Pat - Community Publisher

Tom, Before my days as a "Recovered Bald Guy" I wore a "hair system" for several anxiety ridden years. But the good news is my transition worked out well and I was able to wear my system as my hair grew underneith. What I did was switch over to using clips to attach my hair so I could remove my system at will. Then right after my surgeries I gave it a rest and only wore a hat for the first four or five days after surgery to let the grafts heal in place. Then I cut my tape tabs very narrow (about a third their normal width) and wore the tape tab just ahead of my new grafts. After two sessions in the front half had completely grown in I had a small (skull cap sized) sytem made to cover just my crown and I tossed my old big system into the crash (after a small celebration involving taunting and abusing the "system"). At this point the small hair system in the crown was much easier to wear because my hairline was perfectly natural and combed over and into the hair system in the back. So for those with limited donor hair you may consider re-establishing your hairline with transplants and wearing a system in back. Fortunately I had ample donor hair and did a third session to fill in the back crown area. Once this hair in the back grew in I once again ceremoniosly threw away my small system. I've been all natural and hair system free ever since. And believe me life out from underneith a system is liberty itself.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: tom ny Date: 5/28/01 Time: 11:00:49 PM Remote Name: 152.163.207.189 Comments About to have HT done but I currently wear a replacement system. Has anyone gone through the HT procedure & kept the system on during the regrowth process? How do you manage the frontal hairline portion? Can you use the bonding to hold down the front, over the grafts? Thanks, this is a great site. Very helpful.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: tom ny Date: 5/28/01 Time: 11:00:49 PM Remote Name: 152.163.207.189 Comments About to have HT done but I currently wear a replacement system. Has anyone gone through the HT procedure & kept the system on during the regrowth process? How do you manage the frontal hairline portion? Can you use the bonding to hold down the front, over the grafts? Thanks, this is a great site. Very helpful.

Re: shock fallout From: Pat - editor and "Recovered Bald Guy" Date: 5/24/01 Time: 5:50:32 AM Remote Name: 212.0.107.34 Comments Mike, Thanks for bringing up the issue of "shock fallout". This is a factor to consider in doing a hair transplant, especialy if you are merely thinning and have a good deal of hair on top still (i.e. class 2 through 4). As a former class 5a (pretty much bald all across the top) shock fall out was not a concern for me. I had nothing to loose and every thing to gain (assuming a great surgeon) and that is how it worked out. In my second and third sessions I did not notice any falling out of my previously transplanted hair. For those who are not familiar with the term "Shock Fallout" - I?‚??ll try to explain it as a non MD. Basically in a minority of men doing hair transplantation in and around existing thinning hair they will experience some accelelorated loss of hair in the imediate hair transplant recipient area. This is because the thinning and weak hair will some times be more vulnerable to falling out due to the impact of hundreds of, hopefully, very micro graft incisions. In the old dark days when grafts where larger and the trauma to the scalp was largers, shock fall out was more common. My sense is that for the majority of men and women doing truly all micro work shock fall out is minimal if even noticable. For those that do loose pre existing hair most of it grows back in the next normal hair growth cycle. For them it is like going back one step to go forward four or five. Using Propecia (or cutting up the much cheaper proscar pills with the same active ingrediant) four a couple of months prior to surgery may help strengthen these vulerable hairs giving you an extra measure of survivability. I hope this helps shed light on the issue. I welcome any surgeons reading this post to reply and offer their insight based on doing hundreds of patients. Good luck in getting the Pat

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: mike Date: 5/23/01 Time: 4:11:46 PM Remote Name: 161.184.8.67 Comments I am thinking of getting HT surgery done but just read a few articles on shock fallout. To be honest is scared me because if it is true, why don't any of the doctors mention it. I don't really know what to believe, because alot of people who have had the procedure don't say anything about it? I still have quite abit of hair left and am now confused because will I be any better of than I am now? One person on the site mentioned that his hair lost due to shock never came back. Anyone have any advice on this?

Re: An Excellent Result From: J.A. NYC Date: 5/22/01 Time: 9:03:25 AM Remote Name: 64.63.70.139 Comments I selected Dr. True because he not only has 10+ years of FULL time experience but he was honest and allowed me to inspect several of his completed patients. The results were some of the best I had seen. The temporary shock was minimal.

From: Date: 5/21/01 Time: 2:37:19 PM Remote Name: 204.253.11.83 Comments J.A. I am thinking of going to Dr. True. I was impressed with his candor and the patience he displayed during our consultation. I also have looked at Dr. Brandy in Pittsburgh. What made you decide on True? Any shock loss?

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: J.A. from N.Y. Date: 5/21/01 Time: 11:54:30 AM Remote Name: 64.63.70.139 Comments I live in NYC and wanted to add my doctor's name to the field of top hair transplant surgeons. His name is Dr. True of the Elliott & True Medical Group. My results are excellent and people don't believe me when I tell them I'm transplanted. I had seen many of his patients prior to scheduling, which made my decision an easy one to make.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: Re: Any suggestions in Upstate NY? *DR. BEEHNER* From: Eddie Date: 6/16/01 Time: 10:58:16 AM Remote Name: 138.89.49.227 Comments I had three folicular hair sessions by Dr. Beehner. He explained the surgery in great detail at his free consultation visit. Also, he did show me many of his patients photos (before & after). I am very pleased with his work. If you are interstead in restoring your hair; I would strongly recommend to visit and to meet with Dr. Beehner. You will not regret it!!

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: PD Date: 5/15/01 Time: 1:24:32 PM Remote Name: 209.105.155.54 Comments Hello! I am trying to locate a good doctor which might help me do some hair transplants in the Upstate NY area near Rochester, or in the vacinity. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm a mid 20's guy who has been thinning for awhile and has been on Propecia, with little benefit. Just wanting to find out about my options...Thanks!

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: PD Date: 5/15/01 Time: 1:24:32 PM Remote Name: 209.105.155.54 Comments Hello! I am trying to locate a good doctor which might help me do some hair transplants in the Upstate NY area near Rochester, or in the vacinity. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm a mid 20's guy who has been thinning for awhile and has been on Propecia, with little benefit. Just wanting to find out about my options...Thanks!

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: John Hamilton Date: 5/3/01 Time: 3:09:41 PM Remote Name: 141.155.100.217 Comments Hi All: I had my first session with Dr. Beehner in March, so I am still waiting for my hair to "wake up". But I thought I would let all of you know that he is not only a top doctor in the field, but he and his staff are also really nice people! I was very apprehensive about the procedure, but they were all very nice and helped to allay my fears. The medications he uses did not produce any after effects, and I was able to drive home right after the procedure. The office is very pleasant and I remember the classical music was very soothing in the background. I will let you all know when it begins to grow, and how I make out after my next session in August.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: John Hamilton Date: 5/3/01 Time: 3:09:41 PM Remote Name: 141.155.100.217 Comments Hi All: I had my first session with Dr. Beehner in March, so I am still waiting for my hair to "wake up". But I thought I would let all of you know that he is not only a top doctor in the field, but he and his staff are also really nice people! I was very apprehensive about the procedure, but they were all very nice and helped to allay my fears. The medications he uses did not produce any after effects, and I was able to drive home right after the procedure. The office is very pleasant and I remember the classical music was very soothing in the background. I will let you all know when it begins to grow, and how I make out after my next session in August.

From: steven Date: 5/1/01 Time: 11:43:56 PM Remote Name: 24.15.8.156 Comments Did you have any grafts done by Leavitt taken out by Shapiro...or just more put in? Did you lower your hairline slightly? Wondering...as I have old work by Leavitt...hate these damn minis from 1991...would like to have the first two rows taken out and Shapiro lower hairline slightly...

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: Great work by Shapiro From: DB Date: 4/30/01 Time: 6:08:32 PM Remote Name: 64.12.101.171 Comments Hi guys, just wnated to update you on my results from my 2 hair transplant procedures. I had the first one done by Matt Leavitt,the head of MHR in Orlando,Fla and was very disappointed with the results. 13 months ago,I went to Ron Shapiro to fix it and have gotten so many compliments since. I've been to 5 different hairdressers and none of them had a clue I had transplants. Also,I've been to several top plastic surgeons for an unrelated matter and they were also astounded that I had anything done. I really believe if done by a great surgeon like Dr. Shapiro,a hair transplant can be one of the best things someone can ever do for themselves. Good luck with whatever you decide, DB

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: Great work by Shapiro From: DB Date: 4/30/01 Time: 6:08:32 PM Remote Name: 64.12.101.171 Comments Hi guys, just wnated to update you on my results from my 2 hair transplant procedures. I had the first one done by Matt Leavitt,the head of MHR in Orlando,Fla and was very disappointed with the results. 13 months ago,I went to Ron Shapiro to fix it and have gotten so many compliments since. I've been to 5 different hairdressers and none of them had a clue I had transplants. Also,I've been to several top plastic surgeons for an unrelated matter and they were also astounded that I had anything done. I really believe if done by a great surgeon like Dr. Shapiro,a hair transplant can be one of the best things someone can ever do for themselves. Good luck with whatever you decide, DB

From: Pat - editor and "Recovered Bald Guy" Date: 5/7/01 Time: 11:49:50 PM Remote Name: 12.81.192.143 Comments You bring up an important point. Most of us are familar with the claim that "your newly transplanted hair will last a life time". This claim is based on the proven fact that hair that is relocated from the donor area where the hair is genetically programed to resist balding will retain these characteristics even though now relocated to the top. This is called "donor dominance". To be technical and more accurate the claim should really be that your newly transplanted hair will last as long on top as it would have if left in the back where men typically do not bald. So the claim "will last a life time" while largely true is not absolutely true. So while a person may over a long period of time experience a very modest amount of thinning late in life in the new hair I don't think it is really a problem. My new hair has not thinned one bit in four years and I'm really not worried about it thinning. Perhaps in 20 or 30 years it may thin a bit if my hair in the very lower back of my head does. But I can live with that. Thanks for the great question. Pat

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: Dave Brown Date: 4/23/01 Time: 3:44:24 AM Remote Name: 144.134.72.33 Comments I'm just wondering what a HT will look like when I am 70. I see a lot of older guys with only a little whisk of hair on their head. Even in the back of the head their hair is so thin that you can see right through to the scalp. I don't think anyone would have enough donor area to cover a whole head.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: Dave Brown Date: 4/23/01 Time: 3:44:24 AM Remote Name: 144.134.72.33 Comments I'm just wondering what a HT will look like when I am 70. I see a lot of older guys with only a little whisk of hair on their head. Even in the back of the head their hair is so thin that you can see right through to the scalp. I don't think anyone would have enough donor area to cover a whole head.

From: Mike Beehner, M.D. Date: 3/30/01 Time: 8:37:17 PM Remote Name: 24.169.213.198 Comments You asked about experience with using Minoxidil (Rogaine) before or after transplants and the possible benefits. Over the past five years I have heard anecdotal reports by other hair surgeons that using topical minoxidil for a month before and after a transplant could be beneficial. The principle benefit that has been described has been that of helping prevent "shocking" to the existing hair in the area being transplanted, especially the hair there that is somewhat "weak" (vellus), and also for those persons who have had a lot of work on their scalp and in whom the blood supply may not be so good. It is thought that it might help "prime" that blood supply and offer additional insurance that the new grafts will take and grow. I use it presently in two situations: First, in all of my women paients I use it for the purpose of preventing shock to the existing hair. Secondly, I use it as I just mentioned, on those persons who have had three or more transplant (or reduction) sessions either somewhere else or by me. One very well-known French doctor has his patients all use it for six weeks before the transplant procedure and he feels it is of benefit. I am not aware, however, of any reports that it allows the transplanted hair to all start right off growing without taking the usual three month "rest". Hope that helps. Mike Beehner, M.D. Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: t Date: 3/20/01 Time: 8:29:22 PM Remote Name: 24.0.104.173 Comments I had 2000 grafts done 5 days ago. I used Graftcyte until I ran out so started using a small amount of 2% minoxidil sprayed on lightly. I have never had any irritation from 2% and don't have any now. Has anyone tried this and does it sound like a good idea? I am hoping to skip the resting phase of the transplanted follicles which is why I also used massive amounts of minoxidil on the donor site for a month before surgery. Any thoughts, experience, or comments?

Note - This message was recopied by Pat the editor from the original discussion group to this vastly improved online community. The name of orginal poster and the date posted are listed below: From: t Date: 3/20/01 Time: 8:29:22 PM Remote Name: 24.0.104.173 Comments I had 2000 grafts done 5 days ago. I used Graftcyte until I ran out so started using a small amount of 2% minoxidil sprayed on lightly. I have never had any irritation from 2% and don't have any now. Has anyone tried this and does it sound like a good idea? I am hoping to skip the resting phase of the transplanted follicles which is why I also used massive amounts of minoxidil on the donor site for a month before surgery. Any thoughts, experience, or comments?

From: Pat Date: 3/15/01 Time: 4:38:58 PM Remote Name: 205.142.108.6 Comments No scarring, pitting, or cobble stoning on the scalp on top - just the way it should be. A month after surgery (once my initial short graft hairs had shed as they normally do) my scalp looked exactly like it did before surgery. Done right, I believe there should be no visible scarring in the recipient area. Thanks for the insightfull question - Pat

From: MD Date: 3/4/01 Time: 4:30:02 PM Remote Name: 64.252.73.242 Comments Pat - A follow up question about scarring - Is there any scarring on your scalp that can be seen in "The right light"?

From: Pat - editor and "Recoved Bald Guy" Date: 3/4/01 Time: 3:33:50 PM Remote Name: 196.40.56.242 Comments Technicaly, you will always have a scar in the donor area. My experience, and I know it is typical of Dr. Shapiro's patients, is that the donor scar has been a non issue. After I healed from my first two surgeries, even my hair stylist could not find the scar when searching for it using a comb. Needless to say it was a totally cosmetic non issue. On my third procedure, however, I got a bit sloppy about when to take out the stickes and left them in about a week too long. In one area the stitches caused some undue scaring that you can now detect in that one little area if you use a comb to find it. The area about an 1/8 inch wide by an inch and 1/2 long. Personally it doesn't concern me. It really is undectable unless you look for it. And who in my life would ever even think or care to try? Thanks for the excellent question - Pat