Manko

I remember when I played baseball in my 20's and the one guy on our team always took his hat off when he got back to the dugout because he said you'd go bald wearing it. That was the funniest. I'd say to this day, 80% of the guys on our team still have their hair. It's an old wives tale. Manko

PRGuy, I understand your comments. While I feel uncomfortable saying it, I kind of think it doesn't regrow a whole lot in most patients (that's where I feel uncomfortable where I said "most"). I do know that I went off of it for about 3 months, when I decided to save money, and one day I was looking in a different mirror under different lighting than my normal mirror, and I really thought I thinned a lot. Needless to say, I had my prescription refilled that day, and since then my hair is definitely fuller. I may be lucky with my response, but there are some great photos of what propecia has done. One of Bernsteins mailings actually shows one guy who's results are absolutely incredible, and Bernstein's point is don't believe every HT picture you see because many HT patients are also put on Propecia at the same time. I think Vocor has actually been having good success in the crown with his propecia as well. I like propecia, and after my brief 3 month respite, I know that I can not risk being off the stuff. And for the most part, I think we can all trust the pharmaceutical companies. Remember, there are wicked lawsuits available if they 'f' us up. I don't trust those Avacor bastards though, and I think Arfy made a point one time that more people have tried that than propecia. Sickening. Good luck buddy. Manko

PRGuy, I don't mean to break your chops, but your line about the medication being preventive as opposed to being able to grow was just too funny, when you said that is the truth "despite what Merck says". That is a great line. I'm going to send you over some of my other medications and you can tell me what the truth about them is as well. I feel like an idiot believing those pesky pharmaceutical companies - that group of know-nothings. I needed to laugh first thing in the morning, maybe the fact that it's Friday helped. Good luck. Manko

tbill, I have a slightly different impression of Rogaine than Micropose. I actually like the stuff, and have noticed that it makes my hair look fuller. It may just be the way my hair reacts to it, because I've read of others who get a greasy feeling, I just haven't experienced that. I like it, and think that both Propecia/Proscar and Rogaine are a real good regiment. I'm starting to learn though that I might be in the minority. I'm thinking your recession is probably nothing to worry about. I remember when I was your age, I thought I was picking up on recession/thinning and I went to a toupee place, and the guy laughed. He told me he suspected that I was overreacting based on the phone call, and he told me the only thing he would do for me is cut my hair. In hindsight, I probably got lucky that I didn't go to a Hair Club for Men type of place. I would see a dermatologist and see what they think about going on proscar/propecia. Good luck. Manko

I think I've heard enough about Brandy to know that he should be avoided like the plague. I thought JohnC's post was a joke when I read it. I hope it was, or I certainly hope JohnC doesn't go there. Manko

DaveOH, I've never heard of caffeine having any affect on hair loss. That's not all that helpful, but I usually listen for anything that mentions impacts on hairloss, and I haven't heard of the caffeine issue. If I had, I'm sure that would be something else I'd be paranoid about. Manko

Danger, I think someone asked a question about McConaughey in this weeks Parade magazine in the Sunday paper. The magazine said that he claims Regenix did the job, but apparently it was disputed by a plastic surgeon who basically said "no way". The plastic surgeon said that McConaughey must've had an HT. I'll have to go back to see where I read that. Manko

TimofCharlotte, I'm now 17 days out, and I still have most of my 1500 as well. There are some areas where they've left, and I'm thinking they're all going to go at some point. To be honest, I wish they would all go so that the real growing can happen. I think the norm is for them to go and come back in many months at which time they should be stronger. I'm looking forward to the regrowth and probably the 8 month mark should be great and getting better. Good luck. Manko

Jim2003, I'm 9 days out now, have been using the graftcyte spray and shampoo, and I've got about 5% of the scabs left. I've been shampooing regularly since day 5. Sonofaplug is right, you'd need surgery to remove the grafts at this point. Wash away. Manko

JRod, The only thing I would add to Arfy's post is that a transplant does potentially bring about shock loss. You may wind up losing more than you gain. Good luck. Manko

My1stHT, You're luck you live that close to the ocean. I've been using graftcyte since my procedure on June 20th, and I would say that today being the 6th day, I have lost 80% of the scabs. I think the stuff works great. The FU's are growing like crazy, although I think that will stop soon as they should fall out in the next 2-3 weeks. I think the next few weeks will be interesting as the FU's fall out, and the redness disappears, I just wish the original hair would grow much faster, although I can't complain because it has been growing a lot the last week. I think graftcyte is great, but if the ocean was closer than an hour away and about 20 degrees warmer I would certainly drag my pasty white ass down there and get some natural healing. Good luck on your journey. Manko

Jenn, Don't ever beat yourself up for caring, it's such a tremendous trait. Even after knowing it was a hoax, I read the thread and your kind and caring words were nice to read. You really do have a big heart. Manko

Smoothy, It sounds like you had good luck with that many scars. I think, based on all that I've read, that you're results are unusual. A lot of guys who have more than one scar are usually not very happy. That's good for you. I wish you luck with Shapiro, he certainly seems to be one of the best. Keep us informed. Manko

Smoothy, I know you're asking this question to Dr. Shapiro, but I'm just curious, do you have 5 separate scars, or just one scar that's been extracted 4 times. Thanks. Manko

Careful Vocor, you're probably going to get served in the next few days. I'm not saying anything, I can't afford a lawsuit. Manko

Mahair, If it makes you more comfortable, go see one of the recommended HT docs. I'm not sure where you're located, but it may give you some peace of mind instead of guessing at all the bad things that might happen. It is just as possible that everything is going to be alright and you are just having a rough first few weeks. I imagine that also makes it easier to be thinking the worst. If I were you I would go to a recommended HT doc from the list and get an opinion. It can't hurt, and it might help. Where are you located anyway? Good luck. Manko

bverotti, Good for you, I hope you have outstanding results. I'm glad to see the FUE technique is advancing/has advanced to the stage where a 3000 session can take place. Good luck. Manko

Micropose, That is the only way I could agree with your comment, and I considered it when I was reading what you wrote. Statistically, you're probably right, assuming that most people won't go to a top doc, and instead will go to an MHR or Bosley. My instant fear was I thought the message you were sending was that regardless of which doc you picked, you would likely wind up looking worse. Now I understand that you meant that most people still go to a mill, and in that case I definitely agree with your point. I do think 17 year old Jon is already way ahead of the game by having found this site. Unfortunately, probably the only people that would give Jon an HT at this age would be one of the mills and it would likely produce a disappointing result. Good luck Jon, listen to this site, and be real skeptical of a doc who says you would be a good candidate. Manko

Pat, I see Bernstein is not recommended anymore under NY or NJ docs. Does that have anything to do with the recent NHI criticism on the board, or his partnering with Badamo, or has he simply asked out? Just curious. Manko

Pat, I see Bernstein is not recommended anymore under NY or NJ docs. Does that have anything to do with the recent NHI criticism on the board, or his partnering with Badamo, or has he simply asked out? Just curious. Manko

Micropose, The only thing I don't agree with in your comment is mentioning that there is "a good chance you will look worse than before". That actually scares the hell out of me, and it makes someone wonder why anyone would get an HT. Otherwise, I completely agree 17 is too young for HT, but should respond well to propecia/rogaine. Manko

bverotti, I'm assuming you mean 2000 - 3000 FU's, and not FUE, or has Dr. Jones been able to do that large of an FUE session. If so, that's incredible and a huge leap forward because my impression was that it was so time consuming that it was hard to have a session greater than 500 at a time. Good luck. Manko

Jim2003, Sorry. I am the moron, the answer to my question is right in your subject. Good luck with Jones, obviously I've heard nothing but good things about his work. Keep us posted. Manko

Jim2003, Where are you going? Manko

I've been to a few NHI seminars in NJ, and Dr. B has always had 2 patients going at the same time. The first seminar I went to was about 3 years ago and the last one was last year. UncJim, HT day is this Friday for me, and I am the 10:30 guy, I'm sure there is a 6:45 guy at the same time. I'm going to have to send you a few e-mails over the weekend with my last minute questions. Thanks for all your help. Manko