Gossamer

I am considering trying the Rogaine Foam and had a few questions.

-How long I should wait following my hair transplant?

-Have any of you found any benefit from the Rogaine Foam?

-Do you apply it on the entire top of your head or just the crown?

-Is the Rogaine Foam messy and cause some bad hair days?

Thanks!

Is the Rogaine Foam any better or does that also cause a lot of messy "bad hair days"?

How soon after a hair transplant should one feel comfortable resuming the following exercises:

Running?

Lifting weights?

Heavy weightlifting?

Situps/crunches?

While I have done a little running and lifted some weights, I want to make sure that I do not stretch or harm the donor area before I increase my level of exercise. Thanks!

How soon after a hair transplant should one feel comfortable resuming the following exercises:

Running?

Lifting weights?

Heavy weightlifting?

Situps/crunches?

While I have done a little running and lifted some weights, I want to make sure that I do not stretch or harm the donor area before I increase my level of exercise. Thanks!

No, there hasn't been any blood (or even any visible irritation) as a result of my scab removal. I'll have to try the ointment or shower cap tomorrow night!

Well, I decided to follow my doctor's instructions and waited until Day 20 to remove the remaining staples. He feels it leaves a thinner scar with a closer seal, but it did sting a bit more this time and the "dots" appear to be a little bigger. There was a little blood this time, even though last time there was virtually none. Hopefully, these will heal quickly and the dotted railroad tracks will disappear just as well as the other ones. Months or years after your surgery, can any of you find "dot" scars from the staples?

Thanks for all of the comments! Just for further reassurance, how deep do most grafts go below the surface? Since I have been combing across my scalp and the scabs have had a long time to adhere, I know that I have snagged a few. There wasn't much too the scabs, but it sure does make you nervous when you see the hairs with them.

FWIW, the doctor's office also did not seem too concerned about the scalp surface healing evenly, but they did suggest possibly applying some bacitracin zinc ointment before going bed to loosen the scabs before showering them off in the morning.

I suppose there are a few people like rats out there

Coach K?

On a related note, does anyone have any thoughts on his hair? Definitely looks like he uses some concealers.

Did anyone else still have scabs this far out after the procedure? If so, did this present any problems in the long run?

A lot of my hairs are coming out with the scabs, but I guess that is what I get for being too cautious and leaving the scabs on so long. We'll see how the next shower goes in a few minutes.

Out of curiosity, how deep does the average graft go below the surface of the scalp?

Any thoughts?

I think that I have been way too conservative because its Day 19 and I still had plenty of scabs before soaking my head this evening. Once I had finished, I ran a comb through my hair and a good number of them came out.

Are there any potential problems associated with leaving the scabs on too long (ie, uneven scalp, pitting, etc.) At this point, is it safe to say that I can aggressively work off the scabs without doing any harm or are there still things that I should refrain from doing?

Its funny because I initially felt that I had less scabbing or smaller scabs after the surgery than most people, but it appears that almost all of them hung on because I was very gentle with them.

Thanks!

I haven't uncovered the rationale yet, but I did confirm the original instuctions with Dr. Bernstein's office and they reiterated that this is what he recommends for patients.

For what its worth, I do have a somewhat tighter scalp. While it may hurt a little more to remove, if I'm willing to wait, does anyone think that this may result in a thinner scar? More scarring?

Thanks!

The Toppik worked really well, mixed in with the hair on the top of my head! I was extremely relieved that neither the scar nor the grafts have been visible to anyone. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

For what its worth, the chills stopped within a day or so. Thanks!

My doctor indicated that I could resume using hair spray one week after the surgery, but I wanted to also get your thoughts on the subject. Is this adequate time to be applying hair spray to the thin hair above the recipient area (obviously, some is going to go through to the scalp)? Should I stick to alcohol-free hair spray? Does it matter, even for general use, if the hair spray contains some alcohol? If so, why and what is a good spray that still holds well?

I am closing in on the two week mark, but started applying the hair spray shortly after the one week because I felt that it was necessary to conceal the procedure. Just concerned whether or not I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks!

My doctor indicated that I could resume using hair spray one week after the surgery, but I wanted to also get your thoughts on the subject. Is this adequate time to be applying hair spray to the thin hair above the recipient area (obviously, some is going to go through to the scalp)? Should I stick to alcohol-free hair spray? Does it matter, even for general use, if the hair spray contains some alcohol? If so, why and what is a good spray that still holds well?

I am closing in on the two week mark, but started applying the hair spray shortly after the one week because I felt that it was necessary to conceal the procedure. Just concerned whether or not I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks!

My question is how people do not become preoccupied, paralyzed, or depressed by the statement above (provided the finasteride retains your hair without side-effects)?

(Background: In late 1999 (before I had a bald spot), I asked my doctor about Propecia and he incorrectly (or based on available info at the time) indicated that there was a small chance that if I conceived a male child while on the drug that the boy could develop deformed genitals. This slight, remote possibility (combined with the possible sexual side effects, mixed results, and more concern for growth than retention), scared me away from putting this drug in my system until a number of doctors (primarily HT) and my own research alleviated these concerns.)

I finally started taking Propecia about 2 1/2 months ago and so far there are no side effects. However, I'm almost more fearful of positive results because if the Propecia retains the existing hair without growing any additional hair, I will be kicking myself for not having started years ago.

I know that you have to live in the present and can't look back, but it can be extremely difficult. I would have gone through with my most recent HT for primarily the front half of my head, but the Propecia could have potentially prevented a bald area in the back and future hair transplant work. Just wanted to get some thoughts, so I can prepare myself in the event that the drug does work.

My question is how people do not become preoccupied, paralyzed, or depressed by the statement above (provided the finasteride retains your hair without side-effects)?

(Background: In late 1999 (before I had a bald spot), I asked my doctor about Propecia and he incorrectly (or based on available info at the time) indicated that there was a small chance that if I conceived a male child while on the drug that the boy could develop deformed genitals. This slight, remote possibility (combined with the possible sexual side effects, mixed results, and more concern for growth than retention), scared me away from putting this drug in my system until a number of doctors (primarily HT) and my own research alleviated these concerns.)

I finally started taking Propecia about 2 1/2 months ago and so far there are no side effects. However, I'm almost more fearful of positive results because if the Propecia retains the existing hair without growing any additional hair, I will be kicking myself for not having started years ago.

I know that you have to live in the present and can't look back, but it can be extremely difficult. I would have gone through with my most recent HT for primarily the front half of my head, but the Propecia could have potentially prevented a bald area in the back and future hair transplant work. Just wanted to get some thoughts, so I can prepare myself in the event that the drug does work.

Just wanted to get some thoughts, since my doctor said to remove 1/2 in 10 days and 1/2 in 20 days, but it seems like most people on here have had them all removed within 10 to 14 days.

Any advantages or disadvantages?

Thanks!

Just wanted to get some thoughts, since my doctor said to remove 1/2 in 10 days and 1/2 in 20 days, but it seems like most people on here have had them all removed within 10 to 14 days.

Any advantages or disadvantages?

Thanks!

I'm not sure if that is the best description, but has anyone experienced a sort of chilling feeling during the week following their surgery? I'm not sure if its because of the staples near the nerve endings in the donor area, the fact that I am kind of sedentary, or what, but I periodically continue to get these chills where I feel the little hair on my head stand up. I checked my temperature and do not have a fever. Any thoughts?

I'm not sure if that is the best description, but has anyone experienced a sort of chilling feeling during the week following their surgery? I'm not sure if its because of the staples near the nerve endings in the donor area, the fact that I am kind of sedentary, or what, but I periodically continue to get these chills where I feel the little hair on my head stand up. I checked my temperature and do not have a fever. Any thoughts?

Hairless,

I would like to reiterate the comments above and suggest taking enough time to visit a number of doctors, develop some realistic expectations, and determine if hair transplantation is really right for you.

Personally, I had a transplant with Dr. Bernstein last week. The procedure and recovery has been virtually painless, without any swelling, discomfort, or heavy crusting. While I was provided with medication/painkillers, I haven't taken any since the day after the surgery. As for the results, we'll have to wait and see.

While I am "now" comfortable going bald, I had the hair transplant because I already had a small procedure of 600 grafts when I was 22. This will not be enough to look normal and natural when I lose the rest of my hair and I can't shave or cut my hair really short with the donor scar, so I decided that I needed to finish what I started.

I felt comfortable with Dr. Bernstein because of his reputation as one of the pioneers in the field, positive feedback, and the fact that he was the only hair transplant physician to be selected as one of New York Magazine's Best Doctors for seven consecutive years. He is very knowledgeable, professional, meticulous, and on the conservative side.

While some view his conservative approach and reluctancy to recommend larger procedures/megasessions as a negative, this aspect actually happened to be a positive for me. With lower donor density and scalp laxity, I was primarily concerned with establishing a natural frontal hairline with some coverage, and decreasing the probability of the donor scar becoming visible in the future. Looking at some of his past patients gave me the impression that he may be more capable of doing more with less. However, I should also mention that he is probably a little bit more expensive on a per graft basis.

Regardless of what you choose to do and who you potentially go with, I would pay Dr. Bernstein a visit. He will give you an honest assessment, realistic expectations, and will not consider recommending something that is not in your best interests.