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Mrjb, you do not take propecia at all?

Mrjb, "most drugs" is an erroneous statement. There are only about 10 specific drugs that they screen for.

I went to give blood today and could not because I am on propecia......due to the risk to women and young children. This is scary stuff!

So, since I had no response, is it safe to assume that the t-closure does not result in a more elevated scar? It seems it would.

Is there technology available and utilized to measure someone's density? As opposed to a doctor simply eye-balling your scalp and giving a rough estimate/guess?

Is there technology available and utilized to measure someone's density? As opposed to a doctor simply eye-balling your scalp and giving a rough estimate/guess?

Jolly, no one else had a problem with the photos.

Emporor, while I do not agree with everything you say, I am impressed by many keen observations that you have made. Thanks for taking the time to thoroughly review my situation. While I learned a lot from this experience, one thing that I definitely learned from this experience, and that I can not over-state, is that pre-op patient/physician communication is extremely important.

Is it reasonable to assume that t-closure scars are more elevated and pronounced since there is an overlapping of skin?

Is it reasonable to assume that t-closure scars are more elevated and pronounced since there is an overlapping of skin?

Propecia definitely works but it also definitely has side effects...............

How is graft density actually measured? Is there actually a device that does this? If not, is this just all a guessing game?

Mrjb, as I stated in my initial statement, I am taking propecia. I have had 2 HT's totaling 4500 grafts in the frontal/mid section of my scalp. Also as I have previously said, its not coverage that is the problem, it is the placement of the grafts (insufficient grafts placed in the temple areas proportionally to the top area). From the front, density appearance is sufficient...........from the sides, it looks too thin.

Notgoing, I believe what you are referring to is called separation, which results in an "island" effect on top of the head.

Correction: the surgery was in February 2006.

Ugh.........I knew should have not agreed to say the doctor's name. I never said or implied that Dr Rose was not listening to me or ignoring me, or that I had not met with him to review my results. My only intention was to get feedback on how my HT looked because what my doctor thinks of it and what I think of it is different. It was a bit of a relief to receive plenty of emails that validated my concerns, generally speaking.......thats all I was looking for from a "peace of mind" standpoint.............end of story.

That being said, just for the record, I need to clarify Dr Rose's statement "I thought he should consider stopping at that point". I met with Dr Rose in Sept/Oct of 2005 and we both agreed that I could use another approximately 1500 grafts to fill in some areas after my first HT. I subsequently arranged for a surgery in Feb 2008 for a 2000 graft session (the additional 500 grafts were my idea). When I arrived at Dr Rose's office the morning of the surgery, the very first thing he said to me was that I did not need another HT. That statement really flustered me at that point. (While I appreciated his honesty, after prepping for surgery for 2+ weeks, no alcohol, no meds/vitamins, taking time off of work, waking up at 3 AM and driving 2 1/2 hours, etc., I was ready to go for the surgery and could not turn back at that point.) From there, I continued to be flustered and rushed things and the communication was not the best, which is probably the main factor on how I got to where I am today. We were just never on the same page that day, as far as my goals were concerned.........major regret.

Guys, my only objective coming on here was to get a credible independent viewpoint relating to my concerns. I think I was being very fair by waiting as long as possible (18 months post op) to ensure that I was not jumping the gun. Now, I have that credible viewpoint and I can take it from here. Thanks for your help.

Nobuzz, I requested the pics that they took before my surgery. The assistant sent me two polariod photos that they took. Needles to say, I can't do much with two polariod pictures.

I am not aware of any "small camera" used to analyze density.

Like I said in my initial comment, my doc thinks the before and after discrepancy is a result of the "angle" of my my pics..................

Bill, my doc was Dr Paul Rose. He did my first HT and everything went well. I really believe I have had new growth, but the placement has been the problem as I previously discussed. Not sure what else to do at this point.

Nelly, here is the deal. I can't let my hair grow out as long as before because I do have more density on top. Unfortunately, this density was not provided in my temple areas also. So if I keep it short, it looks fine from the front and top, but the temple areas are weak looking. If I let it grow to how I use to keep my hair length, my frontal and top area bulk up and it looks like sh#t, while the temples look better. My doc thinks "it looks great". While he is a nice and honest guy, I think his ego gets in the way. After a 2nd HT of 2200 grafts, I was hoping to be able to take a break and not worry about anymore surgeries for a while. I do not believe my 3 goals or this HT; add density to my right side to equal out my left side, "fill in" sparse areas from my first surgery, and improve my hairlines, were actually met. At this point, I have lost confidence in the process altogether.

The bottom line is that I should never have gone for a 2nd HT. While my first one was not perfect, more grafts do not necessarily mean a better look. Actually, more grafts have only increased my risk of separation and given me a worse look.

Bill, I have added the photo you requested (after-top/front). Take a look. To be fair, my hair is much shorter here, which effects the density "look" comparison.

Thanks Bill. I will provide the additional pics soon......

Bill, how do I add a pic?

Mrjb, please not in my comments that my HT was in Feb 2006.....19 months ago. Also, there are BEFORE pics as well as after pics there. Also, my comments included that I am on propecia and I know that I have not lost additional hair in the temple areas.