SorleyBoy

I'm exactly 1 year post-op with Dr Keene. She has done absolute wonders with just 2,650 grafts on a Norwood 5 dome! Although graft density could only be modest (as in your case Midiman) - the overall effect after 12 months (using a little volumising spray) has dispelled both the spectre of encroaching 'baldness' and its insidious effect on one's general well-being and confidence. . . As Dr Keene said - you may well find, as I did, that the 25-30/cm2 density does reduce shock loss to a minimum. I estimated my post-op loss as barely noticeable (but probably 5-10%) . . . You have made an excellent choice in my estimation Midiman. Sorleyboy

Bee I remember this stuff being flogged by cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK through the early 90's - alongside minoxidil when it first became available here. Allegedly the usual raft of 'all natural supplements' - available as pills/shampoo etc. in different strengths - however, in over a decade I never read about anyone in the UK reversing the genetic aspect of hair loss. The testimonials that are touted as part of the advertising blurb for Nourkrin seem to be from females that are either menopausal or who have a hormonal imbalance (childbirth etc.) - and I'm not convinced that 'cures' for female hairloss in the above cases could not simply be the result of natural physiological change through time. Personally, I think the grotesquely expensive product smacks of those tablets you feed to dogs to give them a shiny coat and wet nose . . . seemingly some sort of fish oil! Take care . . .

. . . For what it's worth - and as a temporal comparison - I'm also 5 months post-op and would have to report that for the more 'mature student' (50+) the healing process can be quite prolonged. It must be said that it took all of 5 months to regain total 'normality' at the excision site - so maybe your case is not unique (although you haven't stated your age). I would only be concerned if there has NOT been a progressive improvement through each successive month. Best regards.

Zip Do a search for 'Wellesbourne' using the FIND facility (tabs towards the top left of window) . . . I think that should give you some idea of recent thoughts on the matter. From personal experience, I got the impression that implants do tend to continue growing for a few weeks - until the effects of trauma/reduced blood supply etc. start to register - then the growth halts. Shedding of some or most of the implanted hairshafts then ensues over a period of weeks - the implanted follicles going into a 'rest' phase. Shock loss could also continue for a considerable time. It varies from person to person - depending on age, health, genetic coding . . . and not least, the procedure itself, but you may find that about 3 - 4 months post-op should bring stability to your situation - after which regrowth of implants and the 'shocked' area around the excision would slowly become evident. Best of luck . . . and wishing you every success.

Zara . . . you know what they say about anything that sounds too good to be true! The whole concept reminded me of that hideous 'Medicamat' Omni-graft machine that appeared in 'Questions & Answers' forum sometime early October. I seem to remember the promise that some ghastly 'hand piece' would correctly insert your 'donation' at the correct angle - "without being touched by human hand" (I suspect from that statement, that hands from other life forms could be called upon, after the technician has dozed off?) If this method is better than your surgeon personally positioning and setting every one of your thousands of grafts in a deliberately angled slit that is created to complement your hair growth pattern - then I'll plait soot! Keep reading Zara . . . your future 'quality of life' depends on it. Regards and good luck

Robert - the original grafts (all 80% or so that remained in place) most certainly felt quite 'stubbly' or spikey to the touch for several months (I guess through being healthy originals with at least some discernible shaft diameter). Over recent weeks this sensation has diminished considerably as each hair has started to lengthen - and although there is still only 1/4 - 3/8" of growth evident (at the front at least . . . can't assess the crown yet!) the effect is such that I've been able to kiss goodbye to that F***ing comb-over! If nothing else - now that I am seeing $9,000 worth of surgery come to fruition - the psychological lift that this has engendered would have been cheap at twice the price. Regards . . .

PB . . . Yes, you are about right. Retrospectively, I think the mechanism went something along the lines of a slowly decelerating growth of all implants and a little shedding of a few dozen of them over the first 2 -3 weeks. (I put this down to moderate implant density of only ~25-30 per cm2 which I think minimised capilliary damage). Into the second month the implants had gone into stasis - however shock loss continued at a slow rate for at least a further 2 months. It's only at the 4 - 5 month stage that I have seen both the lengthening 'shadow' of implant growth (particularly looking straight ahead) and the gradual regeneration of the shocked region around the excision area. It has been a lengthy process but what used to be quite 'slick' areas on both crown and frontal regions (2 -3 sprays of Minox used to run straight off!) now feels quite 'wooly'. Regards.

. . . and with my first procedure in July of this year I would say 80% or more stayed in - (they all seem to be slowly growing now). . . so shedding most of the transplanted grafts is by no means a foregone conclusion. Best of luck, Sorleyboy

Jon Since you are a new member . . . best recommendation by a long way is to intensively research these forums until you have a full appreciation of the 'way of the follicle' and the procedures and practitioners worldwide. It's important that you make a measured judgement for yourself, based on all of our collective experience - not necessarily our recommendations (we're all biased!) It's all out there Jon - but you'll have to trawl through it . . . a little research for instance - and you'll very rapidly discover who people are recommending - and that includes DHI. Good luck Jon

Zara . . . With regard to information, I can only restate what this forum used to be good at - and that is to get you to read, read and read again. Spend a few months digesting all the information that's available here - and try to work that in to your ideology of budget, expectations, eventual choice of surgeon (e.g. would you prefer male vs female?) etc. . . . keep asking questions that will enable YOU to make a measured decision - but only when you have ALL the facts. I think there was a young lady from the UK who went by the name of 'Bee' . . . maybe she occasionally logs on. You might do a search for her last mail. Regards

Kez . . . Don't get too upset about this Piglet thing . . . The Councillor was a practicing Muslim anyway - in an area with a substantial Muslim presence. The whole affair has (seemingly) been a cringeworthy embarrasment to Islamics nationwide . . . and it's easy to see why; if you turn the whole thing on it's head, you would piss yourself laughing at what has surely underscored and re-emphasised in the most tragi-comic fashion, the profound unworldliness and incomprehensible intellect of some elements of this sub-culture. . . would you want to be thought of as that stupid by the rest of the population? They have to be pitied . . . but rumour has it that 2,700 'Mecca' Bingo Halls will shortly have to close! Organised religion . . . die !!!

Not sure what you are suggesting here 'Hairbethere'. . . I would have thought 'all' the nerve damage was caused by the cut? . . . I also thought that surgeons have been using disposable chrome alloy steel scalpel blades for decades now . . . not sure what you meant by (antiquated?) blade - Are you suggesting that the $1 disposables are re-used on a succession of patients? - or that there's something wrong with modern blade design? Sorleyboy

. . . A very dangerous assertion 'Specs' - if I may say so! As a 'consultant?' you need to be more careful with sweeping statements like that! . . . In severing cutaneous branches of the scalp nerves, we all hope that the majority of nerves will repair themselves - surely the degree of recovery is a pure lottery for all of us - wouldn't you say? Sorleyboy

. . . Voxo . . . As an old timer (with a more prolonged healing time) - I'm at 3 months post HT and estimate that the top-front (higher graft density) has about 70-80% feeling restored and I also still get some 'over-sensitivity' in a small area of the excision site that had transected some thick scar tissue caused by a childhood injury; this needed extra sutures to close it. I estimate another month and I should be in the clear. Regards,

Nev . . . "Dr Michael May, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, . . . leading consultant surgeons specialising solely in precision hair replacement surgery. He has many years of experience in this field and has performed thousands of Micro Hair Replacement procedures. Dr May operates out of Wimpole Street in central London". . . ."Mantis viewing system allows medical technicians to efficiently prepare and manipulate micro and mini hair grafts" . . . "The latest techniques used at the Wimpole Hair Restoration Clinic involves the placing of follicular units, whereby individual hair follicles or groups of two to three follicles are grafted to create a more natural appearance" . . . "The Mantis viewers allow each technician to prepare up to 500 grafts in one sitting with up to three technicians preparing grafts for the patient". Hmmm! . . . looks like a step in the right direction (for the UK) - but how much of a stylist is this GP/MD? I'd want to see several patients who have had work done at least a year back. . . . and then you have the overarching problem with the UK - The Cost! - I find it difficult to imagine you'll be charged the equivalent to $4.50 (??2.55 GBP) per graft from a surgery in Wimpole Street !! Nev, I hope that . . . "I haven't done an enormous amount of research" - doesn't come back to haunt you. Best of luck . . . Sorleyboy ,