chantal

Like Goldilocks, the removal of my sutures was painful. I had to ask for the stress ball! It was done by Dr Rahal himself like Goldilocks..The reason for the pain, I think, is the fact that we both had long hair which was pulled at the same time..Dr Rahal is top notch...

Yes it is the same....I have shoulder length hair so hiding the scar was never a problem... I had diffuse thinning of my hair mostly on top of my head due to genetics. After surgery, the real problem is hiding the recepient area (7"X6"). Dr Rahal cut my hair very short on top of my head but he left hair at the front (hairline) which really made it easier. I wore a headband or scarf for the first 4 months (until last week) (December 17th to April 15th). Wearing a hat to work would'nt have looked right... As it was winter here in Canada, I think that also made it easier to wear a hat outside. Right after the surgery my native hair started to grow immediately but I was not able to leave the house without something on my head for 4 months. My "new" hair is really starting to grow now....I can't really see a difference from before as of now but I'm sure that I will in the next few months. Do a search for more of my comments on the aftermath of the procedure. Do a search for Goldilocks who also had the surgery the year before to fix a receeding hairline. Hope this helps.

I'm a 46 year old female who had surgery with Dr Rahal in December 2008...and so far so good after 17 weeks... Going through the first few months after HT can be very hard psychologically for a woman. There are not too many women here, so feel free to ask me questions..I may have a few suggestions for you. I had 1925 grafts for a total of 3675 hairs.

Until the sutures or staples are out

read on the internet: I've had two sessions for removal of 300 micrografts from 1993. First was standard laser. Last one was Pulse Light laser. Results have been great. Now I need to decide if I want a little FUE fill-in to reconstruct a VERY mature hairline.

A travel pillow really helps in the first week...it is the only way you'll get some sleep. Not only does sleeping on your back hurt, but it is not recommended ..that is, to avoid swelling.

I understand how you feel but it is quite normal and it can last for a few weeks..We just have to deal with it. Do NOT put any cream, aloe vera nor vitamin E oil on your scar... This is the recommendation of ALL doctors.

I think it did...but how do I compare? I feel it helped alleviate the itchiness which was really bad in the first 2 months...but as Dr. Lindsey said...: Do NOT put anything on the donor area until the sutures are out...and also, stick with the vitamin E ONLY on the recipient area until the sutures are out. Once thy're out, you'll feel so much better! I stopped using the aloe vera after 2 months because it was pretty messy as my native hair had grown to 1 1/2 inches. When I had pimples at around the 3 month mark (which I I was told was a good sign), I used witch hazel to prevent infection after I applied hot compresses to pop them. Good luck...and be patient...the wait can seem forever..

...I also applied it on the recipient area...

I had surgery with Dr Rahal in Dec.2008 (16 weeks ago). He told me it was a good idea to apply the aloe vera. Cut off a piece, rince off the gooey stuff and apply the pulp. I first thought that I had to apply the sticky stuff but after doing some research on the internet, I realised that you have to use the pulp...

Discount Health Products

Dr Rahal told me to stop using the Vitamin E and start scrubbing the scabs (on the donor area only) very gently AFTER the sutures were removed (13 days after surgery). I did not touch the recipient area at all for 30 days. I would not have gone back to work before then... with all that vitamin E dripping down my face!!!

My suggestion to Dr Rahal was to add to his "What to do before your surgery list" : Buy a travel pillow! ...Otherwise it is almost impossible to get some sleep!

Let it go guys...really! 8 pages of this!!!

Spacebetween, Dr Rahal gave me the lab requisition form he had filled out. I brought it to the clinic (outside Ottawa) and they took care of the rest...The results were sent to him directly. I did not see the results but I guess everything was fine since I had my surgery in December 2008. Dr Rahal is really great...

What I meant was : I did not ask my family doctor for clearance

I had the blood work done and did not get clearance from my doctor...Had Ht with Dr Rahal in December 2008

Amazing results Eman! I can't wait to see results ! I'm 3 months post op. Dr Rahal 1925 grafts: 3675 hairs

How encouraging! I am a female patient and I just had HT with Dr Rahal : 1925 grafts in the same area...3 months after and I'm still waiting....

Blood work cost me 15$ at a local clinic!

Thanks

Not sure how to create my own thread...

Dr Rahal in Ottawa always cuts the recipient area to 1/4 of an inch. I am not sure why but was told that was how it was done...But it will grow back!

I am a woman who had HT with Dr Rahal. I did have to get the blood tests in 2 weeks before the surgery (which I had in December 2008). I used the vitamin E Oil until the sutures were taken out.(ouch!!!) ..13 days after the surgery. Head still very red 3 months later.

I had HT with Dr Rahal in December 2008..(1925 grafts- 3,675 hairs) and I experienced everything you have...The donor area hurt quite a bit, I had a constant burning sensation on the recipient area...The first 2 weeks were the hardest...the pain, the lack of sleep...After the sutures were taken out after 13 days, things got much better. I am now at 3 months. My hair is growing. My scalp is still VERY red and I have lots of pimples...but I'M told that this is normal and I am not too worried...I have stopped using rogaine to see if the redness will go away..I'm still numb mostly at the back of my head. I did have shockloss around the donor area but my hair is growing quickly.. Can't wait to have a full head of hair!