uncjim

This is a stunner and should be resolved (I'm confident that it will), publicly, without delay. It's out of character for the clinic.

Hi Capello, I've had a bit of experience with Dr.Wong. It would be my pleasure to speak with you and hopefully put your mind at ease. You can email me at: uncjim@hotmail.com UNC

Mr.GQ, Thanks so much for the kind words. The third procedure pics will be coming. At 10 months post op, I'm not quite at "shock and awe". Once there, I'll be posting. Spex, Me too! Thank you My Friend. Wantego, It felt damned good to be exact! Thanks. You're looking good by the way. Joe, The crown's much improved. As before, after 10 months, there's still some growing to do and I'm looking forward to it. The best is yet to come. I hope all's well with you and the gang. Give regards to the group. dabuski, I appreciate that. Thank you. latinlotus, I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks. You're right, I do exercise regularly...weights and stretching. At this point, it helps to keep away the aches and pains. The eating is always a challenge though. I'd love to loose a few pounds, but it gets harder not only because it sheds more slowly these days, but because I love to eat and cook! All the best over the next several months.

I had a reunion last weekend with some people, predominantly woman, that I grew up with. Many I had not seen for 25 years or longer (some over 40 years). Not that it matters in the telling here, but the occasion was a memorial reception for one of my old friend's mothers who had recently passed away. Of course, after so long, one of the lasting impressions people walk away with at meetings like this is how much, or little people have changed. Well, I've got to tell you, not that the day was about me, but I did get a lot of 'You haven't changed, you are easy to pick out, you don't look old'..etc. At the end of the evening, as the hostess was telling me how good I looked, I told her that I had a hair transplant. She looked and didn't believe me. Hey, at that point why should I push? This is what 'getting my hair back' is all about??¦ feeling and looking good. Thanks for listening and thanks Dr. Wong for helping to turn back the clock.

I used Dermatch in the nape of my neck (very sparse due to plug surgeries) and found it very effective. Not only does it serve as a cover, but it also coasts the hair and makes it soft to the touch. The downside is that came off on my shirt collar. All in all, I really liked it.

This is surprising to me also, as I've always felt that hair quality is more important than density for a natural hairline appearance. Natural hairlines can be "see through" under certain circumstances (bright sunlight) as well as transplanted ones. The difference in appearance between the two is that transplanted hairline hair is a bit thicker than what occurs in nature, the result being a slightly more abrupt look. This can be minimized by the quality of the hair and the skill of the surgeon and is only (in my opinion) noticeable to the discerning eye and under limited circumstances.

Phil, From one repair patient to another... Welcome Home. This terrible 2 year period will fade into memory for you, I'm sure. Don't stray too far from the support group. Patience (especially the first 2 months) is hard to muster for most. UNC

Dr.Wong's hairline work is top notch. I happen to carry one around with me.

Bill, Ok then..in that case..let me really tell you how I feel about Biden!! Jim

It looks as though he recently had some work done. His show Kudlow & Company is on CNBC at 7 pm eastern if anybody wants to take a peak. I'm posting this as an FYI. The show does get quite political so in the spirit of the forum, let's not have any comments (other than hair) from the peanut gallery. UNC

Bill, Thank you my friend. Jim

Bill, Do you know something I don't? Will lunch be included? I have no idea what DFU's are. Could somebody educate me? Thanks. UNC

I was on display at the 2004 ISHRS convention in Vancouver, sitting under a spotlight with HT surgeons from all over the world checking me out, up close, and a little more personal than I had anticipated. At the time I was 6 months post op from my first crown procedure with Dr. Wong. I remember the reverential remarks my crown received (no joke). Specifically, one female doctor stated, "Dr.Wong is a master". Those were the exact words. I relay this (never before mentioned it) at the risk of expanding already expansive egos residing in Vancouver.. but HEY..I'm willing to take that risk for the cause. UNC

London lad, 11,282 grafts..are you sure? Is this a misprint or some kind of hoax? In my world, nobody could have more grafts than Jotronic. It's an irrefutable law of nature! Congratulations, simply phenomenal. Jim

justgrow, The cobblestoning along the hairline was what bothered me the most. Under certain lighting, it was hideous. During my first procedure with Dr.Wong, he planted grafts just in front of, behind and into the cobblestoning. Today, it's completely camouflaged. I don't give it a second thought. Considering your situation, I'm glad you've had contact with Joe. You'll get nothing but the unvarnished truth from everyone at Hasson and Wong. All the best to you. Jim Spex, "LONG way to still go." Thank you my friend. No matter how many times I've been through the process, that's always good to hear. Jim

Bill, No problem. When I see an opportunity to whine, I go for it! Thanks for the kind words. The beat goes on. Jim

Joe, Thanks. It's nice to know I'm still at least semi-relevant...SHEESH! I'm pretty much blind from sitting in front of the computer screen waiting for something..anything. Now it's time for some sleep. "Temples and Crown and Parts Forever" My Brother. Jim

Thank you..Thank you! You can all sit down now.

Hi All, I'm just under 6 months post op from my January 24, 2008 procedure with Doctor Wong. Along with work done in the plug ravaged donor area and crown (pics will be posted later..not quite there yet), both the left and right corners, where the hairline meets the temples, were strengthened. This is especially the case on my part, or left side, where I had been doing a bit of clever covering up using the hair below the part. The left displays the night before surgery where Joe parted my hair (while I silently cringed) to show it at it's worst. The center is post op and the right is today. While I do have permanent redness due to my many plug surgeries, the redness that you see in the most recent pic is due to a pretty good sunburn, care of the RI beach sun. UNC

Freedom is a beautiful thing..freedom to do as one pleases. That in no small way includes beating baldness. It may sound trite that we take freedom for granted at times, but we do. Freedom is fragile and should be cherished. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

H f H, Thanks for taking note of what I consider a subject that shouldn't be ignored. Here are my thoughts. Certainly, the quality of nape hair is ideal for a transplanted hairline, as it affords a softer transition than hair higher up on the head. It's tempting for that reason. If it wasn't considered risky though, it would be used all the time. Docs that don't possess a technique for harvesting it, would develop one. The safe zone is hallowed ground for a reason and that's why most docs respect it. As for my Dad not being the norm, I can't really say. What I do know is that I've observed a lot of older guys (I'm kind of one of them..if ya' know what I mean) and I do see a general thinning in the nape area. Jim

The lack of feedback here is deafening.

Richie, The bald spot is gone..HELLO! Congratulations. Yes, the crown can be painfully slow, but it's all gravy for you from here on out. UNC

Dr. Umar, With all due respect (and I do respect your work..greatly) your playing with fire by harvesting nape hair. This area is more prone to MPB, I have no doubt, and I don't believe one can accurately predict the future. My Dad (now in his late eighties) had plentiful nape hair well into his forties and possibly his fifties. I remember it well as he had a distinct patch of gray there. It's now gone. The remainder of his fringe hair today is quite thick. Viewing these images bothers me greatly. UNC

Mike, At the dreaded two month stage, the adrenaline is long gone and there isn't much to show for your efforts...a tough time, searching for scraps in the mirror, etc. At four months, things really begin happening and beyond 5 months, it's all gravy. So, by my estimation, you're almost half way there. Way to go. Concerning the diffuse thinning in your forelock, I had a friend years ago that had a tuft of hair (like an island) in the center of his forehead..thick and lustrous. He had some plug work done in the late 1970s with very little attention paid to the tuft. I remember him saying, " if I ever loose this, I'm going to be in deep sh-t". Well needless to say, his worst nightmare came true. Anyway, point being, the decision to plant was a good one. UNC