Marko Ramius

I think the issue is less with "strain" to the donor area, or any area, and more with how resistance training can increase your blood pressure.

If you're lifting heavy, like doing squats or something, you could valsalva your way to some very high BPs, which could lead to a hematoma.

So I am a first-year medical student, and we just got done with our head/neck section of anatomy (got an A on the lab practical, and one of the highest grades in my class, I'm proud to say). One thing we learned was that, with all the valveless veins, such as emissary veins, etc. in the scalp, draining right into the dural venous sinuses, infections could easily spread, leading to meningitis, etc.

How much of an issue is this with this kind of surgery? Obviously, these procedures are done all the time without any kind of complications. Is this even a concern, or is it just theoretical? Or is it more common in pts with a scalp lac who don't clean it or something?

Just curious. As a former HT pt myself, it was the first thing that came to mind when we did that lecture.

By the way, I'm more than three months post-HT, and everything is progressing nicely. Unfortunately, no pictures, but I'm already seeing a lot of growth from my ~1500-ish grafts, and have been for more than a month now.

So I am a first-year medical student, and we just got done with our head/neck section of anatomy (got an A on the lab practical, and one of the highest grades in my class, I'm proud to say). One thing we learned was that, with all the valveless veins, such as emissary veins, etc. in the scalp, draining right into the dural venous sinuses, infections could easily spread, leading to meningitis, etc.

How much of an issue is this with this kind of surgery? Obviously, these procedures are done all the time without any kind of complications. Is this even a concern, or is it just theoretical? Or is it more common in pts with a scalp lac who don't clean it or something?

Just curious. As a former HT pt myself, it was the first thing that came to mind when we did that lecture.

By the way, I'm more than three months post-HT, and everything is progressing nicely. Unfortunately, no pictures, but I'm already seeing a lot of growth from my ~1500-ish grafts, and have been for more than a month now.

A little less than 11 weeks ago, I had 1500 done in the hairline by Dr. McGrath in Austin. I am pleased to say that things are coming along nicely.

Obviously, at this point, I can't really give a comprehensive evaluation of the job, but I can say that I like where things are headed. The peach fuzz started at probably five weeks post-op, and now I'm seeing little black hairs coming up all over the place. I already look a little better, and I think it is going to be a lot better when its all said and done. It is especially coming in nicely up by my genetically-altered hairline, gradually moving things forward.

Based on pictures I posted here right after my procedure, most people said that I would probably need another 1000 or so. I talked with Dr. McGrath, and his advice was to wait and see what this looks like, before packing more in there, but that he would be happy to stick more in there if I thought I needed it.

Anyway, I'm a first-year medical student now (age 30... career change), and I will likely be going back home this summer. When I do, I'll have him take a look at me and see what he thinks.

Until then... so far, so good.

A little less than 11 weeks ago, I had 1500 done in the hairline by Dr. McGrath in Austin. I am pleased to say that things are coming along nicely.

Obviously, at this point, I can't really give a comprehensive evaluation of the job, but I can say that I like where things are headed. The peach fuzz started at probably five weeks post-op, and now I'm seeing little black hairs coming up all over the place. I already look a little better, and I think it is going to be a lot better when its all said and done. It is especially coming in nicely up by my genetically-altered hairline, gradually moving things forward.

Based on pictures I posted here right after my procedure, most people said that I would probably need another 1000 or so. I talked with Dr. McGrath, and his advice was to wait and see what this looks like, before packing more in there, but that he would be happy to stick more in there if I thought I needed it.

Anyway, I'm a first-year medical student now (age 30... career change), and I will likely be going back home this summer. When I do, I'll have him take a look at me and see what he thinks.

Until then... so far, so good.

Wait, I forgot about Rick Fox...

I think that someone who is completely bald should get a 70's-style bush transplanted to the top of their head.

Hell, if I ever go completely bald, I'll do it.

The only team you need...

Zyprexa can be used to sedate particularly antsy pts. The ativan/haldol combo is also quite the 1-2 punch.

There is more to vitamin Z than just that. Google has failed you.

In four years, you may call me Dr. Marko.

Ask your doc for 10 of zyprexa, about 30 minutes before the procedure starts.

Or you could just ask to be intubated for the procedure.

Not much you can see, but I can feel it. So at least I know it worked. At least I think it worked.

I also have probably 100 or so hairs that have decided to stick around from the transplant. Most of them don't seem to be doing much, and they have broken off, but may be growing out again. A few of them have really started growing, and they look ridiculous.

So now I just need to hurry up and wait...

Not much you can see, but I can feel it. So at least I know it worked. At least I think it worked.

I also have probably 100 or so hairs that have decided to stick around from the transplant. Most of them don't seem to be doing much, and they have broken off, but may be growing out again. A few of them have really started growing, and they look ridiculous.

So now I just need to hurry up and wait...

Next time you feel a little worried about five minutes of pain from a little lido getting injected into your head, and then a few days of soreness, think about this guy, then suck it up...

They didn't mention it as the most prevalent, because this was about "other" causes of hair loss.

Right before the list, it says "Androgenetic alopecia is a common cause of hair loss, but there are many others to consider, too."

Androgenic alopecia = genetic

So I don't know much pharmacology right now (school starts in about two weeks, and they'll hit me with it then), but how the hell is lidocaine toxicity a problem? The liver chews that stuff up so fast its ridiculous. Maybe I could see it as an issue in a cirrhotic or someone with hepatitis or something, but it seems like it would take a shit ton of lido to really cause any problems.

What about the epinephrine used in the lido for vasoconstriction? I'd think that would be more of an issue, maybe in pts with cardiac history.

I am not a doctor, but give me about four years...

I have also recently taken a shit ton of undergrad bio courses, biochemistry, and all that crap, so I think I can give you at least as good of an answer as doctors, who probably haven't thought about this crap in years.

DHT is a steroid hormone, meaning that its typical mechanism of action is:

1. Cross cell membrane

2. Bind receptor

3. Receptor/hormone complex binds DNA in the cell, causing "something" to happen.

It can act as a transcription factor, causing certain gene products to be made, or it can do the opposite, inhibiting transcription.

What is most likely, in this case, is the latter. Or the former, in which the gene products being made are then turning around and down-regulating something else, or initiating a cascade of events which ultimately down-regulate whatever process is required for hair growth.

Molecular biology is the biggest pain-in-the-ass, horseshit subject ever. More power to you if you enjoy it.

But anyway, hormone/receptor associations are typically very fast and short-lived. The molecules themselves break down, and each molecule of DHT can only do so much before it does. The idea here is to limit the amount of damage it can do to these cells, by limiting the amount of DHT, in order to sustain the follicle.

Less DHT = less hormone-receptor associations = less expression of those associations.

Does that make sense? Of course not. Its molecular biology. But that's pretty much what's going on. Or at least the general idea.

Nah. Not worth my time. I'm okay with imperfect splits.

You know what gets repetitive? Constantly rounding on crackhead trauma patients who don't care that you saved their life, and are constantly thinking of ways to sue you, in order to finance their crack habit.

On the other hand, trauma surgeons get to do emergency thoracotomies. There are few things in this world that are cooler than that.

Tell people you have scabies.

How do you still have crusts at 4 weeks? When they fall off, are you putting them back on with dermabond? I think all mine were gone after about a week.

I'm sitting here at about four weeks myself now. A few of the hairs appear to be thinking about sticking around, but not many. Most of them have fallen out, and now I'm just waiting for those little bastards to start growing again. I am assuming it will be at least a few weeks before anything happens, and probably a few months before there is anything I can see. I'm not too worried about it.

This pill splitter is a pain in the ass. These pills are the same size as regular propecia. The fragments are tiny.

I bet if someone went in for a heart transplant, and accidentally got a hair transplant, he would probably wish he hadn't gotten a hair transplant.

Originally posted by wantego:

I know genetics plays a role but I wonder why it effects some in the family and not others.

It's called meiosis, which is the "shit happens" of molecular biology and genetics. And there are tons of things that can contribute to how much affinity you might have for hair loss (or whatever). It is rarely just one gene or base-pair.

I've heard that sometimes, this can happen, if you get a bad HT doc...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owZPspxJ4jw