jp

my credit limit was $500. I would not have been able to afford a hair transplant. You are still pretty young for a transplant johne. I would consider waiting. Go on propecia see how that works before the HT. Just be sure you can afford to stay on propecia if you do get a HT! Did Dr. Shapiro mention any concerns about a HT at your age? What about using propecia in your case? I have been on propecia for 5 months. Topical rogaine for 6+ years. I think Rogaine is too much hassle and doesn't do much anyway. I have not had any coronal thinning yet, however. [This message was edited by jp on July 06, 2002 at 12:55 PM.] [This message was edited by jp on July 06, 2002 at 12:57 PM.]

If you don't mind my asking, who did your plastic surgery? I am considering a little "lifting" (not the usual gym kind) myself. I want to hear about your experience. This is off topic so feel free to e-mail me(jwpncsd@hotmail.com) or share a PS message board link, if you have one...Thanks again. BTW, I had a consultation at NHI on Pico Blvd with Dr. Worton(sp?) about 6 months ago. He was OK. I found someone more suitable to my needs however... My understanding is that compared to HTs on men, women pose additional challenges...so take your time and do your homework...Also you should consider traveling away from your local area if necessary, as jgf suggested. jp

You got a bettter deal than I did; On the price that is. Not by much though. Mine was all hairline work so maybe that's why. I dunno. Who cares! My hair looks great er, it will when it grows in, hopefully soon. He used sutures. Best way to go. I showed the donor incision/scar to a local plastic surgeon. He said it looked great. (I used Mederma on it for 6 weeks. Applying the ointment was messy at first then I got the hang of it. Used a spray bottle of water to resaturate it often.)

I am two weeks post-op. My sutures were removed on day 10. My donor site is closed completely. Is it OK to start using something e.g. Mederma, on it? Thanks.

I am two weeks post-op. My sutures were removed on day 10. My donor site is closed completely. Is it OK to start using something e.g. Mederma, on it? Thanks.

I'll see if I can get some bactroban. I will go real easy with it though, as I am doing fine. Just thought it might help minimize the scar...don't want to loosen up the stitches or something.

I recall this question previously being asked, not sure where...Is it OK/good idea to put any kind of ointment(e.g. neosporin) along the donor scar? I am 1 week post surgery.

I recall this question previously being asked, not sure where...Is it OK/good idea to put any kind of ointment(e.g. neosporin) along the donor scar? I am 1 week post surgery.

I guess I will lay off the aspirin,with its proclivity for thinning the blood. I ran out of the motrin that I had been taking. Why do the surgeons like the opiaites so much for pain? Doctor gave me vicodin (same as my ENT for my recent septoplasty) but that stuff makes me feel too good, if you know what I mean. Anyway thanks for the advice.

Surgeon: Dr. Ron Shapiro. Patient: 42 yo male with boyish charm. Class 3a. 1500 FUs all forelock and temples. I flew into MSP the day before so I cold meet Dr. Shapiro and have a consultation with Matt Zupan, whom I had spoken/corresponded with previously. Matt picked me up at my hotel (Hampton Inn) on the morning of the surgery. The hotel also had a shuttle, which took me to the clinic the day before the surgery; also to the Mall of America the night before. Everything went smooth. The valium is a good idea as I am fidgety. One of the technicians told me to keep still a couple of times. I needed a booster dose half way through. The next morning I was supposed to come by the office at 9 am for my post op check. I didn't wake up till 10:20! As I scrambled to get going I hit my head right in front. It started to bleed. OH NO!! Instead of killing myself I called the office. Matt swung by the hotel to have a look before I was to fly home at noon. No harm done, thank Buddha. Now 6 days post op, my donor site is still pretty tender. It is not really painful but I am "aware" of it. I take aspirin occasionally but that's it. Very little swelling. No numbness. After I used up the graftcyte spray I refilled the bottle with distilled water and a dash of plain salt; been using that since. Dr. Shapiro is a humble guy. While we talked about other HT Docs he never made a disparaging remark about anyone. Class. I like that that are 4 HT doctors in the same practice. I suspect that helps stimulate and motivate them daily to be excellent. I went to work Friday; you know showed up got paid, nothing strenuous/stressful. No one noticed my sprouts unless I made a point to tell them. just combed my hair forward. Did not need my beret. I am going to try to go the gym tomorrow. See if I can do a little workout. It took four months from the time I heard of the procedure with "FUs" to the time I scheduled my surgery, thanks in part to this web site. [This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:46 PM.] [This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:48 PM.]

Surgeon: Dr. Ron Shapiro. Patient: 42 yo male with boyish charm. Class 3a. 1500 FUs all forelock and temples. I flew into MSP the day before so I cold meet Dr. Shapiro and have a consultation with Matt Zupan, whom I had spoken/corresponded with previously. Matt picked me up at my hotel (Hampton Inn) on the morning of the surgery. The hotel also had a shuttle, which took me to the clinic the day before the surgery; also to the Mall of America the night before. Everything went smooth. The valium is a good idea as I am fidgety. One of the technicians told me to keep still a couple of times. I needed a booster dose half way through. The next morning I was supposed to come by the office at 9 am for my post op check. I didn't wake up till 10:20! As I scrambled to get going I hit my head right in front. It started to bleed. OH NO!! Instead of killing myself I called the office. Matt swung by the hotel to have a look before I was to fly home at noon. No harm done, thank Buddha. Now 6 days post op, my donor site is still pretty tender. It is not really painful but I am "aware" of it. I take aspirin occasionally but that's it. Very little swelling. No numbness. After I used up the graftcyte spray I refilled the bottle with distilled water and a dash of plain salt; been using that since. Dr. Shapiro is a humble guy. While we talked about other HT Docs he never made a disparaging remark about anyone. Class. I like that that are 4 HT doctors in the same practice. I suspect that helps stimulate and motivate them daily to be excellent. I went to work Friday; you know showed up got paid, nothing strenuous/stressful. No one noticed my sprouts unless I made a point to tell them. just combed my hair forward. Did not need my beret. I am going to try to go the gym tomorrow. See if I can do a little workout. It took four months from the time I heard of the procedure with "FUs" to the time I scheduled my surgery, thanks in part to this web site. [This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:46 PM.] [This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:48 PM.]

where did you get your Beret?

While you were under the knife, (er under the needle) I was having my consult with Dr. Brad! I recall reading here that you were scheduled for your procedue that day, but it didn't dawn on me until I left the office that was prolly you... Anyway, thanks for letting me look in during your surgery. I too was very impressed with Dr. Brad Limmer and don't think I could go wrong with him. I am pretty lucky to present as a Norwood 2-3a I guess, but in some ways I need to be more careful since it is all up front,hairline work. I have seen Dr. Straub and liked him too. I want to see one more HT Doc(McAndrews)then I will schedule my procedure. [This message was edited by jp on February 13, 2002 at 05:59 PM.]

I mean: "we certainly do NOT need any.."

Amen! I agree 100%. Frankly I knew it had to happen; wondered why not sooner...we certainly do need any Osma "Bald" Ladens' terrorizing us here...

I think that may be an option for me. I will look into it BEFORE I get a hair transplant to fill in my power alleys and maybe lower my hairline a little. Would a transplant still be in order to hide the incisions, I wonder?

I am trying that now. Trouble with Proscar is that my insurance requires "preauthorization" before the pharmacy can fill that prescription. So I am trying to figure out what that is...(My Retin A they only pay for under 35.) Actually I make trips to San Diego so I can always bop on over to TJ and grab some cheap(er), I suppose..

Dr Worton at NHI and Dr Straub are both $5.00 per graft. However Dr Sraub said that you usually end up getting significantly more grafts than are charged. Apparently he sticks with his original quote for number of grafts, instead of tallying up and charging for the actual number transplanted. Dr Straub has a very nice office. Very personable too.

According to their web site, NHI in Los Angeles is having an open house this Thursday 4:30-7:00 pm. I will confirm this information Monday and go if possible. Anyone ever been to a NHI function? What's it like? Helpful?

I also would like to hear from someone on this. I am considering visiting Dr's Straub, Rassman or McClellan, who are endorsed by Pat, for a consultation. Haven't read much on any of these guys, other than Pat's endorsement. I suppose they lend financial support to the site, which is O.K. I would like to hear from another perspective . Thanks. [This message was edited by jp on January 04, 2002 at 11:45 PM.]