PCC

Jackisback, I second Wesley's advice. Keep whatever hair you have short and neat and avoid the combover route as much as possible. Keep in mind though that if you do have a proceedure you may have to grow it a little longer in the receipient areas, depending on how many graphs are transplated, for an appearance of greater density. Phil

Jackisback, As I could have have a PhD in combover techniques over the last 20+ years (and that's not something I'm proud of) I feel eminently qualified to comment here. I don't think your method is going to be sucessful as far as keeping the hair from blowing or very pleasing aesthetically. But you know what works for you and you're comfortable with. I use a very light spritzing of hairspray in front just for a little hold. This is where the majority of my "work" is and has to be trimmed by the barber every 2 weeks. I don't ever want my hair to be plastered down or stiff. The hairspray is almost useless though in even the slightest breeze unless I wear a hat/cap. However there are many instances where this is not appropriate. I am very self conscious of this. For this reason I am seeking more density through the front and mid scalp via another proceedure. I really don't think that the hairspray is going to hurt if applied directly to the hairline or roots. But you should avoid getting it on your skin as much as possible. I have very sensitive skin, especially to anything with alcohol in it. I think if your hair is thinning or fine it will appear more full if you comb/brush it up and back. This may expose your receding hairline but with males beyond a certain age this is normal. This may hold you over until you decide or not decide to do something more definitive about your hairloss. Phil

Rootstrong, I'm happy for you that you have had a positive experience thusfar with Bosley's Boston office and Dr. Phillips. On thier website, his profile states that he has been with the organization and at that location for over 10 years. So it sounds like he is very experienced and a better choice than some of their novice surgeons. I did another post recently about hair restoration practices "clustering" in particular geographic areas. I was born in the Boston area, still have family there, and had considered exploring services there. One would think that it would be a magnet for this specialty but this is not the case. The city itself is one of our most prominent and historic, the hub of a large and diverse metro region, and home to some of the most renowned healthcare facilties and prestigious medical schools. Yet with the exception of the two conglomerates and a couple of independent practitioners (whom I don't think are recommended on the network) it is underserved. Phil

After hanging around the forum for around a year now, offering support and receiving so much more, I am finally taking the plunge. Today, I called Dr. Rose's office and scheduled a consult for May 30th. I will be making the short two hour drive from my home near Orlando to Tampa. The young lady who answered the phone offered to get me in this week which I had to decline due to schedule constraints. I explained that I am a HT veteran seeking correction/refinement of my earlier work. As I feel like I have a good understanding of the issues (thanks mainly to all of you), I requested to see the Dr. himself rather than going through a consultant first. I also verified that Dr Rose would indeed be present that day as I'm sure he travels extensively She assured me that I would be meeting with none other than Dr.Rose. I'ts been over 10 years since I last addressed my "burden" so I think the time has come. I need to do this for myself as I spend my whole professional life caring for others. I also plan on speaking with the Dr. about starting me on a trial of Propecia. I'm excited but also a little nervous. Wish me luck! Phil

Scooping Around, As I have said to another poster who adopted you approach, I both admire you and good naturedly envy you. I wish this option would have been more accepted when I began my hairloss journey back in the early 80's. Back then the "male ideal" was the puffy, feathered hairstyles popularized by the disco movement or the long, flowing locks of the legendary rock stars of that era. What is amazing and inspiring to me is that something that really was not commonplace until maybe 10 years ago is now cool, sexy, tough, macho, and charismatic.Instead of feeling self conscious these men are confident, secure, and comfortable in all settings. I guess we can thank an enlightened group of pro atheletes and celebrities for that. I also think age and the maturity that comes with the passage of time have a lot to do with it. I realize that the girls from my high school and college years who would not have given a balding guy the right time, today couldn't care less if their husbands are that way or shaved their heads completely. Phil

Pat, I feel you and Dr. Williams have addressed the previous and ongoing areas of concern admirably and openly. From his actions and results I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him as a provider or become his client if I were in that part of the country. Regarding your comment on independent and chain affiliated practitioners "competing" within a particular geographic market, I have thought about this many times. For example, Boca Raton, FL in and of itself is not a large city although it is a very affluent one. In addition to the practices of Drs. Charles and Bauman there, there is also a Bosley surgical office. Likewise the MHR facility in Minneapolis goes "head to head" with Dr. Shapiro (a daunting task). Obviously any and all of these providers draw patients from throughout their region, other states, and the world. I also understand that for specialties such as this practitioners and offices are likely to be in our major metro areas rather than more distant/less prominent locations. Phil

Hoping, Glad to hear that you were able to return to work the next day. I should have prefaced my comments by reiterrating that I am a veteran of some of the earlier techniques with my most recent proceedure 10 years ago. For that reason my "time frames" may have been a little conservative. Of course the current practices are far superior with less trauma, lower visibility, and faster healing. I'm also happy to hear that you've had great results so far. I have an extremely demanding job in the human services field and although I have a flexible work arrangment, I doubt I would be able to miss two whole weeks when/if I have another proceedure. Phil

Well, I can attest from my experiences that you certainly will not have to hide under a hat or be a hermit for 9 whole months. Yes the early recovery period can be tough, both physically and emotionally. I think the claims from the large conglomerate providers that you "can go back to work the next day" are ludicrous. Sure you can if you don't mind your head being like a road under construction and you looking and feeling like you just went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson! Needless to say it would be a great time to take a two week vacation if possible. However it goes by quickly. You should be able to resume work and light physical activity by two weeks. By three weeks the scabs should have fallen off, the recipient sites healed and you will look "normal" again. Any residual pain and/or numbness should be gone at this point. At one month to 6 weeks the hair should fill back in over the donor area. For me the hair started growing between 2 and 3 months. Of course the hair comes in so gradually it is like watching grass grow or paint dry. So there will not be any drastic overnight change in one's appearance. I am fortunate that my work offers a certain degree of independence and it would not be frowned upon or forbidden for me to appear in a cap or bandana for a limited period.I realize though that others in certain fields do not have this option. Phil

Hi All, I understand that every Spring there is a live surgery workshop in Orlando, FL. It seems to be cosponsored by MHR and the ISHRS with Dr. Leavitt serving as host. What a big coincidence as this is where the corporate headquarters of MHR is! The list of attendees and faculty reads like a whos who of the industry, both independent and chain affiliated. Many of the practitioners are recommended on this network and a few that aren't are frequently discussed on it. Pat did you go this year and if so, did anything noteworthy transpire? Is this a worthwhile venue or a form of PR? Phil

Hi All, I understand that every Spring there is a live surgery workshop in Orlando, FL. It seems to be cosponsored by MHR and the ISHRS with Dr. Leavitt serving as host. What a big coincidence as this is where the corporate headquarters of MHR is! The list of attendees and faculty reads like a whos who of the industry, both independent and chain affiliated. Many of the practitioners are recommended on this network and a few that aren't are frequently discussed on it. Pat did you go this year and if so, did anything noteworthy transpire? Is this a worthwhile venue or a form of PR? Phil

Tacobellydancer, P.S.- Your former dependence on hats/caps and avoidance of certain social and recreational activities is also very familiar to me. For me I actually called in sick to school a few times on "bad hair days" and it was the reason I skipped prom my senior year (for some reason had a hard time getting a date-LOL). Thankfullly for you, those days should be over. Phil

Tacobellydancer, More power to you!!! I think you have addressed your issue in a way that made sense for you and made a good decision. As I have said before I think it's wonderful that this approach has become so accepted and fashionable today. I can relate to your feelings about losing your hair because for me as a young man during the 80's it was emotionally devastating. With the most well known exceptions of Telly Savales and Yul Brynner, the "chromed" look was not prominent then. I would give my right arm to be able to do it today but obviously with the effects of my proceedures, could not. I too have been watching "Deal or No Deal" and yes, Howie certainly looks much different than earlier in his career, like when he was on "St. Elsewhere". He always had thick, curly dark hair. I read that he shaved it for a role and his wife liked it so he has kept it that way. Also think of how cool, macho, and charismatic the actor Michael Chilkis is now on "The Shield" versus when he was previously "The Commish". I have a father in law who is still very dapper and dignified approaching 70 who I would love to see do this. Don't worry too much about how they will react at work because I know you look great! Phil

I have never used a hair system but that doesn't mean I haven't thought about it many times over the years. I think they have improved in recent years just like hair transplantation. There must be enough guys who are satisfied with them, willing to commit to the maintenence, and can afford the regular replacement. If not, how come there are so many HCM and Apollo outlets? I don't dispute that hair systems can provide fuller coverage (especially in cases of extensive baldness)and lend themselves to a variety of styles and looks. These factors are generally limitations with surgical hair restoration. In may case I will probably have to accept my bald spot at the crown. My feeling though is that as we men grow older who cares!!! I think most of us would rather have our own hair rather than literally be glued to a system for the rest of our lives. I want to look appropriate for my age and am perfectly OK with a thinner density. Phil C.

Spiderman, Your experience parrallels mine exactly. I too started losing my hair in high school. I remember all too well the snide comments/questions and odd looks. It hurt my feelings and made me even more self conscious. Needless to say trying to start dating was really fun. Then the elaborate combover routine with a brush and hairspray. I second the advice that B-spot gave you. What is refreshing today is that it is much more socially acceptable to graciously live with one's balding or even shave your head. Phil

Brav989, I also began losing my hair in my teens and almost certainly would have been at the level you were by my early to mid 20's if not for my proceedures. Judging by the information on the "dry erase board" you are holding in one of your pre-op photos, I assume you went to MHR. Care to share your perspective on your experience with the organization and the particular office and surgeon? I think your results from your first proceedure look very good. Phil

The success of a state of the art follicular HT is heavily promoted as being dependent upon the artistry of the surgeon. No where is this more crucial than the placement and angulation of graphs in the hairline zone. Yet this role is routinely being performed by non physicians. Somehow this seems contradictory. However, this concern should not detract from the vital role that the skilled, dedicated, and experienced techicians play in the process and their contribution to the overall quality of care. It would also seem like the placement of graphs could be considered an invasive proceedure. This may be allowable in that they are acting as an agent of the physician, much like an EMT or paramedic in the field does. Yet I do not believe there is any formal licensure or certification for HT technician. Phil

Maybe we should just change the name of this post to Celebrity HTs of which there have been earlier/previous discussions. Phil

In Matthew McConaughey's latest movie (Failure to Launch?) Terry Bradshaw plays his father. Boy that's a big difference in hair! Phil

Hey All, I'll add another "red flag". In the promotional literature or videos depicting couples, The "wife/girlfriend" will always be extremely attractive and the male "client" will be shown with an unrealistically full head of hair showcased during some strenuous sport like waterskiing or soccer. Phil

Hi Pat, Very thought provoking and articulate discussion on Bosley, as always. I actually was weighing very heavily going to them back in the mid 90's. One of my previous Drs had wholeheartedly endorsed them as the best in the business. He claimed to know them well as an old friend from med school had apparently worked for them. He sincerely felt they had the knowledge, skill, and experience to get me where I needed to be and I trusted his advice. Back then their location in Boca Raton, FL did not exist and the closest to me would have been Atlanta. This basically served as a regional headquarters for the whole Southeast. I can't remember who the staff surgeon was. I saw Dr. Bosley's famous infomercials and ordered the video and brochure. I had some initial suspicions as the proceedure was described in a manner that made it seem easy and almost fun. Also, male patients depicted looked as if they were going in for a massage and the female nurses and techs were all gorgeous and voluptuous. Nevertheless, the information said all the right things. Due to the geographical issue I kept putting off going to them. I eventually saw the ground breaking expose on NBC's "Dateline" and years later discovered this site. Although I certainly regret some of my decisions in my hair restoration journey, I am relieved I never became a Bosley statistic. By the way, doesn't Dr. Bosley look a lot like the actor Robert Conrad (of "Baa Baa Blacksheep" and "Wild, Wild West")as they have both gotten older. Phil

Pushing 40, From someone who was losing his hair back in '83 be very glad you didn't have to go through it then. Not much fun, especially for a teenager and young adult. When all the other guys were parting their gorgeous hair down the middle and feathering it back (we all know that was the style!) I was living in ballcaps and perfecting an elaborate combover. It was the main reason I skipped my senior prom. So I can definately relate to the feelings you are experiecning now. Today I truly envy the guys who can shave their heads and look great doing it. Of course I will never be able to experience that because of my proceedures. By the way, I turn 42 next month. Phil

Hi Jodie, I know what you are feeling and experiencing because that is exactly what I went through when I was around the stage in life you are at now. Nevertheless, any medical/surgical options, if any, really should wait until after you become an adult. Of course you already know that! Your appearance and your perceptions of it and life in general will change over the next 5 to 10 years. What bothers you now probably won't then (or will matter a lot less!) This really should be one of the best times of your life so make the most of it! There is so much to look forward too but it all goes by too fast. It's like that song "15 and you think you've got 100 years to live". Needless to say some of the things you said in you last post concern me and I'm sure I speak for everyone here. Please be open and honest with a caring adult who is close to you, if not your parents maybe a teacher, counselor, or clergy. You are very intelligent and I think you know what is meant by "permanent solution to a temporary problem". PCC

Hello DJ, When you said that your hairloss at such a young age "sucks" and has "basically taken over your life" that is exactly how I felt when I was in your shoes way back in the early 80's. I would add a stronger verb though in that it ruined what should have been some of my best years. Your pattern from your photo is similiar to what I first experienced so I can relate and empathize with you. I too could not wait until I could get my first HT proceedure, something I have mixed feelings about all these years later. Thus, I endorse the advise of the others here regarding medications, special shampoos, etc. That is the best possible course of action you could take at this point. The surgical hair restoration industry will be still here if and when you are ready later on. Phil

JonJon, I started drastically receeding/thinning in my mid teens so it is not uncommon. To make matters worse this was the "big hair and looks" era of the 80's. I had the first of my proceedures at the tender age of 19 and would have certainly lost everything back to midscalp by the end of that glorious decade (although I have mixed feelings about my outcome). I'd want to echo the great advice you have been given thusfar by Ken and Robert about staying on the meds to prevent further loss and maybe even reverse some. I wish that option had been available to me "back in the day". The surgical hair restoration industry is not going anywhere and will be here if and when you decide to take that route! Phil

Hi All, I came across literature from several years back (mid 90's?) on this practitioner, DBA "The Florida Hair Transplant Center" with offices in Orlando and Clearwater. I never went to him and with all I've learned here am relieved that I didn't. Advocated scalp reductions as a "safe and effective proceedure"(AARGGG!) I don't think he's around anymore but was curious if anyone had any experience or knowledge of him, especially other "HT vets" in the sunshine state. Even if he is still practicing he obviously is not counted among the top independent docs which says a lot. Phil