FacelessMan

If you can't remember banging your head...you must have hit it pretty damn hard... ..! Hitting your head wouldn't cause problems with hair growth; I bumped my head and had a long cut (you can see it in my blog photos) at month 2, and had no problems whatsoever. And, the photo you posted looks like uniform growth... Benjamin

Hello, I do not have specific Minneapolis info...but I do suggest checking out the "visits to hair transplant clinics" topic; I am fairly sure that Pat (the guy who diligently runs this website) has more information. Regarding Bosley, you can do a search on his name to see topics related to that particular clinic. Regarding Hair Club for Men -- they make hair systems; they do not do hair transplant surgery. Benjamin

Hello, My novice $.02 answer...recession and thinning (as in, of individual hairs) seem to go together, so yes, what you describe sounds likely. Do you have photos to share? Are you considering a HT? Benjamin

Bill, 31?? I remember that! Happy birthday! Celebrate with gusto. And thanks for your efforts on this forum. Benjamin

Than...back to the topic, I see where you're coming from on the hair loss thing; sometimes it does seem more than just a question of "looking better," even if at the end of the day, let's face it, it's hair. For me, the HT is part of the satisfaction of improving something, just like going to the gym to drop the 40 extra pounds that too much beer and good food and sitting on my ass have given me...different process, obviously, but same goal. I also still think it's cool as hell that a HT is possible... Anyway...good luck and grow and heal fast, and yes, getting the staples out makes a big difference -- my head felt about 120% better after that... Benjamin

A good question. When I had HT #1, Dr. Feller didn't have an official payment plan, so I went with MasterCard...not necessarily the best move, given the interest you will pay until you pay it off (a personal loan may be cheaper)... A better option, as Bill mentioned, is a personal loan; I haven't looked into them, but I can only assume that the interest would be less than a credit card. Of course, as with any loan, how good a deal it is depends on interest rates, your credit score, et cetera... I am actually looking to refi my house soon, and if the rates are worth it and the timing works out (early spring), would borrow enough to cover the HT as well. Sort of a pseudo home-equity loan thing. Benjamin

Wait...your post was months ago...never mind. Still, the Madrid thing is interesting; when were you there? My fiancee is right downtown. Fun city! I credit (blame?) the "jamon" for at least 30 of my excess cholesterol points. Ben-Jamon

"Pushing 40" -- funny timing of our posts, si? Benjamin, Pushing 40 and Pushing Hard (That's What She Said)

The question is...what coffee DON'T I drink...?? I am a fan of Starbucks (surprise, surprise); one of my favorites is "Terazza," which is a slightly-sweet blend that they do in the summer. I also regularly treat my kidneys to Green Mountain coffee of various flavors, as a familial tribute to Vermont... I also enjoy the way they do coffee in Spain, where my fiancee is now serving her current Foreign Service assignment, and where I am angling to join her (different topic)...you get a different small cup of coffee, where the coffee-to-milk ratio changes according to the time of day: "cafe con leche" in the morning, and by night it's damn near straight-up espresso. Benjamin

ngtgb -- nah, sometimes I don't even know what the hell I'm saying. Mazel follicles = dorky joke on "mazel tov" (good luck)... "Thanatopsis" (http://www.poetry-archive.com/b/thanatopsis.html) is a long poem I read for a project in the 6th grade, which, being 12 and finding cartoons and farts funny, I didn't remotely understand...

T.A., Regarding an earlier and hair-irrelevant post...yes, I went to McLean High School for one year; my father and stepmother opted to move to Virginia, from NYC, between my junior and senior years. (Note: do not try this at home). Did you like it, hate it, feel something toward it that was within that spectrum? Benjamin

T.A., Mazel follicles to you...3000 grafts in that area, given your curly-esque hair, should make a substantial difference! So what is the inspiration for your user name? The last time I saw the word "thanatopsis" in print was in reference to the poem of the same name, which I read under duress in the 6th grade...I blame that in part for my own hair loss... Benjamin "Bite Me, William Cullen Bryant" Haag

Dr. Lindsey, Welcome, and, it was a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I like the work you've shown so far, and am eager to see more! Benjamin

Hi all, and a slightly belated Happy New Year! Yesterday, I went to see Dr. Feller for a follow-up consultation. As many of you know, as part of his new joining of forces with Dr. Lindsey, Dr. Feller was doing consultations this past week at his office in (at the time) snowy Reston, VA. Heavy snow notwithstanding, it was certainly convenient, given that I live 10 minutes away! Dr. Feller and Dr. Lindsey were both pleased with the results, and combed through my artfully reconstructed mop with keen interest as Dr. Feller took photos and a video. Dr. Lindsey was notably impressed -- he being an experienced plastic surgeon -- with my scar, which was barely detectable. I am particularly interested to see the photos, particularly alongside those that Dr. Feller took the day of my procedure over a year and a half ago. Dr. Feller pointed out that the top-angle shots are the most telling, and indeed it was that shot, from June 16, 2006, that showed me just how much balding had happened! Long story short -- I'm going in again! Having been as happy as I've been with the first phase, I am going to finish the job with, based on Dr. Feller's estimate, another 3500 or more grafts to a) essentially restore the hairline to its original, and high, state, getting rid of the "receding" altogether, and b) add density to the thin areas on top, extending upward from the temples...if there is a more medically suitable term for that region of the head, I don't know what it is. An interesting side to Dr. Feller's plan was to create an even hairline, but to pack the left side (hairline and top), where my part has been since...yikes, 1984...more heavily than the right. This would, based on my head size and the coverage I have now, focus the grafts in the area where they will offer the most bulk, while still keeping a visibly consistent look. I am interested to hear from anyone who has seen this idea implemented; to me it sounds totally logical, and I do not doubt Dr. Feller's ability to pull it off (hmm...bad choice of words) with gusto. One impression, or re-impression, from talking to Dr. Feller again was the same "vibe" I had when I first met him: a genuine, likeable, sincere guy who offers his patients realism and compassion, and is committed to their best interest. And now that I've seen and experienced what the man can do, I am that much more eager to put my large head in his hands again, and to recommend him to anyone. I also liked Dr. Lindsey; although Dr. Feller did the "formal" consultation, Dr. Lindsey was present and interested in all details, and came across to me as not only a nice guy, but engaged -- someone who would take his patients' needs seriously, and who was committed to his craft. And so, I am as of now scheduled for late March...! The catch, so to speak, is growth in enough time to look presentable for my WEDDING in mid-August...and will trade a case of Scotch for an earlier date, with any Feller patient willing to swap ! Dr. Feller should be posting yesterday's photos and video soon, and I myself will add the large backlog of photos from this past year as soon as possible... Benjamin

Hi all, and a slightly belated Happy New Year! Yesterday, I went to see Dr. Feller for a follow-up consultation. As many of you know, as part of his new joining of forces with Dr. Lindsey, Dr. Feller was doing consultations this past week at his office in (at the time) snowy Reston, VA. Heavy snow notwithstanding, it was certainly convenient, given that I live 10 minutes away! Dr. Feller and Dr. Lindsey were both pleased with the results, and combed through my artfully reconstructed mop with keen interest as Dr. Feller took photos and a video. Dr. Lindsey was notably impressed -- he being an experienced plastic surgeon -- with my scar, which was barely detectable. I am particularly interested to see the photos, particularly alongside those that Dr. Feller took the day of my procedure over a year and a half ago. Dr. Feller pointed out that the top-angle shots are the most telling, and indeed it was that shot, from June 16, 2006, that showed me just how much balding had happened! Long story short -- I'm going in again! Having been as happy as I've been with the first phase, I am going to finish the job with, based on Dr. Feller's estimate, another 3500 or more grafts to a) essentially restore the hairline to its original, and high, state, getting rid of the "receding" altogether, and b) add density to the thin areas on top, extending upward from the temples...if there is a more medically suitable term for that region of the head, I don't know what it is. An interesting side to Dr. Feller's plan was to create an even hairline, but to pack the left side (hairline and top), where my part has been since...yikes, 1984...more heavily than the right. This would, based on my head size and the coverage I have now, focus the grafts in the area where they will offer the most bulk, while still keeping a visibly consistent look. I am interested to hear from anyone who has seen this idea implemented; to me it sounds totally logical, and I do not doubt Dr. Feller's ability to pull it off (hmm...bad choice of words) with gusto. One impression, or re-impression, from talking to Dr. Feller again was the same "vibe" I had when I first met him: a genuine, likeable, sincere guy who offers his patients realism and compassion, and is committed to their best interest. And now that I've seen and experienced what the man can do, I am that much more eager to put my large head in his hands again, and to recommend him to anyone. I also liked Dr. Lindsey; although Dr. Feller did the "formal" consultation, Dr. Lindsey was present and interested in all details, and came across to me as not only a nice guy, but engaged -- someone who would take his patients' needs seriously, and who was committed to his craft. And so, I am as of now scheduled for late March...! The catch, so to speak, is growth in enough time to look presentable for my WEDDING in mid-August...and will trade a case of Scotch for an earlier date, with any Feller patient willing to swap ! Dr. Feller should be posting yesterday's photos and video soon, and I myself will add the large backlog of photos from this past year as soon as possible... Benjamin

Dr. Feller did a superb 4200 graft job for me in June 2006; I'd recommend him enthusiastically

Dr. Feller -- thank you for the info.; I look forward to seeing the photos! Your recommendation certainly carries weight with this particular happily transplanted dude... FYI, Dr. Lindsey's office is about 15 minutes from a major airport (Dulles International). If this looks promising to anyone, I'll be happy to provide a "report" on local hotels, etc...I'm currently living about 10 minutes away. Benjamin

"Topher," I'd second the prevailing emotion...wait a while. For me, there was a fair amount of additional receding and thinning that happened between 26 and 37, when I finally had it done, and while everyone's head and heredity is obviously different, from your photos I'd say that whatever receding you've had isn't enough to justify surgery, and depleting your donor area. In my case, waiting worked because the top had thinned enough...so it seemed...to allow the grafts to be spread out consistently, rather than, say, focused at the hairline or temples. Now, if I lose more, what was transplanted will still look natural...and I have more donor left to fill in, if I get the urge. Just a thought! Or ten. Benjamin

Pat, Bill...thanks, in general, for all you do to keep this site the overwhelmingly helpful and informative tool that it is. Benjamin

Mr. T., Looking good! The best is indeed yet to come... "I pity the fool who doesn't go to Feller..." (DISCLAIMER: the above is a nostalgic reference to fond memories of growing up in the 80's and a dorky joke, and shall not be construed as financially remunerated endorsement of a given surgeon. Heretofore, yadda yadda, amen.")

KulMD, Good wishes to you...I have been entirely pleased with Dr. Feller and his staff's work, and think that he is an all-around mensch! Benjamin

Hello, I have no useful intel whatsoever on Dr. Ochs, but, one thought... Don't let pricing be your guide. I realize that this may be easier said than done, but, far better to either wait and save the $$$, or find a financing option that works for you, than risk your finite donor hair and peace of mind on what could be less than the best. For what it's worth, Dr. Feller's prices seemed, to me, to be entirely fair, and his being fairly close to me (I live in D.C.; he is in New York) was a bonus... Benjamin

Hello... 1) I second the "itching is normal!" 2) I also had a FHBI (Head-Bumping Incident)...in fact, about a month or so after the HT. Pictures available on my really-needs-to-be-updated blog... Basically, after the first few weeks (maybe sooner), the grafts are fully secure, so aside from the pain, bumping your head will not cause them grief. Benjamin

To answer your questions...based on my own experience, and on what I've read, everything you describe sounds normal. Expect to lose all the little hairs you saw just after the transplant...it's a little unnerving, but it helped me, at least, to remember that they had to fall out to make room for newer, thicker, better, stronger hairs...! I've also had flakes and itching in the recipient area, at least in the first several months...I suppose this is just an after-effect. I did not change the shampoo I used before the HT, or use any meds. Benjamin

Hello, Forgive me if I missed this...can you wear a hat to work without getting the evil eye from your boss/customers? If so...no worries about returning to work after 2 weeks. I wore the hat until, I think, the 4th month...I had told people at work why; no one particularly cared. That said, I was not involved in meetings with customers or clients or others I would be in a position to want to impress, and also had a business-casual dress code. Benjamin