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All I know is how happy I am with the progress. Further, I'm not a Dr. or anything at all in the medical field, so, please don't take any medical advice from me! I'm just way pleased with Dr. Bernstein's work over the past 2.5 years...he's superseded any of my expectations...in all respects.

I've had remarkable success with Dr. Bernstein in NYC. He is a wizard for repairs...I couldn't be happier. If you search my screen name, check all my history...

Time. Well worth it though.

My scar is like a little pencil line, its hard to notice, even when you go looking for it. Believe me, this waiting time from transplant to growth is hard. I understand your anxiety.

I've had really good results with Dr. Bernstein in NYC. I had 6 "repair" sessions, each one pulling the old plugs, stitching the hole where they came from, dividing them up and replanting grafts somewhere up there. ultimately, I then had a 2350 graft transplant to even things out. I am at week 7 from the transplant, my hair has a natural but thin appearance, still waiting for new hairs to grow. This is the hard part. The good news, though, is that I no longer have a "pluggy" appearance, which was the goal. A long (2year+) process, but well worth the wait. I strongly recommend Dr. Bernstein. I am not tech savvy, so don't have pics of progress, Dr does, and will I will ask them to post for me once I am grown, If you have any questions, or would like to actually see my "head", please PM me, I'm happy to oblige.

Ok, after years of research and contributing to this site, the waiting time is by far the hardest part! When does the shock loss hair regrow, if its going to? Also, when does the new transplanted hair begin to grow? Being impatient is NOT helpful in this respect! This is hard... I know that everyone heals differently, and I know that not much happens in 1 month (5 weeks), but, I'm sure I'm not alone with the "wondering when" thing! Thanks in advance for your input.

I had strip done 10/16, about 2350 grafts. I know that the Dr. took pictures, I don't have any. We've agreed that I will post them once completed, but, this has been a long 2 years...It doesn't help that I can barely use this computer let alone figure out the camera thing. Again, the repair part is what makes it so time consuming, you would think that I am used to waiting, but alas, I'm just as impatient now as ever.

I am very very pleased with Dr. Bernstein and his repair work and subsequent transplant. Also, he did NOT shave my head for the transplant, which worked out really well when time to return to an office. Its now been 5 weeks, and my scar is almost imperceptible, all going well. This part of the healing is the hard part, the waiting, but, alas, everyone goes through it...my turn!

It sounds like you had a great result, a great feeling. You know, with this forum and the members that are willing (and sometimes eager) to talk about their situation, its a great relief knowing your in good hands with the right Dr. I think you are in that boat. I wish this was around in 1991!! Another thing, when I talk to my friends with full heads of hair, they think I'm crazy, and sort of dismiss the topic, but this forum has it all for us...which I think is great too. Thanks Pat and Bill, I know you both know first hand what this means to have, but you can never hear it enough. cc

Oh are you right..there is a "pinch" for each one, and sleeping with them has been an experience. No worries though, I relate it to having a baby, all the pain for much gain! I am so impatient, I will try and be good or the next 8-12 months, but, I'm one of those types that likes instant gratification, so, its an extra struggle. So far so good though. I must say, over my 2 year journey with this site, this has been a wonderful resource, I thank everyone out there for the guidance and encouragement, wish this existed in 1991 (or that I had the foresight to buy microsoft stock then!! Thanks to all...cc

Today was 10 days after my 2350 graft transplant. The staples are removed in 2 phases; 1/2 today and 1/2 in 10 more days. I had much anxiety about the pain, however, just some pinches, but, not bad at all! In summary, no grafts fell out, and no drama of the transplant, I even went out without a hat/head cover for dinner one night (Dr. B didn't shave the recipient area because I needed to be somewhat presentable this week and going forward) without any weird stares! I cannot tell everyone around the world how much better I feel having removed those unsightly 1991 plugs and finally having a transplant that worked. Of course, if anyone needs/wants play by play or more info, please PM me and I will answer as many questions as I can. I know a picture says 1000 words, but, I am on the trailing edge of technology, and I can talk about my 2 year repair/transplant, and will figure out a way to get a before and after once I'm done and have something to compare it to. In all respects, I understand that this is such a complicated decision, and I feel great about my journey and choices, particularly Dr. Bernstein. Finally, hair done right.

oh, and ps (I guess its still the pain meds!)anyone who wants my step by step in depth story can simply search my name since 07, and they will get play by play...of course, my offer still stands to have private conversation, sometimes that can ease anyone's mind (i know it helped me way back!) I am so happy...

Thanks Bill (and everyone)...I will get some pics. as soon as I can, I know how much more they enhance a story. In fact, once I left the clinic really numb, last thing on my mind was pics (although they took em!) I will ask for them during the staple removal, and we can get some up and running. More importantly, though, I am happy to let people ask me PM questions and touch and see if they wish. Dr. B. is a world class surgeon, he has my vote, and I made such a RIGHT CHOICE. I'm not minimizing other Dr's capabilities, I'm just so happy with mine. After all, 6 repair session and one finale is a big job, and each step had zero complications. Possibly I had no over-expectations, but, I am so so grateful for everyone here who ultimately led me to Dr. B, what a life changing and fabulous experience. I now know how other people feel once they have that final procedure, or the end of the surgical line. wow. I know that the hard part starts now, and I will accept whatever drama (shockloss, slow growth, etc) that comes, but so far from the prior 6 surgeries, none of the above. I HAVE NO MORE PLUGS!!!! As you can see, I could not be happier, BIG boost of self esteem. So guys, moral of story, and I've been there, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there are some great Doc's out there for us, lucky us! I'll keep you posted, since you've people are the only ones that I really share this with! Craig. Thanks for such great information, too...I hope I can repay the favor.

I had 6 sessions of the graft excisions. The first removed about 100 plugs, then 80, then 60, then about 45, then 20 and 20. They broke up those plugs and reinstated them as well on each of those dates. Yesterday's job, unlike a fresh head, filled in the blanks, and it looks great. I just adore this Dr., he is in my opinion, superior in all respects. I will keep you posted. Craig

hi All, to recap, I've been around the board for slightly over 2 years, and the members helped me to choose Dr. Bernstein (Dr. "B"). I had a transplant in 1991 with a hair mill, and in 2007 it left me with nothing but unsightly plugs. After seeing 5 coalition recommended surgeons (not making that mistake again) I selected Dr. B. To fast forward (and each time I wrote a review here), I've have 6 graft excisions and yesterday a final hair transplant. 2350 grafts netted 4959 hairs, and wow, it looks terrific. I'm computer lacking, so Dr. B has photos he will share for me when I've grown. I couldn't be happier, his team is great, and always, he is a master world class surgeon. Had some minor discomfort (mainly cause I'm not used to sitting upright-as well as all of those pleasant staples!!)) but I can see no old plugs, and I see where the new hair is blending into the already repaired areas...it's like magic. If anyone has any questions, or would like to see and touch personally, please PM me, I'm only happy to share. This is amazing, I only wish I had this resource in 1991, there is really no excuse in 2009 in getting ripped off, not with all of our good inputs. I know the hard part begins now, but, I'm so happy I'm jumping from cloud to cloud!! It was a long and hard road with the graft excisions, but now with the transplanted hair...wow!! sufice to say, I could not be happier.