BillyJ

DanielKiwi and Future HT Doc, Thank you both for your messages and good wishes. I am satisfied with the progress so far; of course the end result remains the chief determinate of success but am ever hopeful. Following the procedure I asked Dr Wong if he thought I would need a second procedure and he said no! As ever I have faith in his judgement and skill and so have remained positive throughout the journey so far. Will attempt to produce some pictures of the scar for a 12 week update, as can be seen my photography skills leave a lot to be desired but nevertheless will persevere. Good wishes, Bill

Hello everyone, Thought I'd update you on my progress to date. The title is a bit misleading because as I write this, it is 8 weeks and not seven. I called it seven weeks due to having taken some more photos at that time, which I have now uploaded onto my Hair Loss Wbsite. Apologies for the time lag, blame it on the World Cup! As can be seen there has been a lot of, the almost obligatory, shedding. Am still sporting a red head; which is becoming an eye-catching fashion accessory I fear. Though it hasn't caused me any difficulty or embarassment; we've become quite good friends really. I went back to work 4 weeks after my transplant, was a little apprehensive on the journey to work for a few minutes but needn't have worried. People were curious but accepted my story of an allergic reaction to a "natural" ingredient type shampoo, made worse by sun exposure. Also threw in a visit to a determatologist and prognosis of many weeks if not months to repair damaged pigmentation. Have to say the experience so far has been mainly free of trauma. Did not experience any pain or sleepless nights (even with the staples). The only discomfort came about a week after the op when I had one or two nagging headaches, which I thought might have been caused by an over indulgence of junk food. They soon went and so did the junk food. I'm still appying Aloe Vera and Vitamin E Oil to my scalp and donor scar, the latter appears to be healing well. So all in all not too bad - thus far anyway! Will keep you posted as I progress. Hair the well. Bill

Thanks for the encouragement Fingers. I propose to update my Website on a monthly basis. Don't think you have anything to worry about when you begin "Grad" school - it's looking good. Regards, Bill

TC17, Thank you for your message and good wishes. The hair in the area above my ears has always been thinner than the rest, even when I was much younger. Would imagine it has also thinned with age. Think that generally speaking hair gets thinner as we get older - of course there will always be exceptions. When my hair is much longer it isn't that noticeable. Regards, Bill

Hi David, Thank you for your message and kind words, I agree it looks much better with the short back and sides. Was going to give you a call this week to update you on my progress, including the great staple debacle! Seems the NHS in my area are most reluctant to remove staples relating to a "private" medical procedure. After much tooing and froing I contacted the Fargo Clinic who were very helpful, in the guise of Sarah, and she put me in touch with a Doctor in Harley Street whom was happy to do the job. The Doctor (not a cosmetic surgeon) was very complimentary of the (scar) work done by Dr Wong. Yes losing the first draft was bad enough but the second!! Good idea of yours to create a "word" document and paste it. Will do that for any future lengthy posts. But for now am responding to messages individually rather than chance putting all responses in one reply. Do hope all is going and growing well with you - will be pleased to keep you updated with my progress. Bill

Bill, Thank you for your message and good wishes. Regarding my lost posts I'm confident the fault lies with me and not the system given my technophobic nature. If memory serves me well, when I lost the first draft a blank text screen appeared containing an error message in the bottom left of the screen? For the second draft, the same blank screen but with the message "Done" appeared? Ah well, seems I'm getting it right now - better not speak too soon! Thanks so much for taking to the trouble to link my Website to my posts. If it was left to me I'd have hippy length hair again before I managed it! Regards. Bill

Thank you for your comments Fingers. I agree with you that there wont be a high level of density. Dr Wong originally estimated 3500 graphs so to get 3739 (6502 hairs) was a bonus. He said I had very good laxity but clearly not the density to match. The bulk of the graphs were placed in the front and crown sections to provide the best density possible. Nevertheless, I am a realist and the expectancy remains as we have both stated. My view is that I should be much better off than where I started from and if all goes well with have a noticeable hairline again and coverage over the crown. It was good of you to put a direct link to my Website in your post and very much appreciated, as are your comments and kind wishes. Had I not lost previous thread attempts you would have seen that I tried and failed to put a link into my posts - unfortunately I'm a technophobe so none to surprising at my various failed attempts. Best wishes to you as you continue your journey - not that I feel you will need them! Bill

Hello everyone, This is my third attempt at starting a new thread. The previous two were both relatively detailed accounts of my transplant experience with Dr Wong on 13 May 2010. I submitted both earlier threads by hitting the "submit new thread" button below and lost both drafts?? As a consequence I shall keep this short. I created a Hair Loss Website, which provides transplant details and photos. Should you wish to take a look I shall be pleased to recieve any comments and to answer any questions. Regards, Bill

Joe, Excellent work not to mention growth and inspiring too. Bill

Thanks Megatron, you have helped crystalise my thought process in favour of a short stay. I would find it difficult to offer an argument against the sentiments you so clearly expressed - especially as I have been thinking along similar lines. In fact the more I think about the prospect of sightseeing after surgery the more I recoil from the idea. Perhaps it is best left undone for another time and a regular holiday. Bill

Bill , Thank you for your kind words and best wishes, including the testimonial to Dr Wong. It is, and has ever been, encouraging to know Dr Wong is held in high regard by those within HTN. During my research on this site I have read many of your posts. In your role as arbiter, and as such a principal of the Network, I wish to commend you on the high ethical standards that exist within, and which you consistently strive to maintain. It is good of you to provide a photographic travelogue of beautiful Vancouver, which strikes me as not only beautiful but enchanting too. I fear I shall constantly, and consciously, be aware of the need to be vigilent in all that I do, which shall ultimately detract from the joy of exploring this wonderful city. Nevertheless, I'm still weighing up the pros and cons and have a self imposed deadline of the middle of the month to make up my mind. Must confess at this stage I am, in common with a landmark of another intrigueing city, leaning towards a short stay. Regards. Bill

This is an attempt to respond in one go to the various replies received on this post. Not sure of outcome as it is a first attempt - so here goes! lorenzo, You confirm what I am constantly hearing, that Vancouver is a wonderful City. I spoke recently to a bank employee who had lived in Vancouver for 4 years and said that given the choice of living anywhere in the World Vancouver would be the place. Quite a recommendation! ------------- TheEmporer, You make some pertinent points, which support a good argument for an early return. Recuperation at home being the most compelling I feel. Thank you. -------------- Badger, Your kind words on my decision are most welcome. Think I would have the same concerns when venturing out post op. Your comment on making a return trip at a later date is an inspiring one and prompted further thought on an expanding theme. For instance, if I should require to return to the clinic during my healing process for whatever reason, it would be more cost effective to do so than prolonging my initial stay by 2 plus weeks under a partial self imposed curfew. ---------------- Than you Garageland, your patience, willingness to assist and support are very much appreciated. You succinctly frame my dilemma - indeed decisions, decisions! Think I am leaning towards an early return (again!). If I stayed my cautious nature, in this respect at least, might well see me hibernating for part of my stay and worrying about venturing out the rest of it. Thus not getting the best from my visit nor perhaps the level of enjoyment I should, or normally would, derive from holidaying in a beautiful city such as Vancouver. --------------- Bill

BillyJ, All the best - you are in solid hands with DrW. Venturing out with a hat on post op will be no prob at all. Many do it and as long as you don't over do it - you'll be fine! Thank you Spex, for taking the trouble to reply and for your words of encouragement. Both much appreciated. Bill

Following on from my last thread "Dr Wong HT - Views Comments Please" thought I would update my position. Hope my starting a new thread is not contravening protocol? Having spoken on the telephone with Jotronic, Garageland and Dr Wong, and enjoying what I perceived to be positive, informative and constructive conversations, I have formally booked surgery for 13 May 2010. This, I feel, was the final piece of my research and critical to the decision making process. Should also mention my telephone conversations with Christina at H&W, whom has been helpful and a pleasure to speak with. Garageland and I have spoken on the 'phone at length a couple of times and am looking forward to meeting him in person during the month of April. When contemplating surgery overseas it is of great benefit to be able to speak with a like minded person within your own country. Even better when you are both domiciled in more or less the same geographical area - in our case south east England. Of course the research doesn't quite end here I'm sure I shall have, and do have, lots of questions relating to pre and post op preparation. On one particular point it would be good to get your views now. I have see-sawed between staying in Vancouver for a couple of days post-surgery or a couple of weeks? For example; the benefits of a couple of weeks or so would I presume be: on hand to chart initial progress with clinic; staple removal at the clinic; holiday in Vancouver; comfortable return journey. Conversely, on this point, staples can be removed quite easily at home; will I feel like exploring and enjoying the delights of Vancouver; should I be circumspect about venturing out in the early days following surgery; in short would I be better off returning home early? Should also mention that cost is a consideration so any thoughts on hotel accomodation would be welcome. My priority here would be funtional and clean - and not too far from the clinic? Looking forward to receiving your comments. Many thanks. Bill

1Ainslie, thank you for replying to my post and for your good wishes. I in turn wish you the best of success with your recent surgery. Thanks also for the advice regarding Christina and your opinion of Dr Wong. I should be speaking with Dr Wong this coming week, which I'm looking forward to. Regards. Bill Regards

Hello Garageland, thank you for replying to my post. Such a pity I was not aware of your recent get together it would have been good to be there. I would, however, like to take you up on your kind offer to talk and perhaps to meet. I shall seek out your details and be in touch. I hesitate to say it's good we have poor uk surgery experience in common as I'd wish it wasn't the case for both of us. But on a positive note we can at least exchange views regarding such. And I can certainly benefit from your practical knowledge of the whole current process. I agree, to achieve 6000-7000 graphs will require more than one session. Again, hopefully, we can discuss this in more detail when we speak and/or meet. Finally, I have viewed your transplant blog on more than one occasion and must say the final outcome is very impressive, if not miraculous, you must be so pleased - the latter statment being typical English understatement I imagine. Regards. Bill

Hello Emperor, thank you for replying to my post. Firstly, I wish you the best of luck with your second procedure. I have viewd your transplant log on more than one occasion and followed your subsequent posts with great interest. I feel confident, in my humble opinion, that you will achieve what you initially desired and again wish you well in that objective. You make some sound points regarding graph numbers and outcome. I agree a mature look is the sensible course and an acceptable one also. I would though like some cover in the crown area albeit with a thinning appearance - an improvement on what I have (have not) at the moment. Your hair density postion could and probably does apply to my situation. It is becoming apparent that I will in all probabality not achieve a "one and done" restoration. Unless of course I settle for the limitations of a single procedure. The journey continues! Regards. Bill

Hello SH. Thank you for your reply and your words of welcome. Also thank you for your advice and opinions, both much appreciated. Yes, in reality I will need more than one session to achieve the estimated 6000-7000 graphs. I think it was me being over optimistic, and perhaps a little naive, in hoping for a "one-stop shop" solution. Have viewed and reviewed the work of both Dr Hasson and Dr Wong, both equally impressive. Given my age and level of maturity ( not necessarily mutually inclusive) I felt a more conservative hairline would be appropriate and perhaps a prerequisite for a first surgery! Regards. Bill

Hello FC, thank you for your reply to my post. As you can imagine, even after fairly extensive research I have a myriad of questions. Many of which I have already put to Jotronic in a telephone conversation last night (UK time). That being said, I would still value views and comments from you and anyone else who might wish to contribute to my body of knowledge. Suitability relating to age, laxity, density and positve outcome. The question for me being "will it be a worthwhile investment physically, psychologically, emotionally, and financially". Added to this are practical questions such as which airline should I fly with, how long should I stay in Canada post-op? Dos and don'ts pre and post-op - that sort of thing. Regards. Bill

Hello everyone, This is my first posting, having spent many, many hours over a number of months silently researching this site and others. I wish to say how impressed I am with all aspects of Hair Transplant Network. I am heartened by what I perceive to be the altruistic ethos of the Network. Warmed by the displays of cameraderie and general mutuality of respect that exists between its members. Encouraged by the seemingly transparent nature of the debates and the rigour with which largely constructive criticism is pursued, irrespective of a positive or negative bias. I came upon the site a few months ago almost by chance. I'd seen a programme on TV which referenced the work of the Fargoe Clinic. Having more or less accepted my bald fate (or should that be pate) I was intrigued to learn more - for if there was a way then I could certainly provide the will. I am a sceptic but one with a open mind. It was through the Fargoe site that I came across Hair Transplant Network. This is probably a good point in which to give you some background information about me. My name is Bill (aka Billy) I am 59 years old. I live in the south east of England. Inexplicably, at the age of 26 I had a hair transplant, which I didn't need. I thought it would thicken up the front of my hairline, it didn't and around 14 years later I had most of the 50 plugs removed by electrolysis. Ironically, I didn't really/noticeably start to lose my hair until my early 40s. Although given my parental line it dogged my thoughts from teenage years onwards. Between a period spanning approximately eight years (42-50) there was significant hair loss. Into my 50s it appears to more or less stabilised. I don't recall the name of the clinic that so unethically took my money in return for an unneccesary and completley unrewarding transplant. I do however remember that it was based in Nottingham, England ( Robin Hood country - emphasis on the robbing). Given my aforementioned scepticism but not forgetting my open mindedness. I was very much taken by surprise at the advances made in hair transplantation. I had vowed never to even consider such a path again and had counselled others against it. Following research undertaken I have to say my stance has changed and I am now prepared to consider/contemplate another procedure. There appears to be so many gifted surgeons within the Coalition it would be easy to compile a lengthy list of those that could possibly do a good job for me. Such a listing, I feel could be coounter productive as the prospect of too many options would prove overwhelming and serve only to confuse. I therefore settled on a short list of 4, alpabetically: Drs Fargoe, Feller, Hasson and WONG. Following further research, and given that I believed my NW scale would be between 5 & 6 (it has been confirmed as 5A - more of that later) and thus a suitable candidate for a mega session I narrowed the list to two: Drs Hasson and Wong. Using a simple investigative criterion of similar NW scale types I settled on Dr Wong as the most suitable surgeon for my needs. My expectations are limited to, and bound by, the surgeons experise and skill and thus what can reasonably be achieved. However, I can only hope my aspirations accord within those parameters. Again based on research I would estimate my requirement would be for between 6000 and 7000 graphs. For which I would aspire to a mature frontal hairline with reasonable density. The same in terms of density to the mid section and crown. Not forgetting an all over pleasing aesthetic supporting a natural looking result. As I live in England and given my age I would elect to have a single mega session, if possible. I should mention that I am not on any medication other than daily vitamins. I tried Propecia about 6/7 years ago for approximately a year but did not notice any discernable change. Also tried Regaine (Minoxidil) a couple of years ago but it left me with an extremely itchy scalp so stopped using it. On 14.02.10 I submitted an on-line consultation request form to Dr Wong, which was acknowledged today by Christina whom advised me that Dr Wong would be in touch in the next few days. I submitted a number of photographs, which I will post here if I can work out how to do so en masse - there are 10 photos. So any advice on how I can will be appreciated - unfortunately I'm a bit of technophobe. I do have many questions centred on: my suitability, cost, travel, pre-op preparation, impact of surgery (inc. existing scar tissue), post-op requirements et al. Of course I expect Dr Wong will provide clarification, nevertheless I would value any views or comments you might care to make. It would be good to hear from Jotronic, Spex and any H&W patients not forgetting any other interested parties. Many thanks for taking the time to read this post. Bill