SinTPA

Originally posted by Bill:

notgoing2gobald,

 

Having experience with chat rooms, there really is no way to promote a more formal fashion.

 

 

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

Originally posted by wanthairs:

sintpa....

 

It look like you are a slow grower, like me. Although my growth started at 7 weeks post op, I look like someones glued a few pubes to my scalp.....as it seems slow. Could just be my total impatience.

 

I think (hope) that things change dramatically between week 20 and week 28 so we will all see......

 

Good luck...keep us posted

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

Originally posted by beachair:

Has anyone does business with, or know about 4RX.com in Canada?

Thanks!

b

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.

1. Extent of Future Loss: now I know this is completelly unpredictable and I, in NO way, am looking to have the hairline of an 18 year old. That being said, what if I go through with a ht, and by the time Im 50 I end up becoming a NW7. No one knows if this will or will not happen, but if it does I could end up with a moat of skin wrapping around my head between the top (transplanted hair) and bottom sides; or I might even lose some of the transplanted hair as well.

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.

2. EXTREME WORRY: I recently read a postin on this forum, that stated (although very rare) sometimes ht dont take. That is to say that the transplanted hair NEVER grows in. Has anyone heard of a coalition doctor recommended on this forum EVER having a patient whose ht didn't take? To me, this sounds nuts, but I had to ask as I just read about it on the forum yesterday. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and suggestions. One more thing: no I havent tried any meds yet, but Im considering Rogaine (although seriously doubt it will work) and will probably get on Propecia if I have a ht.

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.

*ONE MORE THOUGHT: does anyone (who is NOT a citizen in Canada) feel somewhat apprehensive about having surgery done in a foreign country? Not that Im looking to sue anyone, but wouldn't you be leaving all of your rights back in your home country?

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.

Originally posted by Gossamer:

I am considering trying the Rogaine Foam and had a few questions.

 

-How long I should wait following my hair transplant?

-Have any of you found any benefit from the Rogaine Foam?

-Do you apply it on the entire top of your head or just the crown?

-Is the Rogaine Foam messy and cause some bad hair days?

 

Thanks!

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

Originally posted by dbk20032002:

Hi,

 

I had my HT on 07/18/2007 in Miami by Dr.Epstein.I went to miami all the way from Dallas.I am very much happy with the way he handled. I lost hair in the temple area.HT is done on the temple area.

 

My comments abt Dr.Epsteins work:

1.I am very happy with the procedure done by Dr.Epstien and his team.

2.My HT lasts for around 5 to 6 hrs.

3.No swelling on my face.

4.No redness.

5.Had a little bit pain in donor area on the first day and it is fine now.

6.No pain/No Bleeding either from the donor area or forntoral area.

7.Having very slight itchness.

8.Suggested me to take Propecia-1Mg, one pill for every other day.

9. Now i am washing my head (front and back) with warm water....no shampoo.

Just applying water to clean the scalp.They suggested me to do not rub/comb the scalp till one more week.

10.Now all the grafts are in proper position and everything is fine so far.

11.I am back to office today and working as usually.

 

Experts, any suggestions? Please suggest me?

Thanks...

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

Originally posted by Bill:

TomA,

 

Yep...this makes sense. The swelling is caused by the fluid injected into you during the surgery. The headband will create a type of seal which will prevent the liquid from traveling below the headband - or more likely...it will minimize the flow.

 

Bill

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

Sin

Originally posted by Bill:

SinTPA,

 

Dr. Epstein does perform Ultra-refined FUT. Rest easy my friend.

 

Bill

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

Originally posted by Pat - Publisher of this Community:

Bill,

 

Thanks for taking the time to help people understand the sometimes subtle but important differences between standard follicular unit hair transplantation and ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation.

 

Since I first became a hair transplant patient and began learning and sharing hair transplant information online over ten years ago, I've seen hair transplantation evolve from small sessions of large grafts and incisions ("mini/micro grafts" containing up to 7 or 8 hairs) to much larger sessions of ultra refined follicular unit grafts that are placed into tiny minimally invasive incisions.

 

This evolution - while improving the naturalness, fullness and healing time for patients - made the procedure more challenging and even less profitable for many clinics. Some clinics embraced these patient friendly evolutions while many resisted them and argued against having to implement these changes.

 

Those physicians who rose to the challenge of successfully providing their patients with true follicular unit hair transplantation came to be recommended on the Hair Transplant Network (to see this list of physicians, click here).

 

Patients have been getting positive life changing follicular hair transplantation from these physicians for several years. When patient results and care have proven to not be top notch these physician/clinics have been promptly removed.

 

Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation 2.0

 

During the past few years follicular unit hair transplantation has once again evolved to an even higher level of refinement that enables patients to achieve greater density, fullness and quicker healing in less sessions. This new evolution has been termed "Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation". To learn more visit the Ultimate Hair Transplant page of the Hair Transplant Network.com

 

Many of the leading physicians who have been recommended on the Hair Transplant Network for years embraced this new technique, while also expanding their staff and capability to perform large sessions in excess of 3,000 follicular unit grafts. These leading physicians/clinics have been admitted into the Coalition.

 

After ten years of searching there are only just over fifty physicians recommended worldwide on the Hair Transplant Network out of over 1,000 active hair transplant physicians. Of these fifty plus leading physicians/clinics only just over two dozen have met the ultra high requirements for Coalition membership and been admitted. To see the current Coalition members, click here .

 

Are other physicians providing positive life changing hair transplantation? I believe that some are. But in my opinion only the top 5% trier of hair transplant physicians/clinics are really worth recommending or going to since the results are life long.

 

Educated patients who demand only the very best and who are willing to travel to get it are forcing the hair transplant profession to provide optimal results or be left behind.

 

While this patient driven process has caused many if not the majority of hair transplant physicians to be uncomfortable it has resulted in optimal results for thousands of patients online and success for those clinics who have risen to the challenge.

 

Viva La Hair Revolution!

 

Pat

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

Originally posted by Mrjb:

Hi all

 

I am almost 4 months post op and seeing ( and feeling) some results.. Yup , waiting sucks but the best is yet to come. I don't use minox due to the life long commitiment and messiness.

JOBI,

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

Originally posted by wanthairs:

Hey Sintpa.......

 

Im also an Epstein patient at 10 weeks post op. I was a shiny NWD 6 but now I have growth occuring all over my front and mid which started about 3 weks ago into my 7th week post op. I dont know if this helps, but I drench 5%minoxidil twice a day from a spray bottle all over my reciepient area. I threw out the applicator. According to Epstein, rogaine will speed up the growth by one month ahead of schedule......Are you using it to on your recipient area? BTW your growth looks good

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

Originally posted by Bill:

SinTPA,

 

Do you have any immediately post op pictures? How many grafts did you receive?

 

Dr. Epstein does good work. At 3 months, you are where I'd expect you to be. You should start seeing new growth now in the next few months.

 

Happy growing!

 

Bill

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,

Robert_ posted:

One last thing. Can someone please give me a link to a published study proving that NIZORAL shampoo have any positive anti DHT effects? My point is most people get their info from words of mouth (nothing wrong with that at all) rather than going straight to the published scientific studies (which are all under our noses). I know most people don't have the time, but it is sad, IMO, that a lot of people don't take the time to read the published studies because accurate information and knowledge from the ACTUAL SOURCE will set you free.

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