SinTPA

Bill, I think what NG2GB is asking for is a moderated chat. This is very feasible with some very inexpensive or possibly free software. I haven't done a lot of research in this area but here are a few examples of chat clients that offer moderation type features. AddOnChat Parachat Keep up the very interesting chats! Sin

JOBI, I bought a 3-month supply of the Minox foam and will discontinue it as soon as it runs out. I've only been using it at night with the sole purpose of accelerating the growth of the new grafts. Since I really didn't have much hair in the transplanted region I don't expect to regress when I stop using the minox. I also don't expect to lose any of the new grafts. Maybe I'm missing something with your comments but it seems like the recommended regimen from Dr. Epstein of using Minox to accelerate the growth of new hair can only help. Thxs, Sin

Wanthairs... thanks for the comments. I see that we had a similar number of grafts, etc. from Dr. Epstein and that your HT was about 2 weeks after mine. I hope your right that I will see some significant growth in the next 6 weeks. I think I'm convinced that I'll wait until the 14 month mark to make the final eval. He didn't give me the breakdown that you have in your signature. From what I've read on the forums, the larger grafts take longer to grow so that could be the situation in my case. Keeping my fingers crossed... Sin

Thanks for the comments Bill. I'm indeed looking forward to the next few months. At this point I am satisfied with the HT but of course I'm still hoping for significant improvements in visual appearance of the HT. If I could figure out how to take a decent picture in natural light, you would be able to see a better indication of the actual progress.

5.5 month photos posted.

I asked Dr. Eptstein the question. He said that he generally has yields above 90%. I would be interested in more quantitative numbers from a study.

Bill, Would be very interested in the transcript... sorry I missed it. Thxs, Sin

I just placed an order for 180 generic finasteride for $89.30 + shipping. Total cost is $105.85. Delivery is 12 days. My guess is that it is being delivered from India since no prescription was required. I will post again once I receive the order. I take one pill every other day so this would last me about a year.

I believe this is one of the main reasons HT docs recommend that you get on Propecia immediately prior to HT. Propecia is pretty effective at curtailing hair loss from the back third of the head (i.e., in front of the crown back). Since most people have enough donor hair to support multiple transplants, if the hair loss continues you can have a 2nd or 3rd transplant as you age. If done right, I believe the hair loss can still look somewhat natural (albeit different) even if hair loss progresses towards the crown. My HT surgeon said that he normally has a 90%+ success rate on grafts. I haven't had a problem with mine. I'm sure there is the unique case where a patient has some medical issues that would cause a less than optimal result but I would find it difficult to believe that a surgeon who takes the necessary methodology and process during a HT wouldn't have a very high success rate. I think if you go with a reputable surgeon than your probability of a failure is almost negligible. I'm a citizen of US. I wouldn't feel too apprehensive going to Canada for a HT. I would, however, feel apprehensive going to India.

Just posted 4 month pictures. I'm starting to see some real growth. My guess is that the 5 month pictures will start to show a lot of visible growth.

I'm also a patient of Dr. Epstein. I began using Rogaine liquid as directed about 10 days post-op. I switched to the foam which is a lot easier to apply. The foam is a little like a gel that you would put in your hair for styling and I find its tolerable during the day. I'm not sure about the effectiveness of the foam versus the liquid. I'm almost 4-months post-op and really starting to see a lot of growth. Cheers, Sin

At what point post HT would you typically expect shock loss or is it random? I've noticed some loss even at 3+ months post HT (a few hairs in the sink each day). Thxs, Sin

Good question Tom. I was wondering the same thing. Do the scar fading creams even work is the other thing I'm wondering. -Sin

Make sure to constantly soak the graft with the Graftcyte spray provided by Dr. Epstein. It can't hurt the healing process and I think it helps with keeping the grafts hydrated. I didn't take pictures immediately post transplant w/ Dr. Epstein on 4/13/2007 and I wish I had to better document the experience. Please post pictures when you have a chance. The donor area will feel a little uncomfortable for quite some time. Good luck and keep us posted. -Sin

Dr. Epstein puts a piece of tape on the forehead for the first 48 hrs. I didn't experience any swelling issues. Sin

Bill, Thanks for the confirmation. I was 90+% sure due to the fact that my graft sites healed very rapidly and I read somewhere in these forums that one of the advantages of Ultra-refined FUT is quicker healing. Cheers, Sin

Thanks much for the pictures! I'm really upset at myself for not getting immediate post-op pictures of my HT w/ Dr. Epstein. I'm 99% sure he only uses ultra-refined but I would prefer to have the pictures to verify. Thanks again, Sin

JOBI, The minox is only intended to accelerate the growth of the transplants. I intend on discontinuing after month 5.

Hi wanthairs, Thanks for the reply. Per Dr. Epstein's instructions I have been using Minox on the recipient area. I believe his instructions say for the first 3 months only but I continue to use it at night. I don't really like using it in the morning. I also switched to the Rogaine foam which makes it a lot easier to apply. I'm not sure if it is reducing the effectiveness but the convenience is worth it. One way or another, the hairs will start to grow... just need to have more patience. My regimen looks identical to yours except for the Biotin. Cheers, Sin

Hi Bill, Unfortunately I traveled to Miami for the procedure and didn't bring my camera. I regret not taking immediate post-op pictures. Per Dr. Epstein I had 2,599 grafts. He did not provide a breakdown any more detailed than that. He basically decided to fill in the front 2/5ths of my scalp. I will still have the receding hairline but I'm hoping the front are shown in the pics fills in. I'll post more pics at month 4. Cheers, Sin

I notice that a lot of pixelation on the camera shots so I attempted to post here instead of the web log.... same result. Thanks for looking!

Here is an album showing my experience with my first transplant with Dr. Jeffrey Epstein on April 13, 2007. Please feel free to comment. Thanks.

Here is an album showing my experience with my first transplant with Dr. Jeffrey Epstein on April 13, 2007. Please feel free to comment. Thanks.

Also found this, Nizoral 1% Study

Robert, Nizoral study is posted here --> Nizoral Study Conclusion: Hair density and size and proportion of anagen follicles were improved almost similarly by both KCZ and minoxidil regimens. Cheers, Sin