MarkEinstein

Folks, I'm about 7 months in and have been noticing that the hairs on one temple area are coming in curly and the ones on the other side are mostly straight (a bit wavey). I have straight fine hair and these hairs on the left temple are wirey and coarse and well, curly.. They stand out and look strange. I'm becoming quite disappointed and worried but hoping that as they grow they will straighten out. But it doesn't look to be happening. Anybody with that experience? What would cause this? Damage to the folicle during disection? Thanks...

Folks, I'm about 7 months in and have been noticing that the hairs on one temple area are coming in curly and the ones on the other side are mostly straight (a bit wavey). I have straight fine hair and these hairs on the left temple are wirey and coarse and well, curly.. They stand out and look strange. I'm becoming quite disappointed and worried but hoping that as they grow they will straighten out. But it doesn't look to be happening. Anybody with that experience? What would cause this? Damage to the folicle during disection? Thanks...

I also had a 1300 graft procedure done about 5 months ago with Dr. Charles. Yeah, the valium really didn't do anything for me either and I was so nervous that I made it worse than it really was. Maybe 5 valium next time will do it. But Dr. Charles does some really good work. He sutures up the donor site like he could do it in his sleep and the scar he leaves is so hard to find you'd have to know what you were looking for to find it. The ocean water helps and surely doesn't hurt. And plus, heading to the beach with a cap on and taking a few easy dips is relaxing and feels great. Hell, two days later I was at MGM Studios riding the Tower of Terror (although I'd advise a little more rest)

I must say, I originally met with one of the coalition doctors and found numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 ( but didn't really flash the photos at me much ) and 11 to be true. That is what turned me off from this doctor who seemed to have a great reputation and credentials. But my gut told me to run. I continued my research and eventually decided to travel out of town to Dr. Charles in Boca. I'm 5 months post-op and still anticipating more sprouting but have no doubt that things will continue to turn out great. Best scar line ever. Can't even find it. Good post.

You said it Mahair. Once you've decided to take the plunge, as with any surgery, you have to commit to doing the most thorough research you can do. This forum makes it a heck of alot easier to gather information. I feel so much for the guys who have had problems with procedures because I know how freaked I was even though I had picked a well recommended doctor with good training and positive patient results. Once you've narrowed it down to one of these fine doctors, at least you've mitigated most of the risk. At that point, to me, its just a matter of making sure that the actual procedure is carefree and painless and one event that you'll remember in a positive light.

Trachound, I had my procedure done a couple months back with Dr. Charles. The only thing I regret so far is not insisting that I feel 100% comfortable before we got started. I took the valium offered (4 x 5mg) which unless you're a super wuss isn't going to blow your mind or anything. I was super nervous. Blood pressure and heart-rate through the roof! I was not settled down as we got started and nerves only exacerbate things. I think the lidocaine injections were the most painful. The cutting of the donor strip was just, um, kinda nasty sounding. The incicisions for graft placement were nothing (unless the lidocaine starts to where off, then you'll feel a sting or so). Here's my take. You're dropping a few thousand dollars and this is 2005 for Pete's sake! There's no sense in feeling any pain or nervousness and all of that can be controlled easily with meds. Everyone's different. If you're nervous and you don't feel 100% cool with starting, ask for more meds until you get right. You're customer.

I'm 5 weeks post op myself and its not so much been the waiting as it is the second guessing about the decision. It's definitely been a more emotional experience than I would have guessed. I remember being so pumped right after surgery. Seeing the shadow of the new hairline was cool. It was hard to see those pups fall out en masse about two weeks out. The redness is finally starting to blend in. The tightness is gone. The itching donor scar is gone. The weird sensations in remote untouched parts of the scalp is gone. Everywhere there were graft set there was a large amount of shock loss, but I think the worst is over. I suppose I was a nutjob to think that it would all be cleared up in two weeks and then it would be back to normal and I could just forget about it until January. Good to know there are plenty of other folks out there having the same thoughts. And the majority of the folks out there show really good results in the end. Here's hoping for majority status! See you in 2 more months.

Fellas, I have a question on shock loss. I haven't appeared to lose any (maybe a couple) hairs from the grafts (in fact, they are actually longer than the first day they were in) but I'm definitely seeing long hairs across the top of my head come out in my hand/brush at an increased rate. This is day 7. I did not expect to see anything like this til later on. This kinda sucks... any comments?

I'm coming up on 32.

right

left

Here are some day 6 pics. All you guys with experience please let me know if everything looks ok for this timeframe. Does the density look right? To me some areas seem a bit sparse. Is that me overanalyzing again?

Fellas, I'm in to late day 4 and have very little actual bloody scabs but just a bunch of "crusting". But I've seen a few hairs of the new grafts actually come out. They aren't being pulled out with any wet tissues but have come out clean with no "root" or anything but a clean tip on both ends. Is this normal? Is this just a hair that was nearly time to come out anyway and is going ahead and shedding due to the shock it's taken by being moved? This is quite unnerving. Is this normal or should I be freaked? To late for the second part... thanks.

Fellas, I'm in to late day 4 and have very little actual bloody scabs but just a bunch of "crusting". But I've seen a few hairs of the new grafts actually come out. They aren't being pulled out with any wet tissues but have come out clean with no "root" or anything but a clean tip on both ends. Is this normal? Is this just a hair that was nearly time to come out anyway and is going ahead and shedding due to the shock it's taken by being moved? This is quite unnerving. Is this normal or should I be freaked? To late for the second part... thanks.

You know, I'm sure every one of us has thought the same things about this whole ordeal. I am grateful that we live in a time where the technology has advanced far enough to get down to the folicular level and achieve completely natural results. And I've seen many great pictures and outcomes. But even with all of that, you still have doubts and worries that things won't come out right. That the grafts look too far apart or whatever. Where did all those 1300 go? ;-) But I think its all good and normal to think those kind of thoughts. I mean, we are talking something you'll live with the rest of your life (well, unless you go get laser hair removal) Now begins a fairly long waiting game. Good luck on your surgery. If you're nervous about the actual procedure just ask that they let you get good and ripped on Valium or whatever they'll offer before you get going. You surely won't die from a good 20-25 mg but you'll be good and relaxed. Funny, I wonder if any Docs ever use a little NO2 on patients to get them ready? I know at my dentist, after five minutes sucking on that I'm ready to let them pull out my toenails if they want. Tomorrow will be the third day post-op and I believe things are progressing as normal. The graft sites have started to ooze a little serous fluid. Just a few have actual scabs. Starting to swell again a bit in the forehead and will apply ice shortly. The donor scar is fine. No pain, just tenderness at the corners of the incision. That's where you'll have the most discomfort and scabbing. Like I said, please ask any questions. I'm certainly glad to share. I wouldn't be here in FL if it weren't for the research I did on this site.