Yogi's Dad

Echoing the others here, mine was at its worst at 3 months. The hair came back in months 4-6.

Your great growth phase is now beginning! Like you, my left side was slower to grow, but over the continuing months, both sides became symmetrical growth-wise. My experience was that each month for here on out brought new and steady growth. I'm sure yours will be the same. Enjoy, you have to like what you (and your colleagues) are seeing.

Regardless of your gaps and future desire for a second HT, you are "one of those guys" who looks great with your current short hairstyle. You are able to enjoy a great improvement in that which you currently have.

It is wonderful to see you track over time. There do not seem to be many posts that offer such a chronology. For neophytes, like me, it is nice to see evidence that HT results (and lack of future loss) can sustain. You have a good looking hairline.

Most comments (and I've not heard that many) were along the lines of "are you coloring your hair?" This is an interesting comment, because I've never had grey hairs (instead they fell out ) My hair has always been a light brown. My guess is that the comments have been made because the observer is seeing more hair and less scalp - hence more hair (and color) to see. Also these comments are only made by folks who have not seen me in many months. For those who I interact with daily - no comments whatsoever. It has been 10 months since my HT. One beauty of HTs is that the hair grows in very gradually. So, one you interact with frequently would likely not notice. There is no overnight transformation. The same is true with losing, say twenty pounds in 6 months. A frequent contact might not notice anything. But, someone you've not seen in 6 moths would surely notice something has changed. Having said all of this, potential observations/ reactions might vary according to your current NW classification. A "3" HT would probably be less picked up on than a "6" HT. I was a 4a.

Great outcome! I'm jealous

FE- Your pics are reason for excitement - you are starting to grow! For only 3 months, this is excellent news. You look well healed and primed for action. You are well on your way. Enjoy!

3v- I'm just another data point to say That I see a difference between months 6 & 9. And the pre-op vs. 9 month post op pictures tell a wonderful story. I think us patients are the most critical assessors of ourselves. Indeed, you still have progess to be made after 9 months.

Indeed the outdoor pictures tell a different story to me. The pinkness is gone. I see some growth. While you are early in the process, I suspect the next 60 days will be a lot of fun for you!

First thing I noticed is that you are smiling - you should be! You've healed well, the shock loss is very minimal (I can't even tell if you had any), and it looks you are already growing hair!

I echo the sentiment of Eman. Many top-notch Docs have top-notch (and very well schooled) techs who place most of the hairs. My Doc got the process started and suspect he made some of the more strategic placements. In my case, The Doc was in and out during the graft placements making sure everything was tip-top, and advising the techs. And the head tech calls the shots too. The top Docs probably take good care of the great techs - these are very important folks who are critical to a good practice; the practice really wants to retain these folks.

Hate to jump in mid-stream here... I kept my hair scissor length long in the back until 3 months post op. Then I went back to a #3. In both cases the scar was never visible wet or dry. My donor density was somewhat low - 2.2 (I think).

Great post. Great analogy. Great results!

Your pictures look like a few "before" pictures posted on our web blogs - you do have a lot of existing hair. It looks like you'd benefit nicely from a HT. However, you need to see a coalition doctor. Your donor area/ scalp laxity/ personal goals & expectations should be assessed by a pro. You'll be given a honest assessment of what to expect and you can make an informed decision as to whether or not at HT is in your best interest. Good luck!

While us layman can't say for sure, it does seem HIGHLY probable. Obviously the coalition Docs would/could/should never tell. These experts are THE ones to see.

I had a few scabs up until week 6. I was a "gentle" washer as Leeson queried. By looking at your JPEG, I'm guessing that you've been washing too gently. You do have a lot of remaining scabs. At week 6, I called my clinic and was told I could have been washing more vigorously after day 7-10. You might do the same - call your doc. At any rate, a couple of good washes at week 6 and my remaining scabs were gone.

Young Guy- From where I (and most of us here) sit, your hair line looks good. There are some signs and thinning and recession, but I'd not fret too much for the time being. You should seek a physician to discuss meds to slow your thinning. My mantra was always that less is more. This means shortening your hair styles over time. Investigate the concealers mentioned here too. Toppix and the like will make any thinning less noticeable. I'd not shave or go the mohawk route. You still have a lot of hair to style.

Do whatever Eman is doing His regimen is extensive, but it sure worked for him. His recipient area to-date is world-class.

I concur with the gentleman here. My donor hair is not overly dense, but a #3 clipper keeps my scar 100% undetectable. A #2 might work too, But I've not tried that yet. A good question might be how short can you go up top. The better short styles (post-HT) I've seen here seem to be short scissor cuts on the top. The better looking short styles seem to be a forward combed roman style. In some cases, I've seen 1/2+" top hair combed straight up or back and it looks good. I think it depends on the density you are able to get in the recipient area.

Great post. Unlike many here, I waited a little later in life before my HT; I was 48 last year. Like many here, I was around 21 when my balding started. I would have gotten a HT much earlier in life, but 20 years ago all I saw was very detectable plug work. Fast forward many years and we have the great work being turned out by the colaition doctors here. My future goals are to look as good as I possible can at 50, 55, 60, etc... I was not able to get "that" many grafts (1700) during my 2008 HT. However, I have a significant improvement in my hairline. The main reasons for this were low donor density & scalp laxity. Also, my doc suggested I save some donor for future needs. I appreciate that approach in my case because I'd like to tap the donor area again for HT #2 in a year or two. I simply want to look as good as I can going forward. For a NW 4a, it does not take much to impove the look (to me). Above the neck and on the surface, my goals not only include my hairline, but my skin. Yes, I see a dermatologist for a little help with my wrinkles from time to time. My goal is to keep my mind as sharp as possible for as long as possible. I am a university professor, so my research and teaching efforts constantly challenge my brain. I try to read a lot on the side too. My spiritual journey continues and that brings inner peace and new challenges. My goals also include to continue exercising vigorously. I get 1.5 to 2 hours of weightlifting & cardio 6 days a week. I do not plan to change that. My goals are simply to look and be the best I can be. Hairwise, I don't know exactly where I am headed, but I do see a HT# 2 in my near future. I'm just going to do the best I can do with everything that I have. I just hit 49 and for the first time ever, a birthday stung - because I can easily see 50 from here. But I feel damn good for 49. I just plan to keep working on the anti-aging aspects as hard as possible to improve my overall apperance - inside & out.

Please save your money

Your scalp looks well-healed and I can't detect any significant shock loss. Given that alone, you are ahead of the game. Indeed, growth is forthcoming and you are looking good.

This recession is hitting almost every industry segment. Insomuch as HTs are elective surgery, I'd have to say that this industry will certainly feel the pinch. How much of a pinch? Who knows. Price cuts will not likely help, but a healthier economy and market will. Ben Bernanke says a rebound in 2010. I hope he is right. One bright spot (in the U.S.) might be non-residents seeking surgery here if their home currency strengthens considerably versus the dollar. Sorry for the lecture

I'd like to add that the re-growth is quite gradual. That is, we don't experience a new head of hair "overnight". I liken the post-HT period to gradually going bald - in reverse. When you are around people on a regular basis, they simply don't notice the gradual change. When you see someone you haven't seen in a long time, they seem to notice a change for the better. But these folks can't quite put their finger on exactly what has changed. The closest anyone has come to noticing my post-HT is to say that "your hair looks like it has changed color." And, she was partly right. What she was looking at was more hair than she saw a year ago. I interpret this to mean that my head has more hair on it than before. Hence, there is more hair color to see and less scalp. There is a great post on another thread here called "hair gazers" - or something like that. The topic concerns people who stare at one's receding hairline. I haven't ran into one of these people in quite a while. There is much less recession to scrutinize. All of this, plus my personal observations, leads me to believe that my new hairline is undetectable. I feel the same about the posts & blogs I've seen here. Cheers to all.

Can anybody substantiate or elaborate on this? I read there is a connection between lifting and hormones, and between certain hormones and hairloss. However, are we talking about a <span class="ev_code_RED">direct</span> link between lifting and hairloss? Could lifting elevate the "right" hormones <span class="ev_code_RED">enough</span> to affect hairloss?