PD

YouOnlyLiveOnce, Thanks for your input.. i understand most of it should be grown by 6-8month, although it will continue to grow up until 1 yr. I was not prepared to go with larger surgery, was a bit worried about the scar, should the loss progress over the next 10 yrs and I had to shave. Just keeping my options open here... The doc actually tried to get 3000 but could only get 2600. thanks.

Hello guys, Here is my update at 6 month point..2600 grafts. let me know what you think .. thanks!

Danielwiki, Like I said, I dont expect a doctor to know exactly how much donor hair one has, I dont even doubt that the tech may have screwed up while splitting grafts. Just want to set the record straight. Thanks for caring. My goal is to put the facts out there. I have nothing to gain by posting here. My only hope is the patients are more informed and are better aware of the potential pitfalls. I hate to see another patient end up with the triangular look. If I grow my hair long enough, it should be able to cover up the issue. I am still very optimistic and will be. As for numbing, I hear it varies patient to patient. This is true for any surgery nothing special about a hair transplant.

I havent seen this post before, this is completely untrue! I dont understand why the doc had to make this statement, it is over and it is what it is... a doctor may be doing 10 of these every week, but a patient like me will only do one per lifetime, so i got all my senses alert during the initial conversation, the only discussion was about the hair line. More than hairline or adding more to the crown, my only problem is with the "triangular look" - something a patient shouldn't have to even mention - like someone said, each transplant should be as standalone as possible. While I do agree with the doc that he didnt tell me that one surgery is all I need, he certainly did tell me that I had enough donor hair for three people, but thats ok! Of course, I dont expect him to know exactly how much hair I have on my donor hair. It is just an observation as every recommended doc I had seen, told me I had great thick donor hair, which is obviously a guestimate. I will tell the readers and doctors one thing though, communication is critical, this is a cosmetic surgery, not an open heart surgery like someone was stating on another post, and the doctor should work with patient - not assume that he is a genius and that he knows best.

Hi, Currently at about 1 month post op, pain is about 3 on a 10 scale. Numbing is still at about 90% both donor and recepient area. Except for the the triangular look, which scares the heck out of me, I am beginning to get normal. Check out my photo album, link in my signature. The other day, I used a #7 clipper and it started showing the line, not the scar, (a pit showing scalp where strip was taken out), probably because of the shaving done at the donor area. Shouldnt have done it, but then again, I was tired of long hair in this hot weather. Should be ok in a couple weeks.

Here is the link to my photo album --PD

Great story... very natural outline of the HT... particularly liked the quoted part.. it is very comforting to see Dr. so very caring... enjoy bullitnut and thanks for sharing!

Shankar, from what i hear, it is normal. I am post-op 11 days and havent lost anything yet.(i think).. i was told at around 3 week time, i will... and they will grow back over the course of next 6-12 months - varies tremendously person to person, it appears. I normally wash my hair alternate days, plan to get back to that rhythm soon.

WOW !!! Thats awesome result - where is Dr. Rahal based at ?

OK guys, its gotten pretty heated... I somehow get a feeling that my post appeared negative - it was not meant to be... the purpose of my thread is to express my honest opinion and get some honest responses from the experienced guys, I have nothing against Dr. Feller and as a matter of fact, I still think he is a good surgeon. Regarding the # of grafts, I don't think its that easy to estimate the density on someone's donor area just by visual examination... and I have no issues with this, if I have less density, so be it... what can I do ? or can anyone do ? Another question about why didn't i go with larger HT - I was/am scared of the width of the scar, numbness, besides I didnt believe filling up all my head with grafts was necessary, I dont want to look perfect, covering the frontal third is more than enough for me - the risk vs. reward graph isn't linear in my opinion, risk increases way too higher than the difference you are going to see on a person's looks... some might disagree with this, but I really believe this. besides who knows when my numbness is going to return if I go crazy with 4k grafts ? It took me so many years to take the plunge for having one HT, as you can see since when i am registered, I didn't think I ever thought of a second one nor am I thinking of it now. I do respect everyone's opinion, in fact, very appreciative of the honesty here. And for the record, I am really not dissatisfied or anything, just a little worried, nervous and that's all ;-) Again, thanks guys for all your honest posts !

Hey Maxxy, I think i knew what you meant.. I think the only density diff you will see is between the 1/2 cm band on hairline and the rest - which is a good thing... but what you are suggesting is also possible and probably even better if i had enough grafts. (the goal was to get 3000 but apparently they could only get 2600 which was a surprise to me as the doc told me i had enough density for 3 people.) what i was suggesting is place the grafts strategically, to make it look like i only had loss on the crown.. please see the diagram attached and also shot of my top view. In the diagram, the left is what i was talking about, the right is what i got..

qwerty and sparky, unfortunately i am not planning on another HT - this is a great point, i think every HT doc should consider this seriously. maxxy, No the grafts do not sort of feather off.. they do end abruptly - I wasnt looking for crown area as i dont mind a bald crown. as someone said - "if i dont see it, i am not bothered by it" TC17, exactly what i meant by "triangle look" - I was aware of this problem as i had seen an elderly guy's pic on this forum, with the abrupt straight line, who had it done with the same doc. That guy has combed it to his left and it made it even more terrible. i had mentioned this during the intial talk, the doc acknowledged it, but somehow wasnt able to do it. obviously, by the time i saw the top view, it was all over and time to go home. I guess, now that it is over, and i cannot change it, will try to focus on the positive. maybe this will help someone - know the risks, and be better informed. thanks for all your honest opinions !

Hello all, Finally did it, after a long wait. overall i had a mixed experience, I had two questions for those senior HT guys out there... 1. Please look at my photo album - i think my strip went a little too high - if my past history and my genetics was any indication, i may continue to lose hair and within a couple year or 3 the scar from this surgery might be exposed. what do you think ? 2. I think I ended up with a traingle shape HT, would have preferred a more curvy base of the triangle to merge with the crown's hair loss, thus making it look like it is part of natural hair loss... i did discuss this idea with my doc but i guess it wasnt possible to do it.. overall, it was ok.

I had my first (and hopefully last!) HT done at Dr. Feller's clinic. Originally we shooted for 3000, the doc examined my scalp and said I have enough density and got more than 2600. I felt the doc taking 5 pieces of strips, one-by-one and stapled the open area. during the surgery itself it felt like the cut came a little too high on the head, which really worried me, and still does... not sure how other docs do but i think the lower the better as there is always a chance of existing hair on the side of the hair being lost (moving lower to the sides) thus exposing the scar... i dont know, heard that this is the standard, so should be fine. Anyways, everything went ok. I noticed there were 3 techs cutting the grafts. local anaesthesia was given, doc started making incisions and then followed the nurses dropping the grafts. was a little disappointed when the number was given even after taking such a long strip... but i guess its my density. One other worry I had was the triangle shape of the HT. I told the doc about this before we started and that i want a bit of a curve to align it the circle of the crown's hair loss, sort of base of triangle(towards back of the head) in a concave shape. He said he will take care of it.. but i think the slope of the curve is too small to avoid the triangle appearance. Check out my photo album at http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/user_album_update.php?album_id=135 --PD

thanks guys, hmm.. interesting, so i guess i dont have to sleep at a slant position after couple days as some seem to suggest on this forum - not sure if that was because you tend to turn sideways easily if you are lying flat on your back. secondly, how do i keep away from scratching off my grafts. during my sleep, i might very well feel the itch and go crazy - other than tying myself behind my back while sleeping, can you guys suggest some ideas... Thanks.

Hello, I am 2nd day post-op and wanted to know what is the right way to sleep, i know elevated position is preferred for first night for swelling, but i dont have any swelling concern - i am more concerned about the staples causing wider scar... what is the right way to sleep ? Should i sleep elevated until the staples come out ? Or is there any other better idea to mitigate widening of the scar or help the healing process ? Thanks much!

For the size you are looking, Dr. Wong or Dr. Hasson are probably the right fit. Alternatively, consider Dr. Beehner (upstate NY), he is someone who very natural, creative hairlines. Dr. Paul Rose (florida) - very understanding and easy to work with - I had a personal consult with both, they are very good. Please talk to the doctors and make sure he suits what you are looking for.

Thanks Serious and Louise, I am a little concerned about ending up with more gray hair on the frontal third than what i got now. i do agree, that all of them should be transplanted, some hair is better than no hair, i probably will have to start thinking about a new issue, hopefully not so soon.... If a patient or co-ordinator of Dr. Feller sees this post , please respond... Thanks.

Hello, I was wondering what one should do with the gray hair at the donor site (white in my case, as I am a black haired man) I am 37, I dont have too many just about 15% maybe. Should the doctor take the strip in a way that there isnt too much gray hair? Should the technician favor normal hair to graying hair while seperating the follicles? If you are a prospective patient, what would you want to do? If you are a doctor, what would you do ? Thanks in advance for all the replies. PD

TheEmperor, Can you elaborate what you are saying ? Meaning what do you suggest someone in 20s should do and what is right thing for someone in late 30s ? Thanks.

Thank you all for your comments, advice hairthere, TakingThePlunge, ForestGump & spex. I have no doubt, my loss could easily take close 4500. But I didnt want to go all the way as my goal is not a perfect head of hair, but just an optimal coverage that will go a long way with lesser trauma. I think after a certain point, the graph of trauma vs. look is going to have a lesser slope - its not exactly linear 45 deg. ! Besides, I am only 37 and there is this huge unknown of how my loss is going to progress, what if I wanted to get another one where it matters the most 10yrs down the road? what if the loss progresses so much that I have no option other than shaving.. well, may be not! I think Dr. Feller understands what I am going through and that matters a lot to me, not pushy at all, and that keeps me very much at ease.. Anyways, thanks guys, for all your encouraging words :-)

After years and years of research, personally meeting with Dr. Beehner, Dr. Rose, Dr. Leonard, Bosley, MHR.. and phone consults with Dr. Ron Shapiro, Dr. Wang, finally decided Dr. Feller is my man! Now, that is not to say others are not great - most of the doctors recommended on this web site are very good. I just happen to like Dr. Feller based on natural, excellent work he has been doing. 2400 approx. is what I am going to get, although my loss can easily take upto 4000, I was not looking for any work on crown. I just didnt think I needed to max out. IMHO, an optimal # of grafts HT could go a long way.. just my opinion! Just wanted to share... :-)

SuperHawk, CONGRATULATIONS! Dr. Ron Shapiro does have a great reputation. I chose Dr. Feller. I personally was very impressed with Dr. Feller's work.. Good Luck!

Good write-up, Bowdie, Congratulation on selecting one of the best. You should have nothing to worry about, whether you want to keep track or forget about it for 8months. After 5 yrs of research, chickening out, I am back where I started, I have called Dr. Feller's office too.. planning to go in June. I hope I can get it over with this time around ;-)

Great topic... To me, Hair transplant is more of a long term thing... I dont mind shaving if surgeon thinks he works best in that environment, in fact after reading this thread, i am more likely to shave the recipient area myself or at the very least keep it very short even if the surgeon doesnt care. Such things shouldnt make patients pick one surgeon over the other... but sadly enough, it might.. and hence the pressure on surgeons.