, in the meantime, do an SMP.  A year later, based on results, I would then consider FUE.  It would be nice if you could improve the native hair.

I think of SMP as being monochromatic.  Add hair to it and now is multidimensional.  It will frame you and give you the illusion of having hair.

First, why are you nervous?

Do you feel you did the proper research before choosing this particular clinic? Oh, wait.......Didn't ask the right questions? Did you ask the doctor where he learned to do hair transplants? 

A clinic should always have an open-door policy. A returning patient, particularly one who has questions prior to surgery, should be welcomed. Red flag if they are giving you excuses.  Yes, it is true that you will typically meet with the doctor the morning of the procedure to address any last-minute concerns.  

Itching can be caused by many things.  First thing I would do is go to the doctor if you can.  Otherwise go to the dermatologist so they can look at the scalp and determine the root cause.  

13 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Bumping this for additional input from the community. Who would you like to see as the first guest?

A two part series, first a patient then a doctor.  Almost as if a consultation was going to take place.

Many components at play here,  

First, you refer to medications as Finasteride.  As you know, Finasteride, Rogaine PRP and Laser are the modalities we typically refer to when dealing with this condition.  Are you open to the other ones? (The ones external to you - and, by the way, Fin is now available as a topical solution).

What are your goals? What are you trying to accomplish?

No meds? OK.  Think of the front and top as the horizontal part of the head.  You can go back as far as you can horizontally on the pattern so as to minimize the size of the crown.  As the hair grows, and you comb it back, you can cover the area but with the hair.

We want to be age and pattern appropriate.  A class 6, for example, will keep a forelock, a bit of density through the mid-scalp and nothing in the crown.  If you are planning on zero meds, That's the way I would approach it.

It is important to realize the hair in the front grows forward, the hair in the middle grows forward and it shingles.  In the crown, however, we all share the whirl.  The hair grows outwards from the point. It would take tons of grafts to fill it.  You'd be better served by working the front and top first.  Once happy with the density, you could then tackle the back...Oh, but wait....

No meds, more loss.  Say you go on to lose all they hair you currently have...which is a possibility if you do not want to protect it.  

And the cycle continues........

Rogaine, PRP, Laser....What if these helped you retain what you have. Would that be an option?

Just now, LaserCaps said:

 

Right.  But it can be done at any time.  So, if you are planning a transplant, and the doctor has a proven record of success with PRP, then OK.  

For patients that are not good candidates for transplants or just decide medication is a good solution, PRP is also an alternative at any time.

1 minute ago, My HT said:

Thanks for the reply.. Do you mean PRP during  the hair transplant ??

PRP, when done correctly, can help the grafts come in sooner.  More importantly, can help reverse the miniaturization process.  Thus, PRP at the time of the procedure would be ideal.  But it also can be done at any time.   

Interesting that you would go to such length to help out the surgeon.  Not sure if this is necessary.  Can't wait to hear the opinion of others.

Let's consider a consultation.  The information given to you by the doctor is based on what he sees at the time of the consultation.  Who's to say that the info you gather today won't change by the time you visit with the doctor.  Unless there is an underlying condition, this might just be overkill.  

Is there a reason for your approach?

3 hours ago, Mike10 said:

The reality is that in most cases Fin will NOT halt hair loss in the long term as most patients will continue to progress slowly. That is why most patients will need further HT work even while under Fin. 

Fin can definitely can lose efficiency. In patients with aggressive MPB it is entirely possible the genes over power the medication.

Are you serious in implying that sides do not exist under Fin? 

 

 

 

 

There are millions of people in this earth, and everyone is different.  There are hereditary conditions, propensities, etc.  The majority of the patients I've met with over the years have retained while on the medication. me included.  Some do experience the side effect, so it does happen.  Mental? Perhaps.  If hair is important to you, try the other modalities and see if they help you.  

Not sure where you're getting your research but I do not agree with you.  Superlatives tend to be never true. 

There are many reasons why people seek multiple procedures, not just the use Fin or lack of.  

There is plenty of research on the subject - and sides do happen.  (Not sure where you're getting this)?

22 minutes ago, Baldingat22 said:

Thank you. I’ve actually been wanting to meet with Dr. Arocha for awhile actually.

Call 713-526-4247 to schedule an appointment.  Virtually or an in-person evaluation.  

The breakdown of testosterone to DHT is continuous and we know DHT is an irritant to the follicle.  Fin, being a DHT blocker, will likely help.  Rogaine, PRP and Laser are the other modalities we typically refer to when dealing with this condition.  The mechanism of action of each it totally different and are thus synergistic when used simultaneously.  While I do agree everyone is different, there are certain "things" that tend to be universal with the use of the meds,

Propecia/Fin tends to halt hair loss for as long as you take it.  I've never encountered a patient who loss effectiveness over time. (I have been on it for over 25 years and things have not changed).

Rogaine (now available in pill form), tends to be effective for about 7 years and then it loses some effectiveness.  The suggestion is to continue its use. Most people are under the impression it is not working any more, stop all together only to see the loss they would have experienced had it not been for the medication.  

There is more testosterone under Propecia so why people experience a side effect is beyond me.  (That's the way I've always thought about it and have never experienced a side effect).  

And the debate continues.......Every year, it seems, we learn more and more about the long term use of these modalities.  Regardless, I plan to continue their use.  Can you imagine a hair restoration consultant without hair? 

Visit with your doctor, continue researching and keep in mind there are other modalities you can add to the mix. Take a set of photos and put them away so you can keep track of your progress.  

Hard to say just from the photo you've submitted.  Almost looks like you're sweating.  

Maybe some retrograde? Perhaps an advanced pattern? From this angle looks like you are demarcating down.  So MPB? Perhaps.  Would be nice if you could submit photos of your entire head and not just only the donor.  

With regards to the dermatitis issue, have you visited with a dermatologist? You need to get that treated before any transplants take place as the condition can be transferred to the recipient area.  

What medical therapy are you on?

What is your family history of hair loss?

Ask the doctor! So, say it takes 1000 grafts to reinforce the hairline.  You'd be OK with that? Not sure if I understand. Perhaps others can chime in. 

The needles used to anesthetize are tiny and will leave no marks.  A procedure with no local is crazy.  I recall in one of my procedures there was an area they just forgot to numb - it was not fun.  This does bring up a point....Would the doctor even allow you to move fwd with no anesthetic? If he does, I am sure he'll be ready to inject as soon as you request it.  After he makes the first few sites - you'll be screaming for it.  

PRP is one of the modalities we typically refer to when dealing with this condition.  Unfortunately not all PRP treatments are the same.  Tons of research suggested.  Review photos of results, etc.  

When you hear the word "sessions," consider its meaning.  It's likely a syringe size qty blood. Once processed, a few shots (without an anesthetic) - and that's it.  Come back for X number of sessions.  Disappointment a few months later when you see no difference. 

First, I would follow the directions of the doctor.  Did they give you post op instructions? Pls confirm the info.  You can typically start washing with the tips of your fingers at about the 7th day.  Did you do FUT or FUE? What did the doctor say about washing this area? Did they ask you to use any type of spray or cream in the area(s)?

Who did your work? It'll be interesting to find out who is recommending a month before you wash.  At that point I would be more concerned about infection, etc.

15 minutes ago, Curious25 said:

Sounds like a JML commercial. 

 

Maybe "Hair loss options" might be better.  The idea of iPod, iPad came to mind but not sure how to incorporate it into the name.  iRemedies too antiquated and not hair related.   JML? Not sure who those guys are.

19 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Thanks for the support guys, you will all be instrumental in the success of the podcast. Now for the name 🤔 I was thinking of “defeat the Norwood reaper” podcast, or “Hair Transplant Network” podcast. Something that anyone would know is about hair loss. Restore hair podcast? That’s still a work in progress 😅

How about "Worried about hair loss? You've come to the right place."