uncjim

Newgrowth, I'm speechless. You have found a gem in Dr.Umar. UNC

Bill, Glad to hear I'm not the only one with mirror issues! Absolutely, I'll be updating my blog. I'm more of a before and after kind of person, so it will be a while. At this point, there isn't much to view anyway. Thanks again for the opportunity. UNC

Steve, You and I both have a scalp reduction scar down the center of our scalps. Mine is now hidden as I have confidence yours will be. All the Best and congratulations on making the decision to take car of yourself. UNC

I want to give the community a quick update as I'm kind of flying right now. For those of you that don't know my situation (and care to) you can do a search on "Plugged Donor Area". I'm now 4 months post op and have been avoiding looking in the mirror as (most of you can understand) it can drive me a little nuts. My daughter who at times in the past has cut my hair (therefore knows the situation) gave the area a good look this morning and gave it a two thumbs up. All of the circular scars in the nape of my neck have hair growing out of them..ALL OF THEM. At this point the hair is fine and light, but it's there. I'm anticipating being able to cut the hair above the nape (I've been keeping it long as a cover) within the next couple of months. This is my hope anyway. That's it..Thanks for listening. UNC

I want to give the community a quick update as I'm kind of flying right now. For those of you that don't know my situation (and care to) you can do a search on "Plugged Donor Area". I'm now 4 months post op and have been avoiding looking in the mirror as (most of you can understand) it can drive me a little nuts. My daughter who at times in the past has cut my hair (therefore knows the situation) gave the area a good look this morning and gave it a two thumbs up. All of the circular scars in the nape of my neck have hair growing out of them..ALL OF THEM. At this point the hair is fine and light, but it's there. I'm anticipating being able to cut the hair above the nape (I've been keeping it long as a cover) within the next couple of months. This is my hope anyway. That's it..Thanks for listening. UNC

HK, Thank you. I'm 8 months away and itching for January 2009. Joe, The MAGNIFICENCE of the moment couldn't have possibly been caught on tape. GEEZ..of all people, you should know that! Ritchie, Thanks..good times indeed! UNC

Took me a ride (hat-less naturally)in a big time convertible this afternoon. I don't think I've been in one of those babies since the Nixon Administration. As we began accelerating with the once demon wind blowing through my hair, I turned to my wife and said "lookin' good and feelin' good". This whole whole "Follicular Unit Thing" is an investment that never stops giving. UNC

Took me a ride (hat-less naturally)in a big time convertible this afternoon. I don't think I've been in one of those babies since the Nixon Administration. As we began accelerating with the once demon wind blowing through my hair, I turned to my wife and said "lookin' good and feelin' good". This whole whole "Follicular Unit Thing" is an investment that never stops giving. UNC

Sounds like Elaine from Seinfeld. I can see George inspecting her boyfriend (the poor guy and Elaine fear he's loosing his hair after letting it grow out) under a lamp and magnifying glass. George tells him that he probably has 6 months left. He asks George "what should I do". George's response, "Live dammit..LIVE!" If memory serves, she dumps the guy. Classic stuff. These ladies are out there for sure and they'll break your heart every time. The best scenario is to create some memories (if ya know what I mean) and move on.

Qbert67, This is excellent. I love the way Dr.Wong followed that natural direction of the whorl. The pictures depict it beautifully. Way to go! UNC

Spinmaker, Great choice. You've picked the very best. UNC

Bill, That's interesting and makes sense. A straight on flash of the scalp can cause a reflection. I took a picture of my strip scar temporary shock loss with flash (a first for me) the other day and the area looked far worse than it actually is. What concerns me about these images, especially #6 where the strands look magnified (almost neon), is that they appear to be less than authentic. Possibly there is a concealer involved here, which could eliminate the reflection. Whatever is going on, my concern is for the prospective patient that might find these inspiring and jump on them. UNC

The "after pictures" appear to have been taken with flash. Look at the hair quality of the shot from behind. The hair has that false thickness that a flash provides.

As a point of information, I'm experiencing the same "lag behind" this time as previously. After my first crown work with Dr. Wong in 2004, I retained a few grafts (they hadn't fallen out) until around the 14 month mark. Once I finally lost them, the hair grew fairly quickly. I'm now 3 1/2 months post op and I can feel an area, probably consisting of about 25 or 30 grafts that have that same prickly feel. While some may be new growth, I think the majority are grafts that never left. It's my understanding that a lot of patients experience the same thing. Point being, the crown often grows slower...onward and upward! UNC

As a point of information, I'm experiencing the same "lag behind" this time as previously. After my first crown work with Dr. Wong in 2004, I retained a few grafts (they hadn't fallen out) until around the 14 month mark. Once I finally lost them, the hair grew fairly quickly. I'm now 3 1/2 months post op and I can feel an area, probably consisting of about 25 or 30 grafts that have that same prickly feel. While some may be new growth, I think the majority are grafts that never left. It's my understanding that a lot of patients experience the same thing. Point being, the crown often grows slower...onward and upward! UNC

Richie, It's posts like yours that prove to be a real asset to prospective patients. The result does indeed look excellent. At 6 months, the spot is gone and will recede (oops..scary word) over time. Crown growth can be slow (I now mine has lagged behind the rest of my head) so I think you should be real encouraged at this point. UNC

plugs&company, Welcome Home My Brother. UNC

Hairbank, Congratulations and nicely done. I think being a diffuse thinner, yours was a case that presented challenges out of the norm. Dr. Wong's approach reflects this as the pattern that he planted was less predictable than most. Actually, it was unpredictable. Of course, the strengthening of the temples is gold. I'm not going to say "be patient" as I'm certainly not one to talk. I will say that I hope the wait doesn't present too much difficulty. I look forward to your progress. Heal well my friend. UNC

"now this is going to hurt a little". GEEZ, I thought Dr. Wong only asked ME that! Way to go Hairbank...just FABULISH (a step up from fabulous). I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your day and really look forward to your pictures. They'll make for good weekend viewing. Take it easy and heal well. UNC

Amen. I followed Jotronic's progress my first time around and he left me in the dust and depressed. The kid's a phenom. UNC

Spex, Backatcha' UNC

..meant to say YOUR future progress, not OUR future progress..DAMN! I see some proof reading in my future.

BHUK, Your story was my morning reading and now I'm walking around with a smile on my face. As I can relate, the posts displaying PLUGS and then POOF(if it was only that easy)gone forever..NO PLUGS, are my favorite HT reading. All I can say is BRAVO and welcome back from the Dark Side. I'll look forward to our future progress. UNC

"Sucks" pretty much sums it up, but it's like a pregnancy, you always go back because as it's worth the effort. I've been doing this for almost 30 years and it's never easy. UNC

Hairbank, Hasson and Wong told it to you straight. My last surgery included Elvis Temple work (as in the pasSED) and the hat was a non issue. It's plenty big enough. All the Best on the April 24..that'll be my 3 month anniversary. UNC