PCC

Scooby, Since you used the feminine pronoun to describe your MHR surgeon and mentioned that you live in Colorado, all one has to do is go to their website and find out who she is (currently one of two in the whole organization). My first impression was that obviously she is young and from reading her profile it seems like she has only been out of school for a few years. It sounds like you have had a really good experience thus far though. Most of what is mentioned in these posts about the conglomerates is negative but your case exemplifies the importance of always evaluating the individual doctor's merits. PCC

Gillenator and Pat, Thanks for your kind, helpful, and prompt responses to my first post! Pat, I never resorted to a hair system but that doesn't mean the thought never crossed my mind a few times over the years. I'm extremely physically active and during our notorious humid,boiling Florida summers it's not uncommon for me to have to shower and wash my hair twice a day. I can certainly attest that the transplanted hair once grown in is pretty much indestructable. I also serve as a volunteer firefighter so obviously the hair "takes a licking but keeps on ticking". Gillenator, to answer your question about the "very fine strip grafts" they were just that. The doctor who did this was a local plastic surgeon with an impeccable reputation and credentials but who did not specialize in hair restoration (what did I know back then!). The objective was for the hairline to be unbroken. It healed and grew in fine but the problem remained that the previous plugs were still visible behind! This was remedied somewhat with the next proceedure 3 years later including "masking" with minis and micros. Gillenator, I'm disappointed that you feel my goal of reducing the old scaring to the donor area is not realistic. I'm especially concerned because of the improvements I see other "veterans" achieving with the new closure techniques. I'm not sure what you mean by replenishing the donor with "BH graphs" but if it is what I think I would not even consider it. I would just like to clean up the old scarring somehow. My last Dr.berated me about the old scarring and for this reason I did not go back to him. The hair still gets fairly thick and bushy back there and as previously stated is thinned out by the barber at least every two weeks. Obviously though I could not go with a buzz cut. I learned from this site that there is no substitute for a face to face consult and that geographic convenience should not be a deciding factor. We are fortunate though that 3 or 4 of the top docs reside in our fine state, home of the Bucaneers, Jaguars, Dolphins, Magic, etc. PCC

After visiting this site for two years, I am going to take the plunge and post for the first time. All of your input has been invaluable as I evaluate options for refinement of previous work. By sharing my experinces I am hoping we can help each other. I am 41 and married. I began losing my hair in my teens. This was devastating to me as a young man during the "big hair" and looks obsessed era of the 80's. It absolutely ruined what should have been some of the best years of my life as far as dating, going off to college, etc. (Who would have thought that 20 years later balding men would be comfortable enough to shave their heads completely and look great! I think it's wonderful and wish I could!) As living with it or turning to a hair system was unacceptable to me then, hair transplantation was an act of desperation. Thus my "resume" is as follows: 1983-1990 Three proceedures with Dr. Steven Mandy of Miami. 1992 One proceedure with Dr. Richard Boshardt of Lake County, Florida. Very fine "strip grafts" along frontal hairline to camoflage previous plugs. 1995 One proceedure with Dr. Reza Alidina of Orlando. Mini and micro grafts to frontal hairline area to further improve appearance. The end result of this has been both a blessing and a curse. It certainly gave me more than I would have had and I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones as far as the older techniques. Although time took it's toll with more hairloss, I don't feel like I have an isolated "island" of hair. The shape and height of my hairline is fine. I get a haircut at least every two weeks to keep it presentable. On the other hand, it is still something I'm very self conscious of. I have suffered my share of funny looks and snide comments/questions, although these have decreased since the last proceedure in '95. My goals for correction/refinement are in order of importance: 1. Remove earlier plugs inappropriately placed in crown. Break up into FUs and redistribute elsewhere. 2. Undectable hairline! 3. Added density to front half of balding area,so can cut and wear hair more normally instead of feeling like I have to have a "combover". 4. Revision of old scarring to donor area if possible. 5. Realize that HT's cannot restore a full, thick head of hair, so not concerned about crown at this stage of my life. I feel like my hair loss has stabilized and never have tried Minoxidil or Propecia because I didn't think it would help at this stage of the game. I feel like my goals are realistic given the improvements that many of you are achieving.I now live in Central Florida, only a short drive from the Orlando office and headquarters of one of the nationwide hair restoration conglomerates (need I say which?) While I don't want to judge their individual staff surgeons, things I've been seeing here are cause for concern. I've been in e-mail contact with both Dr. Rose and Dr. Charles after reading their many glowing recommendations. I don't have definate plans for a consult at this time due to financial constraints. I'm looking for a top notch, caring Dr. who will help me but who will be ethical and honest. I also understand that all I'm looking for may not be able to be accomplished in one proceedure. PCC