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Wingnut

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Everything posted by Wingnut

  1. Hi NoBuzz, This was a suture closure, many of the doctors I spoke to said that a suture closure gives them better control over how the skin edges lie on top of each and therefore a better result. I'm day 4 now, haven't seen a drop of blood past the pressure bandage removed 12 hours post-op and haven't taken the Hydrocone in 24 hours. I am still stiff and a little sore. I'm going in for a checkup tomorrow and suture removal on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited to see the density in the crown although I know I seeing a lot of "scab density" in the mirror. However, the hair is also only 1/16" long, so it might just look like this. I'm also pretty excited about the temple work as well, even how small it is, it does make a huge difference. Sad to say, I'm already thinking of HT#3 for next October. Damn you hair greed, damn you to hell........
  2. So the deed is done (again). On 10/10/2007, I had 2207 grafts placed by Dr. William Reed. Highlights: -Surgery lasted from 7:45am to 7:00pm -2207 grafts placed total. Approximately 120 grafts (1s and 2s) placed in my temple areas and the remaining placed in the crown. -I had Dr. Reed and 3 techs working on me. Some notes: -My first hair transplant yielded significant shock loss in the donor area. I showed Dr. Reed the pictures of me post-op approximately March 2007. He commented that they looked like the train tracks of the sutures being pulled too tight. Time will tell how the shock loss in the donor area will be from this surgery, but a comparison made between my first closure and this one by non-medical observers is "a day and night difference." This leads to the second note. -Dr. Reed's conservative estimate on consultation was 2700 grafts (again I went into all the consultations trying to get 4000 grafts). However, upon "getting in there," Dr. Reed discovered a 5mm scar in the areas where the back of my head leads to the side of my head, which significantly cut into the number of achievable grafts. I can post pictures if anyone wants to see. My donor area was covered with a pressure bandage for the first night and my head was covered with a bandana, both placed by the Doctor's office. I was instructed not to remove either (which I didn't). I went back yesterday for a shampoo and check up at the Doctor's request. One of the techs also "reset" 3 of my grafts. I just washed my hair myself today and I was instructed to do so twice a day from here on out. I am also going to see him on Monday for a checkup (at my request), he is willing to see me everyday (if I want). I will also be returning on Wednesday for suture removal. I slept on a pillow last night and saw no blood from the donor area leaked onto my pillow, which was a bit of a surprise. My first hair transplant I oozed for 4 days in the donor area. I am feeling good now, I am getting to the end of my Hydrocodone and now onto the 2 Advils every 4 hours. I will save the remaining Hyrdocodone's for falling asleep. No swelling as of yet. I am also on Prednisone and Cephalexin. I was also given furosemide (for swelling, which I have not taken) and Alprazolam for sleeping (I took one on the first night). My experience at Dr. Reeds was great. He seems very straight laced, but him, his staff, and I joked practically the whole day. I was given two (could be three) shots of Versed to make the day go faster. Side note: Text messaging while in surgery and on versed is a very bad idea, when I got home that night and checked out what I actually had sent through the day I was pretty shocked. Obviously, I will reserve my judgements till about 6 months, but things are going pretty well right now. I'll post comparison pictures of my donor area in December to compare the shock loss in the donor area from my first and second hair transplants.
  3. Hi Bill, Thanks for the response. Regarding the trichphytic closure, if no hairs grow in the scarline then there is no value to it. AFAIK, the trichophytic closure doesn't yield a thinner scar. Have a lot of people seen hair growing out of their scar? Regarding density, I totally agree. However, my question more related to density put in a single session. I have never heard a Doctor refuse to put more than 30 grafts/cm^2 in a single session, is this common with any other Doctors? Thanks
  4. So for my second hair transplant I've got the following goals in mind : -No post operative unexpected issues (eg infection) and minimize shock loss in donor area -Complete my head of hair. I have about 60 cm^2 of crown and roughly 12 cm^2 of hair line to do and touch up and weak areas from my first HT. -Do any future touchups via FUE. While strip wasn't that painful, it was very annoying for 6 months. I went into the consultations asking for another 4000 grafts. I've spoken to the following Doctors : Dr. DeYarman, Dr. Alexander, Dr. Reed, and Dr. Ross. Dr. DeYarman (http://www.deyarmanmedical.com/) wants to do 50 hairs/cm^2 in the hair line and 40 hairs/cm^2 in the crown. For a total of 3000 grafts. Although my initial closure was sutures and a few staples, all his surgeries now are staple only closures. As I have documented my experiences with DeYarman already, I'll leave this here. Dr. Alexander (http://www.biltmoresurgical.com/) (who didn't see me in person) and I had a long conversation about how to do sterile surgery including his practices and how a lot of doctors do not follow good sterile surgery processes. He was also confident in his ability to achieve 70 grafts/cm^2, (which really is not one of my goals.) While I haven't ruled him out, he is down on the list due to him being in Arizona. Dr. Reed (http://www.ljhr.com/) (although he hasn't seen me in person) feels comfortable with only about 2200 grafts, I have an appointment to see him on October 11 for a consultation. I was really impressed with our initial emails, I emailed him on a Friday night and he emailed me back on Saturday and then we exchanged one more email on Sunday. I am concerned with the three weeks required to get an initial consultation (yes, I realize it is ISHRS conference time). Dr. Ross who I saw yesterday, brought me the most "confusion" so far. I saw his patient advisor first, but he spent a good hour with me during the consultation, I was in consultation for 1.5 hours. Dr. Ross only feels comfortable with inserting 30 grafts/cm^2 in any specific surgery, in other words to achieve 60 grafts/cm^2, he requires two separate surgeries. He specifically said that anything over 30 grafts/cm^2 are wasted and would probably not result in growing hair. His patient advisor doesn't feel that I have achieved any better than 30 grafts/cm^2 in my first surgery (although some should be better than that given the number of grafts I had placed). I even pushed Ross for 40 grafts/cm^2, he said, "I can do it," but it's wasting your hair. He also had a very strong opinion about what I should do for a hair line and what looks fake (regarding temple hair characteristics and my forehead wrinkles). I admire his integrity here. Further, Ross doesn't do a trichophytic closure, only the standard sutured closure, he didn't see any value in the trichophytic closure. When he inspected my scar, he said (while it was good, about 1 - 2 mm), there wasn't a single hair growing in the scar. Dr. Alexander also spoke poorly of the trichophytic closure, stating that it was a waste of hair (as possible donor hair is left to grow through the scar). Ross stated that a widened scar is soley due to donor laxity. Fortunately for me (only 8 months out), I apparently have excellent laxity in the scalp. I have been doing infrequent scalp exercises based on the JoTronic YouTube Video (just FYI, other Doctors reference that video). When I discussed my concerns regarding the donor shock I had in my first surgery (took about 6 months to fill back in). Dr. Ross only feels comfortable with a 1.2cm maximum wide donor area to lessen the impact to the area, I am pretty sure that my first surgery was much wider than that. Dr. Ross feels comfortable only with about 2500 grafts which is 30 grafts/cm^2 over the area he measured to be 84 cm^2. This will probably yield higher density as my crown has some (although minimal) growth after the first HT, but the new hairline will only be 30 grafts/cm^2. Right now, I feel most comfortable with Dr. Ross simply because of his integrity regarding number of grafts, after hearing my concerns about surgical sterility he whipped out a comb from a surgically sealed package (which was totally unnecessary BTW.). Some areas of concern for Dr. Ross: can't find any results pictures or positive long term reviews on any forum for him (anyone out there a patient of his?) and a strange concern, that he doesn't have hair washing facilities in his office. Although he seems to have a modern up to date office (with a 12k patient chair), he has no facilities to wash hair. Fortunately for me, in my previous surgery I insisted the Doctor wash my hair the first time after surgery and thats how I found out I had a recipient infection. Dr. Ross's patient advisor said I could come in for a check up whenever I felt like. So this leads to my two questions : 1) It seems to me that the trichophytic closure is almost not valuable. The value is in the closure. Anybody have a body of data that contrasts this completely? 2) Any comments on only doing 30 grafts/cm^2? What I am looking for is people that feel they got greater than 30 in a single session (and not just in one cm^2).
  5. So for my second hair transplant I've got the following goals in mind : -No post operative unexpected issues (eg infection) and minimize shock loss in donor area -Complete my head of hair. I have about 60 cm^2 of crown and roughly 12 cm^2 of hair line to do and touch up and weak areas from my first HT. -Do any future touchups via FUE. While strip wasn't that painful, it was very annoying for 6 months. I went into the consultations asking for another 4000 grafts. I've spoken to the following Doctors : Dr. DeYarman, Dr. Alexander, Dr. Reed, and Dr. Ross. Dr. DeYarman (http://www.deyarmanmedical.com/) wants to do 50 hairs/cm^2 in the hair line and 40 hairs/cm^2 in the crown. For a total of 3000 grafts. Although my initial closure was sutures and a few staples, all his surgeries now are staple only closures. As I have documented my experiences with DeYarman already, I'll leave this here. Dr. Alexander (http://www.biltmoresurgical.com/) (who didn't see me in person) and I had a long conversation about how to do sterile surgery including his practices and how a lot of doctors do not follow good sterile surgery processes. He was also confident in his ability to achieve 70 grafts/cm^2, (which really is not one of my goals.) While I haven't ruled him out, he is down on the list due to him being in Arizona. Dr. Reed (http://www.ljhr.com/) (although he hasn't seen me in person) feels comfortable with only about 2200 grafts, I have an appointment to see him on October 11 for a consultation. I was really impressed with our initial emails, I emailed him on a Friday night and he emailed me back on Saturday and then we exchanged one more email on Sunday. I am concerned with the three weeks required to get an initial consultation (yes, I realize it is ISHRS conference time). Dr. Ross who I saw yesterday, brought me the most "confusion" so far. I saw his patient advisor first, but he spent a good hour with me during the consultation, I was in consultation for 1.5 hours. Dr. Ross only feels comfortable with inserting 30 grafts/cm^2 in any specific surgery, in other words to achieve 60 grafts/cm^2, he requires two separate surgeries. He specifically said that anything over 30 grafts/cm^2 are wasted and would probably not result in growing hair. His patient advisor doesn't feel that I have achieved any better than 30 grafts/cm^2 in my first surgery (although some should be better than that given the number of grafts I had placed). I even pushed Ross for 40 grafts/cm^2, he said, "I can do it," but it's wasting your hair. He also had a very strong opinion about what I should do for a hair line and what looks fake (regarding temple hair characteristics and my forehead wrinkles). I admire his integrity here. Further, Ross doesn't do a trichophytic closure, only the standard sutured closure, he didn't see any value in the trichophytic closure. When he inspected my scar, he said (while it was good, about 1 - 2 mm), there wasn't a single hair growing in the scar. Dr. Alexander also spoke poorly of the trichophytic closure, stating that it was a waste of hair (as possible donor hair is left to grow through the scar). Ross stated that a widened scar is soley due to donor laxity. Fortunately for me (only 8 months out), I apparently have excellent laxity in the scalp. I have been doing infrequent scalp exercises based on the JoTronic YouTube Video (just FYI, other Doctors reference that video). When I discussed my concerns regarding the donor shock I had in my first surgery (took about 6 months to fill back in). Dr. Ross only feels comfortable with a 1.2cm maximum wide donor area to lessen the impact to the area, I am pretty sure that my first surgery was much wider than that. Dr. Ross feels comfortable only with about 2500 grafts which is 30 grafts/cm^2 over the area he measured to be 84 cm^2. This will probably yield higher density as my crown has some (although minimal) growth after the first HT, but the new hairline will only be 30 grafts/cm^2. Right now, I feel most comfortable with Dr. Ross simply because of his integrity regarding number of grafts, after hearing my concerns about surgical sterility he whipped out a comb from a surgically sealed package (which was totally unnecessary BTW.). Some areas of concern for Dr. Ross: can't find any results pictures or positive long term reviews on any forum for him (anyone out there a patient of his?) and a strange concern, that he doesn't have hair washing facilities in his office. Although he seems to have a modern up to date office (with a 12k patient chair), he has no facilities to wash hair. Fortunately for me, in my previous surgery I insisted the Doctor wash my hair the first time after surgery and thats how I found out I had a recipient infection. Dr. Ross's patient advisor said I could come in for a check up whenever I felt like. So this leads to my two questions : 1) It seems to me that the trichophytic closure is almost not valuable. The value is in the closure. Anybody have a body of data that contrasts this completely? 2) Any comments on only doing 30 grafts/cm^2? What I am looking for is people that feel they got greater than 30 in a single session (and not just in one cm^2).
  6. Nice one JOBI. This post should be a locked sticky thread...
  7. Funny how 10 years ago's restoration solution is today's disfigurement. This morning I was thinking about how barbaric strip surgery is going to be viewed in 10 years. Armani has the right idea, I just don't think the tools have caught up yet. Oh well....
  8. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/photos/chi-1p...02652,0,509225.photo
  9. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/photos/chi-1p...02652,0,509225.photo
  10. Its very common in the forum to see people say at 6 months you have 50% of your final results and 100% at a year. So there are two factors in coverage, number of hair and thickness of hair. At 6 months, are most/all of the transplanted hairs that are going to grow already sprouted? And the remaining density comes from the hair thickening? Or do a lot more hairs sprout in the bottom 6 months of the year? Thanks
  11. Its very common in the forum to see people say at 6 months you have 50% of your final results and 100% at a year. So there are two factors in coverage, number of hair and thickness of hair. At 6 months, are most/all of the transplanted hairs that are going to grow already sprouted? And the remaining density comes from the hair thickening? Or do a lot more hairs sprout in the bottom 6 months of the year? Thanks
  12. Hrmm, this is interesting. I had a recipient site infection as well (post op about 3 days), it was about an inch or so in diameter. Dr DeYarman squeezed out the puss, sent some puss the lab, applied bacitracin, and gave me some stronger antibotics. It cleared up with the stronger antibotics. As with the results, I don't see that the patch where the infection was is much thinner than the rest, but still at just 5 months. Are infections common? Any of the regular posters get an infection? Thanks
  13. PerfectFew, While I appreciate your points, I don't like your tactics. Accusations and name calling only limit your credibility. If your whole point of creating 8 new threads on a Sunday is to pimp some other website you should go away or maybe Pat will ban you. The HRI community (I suspect) will stick here, because Pat is allowing the freedom of speech to talk about whatever and whomever you want. You have some valid points, but don't make a nusiance of yourself trying to make them. Thanks
  14. Hi Bill, I can't really say I disagree with you. Regarding point A, scalp laxity, previous HTs, and your healing process also play a big factor in your scar area (as you say). Also agree with points B and C, which I kind of alluded to, by saying "other than blatant things like cutting through the grafts during dissection." All I am saying is that a "great" doctor can have bad results and "bad" doctor can have great results. The only real common denominator is your personal physiology. Regarding my results and the big "when," time will tell, right? So long as it isn't an "if."
  15. Hi Bill, No worries regarding concerning me further, most of the bad press (other than Spock) came out after my surgery and as they say, "no use crying over spilled milk." I don't think I would be flying around to get a HT anyway, nothing more comforting than being in my own home (with family) after the surgery. Not that the first few days are all that comforting, but would definitely feel uncomfortable bleeding on someone else's pillow. I never really said "final" conclusion, I'm happy to see more growth after that point. From what I have read, I should see most results between 4 to 6 months. FWIW, I am not so convinced that a surgery team has more influence over results than does personal physiology (other than blatant things like cutting through the grafts during disection.) Time will tell and heals all wounds and blah blah blah.....
  16. Thanks for the welcome guys! Regarding my results: Things are going slowly on top (but I also have very little patience), BUT my results looks similar to most of the other three month shots in the blogs that I have checked out. I see a hints of my natural color in what has been skin color. I have a lot of shock loss around the donor site, probably more noticable than most because I keep my hair to a #3 guard. Pretty sure its starting to fill in now. I really hate the "balding guy" look, hence the close shave. Damn you, telogen stage! Regardless, I am very anxious to see the next 3 months unfold and will reserve my conclusions till then.
  17. ....at about 6 months?!?!?!?! Seriously, its sad that so many experiences/blogs on this site end about that time. I'm hoping its because their result is so good that they forget they had this "problem." Big props to those who stick it out and continue to answer questions and post result pictures. Signed, Long time lurker, first time poster, and recent transplant recepient.
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