phillyboy

A few observations and comments.... There are conferences and professional groups for Hair Restoration and you can see who attends them and/or who is a member of the group. To me, this helps a little bit to put my mind at ease as you can see they care and are putting forth the effort and care about their craft. Not only that, the education, standards and quality of work all improve. I think in the future there will be classes for the techs (akin to what we've seen computer programming and a host of IT functions evolve in to through the years). My 1st HT Doc was a member on this forum and then was dropped, and coincidentally, he did not attend many conferences. Bill and I talked about this before. My 2nd HT Doc was Dr. Shapiro and Janna has worked on me. What I noticed in both my HT's is that the doc will usually do the more visible/critical work (i.e. the front) and the techs fill in in less critical areas. I know most of the time there were a combination of folks working on me, but that Dr. Shapiro was periodically checking the progress when he wasn't working on me (which he did a good deal himself). I had a high confidence level that he was focused and cared about me and my results. Even with all that, I was still nervous! But I came back for a few days straight and everyone was so nice and took their time with me - which is why the forum is paramount - to get these details. It's why less than a year out I feel it looks pretty good and will get better (I hope). It's why I would consider having another surgery with SMG. I am glad I found this forum, it helped me make a decision on what I was going to do and who I was going to do it with. That said, don't think I didn't run Dr. Shapiro's name through any database/board/BBB I could to find any problems. This forum ENCOURAGES you do that! Lastly, when I pulled out the picture that triggered me in to HT action and showed it to a friend - they couldn't believe it! Their exact words; "HOLY SH!T!, what a difference." They stared at me all night and it didn't bother me, because I know while my hair will never be like it was - it is very good/improved and makes me feel better all around. I am lucky to have had two procedures to improve my quality of life.

All looks good on the scalp front and it's not major lifting - but I do have to wear a helmet. Thoughts?

I didn't have a big pockets of scabs. In fact, for both my HTs, I had minimal scabs and dry patches (the 2nd HT I had the graphcyte ot whatever they call it). But I do have dry scalp to begin with and there was a few times it was itchy (and usually around a patch with "extra" skin (i.e. scabs) I have found that applying with a swab (or blotting with a cotton ball) not only alleviated the itch, but loosed the excess skin/scabs. Just made it easier - and just wanted to know what a doc thought.

Yea, I meant the flat of my fingertips doing gentle circles over the the recipient area. Not actually moving my scalp around. Though I'm not even sure what "scalp exercises" are!

After my 2nd HT I used the Grafcyte spray, but still would have dry scalp that was itchy in the 2nd week and would have dry skin/scab buildup. Then I remembered after my 1st HT I had used Mineral Oil (Vaseline Hair Tonic to be specific) to ease the itch as well as loosen the dry, dead skin. Now I did this after the first week - applying lightly with a cotton swap on dry areas. I would love to know from a qualified Doc if this would do any harm whatsoever! Also, if I am 8 weeks out, can I message my scalp with my fingertips without causing damage? At what point (after 1 week or two) would that be safe?

After my 2nd HT I used the Grafcyte spray, but still would have dry scalp that was itchy in the 2nd week and would have dry skin/scab buildup. Then I remembered after my 1st HT I had used Mineral Oil (Vaseline Hair Tonic to be specific) to ease the itch as well as loosen the dry, dead skin. Now I did this after the first week - applying lightly with a cotton swap on dry areas. I would love to know from a qualified Doc if this would do any harm whatsoever! Also, if I am 8 weeks out, can I message my scalp with my fingertips without causing damage? At what point (after 1 week or two) would that be safe?

I called the Doc as well and he said the same thing, and it only has been two or three, and from the back which doesn't bother me HALF as much as the front ones (mostly in the front, touch up in the back). I also would figure that by now, everything had bonded so what was attached would stay put and so forth. And there was no blood and no open wound, just dandruff - just wasn't aware. I had a 1200, and I suppose they all couldn't make it Poor hairs, they served me well (even if they were in the wrong spot)! Thanks for the support!

A question as I am 6 weeks out... Is it normal to lose a couple a graphs? I have a few spots (2 or 3), and only in the mid to back of my scalp (the thicker hair), a couple of dandruff spots and i rubbed one very lightly(not scratched it!) it came free, and i noticed a follicle. There has been one or two - isolated to only the back. I am very careful, but think a couple just didn't take. Anyone have this happen? I am shampooing and conditioning normally, but very gently and have been pickup up volume.

A question as I am 6 weeks out... Is it normal to lose a couple a graphs? I have a few spots (2 or 3), and only in the mid to back of my scalp (the thicker hair), a couple of dandruff spots and i rubbed one very lightly(not scratched it!) it came free, and i noticed a follicle. There has been one or two - isolated to only the back. I am very careful, but think a couple just didn't take. Anyone have this happen? I am shampooing and conditioning normally, but very gently and have been pickup up volume.

also, can i shampoo normal now???

oh, as a note, the flaky skin only seems to be in the back, none at all in the front

i am about 5 weeks out of a 1200 follicle HT, and I had a couple of questions: i have read on this board, that there is some thinnning before and i am experiencing this, how long before it really starts to grow - i'm sick of not going out on the weekends! also, i noticed at night sometimes i will pick at the flaky skin on the scalp - am i in danger after a month of ripping them out. on my pillow it just looks like dandruff, but i was concerned because it was subconscious at night. i mean they should be in place by now, right? please explain and settle my worries!

i am about 5 weeks out of a 1200 follicle HT, and I had a couple of questions: i have read on this board, that there is some thinnning before and i am experiencing this, how long before it really starts to grow - i'm sick of not going out on the weekends! also, i noticed at night sometimes i will pick at the flaky skin on the scalp - am i in danger after a month of ripping them out. on my pillow it just looks like dandruff, but i was concerned because it was subconscious at night. i mean they should be in place by now, right? please explain and settle my worries!