JRA

Bill, If you read my story again, you will see that I said my first BHT for 350 grafts occurred in 2002. Those all grew just fine, otherwise I would have not continued the procedure. The second set of almost 2000 BHT was grafted to my crown area in Nov 2005. Therefore, you have to wait a year before seeing before and after pictures. Because chest hair is thicker, one covers as much as two if not three regular hair. If it is in the crown area, nobody not even I can tell the difference. JRA

After having 8 hair transplant sessions and 1 scalp reduction from 1991 to 1996, I was not able to keep pace with the progression of my hair loss. By 2002, I had developed into class 6 male pattern baldness, and was interested in improving my situation. I approached Dr. True in March 2002 about proceeding with treatment and he told me it would not be advisable to continue taking hair from the donor area of my head. The sides still had a small amount, but Dr. True preferred to leave that alone for now. I asked him if it would be possible to take hair from my chest where I had an abundant supply. He replied that it would be possible because my chest hair was of good color, texture and length for transplantation to my head mainly in the crown area. I decided to do this procedure as soon as possible, and in April of 2002, I underwent a procedure whereby a strip was harvested from the central part of my chest. Close to 350 grafts were prepared microscopically and transplanted to the crown area, where I had developed a large balding area. After the usual growing period, I had hair growing where there was almost total baldness. I was very pleased with the result and was surprised how well my scalp hair blended with my chest hair. You really couldn't tell it came from my chest. In July 2005, I returned for an evaluation and Dr. True explained to me that he could utilize a new method to harvest the hair follicles from my chest, one at a time. I was very encouraged. He also suggested harvesting a strip from the two sides to do the hairline. He told me I could have this done some time in September. In September 2005, I underwent my second procedure and hair follicles were taken from my chest. Roughly, 450 follicular units were extracted and two small strips were taken from the two sides of my head, where there were still some hair available, providing almost 700 more grafts. About 1100 to 1200 grafts were used to connect the sides with the top and rebuild the hairline. I returned for 5 more sessions over the next month or so. Nearly 2000 more follicular units were extracted from my chest and abdomen. These hairs were transplanted in few places that I needed more hair. One area was the scars in the back of my head from my previous hair transplant procedures years ago. Another area was the scar on my chest from the procedure in 2002. The rest were used to add density to my crown areas. The total number of grafts was over 3000. The most amazing thing about this experience was how virtually painless it was. I did not take any painkillers at all. In addition, there were no scaring and stitches for this procedure. The other thing is the fact that transplanted chest hairs keep on growing after they are placed into the scalp. If I hadn't had laser hair removal on my back, a while ago I would have had even more hair to donate to an area. Previously I thought I was in a hopeless situation.