Jersey23

Seeing Dr. Feller tomorrow for the HT. It will be strip surgery yielding approx. 2500-2800 grafts for the front 1/3. I've got enough coverage in the middle 1/3 and the crown is thinning, but not in need of a HT yet (maybe in 5 years or so). I'm pretty psyched about it knowing what a great surgeon and person he is. I'm not worried about the procedure but more the post-op look in the next month or so. Luckily, as a mortgage loan officer, I can work from home most of next week, if necessary. My boss wears a hat to work most of the time, so that won't be an issue when I come back either. I'll post some info within a couple of days (depends if I'll have internet access and how I'm feeling). I just wanted to thank everyone for their input over the past couple of months and in advance of my post-op questions. Let the growing begin!!!

I ended up booking the hotel for the night of the HT. Hopefully, I'll be on the less potent stuff the next morning so I can drive home. Thanks again for everyone's input. Of course, I'll be looking for your advice post HT too.

Mikesf, I haven't had my HT yet, but have read a lot about Toppik and bought some recently. Basically, it's protein (like hair) that sticks to your hair due to the electrically charged particles (similar to static electricity). Go into the two or three other main forum categories and search for it and you'll find plenty of info. Most posters rate it highly since it's pretty easy to use. Just shake it on and comb through or use your fingers. Generally, it's great for a thinned, but not completely bald area since it adheres to your existing hair. Specific instructions can be found in many posts and like other concealers, everyone has their tips that work for them.

It just occurred to me that I might be facing the same deal the next day. Won't I be on the same pain meds and have potential problems driving? Or has the pain subsided enough the next day that I would need a smaller dose? I'd also be driving after the morning rush, so the trip could be done in around 2 hours with no traffic.

Thanks for the input. Since I took all your advice in the first place about using a coalition doctor, I think I'd be wise to take it again. It's not that I'm cheap (although my wife's opinion might differ ), but why spend money when I don't have to? I was basing it on several posts where guys drove home after the HT with no problem. Of course, most of them probably lived closer than I do. I also never knew about the potential head turning problems. Guess I've got another night on the town without the wife and kids! Ok, so I'll be sleeping most of the time, but I'll get out of helping the kids with homework and the garbage.

I was told by Dr. Feller my upcoming HT would be done about 3pm. However, I know the procedure could take longer if he ends with a higher FU count or various other reasons. My concern is trying to drive home to south Jersey during NY rush hour. I imagine I'll either be in extreme pain since I won't be able to take any pain meds while driving or falling asleep at the wheel/being drowsy since I did take the pain meds (the Belt Parkway is treacherous enough!). I know the easy out is to stay in a hotel that night locally (or partially on the way home), but I'd rather not have to fork out another $100+ like the night before. I don't expect any kind of ongoing sedative except possibly valium in the morning (I might not need it, but I think the Dr. mentioned it). What kind of shape should I expect to be in post surgery?

I was told by Dr. Feller my upcoming HT would be done about 3pm. However, I know the procedure could take longer if he ends with a higher FU count or various other reasons. My concern is trying to drive home to south Jersey during NY rush hour. I imagine I'll either be in extreme pain since I won't be able to take any pain meds while driving or falling asleep at the wheel/being drowsy since I did take the pain meds (the Belt Parkway is treacherous enough!). I know the easy out is to stay in a hotel that night locally (or partially on the way home), but I'd rather not have to fork out another $100+ like the night before. I don't expect any kind of ongoing sedative except possibly valium in the morning (I might not need it, but I think the Dr. mentioned it). What kind of shape should I expect to be in post surgery?

Louis, I'm in NJ too and researched extensively before deciding on which doctor to choose. Ultimately, I listened to Bill and other's advice about using a proven coalition doctor and am going with Dr. Feller in Great Neck NY on 2/22. Don't worry about distance either. There was a doctor only 10 minutes from my office in South Jersey, but I decided driving 2 1/2 hours is a small price to pay for the benefit of a great hairline for years to come. There are too many bad reviews from some of the big shops, so why take a chance? Keep researching on this forum and other's and you'll see the same names being praised (coalition doctors) and other's panned (Bosely...). Continue to post in this forum so everyone can help you out. Best of luck in your search.

Glad to hear your recovery is going well. Please continue to share your experiences so us future HT's (2/22 - Dr. Feller) can learn from them.

I read through some other posts about scalp exercies and went to Jotronic's excellent site. However, I'm not clear on the instuctions. 1) Do I work the back of my head exclusively for 5+ minutes then do the sides or do I alternate every minute or so? 2) How long do I keep the scalp in the up (or down) position once I push it up? i.e. is it 10 seconds up then 10 down or some other combo? Thanks!

I'm getting my HT in about a month and read a lot about the concealers on other posts. My main concern will be after the first week or so, when the scabs are gone and I'm free to use concealers. I have pretty long hair from my part that is used for a modified combover (I'm basically bald on my front 1/3, but the longer hair combed over covers about 1/2 of that area). Dr. Feller suggested I keep letting it grow so the longer hair will cover my new lower hairline. However, I know it won't completely cover it (especially if there is any wind outside) and want to use something that will hide the reddish on my recipient area as it grows in. I think that Dermmatch with Toppik could work together (or just Dermmatch since I won't have any hairs for a while that toppik could adhere to). Does this sound like a good plan or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Younguy, I'm glad to hear everything went well with your HT. I'm scheduled with Dr. Feller for the end of February, so I'm happy you'll be sharing your pictures. Best of luck as your recovery progresses.

Thanks to this forum, I think I saved myself some disappointment down the road. I was considering Dr. Pistone in NJ that I had a consultation with (actually with his "educator" ) but after meeting Dr. Feller today, I'm confident I'm making the right choice with Dr. Feller so I scheduled my HT for 2/22 (yikes!). I'm sure Dr. Pistone does good work, but given he doesn't perform the ultra refined FUT like Dr. Feller, I think he's limited. His "educator" (who did a nice job explaining everything, BTW) quoted me 1500 FU for my front 1/2, when Dr. Feller said he could do 2500-2700, which is what I thought it should be. As expected, he was very easy to talk to and make me feel very comfortable with everything. Hopefully, my HT will be as successful as other's on this forum that used Dr. Feller.

Thanks to this forum, I think I saved myself some disappointment down the road. I was considering Dr. Pistone in NJ that I had a consultation with (actually with his "educator" ) but after meeting Dr. Feller today, I'm confident I'm making the right choice with Dr. Feller so I scheduled my HT for 2/22 (yikes!). I'm sure Dr. Pistone does good work, but given he doesn't perform the ultra refined FUT like Dr. Feller, I think he's limited. His "educator" (who did a nice job explaining everything, BTW) quoted me 1500 FU for my front 1/2, when Dr. Feller said he could do 2500-2700, which is what I thought it should be. As expected, he was very easy to talk to and make me feel very comfortable with everything. Hopefully, my HT will be as successful as other's on this forum that used Dr. Feller.

Thanks for the quick answers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but since Dr. Pistone uses a stereoscopic microscope, it seems that he utilizes the more up to date technology. However, I'm not sure if that's the same as the ultra refined FUT. They will be giving me single hairs on the hairline (he called it styling) and the 2, 3, & 4's working backwards. Does this sound like the same as what Dr. Feller does? Thanks.

Hey Guys, First time on this site. Read through and found a lot of great info. I went for a consult yesterday with Dr. Pistone in Marlton, NJ and have one scheduled for Dr. Feller tomorrow (chose at least 2 consults thanks to the advice on this forum). I know Dr. Feller comes highly recommended and nobody realy knows much about Dr. Pistone, but I'm trying to understand why there's such a big difference in approach. Dr. Pistone's educator checked me out with the scope that shows a magnification on the back of my scalp (pretty cool actually seeing the 1, 2, 3 & 4 hair groupings). He said I'm around a NW5 and they would use a long strip (approx. above ear to same on other side, albiet a thin strip) and they would plant 1500 FU's into my frontal and some in my crown, but I would probably have to come back in 18-24 months for another HTP to fill in the crown. My question is how would he only get 1500 FU's for a strip that size when it seems Dr. Feller would be taking approx. the same size strip (according to other posts) and yielding 3000 FU's? Am I confusing FU's with grafts? Any help would be appreciated!

Hey Guys, First time on this site. Read through and found a lot of great info. I went for a consult yesterday with Dr. Pistone in Marlton, NJ and have one scheduled for Dr. Feller tomorrow (chose at least 2 consults thanks to the advice on this forum). I know Dr. Feller comes highly recommended and nobody realy knows much about Dr. Pistone, but I'm trying to understand why there's such a big difference in approach. Dr. Pistone's educator checked me out with the scope that shows a magnification on the back of my scalp (pretty cool actually seeing the 1, 2, 3 & 4 hair groupings). He said I'm around a NW5 and they would use a long strip (approx. above ear to same on other side, albiet a thin strip) and they would plant 1500 FU's into my frontal and some in my crown, but I would probably have to come back in 18-24 months for another HTP to fill in the crown. My question is how would he only get 1500 FU's for a strip that size when it seems Dr. Feller would be taking approx. the same size strip (according to other posts) and yielding 3000 FU's? Am I confusing FU's with grafts? Any help would be appreciated!