MORE_HAIR

Agent. Alot of people ask this question. From what I understand once you hit 10 days give or take post-op the graphs are safe. I'm sure your doc told you not to have the water hit your head directly for the first few days while showering. These first few days are crucial and any rough treatment should be avoided. If I remember I starting letting the water hit my head directly at about 6 days. It's also advised while showering to rub the recipient area gently when you shampoo. This will gently remove the scabs. Do not pick at the graphs. Also the hairs you may see coming off are hair shafts...not the hair follicles...don't worry. If your 10 days post-op...don't worry you can't loose the follicle...just be gentle. MH

Ricardo. This is the tough part. All these docs are pretty much top notch. I was in your shoes and at that point I just went with my gut and liked my Doc of choice. I used Dr.Epstein and even though i'm only three months out..all is looking good....great doc/staff. The donor scar is awesome and seems to be fading more and more as the days tick by. The scar is basically pencil thin...turning from red...to pink...now white. Also my hair is sprouting and kind've forming that "new" hairline(shadow) where I never had hair before....pretty cool to see as i'm sure all the other veterans on here will tell you. It's only the beginning...kind've hard not to be pumped. All i can tell you is take your time....don't rush. Taking another month or longer to decide is not going to mean squat in the long run. Look at as many pics as you can and also PM alot of guys...everyone is very helpful. Good luck, MH 2872 graphs 11/28/07 Dr.Epstein

Ngtogobald, I alternate between Revita,Nizoral and an aloe vera shampoo I found at a local health food store. I must say though I tend to lean towards using Revita. Sometimes I'll do a first wash with the cheaper Aloe Vera shampoo...then follow up with the Revita and leave it on for the couple of minutes they suggest. MH

Eman. I read that old post....good info. I had my HT in Nov...figure I'll be safe around summer. I think for this trip...I'm laying low/under a hat. Us NY guys always go down to Florida forget the strength of the sun...can't afford that this time. Thanks, MORE

LOL MH

Kriss I agree. If it's a long day...stay over. Most docs from what I understand (mine did)want to see you the next day. They check you over and give you a relaxing shampoo. If you have a 7 hour surgery day...trust me you'll want to go to a local hotel and relax. Unless you have a real long drive..i would drive. I would rather fly though if i had a 10 hour drive in front of me. It also depends on the locations of the airports. If both airports(home and away) are REAL close it changes things. MH

Thanks guys. I figure it's not worth taking any chances. With all the BS ya go through post-op....plus the desire for the best possible result..better to wear a hat and or hide from the sun. As usual...thanks for the help/advice guys. MH

Thanks for that info MrJobi I had mentioned i was flirting with the idea of trying Revita...and i did. I'm using it about a week and i agree...it's good stuff. Even though expensive...a little goes a long way. Great foaming...great feeling..great smelling shampoo. If it helps me hold onto a few more hairs...another bonus !! MH

Hi all. I'm heading down to Florida next week and curious how much exposure is safe. I'll be about 3 months post-op and don't want to screw anything up just trying to get a nice tan. Sunblock advice...spf strength...any personal experiences from you guys ?? Thanks, MH

Gizmo Welcome to the club. Try not to sweat it to much. I'm 11 weeks post op. I also had tightness in the donor area. Some days it felt tighter then others....this will pass. You may even feel some pain/stings above your donor scar....it's normal. MH

Thanks guys for the feedback. Things are a little better. At least it's not getting worse. As you mentioned NN...Time/rest will heal it. Had my fourth adjustment yesterday. MH

Hey Mav. I would meet as many of the doctors as you can in person. Everyone has a list of favorites. One guys favorite could be a doc you just don't feel comfortable with. If you follow the forum regularly sometimes you'll see a "run" on a perticular doctor. In other words for a week sometimes longer you'll see everyone raving about a certain doctor because of some pics that were posted. That doctor is probably great...is he the best ??..all the top coalition docs are doing great work. Just do tons of research on this forum and anywhere else you can get info. Also look back on past posts from the "regulars" on this site...these guys know there stuff. Again there is no "best" doctor...it's the doctor that's best for you that's important. Good luck, MH

NN, Great hairline...real natural. Just think what you'll look like six months from now. Enjoy !!! MH

Hey thanks Nelly. I have been told by a few people that time is what I need. Wow !! It hurts at times. Ya never think it's going to happen to you....guess I thought wrong. I had my HT in late Nov. and stopped training with weights for awhile. I started with the weights two days prior to the pinched nerve...kinda simple knowing what caused it. I just woke up and the pain was there...no warning...no muscle pull at the gym...strange. What do you mean when you say my doc should be doing a form of traction ??? After my adjustments today...while laying on my back she held my neck/head in her hands and gently pulled....the pain at this point disappeared. She could only do this for a short time...i had to go home..lol. Is that what you mean ?? Give ya a brief rundown : --C6 very rotated....spinous right. --C5/C6 postenor in relation to C4 --cerneal distraction gives relief...but cerneal compression didn't increase pain. Any thought Nelly...thanks. MH

Hey all. Has anyone suffered from a pinched nerve before. If so...any suggestions ?? I've had one for a week...and it sucks. Went to a chiropractor and shes made a few adjustments. She sent me for x-rays and all seemed pretty normal. She feels I'm a little compressed in my lower back and it's effecting my upper back. The pain starts around the middle of my trap muscle and radiates outwards down over my shoulder...down to my elbow. Also my arm is a bit numb down to my thumb. I've gone online and realize more people suffer from these pinched nerves...but man does it suck. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, MH

Dennis, Maybe it's me...but can't find the pics. Congrads on the surgery. MH

NN, Thanks for the info. I'm using a natural Aole Vera shampoo...maybe ill try shin min for the heck of it. MH

DBK20032002, Before you make any final conclusions check "wanthairs" past posts or PM him. He also was a bit concerned about growth around 6/7 months...then an explosion of growth occured at around 8 months. He is now fighting off girls and all that good stuff. By the way "wanthairs" also used Dr.Epstein...as I did. Hang in there, MH

Dennis, My graph count was 2872/5152 hairs. It is my understanding that my hair count was a bit low...but not terrible. MH

NervousNelly, What do you like about the Shen Min-Vitalize. Is there something in it you like or just like it as a basic shampoo ?? I'm thinking about trying the Revita but only use it as a repeat wash after i use the basic Aloe Vera shampoo i purchased at a local health food store. PS- i ran across the shen min shampoo online as cheap as $6 a bottle. Any thoughts ?? Thanks, MH

Congrads dennis. I am 10 weeks post op with Dr.Epstein. Great Doc/staff. I also had a great experience. Did the doc give you a hair count ?? MH

Hey dhuge67, Just wondering what your hairloss was before your surgery. Maybe you have some pics ?? As you know 1600 graphs is on the lite side these days when it comes to jobs/density...unless your loss is not that bad. Best of luck on HT #2 MH

Relaxo. The work you had done looks awesome...all of shapiro's work is top notch if you looked at past weblogs...you'll be fine. Take it real easy the next few weeks..you have the rest of your life to play ball and all that good stuff...but only one shot to heal correctly. I'm a little over two months post-op..the time flew by. Good luck...rest easy..follow the docs orders. Welcome to the club pal. More_hair

Should mention I don't work for a doctor 2872 graphs Dr.Epstein 11/28/07

Hey guys. I agree..If the guy used a bad doc and also received an outdated procedure...I feel sorry for him....really. Also agree with EmuSteve..his gotta chill out a bit. My feeling about his 7 points/complaints. 1)Flat out wrong...My doc told me graph cost. 2)How do you know what other peoples expectations are ? 3)Balding hair looks like crap in direct sunlight if you ask me. 4)Sites like these cost $ to operate. 5)flat out wrong 6)If I get results like others on this site...I will keep my hats...and burn them on the fourth of July. 7)Only his opinion...don't be concerned how others spend $ As I said if the guy got screwed that sucks and this site might be a huge help. But as EmuSteve said....chill out a little and learn. Don't help guys like me lose more sleep. The next 8-10 months is going to be a roller coaster ride as it is. MH