Jersey23

Adam - Congrats on choosing a great surgeon and great guy. I'm almost 2 years post HT with Dr. Feller and never get tired of hearing how I look 10 years younger. My only advice is to make sure you follow the pre-HT instructions very carefully. There's a section on not taking aspirin or alcohol for a certain amount of days (a week before the HT?). Ask the office for it at least 2 weeks before your HT, if they haven't given it to you then. Non-compliance could mean a lesser outcome. Best of luck! Jersey23

Mike, I've been off the boards for a while (a new job will do that to you) but I wanted to respond to your post. Given Dr. Feller's stellar reputation on this forum (and others) and my own personal experience with him (1 year post-op last week), I can tell you that if there ever was a surgeon who cares about doing it right and standing by his work, it's Dr. Feller. You should absolutely have consults with the other coalition docs in the tri-state area, but please consider a face to face with Dr. Feller. I'm in NJ and would be happy to answer any questions about my search for an HT doc. I'd also be willing to meet with you to share my pre and post pictures and talk about the whole experience (which was well worth it!) Best of luck in your search. Jersey

Dazza, Congrats on the HT! I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the results since Dr. F is top notch. Grow Well! Jersey

Dazza and Gazza (you guys related ?) I had my HT with Dr. Feller in February and love my results so far. I had 3000 grafts in my frontal third and have had 3 different people tell me I look 10 years younger in the past couple of weeks. The first couple of months are challenging because you don't see any progress, but then it starts happening and gets very exciting. Your in great hands with Dr. F and his staff. Best of luck to both of you! Jersey

Maybe if I earn enough interest, I can afford a 2nd HT!

Folica, With respect to Bill, I've read tons of his posts (hard not too ) and I think you'd have to agree he's one of the most objective posters on this forum. I understand the percieved edge it gives H&W, but anyone whose read his posts knows he doesn't push them any more than other top docs. He always gives credit where it's due and I respect him for that. I think the value he adds in his new role far outweighs any indirect bias toward H&W (same with B-Spot). As long as they continue to educate and try to raise the standards of the HT docs, then I don't have a problem with it. If a co-moderator or patient educator regularly spoke about their doctor without also mentioning other Coalition docs, that's a different story. Just my $0.02. Jersey

DJF- I'm glad I found this site too before my HT (check out my 6 month progress with Dr. Feller I just posted today). It helped me understand the difference between good doctors and the rest as well as the differences between the best doctors (some are known for hairline work, some for megasessions, some for crown work, etc.) I'm sure MHR has done some good work, but they also have plenty of unsatisfied patients. What's important is consistency. The Coalition doctors have a proven track record of high standards and consistent results. Why look anywhere else? Best of luck going forward! Jersey 2/22/07 3000 Grafts with Dr. Feller

Here's my 6 month update (actually 5 1/2 months). Dr. Feller stated I'm a month or two ahead of an average amount of growth, which is nice to know.

Here's my 6 month update (actually 5 1/2 months). Dr. Feller stated I'm a month or two ahead of an average amount of growth, which is nice to know.

Pokerbrat - I know you were going back and forth on your decision. I'm glad to hear you went through with it and of course had a positive experience with Dr. Feller and his staff. I'm actually exactly 6 months out today (I'll be posting results soon) from my Dr. F HT and can tell you it was one of the best decisions I made. In most lighting, I have what looks like full coverage in my front 1/3 when I didn't have anything before. Please keep in mind Dr. F said I was almost 2 months ahead of an average HT, so don't expect the same results. The next few months will be tough since you won't see the growth, but have faith and you'll be enjoying the fruits of his labor. Quick story to illustrate how hair does make a difference. My wife met her best friend last week and showed her pictures from our recent vacation. Her friend didn't know I had an HT and blurted out I looked 10 years younger! Now that's what I'm talkin about! Best of luck on your recovery and continue to post for advice. Jersey 2/22/07 Dr. Feller 3000 grafts

Dude - funny you mentioned swimming. I went for the first time in years this past Sunday in a pool with my kids. The freedom of not worrying about fixing your hair everytime I surfaced is something you'll get to experience for yourself next summer. I also go away with my 5 long time friends once a year to a beach resort, but always ended up staying on the beach when they were body surfing or just BSing out there. I felt I was missing out, but better than having them look at my head and make comments...right? Next trip is next month and none of them know about my HT (I've seen them since, but since it was always golf, I had a hat on the whole time). Can't wait to finally join them!

SETT/Burt, First, best of luck with the upcoming HT's. Keep us posted on your progress. As far as advice, I'd look into one of those neck pillows you use on a plane (blow up kind of other). I had a hard time laying back on a bunch of regular pillows (even though I was pretty upright) since I was afraid to put any pressure on the still tender donor area. I think the neck pillow will allow you to have less pressure on the donor since the pillow allows you to keep your head more uprignt and therefore the brunt of the pressure will be below your scar line. If not, you should try to use some towels to achieve the same concept. Also, my biggest problem after the HT was finding a restaurant or other food store that I can go into without feeling self-concious about the big white wrap sticking out from under my hat. If you are staying at one of the local hotels, you might want to either pack a sandwich on ice in a cooler or get the number ahead of time of some places that might deliver to your hotel. I ended up miles away from Dr. Feller's office at Dunkin Donuts and felt funny being seen the way I was. Anyway, that my $.02. Jersey

Pokerbrat - I would definitely do it again. It's been only 5 1/2 months and I already have enough growing in that I was able to: 1) get rid of my combover and cut my hair short (and stopped worrying about the slightest breeze making my hair take-off) 2) am able to jog outside or mow the lawn without a hat for the first time that I can remember 3) get up in the morning and not have to rush to the mirror to fix my hair over the bald spot since I actually have some now. 4) able to take my hat off at the end of a round of golf (like the pros...even though I don't shoot like them ) without having to snap it back on worrying about how bad it looks 5) able to actually open the windows to my car once in a while and not worry about spending time fixing it before I get out. 6) etc, etc. etc. all making me feel a lot better about myself. As other posters mentioned, as long as you go to a Coalition doctor, your chances of saying yes to this question in the future greatly increase. Since I also went to Dr. Feller, I'm sure you will also see good results (although your growth time could vary). Stay positive and know that once you weather the first few months, you'll know you made the right decision. Jersey

Goldstar - I had 2800 grafts on my front 1/3 and another 300 on my temples. Total cost was around $9,500. Dr. Feller posts his prices on his website (fellermedical.com). I think he quoted me a price for the 2500-3000 range, but was able to extract more, but didn't charge me for the extra. Jersey

Most of my grafts actually hung around for over a month and the first time I saw a bunch of peach fuzz was right after 2 months. Of course, everyone grows differently. It then slowly but surely started to come in. My right front is coming in longer than the rest (over an inch long on the right) but I'm sure it will even out over time. They hair is curlier than the rest of my hair even though it was pretty straight when it was put it. When I had hair, I did have a wavy hairline, so it seems to have mirrored that for now. I spoke to Dr. Feller last week and he said more hairs could still come in and the existing ones should thicken. Can't wait until full results are in by the Winter, but I like what I see so far. I'll probably post some updates in a few weeks.