Telephone Man

On the same note on my last visit to the clinic the doc asked me if I would be interested in doing some part time consulting for him as my HT has turned out so well for me. In fact I was impressed that most of the consultants for Distefano are patients also, I have a full time career in the technology sector but am seriously considering doing this, thoughts from the forum would be welcome. Thanks TMAN

In order for us all to assist in this forum it would be very helpful to post pictures as I have suggested several times in the past. It is very difficult to evaluate the scar without seeing it and comparing to others that have had experiences. This post has been resonated several times without pics, I feel for your situation. I had my HT with your doc and can hardly find the scar, please see my pics here. I find it very disturbing to see all these posts without pics. Have you talked with the doc, what does he say? He has always been very receptive to me and other posters herenwhenever I have had questions.

Welcome to the forums, I understand that the the 2 main docs Rassman and Bernstein are back on their own. Dr. Burnstein has published extensively on HT and is showcased here. What area are you in. TMAN

THere are several comments about Dr. Jones in Canada, a poster named Abou here and at HLN and his specific experiences.

OOOPs hit the return button. It appears that you have receded significantly early on, do your relatives have the same pattern of loss, less, significantly more? This may be a good indicator of were you are headed, the bad news is you have lost a lot already, the good news may be that you are not going to lose a lot more. There are many of us that do not think someone at 21 should get an HT for fear that the loss will outlive the donor supply. As you have already lost a lot and if it is stabalized based upon your evaluation of your relatives and consulting a HT doc as well as perhaps your family dermatologist! Good Luck TMAN

Hey Action Radar

Mahair When will you be on the radio, I am sure many forum participants will want to listen. Pictures of your procedure would be very helpful. TMAN

I used Graphycyte and it certainly minimized the scabs, assisted with the scar and kept the area moist with the copper solution. Well worth it in my opinion.

Bobbie I also had my HT with Dr. Distefano with some growth at 4 months then a lot between mos 6-9. I have pics posted on this site to see. How many did you have on your first procedure? I am told it may take as long as a year for full growth. TMAN

Eddie, THe forums could really benefit from before and after pics of your procedure. Also which MHR clinic did you go to, cost per graft etc. THanks TMAN

C2 Welcome sounds like you really are a veteran with SR's and 2 previous HT's. It would be of great benefit if you could post pics of your present state and afters along with the history dates, docs etc from your other procedures. Dr. Feller is certainly among the top HT specialists with a lot of experience, good luck with your next procedure. TMAN

Spursman, As you are coming to the US in person, or we think you are you should schedule consults with as many docs as possible, Dr. Feller is on Long Island close to NYC as well as Dr. Bernstein, do not limit yourself to one consult coming all this way. Good luck!!! TMAN

Danger This is quite the timely topic!!! Scars are a thing that no one seems to be able to accurately predice, use sutures, use staples, use both, 2 layered closing etc. etc. The key is to go with a doc who has consistent scar appearances to achieve the best result for yourself. As everyone is different scaring is dependent on so many factors, however there are things that we as patients can do to help minimize the scar like proper diet, rest, avoidance of certain items all prior to the HT procedure. There is also a series of excercises that you can do to help with laxity which directly contributes to scar results. TMAN

Robert WOW!!!! The growth at 6 months is really outstanding. It appears you had a megasession with the growth your are having, much more appearance than the grafts you actually had!!! Dr. Cooley really stands out here with the results!!! You must be totally pumped!! You hand out insight everyday to other users it is nice to be able to provide you some feedback on your own personal experience!!! Keep watching the grow. TMAN

Sustyguy You have found a forum for the issue you are facing. Many of us here including me have experienced the loss starting in college, I had the V hairline, receding back, thanks to my uncle, grandfather, cousins all on my moms side!!!! You want to confirm the loss is not based on any short term medical issue, a check up with your doc or dermatologist is probably in order. The next step may be to consult with an HT doc about your particular situation. I noticed you are in Brockton, I also am from Mass. The doc I used (Distefano) is good, you may want to consider seeing him to further evaluate your loss. The key issue facing anyone your age is how far the loss will go (check out the Norwood scale). No one can predict the extent of your loss, an indicator may be your relatives if there is a pattern on a particular side (mom, dad, uncle, grandparents etc.) The other is how to slow the loss, with medication, diet etc, there is lots of information on this site regarding these items. Good Luck, Pics would help get some feedback if you have them. TMAN

Bill Looks like the procedure did a nice job with spreading the 1600 around, I am similiar to you in loss, NW5A light hair not dark which I understand is easier to contrast against light skin. Are you considering another to add density? I had 2140 with strong results and may consider another one down the road, good luck with your growth!!! TMAN

Thanks for all the encouraging comments!!! pc The clinic is Dr. Distefano in Mass/RI, I am 42 had 2140 grafts was a NW5A, I love to be able to say I was!!!! TMAN

Here are my 1 year pics with shots of my scar, the clinic was having trouble finding it!!!

Here are my 1 year pics with shots of my scar, the clinic was having trouble finding it!!!

Eric 123 My experience at the clinic was very good, I found the doc and staff to be very concerned about any questions or concerns I had. I have posted my scar pics for everyone to see along with 12month updates. As you are only 1 month out from the procedure time is what is needed. Hairhope also had a recent procedure by Dr. Distefano so check out his posts as well. TMAN

Eric123 Sorry to hear that, it appears you have talked to the doc, how about posting some pics so the forum can also provide some input. TMAN

Danger I think pics really would help with the feedback you are looking for. Who was the doc, this information is helpful to share with all of us, also details on your surgery, how large etc. TMAN

PC, if you have any kind of decent job you will understand the concept of non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement. These are generally a requirement of any job when you first sign on, if you violate them you could lose quite a bit. If you really dig into the history of Peter Mac you will realize as we all do that he has provided input on many topics on these forums and has nothing to hide. I am sure if he could comment he would so why can't we just drop this and move on. TMAN

Here is an interesting article on the effects of minoxidil on the hairline! By: PATRICIA REIMAN Dermatology Times Durham, N.C. -- Objective evidence now shows that topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is effective in frontal areas of the scalp, and not just in the vertex area in male-pattern hair loss (MPHL). "This drug works in all areas of the balding scalp," said Elise Olsen, M.D., professor of medicine, division of dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C. Dr. Olsen and colleagues have gathered data from a review of global photographs of men with MPHL treated with two different concentrations of topical minoxidil. Dr. Olsen explained that previous research using target area hair counts had shown minoxidil to be effective in the vertex area of the scalp. Now the use of global photographs shows minoxidil's effectiveness in treating frontal-area hair loss as well. "Using global photographs to look at the frontal area treated with minoxidil had not been done previously," she said. The researchers set out to document hair growth with minoxidil applied in the frontal region of the scalp -- the area where men are keenly aware of their hair loss every time they look in the mirror. Of note are the visible improvements seen in the frontal areas after just 16 weeks of treatment. "As early as 16 weeks, you could separate out each of the treatment groups [from placebo]. Most hair growth promoters don't work that quickly to see a response so early on," she said. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a total of 252 balding men. All had Hamilton-Norwood patterns III-V hair loss. Each man's hair loss was documented and classified at baseline by global photographs of the frontal and vertex scalp areas. The three treatment arms of the study consisted of 139 men using a 5 percent topical minoxidil solution, 142 using a 2 percent topical minoxidil solution, and 71 on vehicle alone (placebo). The men applied 1 mL of solution twice daily to the entire top of the scalp, including the vertex and frontal areas. Polaroid photographs were taken at baseline and again at weeks 16, 32, and 48. Electronic images of the photographs were evaluated by an independent panel of three blinded, board-certified dermatologists experienced in doing photographic reviews. The panel members compared each man's photos from weeks 16, 32, and 48 to his baseline photo. They then independently classified the hair growth as "no change," "slight increase," "moderate increase," "great increase," or "slight decrease," "moderate decrease," or "great decrease." At the study's end, the three judges' scores were combined into a final classification for each patient. Results at 48 weeks (study conclusion) show that visible, photographically evident improvements were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 51 percent of men using 5 percent minoxidil, 42 percent using 2 percent minoxidil, and 13 percent of placebo users. Among these men, moderate to great increases in hair growth were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 19 percent of men using 5 percent minoxidil, 10 percent using 2 percent minoxidil, and 3 percent of placebo users. "Most patients might think topical minoxidil only works in one part of the scalp," Dr. Olsen said, adding that the current package insert states minoxidil's effectiveness in the vertex region but does not address the frontal region. "Limitations in terms of claims of efficacy are related to the research methods used." She said patients must understand that the FDA will not allow package-insert claims of hair growth in scalp areas not specifically targeted from the outset of the study. So it may help to explain to men that although minoxidil's efficacy in MPHL was previously shown by hair counts done only in the vertex region, global photographic evidence now proves minoxidil's effectiveness in the frontal region as well. "Now we have objective evidence that shows minoxidil indeed works in other parts of the scalp, including the frontal area, as shown on global photographs," Dr. Olsen said. Dr. Olsen has no financial interest in minoxidil, but has been a principal investigator on topical minoxidil-related MPHL trials in the past and is a consultant for Pharmacia. _________________

Here is an interesting article on the effects of minoxidil on the hairline! By: PATRICIA REIMAN Dermatology Times Durham, N.C. -- Objective evidence now shows that topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is effective in frontal areas of the scalp, and not just in the vertex area in male-pattern hair loss (MPHL). "This drug works in all areas of the balding scalp," said Elise Olsen, M.D., professor of medicine, division of dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C. Dr. Olsen and colleagues have gathered data from a review of global photographs of men with MPHL treated with two different concentrations of topical minoxidil. Dr. Olsen explained that previous research using target area hair counts had shown minoxidil to be effective in the vertex area of the scalp. Now the use of global photographs shows minoxidil's effectiveness in treating frontal-area hair loss as well. "Using global photographs to look at the frontal area treated with minoxidil had not been done previously," she said. The researchers set out to document hair growth with minoxidil applied in the frontal region of the scalp -- the area where men are keenly aware of their hair loss every time they look in the mirror. Of note are the visible improvements seen in the frontal areas after just 16 weeks of treatment. "As early as 16 weeks, you could separate out each of the treatment groups [from placebo]. Most hair growth promoters don't work that quickly to see a response so early on," she said. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a total of 252 balding men. All had Hamilton-Norwood patterns III-V hair loss. Each man's hair loss was documented and classified at baseline by global photographs of the frontal and vertex scalp areas. The three treatment arms of the study consisted of 139 men using a 5 percent topical minoxidil solution, 142 using a 2 percent topical minoxidil solution, and 71 on vehicle alone (placebo). The men applied 1 mL of solution twice daily to the entire top of the scalp, including the vertex and frontal areas. Polaroid photographs were taken at baseline and again at weeks 16, 32, and 48. Electronic images of the photographs were evaluated by an independent panel of three blinded, board-certified dermatologists experienced in doing photographic reviews. The panel members compared each man's photos from weeks 16, 32, and 48 to his baseline photo. They then independently classified the hair growth as "no change," "slight increase," "moderate increase," "great increase," or "slight decrease," "moderate decrease," or "great decrease." At the study's end, the three judges' scores were combined into a final classification for each patient. Results at 48 weeks (study conclusion) show that visible, photographically evident improvements were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 51 percent of men using 5 percent minoxidil, 42 percent using 2 percent minoxidil, and 13 percent of placebo users. Among these men, moderate to great increases in hair growth were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 19 percent of men using 5 percent minoxidil, 10 percent using 2 percent minoxidil, and 3 percent of placebo users. "Most patients might think topical minoxidil only works in one part of the scalp," Dr. Olsen said, adding that the current package insert states minoxidil's effectiveness in the vertex region but does not address the frontal region. "Limitations in terms of claims of efficacy are related to the research methods used." She said patients must understand that the FDA will not allow package-insert claims of hair growth in scalp areas not specifically targeted from the outset of the study. So it may help to explain to men that although minoxidil's efficacy in MPHL was previously shown by hair counts done only in the vertex region, global photographic evidence now proves minoxidil's effectiveness in the frontal region as well. "Now we have objective evidence that shows minoxidil indeed works in other parts of the scalp, including the frontal area, as shown on global photographs," Dr. Olsen said. Dr. Olsen has no financial interest in minoxidil, but has been a principal investigator on topical minoxidil-related MPHL trials in the past and is a consultant for Pharmacia. _________________