Acrobaz

That certainly happened in my case.

Hello high spirit.

I suggest you go through this process:

1. Reflect on whether this journey is for you. Have you tried buzzing down your hair? Are you prepared for all that comes with HTs - the expense, the "hair greed" (see other posts), etc. Believe me when I say that it is much better to have no procedure at all than to get it done by a clinic whose main virtues are lower price and closer location.

2. Try medical treatments and see if they make a difference first. The only two treatments that have proven results (although they don't work for everyone) are minoxidil (regaine) and finasteride (propecia or proscar).

3. If you still wish to go for an HT, seek a number of consultations and ask lots of questions. Farjo is a very good clinic, and the only one in the UK that this forum recommends. Avoid Norton, Hospital Group etc. You could look into European clinics as well, e.g. Devroye. As Richie says, don't let geography determine your choice. I would add the same about price. Of course money is a factor, and the recent fall in the value of sterling does make the US and Canada less competitive in price terms than they were this time last year. But that is where, in the view of many of this forum, the world leaders are based. Petchski, Richie and I are all from the UK, we all researched the issue extensively and, as you can see, we all chose to go to the US (in fact, we all chose the same surgeon, but he is certainly not the only world class one out there).

4. Keep researching. You can never do too much research into the issue. It's a big decision and you need to weigh up the pros and cons. Like all surgery, it can have tremendous benefits but it is not without risk.

Good luck mate.

Over the many months when I was lurking anonymously around this forum, the issue for which I searched most often was this: when could I safely return to work without the HT looking obvious? It is clear from the thread discussions that this issue concerns many others too. My predominant concern was the visibility of the donor/scar area rather than the recipient area.

I have posted to my blog today (see the link underneath my signature) updated pictures of me, both without concealers (at 20 days post-op) and with concealers (at 21 days post-op). The truth is that I did get away with it: no comments; not even any "eye drift". I was being hyper-vigilant so I am confident that I would have noticed any adverse glimpses in my direction.

I am not saying that the HT is already unnoticeable. I can still see the outline of the donor area in the pictures. But, in my opinion, that is mostly because I know it is there. If I did not know it was there, and was not otherwise looking for it, I think that I wouldn't notice it.

That said, if this is an issue that has worried you, the pictures are there to help you make up your own mind. I'm not looking for comments one way or another - I just hope that the pictures fill in another piece of the puzzle for those still researching. But, on my evidence (and I appreciate that everyone heals differently) a return to work in three weeks is certainly viable.

Kind regards

Acrobaz

Over the many months when I was lurking anonymously around this forum, the issue for which I searched most often was this: when could I safely return to work without the HT looking obvious? It is clear from the thread discussions that this issue concerns many others too. My predominant concern was the visibility of the donor/scar area rather than the recipient area.

I have posted to my blog today (see the link underneath my signature) updated pictures of me, both without concealers (at 20 days post-op) and with concealers (at 21 days post-op). The truth is that I did get away with it: no comments; not even any "eye drift". I was being hyper-vigilant so I am confident that I would have noticed any adverse glimpses in my direction.

I am not saying that the HT is already unnoticeable. I can still see the outline of the donor area in the pictures. But, in my opinion, that is mostly because I know it is there. If I did not know it was there, and was not otherwise looking for it, I think that I wouldn't notice it.

That said, if this is an issue that has worried you, the pictures are there to help you make up your own mind. I'm not looking for comments one way or another - I just hope that the pictures fill in another piece of the puzzle for those still researching. But, on my evidence (and I appreciate that everyone heals differently) a return to work in three weeks is certainly viable.

Kind regards

Acrobaz

Dalew - what a story. Thanks for sharing.

Mine is almost comical by comparison. I started using Nanogen fibres a while back and, like many people, I suspect I used too many of them at the start. We had a party at our house, and invited about 30 friends. One of them decided upon arriving at the house (and about three minutes after I'd applied the locking spray) to ruffle my hair. They got a handful of boot polish obviously.

I said I was trying out some black hair dye. And got away with it - just.

I hear what you say. Your comments should be read by everyone thinking of having an HT at a young age. It can be a great thing to do, but it is a big decision and not all have the maturity to weigh up the pros and cons properly. This forum can help them do that.

Again, thanks for sharing.

For those who are interested, I have updated my weblog with 12 and 20 day post-op pictures.

Regards

Fabulous. You must be very pleased - it looks great.

Nice one BHUK. Really encouraging.

I'm heading for a dip on the roller coaster now as the grafts jump out. The end of the ride can't come quick enough!

I thought forum members and readers might like to see this, which appeared in the Observer, a UK broadsheet newspaper, today. The focus is on hairpieces as well as other medical treatments; surgical interventions get a passing mention.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life...n-wig-baldness-toupe

I thought this was a very interesting insight: "In the mirror I'm facing the person I would have been with a different set of genes - it entirely alters my character."

Regards

Acrobaz

I thought forum members and readers might like to see this, which appeared in the Observer, a UK broadsheet newspaper, today. The focus is on hairpieces as well as other medical treatments; surgical interventions get a passing mention.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life...n-wig-baldness-toupe

I thought this was a very interesting insight: "In the mirror I'm facing the person I would have been with a different set of genes - it entirely alters my character."

Regards

Acrobaz

*bump*

depending upon how things progress the next ~6months I may or may not be even more open about the HT. It has been such a positive; though, I figure I will always be rather secretive about it due to the stigmas associated with it.

thanatopsis_awry, now that six months has passed, do you feel any different? I wonder which is easier: to explain away the ugly phase post-op, or to explain away your wondrous new meadow of hair (which, indeed, it is)?

I commented about this phenomenon to my wife a while back. Her reply was a classic. "Now you know how I've felt for the last 20 years, when men's eyes drift down to my tits!"

Joking aside, the experience of being on the receiving end of eye drift offers an interesting insight into what it might be like to be an objectified female. Just a thought.

I recognise in advance that this is a rather technical question that is of limited practical application to hair restoration.

We now know that, even in the most extensive cases of hair loss, men commonly retain hair, in a horseshoe shape around the bottom of the head, containing follicles that are genetically programmed to resist the effects of DHT. Hence its use as a donor area for HT procedures.

My question is this: have any of the scientists out there offered any theories as to why there is an evolutionary advantage in having DHT resistant follicles in that particular location?

I know. I am a geek.

The scene: a kitchen table in a non-descript semi-detached somewhere in the UK. On the table is a half consumed bottle of white wine, some leftover tortilla chips and a metal implement that looks like it has emerged from a medieval torture chamber. Slumped across the table is a middle-aged man, positioned as if in prayer, yet unattractively dressed in a dressing gown and socks. Upon closer inspection, something metallic appears to be gleaming from the back of his head. In walks a beautiful woman, dressed smartly (skirt, top, knee high boots); she has clearly lived, yet has retained the soft contours of her youth. She speaks.

Woman: Ready?

Man: No. (He emits a strange noise. It might be a whimper.)

Woman: Come on, you've been in the bath for over an hour, drinking wine! It must be soaked by now. Your head's all wrinkly at the back. It's like a big testicle. (Speaks to herself: 'Quite apt really.')

Man: Look, I just want to get it over with. I'd like a decent night's sleep for starters.

Woman: Are you absolutely sure?

Man: Yes. I don't want that bloody nurse in the local surgery doing it. She's like a pro wrestler. And she'd think I was vain. Or weird. Or both.

Woman: Well, it's your call. Come on then. Where do we start?

Man: You saw that video posted by Spex on YouTube. That shows how to do it. Just copy that.

Woman: Are you sure a proper staple remover wouldn't be better? Or a wire cutter? I could just wrench them out with a screwdriver.

Man: Stop taking the piss PLEASE and just get on with it.

Woman: Don't start on me. You wanted to get this done. I liked you as you were.

Man: No you didn't. You called me moon face.

Woman: Only a couple of times.

Man: Yes, once at Christmas dinner in front of all the in-laws, and the other at the school play. From the stage. With a microphone.

Woman: You take yourself too seriously, that's your problem. You might want to be Wolverine, but I always preferred Professor Xavier.

Man: Can we just get on!?

Woman: Alright. (Mumbles 'Mr Grumpy' to herself.)

There is a short pause. The woman concentrates. The man sweats.

Man: Was that the first one out? That wasn't too bad at all!

Woman: I haven't started yet.

Man: So what have you been doing?

Woman: Sterilizing the staple remover, you fool. You were stupid enough to take it out of the sterile packet the day you were given it. I had to sterilize it again.

Man: What have you sterilized it in?

Woman: Don't worry. You and your new virtual buddies on that forum will be pleased with me ??“ I did it in tea tree oil. All homeopathic.

Man: Oh, ok.

Woman: Like I said, all homoerotic.

Man: What?

Woman: Nothing. Just ??¦ well ??¦ you lot posting pictures of each other and making admiring comments. It is kind of, well, er, odd. You have to admit it.

Man: We are supporting each other and there's nothing wrong with that.

Woman: Yup, support. Supporty-doo-daa. Nothing wrong with that.

Man: Look, JUST BLOODY WELL GET ON WITH IT WILL YOU!

Woman: Don't start on me. I wanted to spend the money on a holiday. You spent it on a hairyday.

Man: I am very grateful for your support. Truly. Now can we PLEASE JUST TAKE THE STAPLES OUT ??¦. AAAAAAAAGH!!!!!

Woman: Oops ??¦

Man: WHAT THE BLAZES WAS THAT!!??

Woman: I dropped the staple remover, sorry.

Man: What, right on the sore bit of my head??!!

Woman: It was the tea tree oil. It made it all slippery, sorry.

Man: That was really bloody painful!

Man whimpers again. Pause. A long, difficult, Pinter-esque pause.

Woman: (With cold, ice queen voice.) When you've had three children, THEN you can talk to me about pain.

Man: You always say that. Look it hurt, ok. Just be CAREFUL!

Woman: You can go to that wrestler at the local clinic if you want.

Man: No, it's ok. Please just be careful.

Woman: As you wish. By the way, do you know that there are 52 of these staples?

Man: Well, I knew there was a lot, but I didn't know exactly how many.

Woman: Yup. 52. I asked Dr Feller to put in one for each week of the year where you lose an argument.

Man: Oh ha bloody ha.

Woman positions implement carefully. It may be the lighting, but a faint smirk appears to form across her face. She places the implement beneath the first staple. Then pulls. Hard.

Man: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! BLOODY ARSEBURGERS!!!!!

Woman: WHAT NOW!?

Man: You don't just YANK them out! You have to squeeze it together and it just comes away. Like in the video!!

Woman: Oh, you mean like this?

She squeezes gently. The staple falls away like melting butter. She does four in this way. She grins to herself, and does three more.

Man: Have you started yet?

Woman: Yeah, I've managed to get one out.

Man: One. Excellent. I didn't feel a thing.

Woman: Actually, I've done seven.

Man: Will you stop enjoying this so much!! You can't have done seven!

Woman: Oh, calm your jets Scarface. I've done seven.

Man: Really?

Woman: Really.

Man: Oh. Erm, well done you. Thanks love.

The process continues without further mishap. After a few minutes, the man sits up in the chair at the kitchen table. He examines the table in front of him: 52 staples. He feels gingerly around to the back of his head and then examines his hands: only a tiny amount of blood. He looks around to see his wife, smiling at him, holding the staple remover.

Woman: Piece of cake, eh?

Man: Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your support in all this. Sorry for getting agitated. You've been great, really.

Woman: Just remember that when I next want something expensive.

Man: Of course. Look, I'm sorry for all the shouting. It's just that ??¦

There is then a piercing, spine-chilling scream. Their blood runs cold. They turn around and see a small child staring at them. The small child, for her part, has surveyed the picture before her. Her father, semi-dressed, is bent over the table with a red line across the back of his head. There are droplets of blood. Her mother, in knee-high boots and a grin on her face, is standing by him with what looks like a dagger at head height. She appears to have been stapling him in the head.

Girl: NOOOOO, DADDYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Father: Oh sweetheart, let me explain ??¦.

Ends.

Thanks for the positive comments guys. The staples are now out! I will post my experience of that shortly ...

Blog now added:

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...-page.asp?WebID=1147

I tried meds, then buzzing, then strip surgery, in that order. I am still on the meds. There are lots of threads here that examine the advantages and disadvantages of FUE v strip.

Of course I too would have preferred FUE in a perfect world. But a yield of healthy hair was more important to me than a scar - and with the latter you can still (in time) generally buzz down to a #3 without the scar being noticed (some manage to go down to a #2 from what I can see). I would never have shaved my head completely. I say this because sometimes we speak of "buzz cutting" but mean different things by it - if you had a #1 in mind, the scar would I think be visible (bearing in mind you lighter hair colouring in the buzz pic).

A viable option, not to be overlooked, is none of the above. I only make that point because (granted your face was obscured) it looked like you had a head shape that went very well with the buzz cut. From what I could tell, it suited you better than the brush forward. But you are the best judge of that!

Best wishes.

Hello all

I went into my local health foods shop today to buy some Vitamin E oil as recommended by various posters on this site. When I told the assistant it was to assist with post-surgical scar recovery (which, naturally enough, she said it was excellent at), she also recommended a pill called "Serrapeptase". She said it was used in a variety of contexts but was known to break down scar tissue. It is a proteolytic enzyme, but don't let that fool you into thinking I have the slightest idea what I am talking about.

The following wiki article on it has been recommended for a check on its neutrality as it sounds like a commercial plug:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serrapeptase

This website says that it is not FDA approved:

http://www.serrapeptase.org

Lastly this one mentions scar recovery:

http://www.regenerativenutriti...om/content.asp?id=55

Anyone else heard of serrapeptase or have any views on its efficacy? At ??17 for a bottle of 90 tablets, I'd like to know if it's got a decent reputation.

Many thanks.

Need I say more? Probably not.

But I will anyway. Just amazing.

Best wishes for next week. You have selected a fine surgeon.

Actually, one of the biggest drawbacks for me at the moment is missing my regular circuits classes ... I can feel the flab coming. I'm looking forward to getting back to the burpees, planks and squats! Six weeks seems a long time.

Chicago - what a great city. Stayed with some friends in Avondale a few years back and went to some blues clubs. Obviously.

Keep growing!

Only one question. When do you pig out on beer and chocolate?

Thanks Spex.

As you see, we went for a more mature hairline (rather than simply lowering it to where it once was), with a slight curve down at the ends, and reinforced the front third. I have some vestigial wisps of hair from my youthful hairline; you can see them best in the 'before' photos, and they were shaved off as part of the HT procedure. When they grow back, I'm hoping that they will reinforce the 'natural hairline' look.

When I saw the close-up five-day photos, I really liked the angles at which the grafts had been placed. I can see now how such refined work can make the difference.

The area towards the crown is thinning slightly but will hopefully be propecia-protected for the medium term. I am realistic that a further procedure may be needed at some point to reinforce the crown, but hopefully not for some years.

I loved what Dr Feller said about my donor area - he said it was "like a child's"! - and that it could supply at least two good strips in the future if that is what I want. It's nice to know that long-term options exists.

I caught sight of my stapled strip this morning in the mirror. It made me think of Lord Voldemort grinning from the back of Professor Quirrell's head ...

Looks absolutely terrific mate. As someone who is five months behind you, it is exciting for me to see what the future may hold if all goes well.

Has all the tightness in your scalp gone too now?

I'm interested in knowing whether, among all the (justified) compliments you've received, anyone has just straight up asked if you've had a hair transplant?

Already looking forward to the six month update!