pushing 40

Just out of curiosity, why did you go to Dr. Conti? Did you research this procedure and this doctor before the surgery? Just curous.

This is an easy call for me. I look at it like this: I've met a few HT surgeons, including Dr. Feller. This laser therapy has been approved for use by the FDA. Dr Feller could easily purchase one and immediately start raking in the bucks within days. Serious dollars guys. However, he has not done so. Instead, he is one of the few who is still demanding proof of its benefit to, at minimum, make it a cost/benefit positive for his patients. That alone is enough for me to step away from the issue until, as Dr Feller states, there is proof positive that it truly is a beneficial therapy. How many people do you personally know who step away from a huge profit margin because its not benefitting the clients? Not too many. Character and integrity are a precious quality, not seen often enough in the world of cosmetic surgery but obviously a standard with this doctor. Just my opinion.

Remember also, the scabs don't want to be there; but they need to feed their families too. Breaking that picket line hurts them inside as much as it might hurt your unions ability to negotiate better wages or working conditions. I mean, I don't like scabs anymore than you do; just keep in mind they're human beings also just trying to survive. oh, wait, am I posting on the wrong forum again?

Ok, my hair has always been very straight and fine. When I was younger and a stoner in high school (1980's), I wore it very long past my shoulders and at least down to my chin in front. It will start to curl around a bit once its about 6 to 8 inches long but that it. Then for 20 yrs I shaved it in the military down to a 1/2 clip. That basically leaves just a stubble of covering on the scalp; very short. When I retired last year and let it grow for 6 or 7 months, I think it didn't know what to do with its self. It stuck out ridiculously until it was long enough for its own weight to pull it down. That is when I SADLY discovered there wasn't enough left in the front temple/sides areas to be able to have it longer without it looking stupid. Had that persistant forelock becoming diconnected from the mid-scalp area and smooth BALD skin on the HUGE temple areas. Looking silly, I still left it like that for a few more months just because, after 20 yrs of shaving it once a week, it felt great to feel hair blowing around my head and my ears covered. Anyway, once I did finally shave it down again, when it started growing back, it layed nice and flat and smooth I assume from those months of being trained to lay down under its own weight. It looked better that it had in years at that length. To get to the point: many people mention their growing transplanted hair as wirery, curly, or stiff. Do i have this too look forward to? That is going to be kind of funny looking if so. Will it "eventually" go back to normal? It was very straight hair that was transplant from the back. The hairs themselves also seemed thicker than hairs on the top and sides of my head. I do plan to grow it out longer once I have it so this might help disguise any texture difference but I was just curious. And by longer I only mean down around my eyebrows kind of long; not my old shoulder length bong hit hair.

Ok, my hair has always been very straight and fine. When I was younger and a stoner in high school (1980's), I wore it very long past my shoulders and at least down to my chin in front. It will start to curl around a bit once its about 6 to 8 inches long but that it. Then for 20 yrs I shaved it in the military down to a 1/2 clip. That basically leaves just a stubble of covering on the scalp; very short. When I retired last year and let it grow for 6 or 7 months, I think it didn't know what to do with its self. It stuck out ridiculously until it was long enough for its own weight to pull it down. That is when I SADLY discovered there wasn't enough left in the front temple/sides areas to be able to have it longer without it looking stupid. Had that persistant forelock becoming diconnected from the mid-scalp area and smooth BALD skin on the HUGE temple areas. Looking silly, I still left it like that for a few more months just because, after 20 yrs of shaving it once a week, it felt great to feel hair blowing around my head and my ears covered. Anyway, once I did finally shave it down again, when it started growing back, it layed nice and flat and smooth I assume from those months of being trained to lay down under its own weight. It looked better that it had in years at that length. To get to the point: many people mention their growing transplanted hair as wirery, curly, or stiff. Do i have this too look forward to? That is going to be kind of funny looking if so. Will it "eventually" go back to normal? It was very straight hair that was transplant from the back. The hairs themselves also seemed thicker than hairs on the top and sides of my head. I do plan to grow it out longer once I have it so this might help disguise any texture difference but I was just curious. And by longer I only mean down around my eyebrows kind of long; not my old shoulder length bong hit hair.

Can someone please explain to me what "wobbly bits" are?

I wouldn't concern myself with that "blood supply" issue. Remember, nature has a hell of a survival instinct. If something WANTS to live, it usually will. Ever seen grass growing right out of concrete? Yep, you have. Those grafts need a blood supply and your body will supply it. Kind of a nasty anology but you've probably seen at least pictures of people with huge tumors hanging off their bodies. Those tumors need a blood supply that wasn't there to begin with. So, the body generates vessels to supply it. I believe in instances where grafts do not survive / produce is mostly from mishandling during removal and placement. Good luck and enjoy!

OUCH! Some people just don't realize, you know? A few years ago at work I made a comment about bumping the corner of my forehead on a door. One of my buddies replied "can you still call it a forehead when its behind your ears".....

Ok, first off, we're all honest here. So, let me be honest by saying yes, I did giggle at your question. However, the casual contact "happy smoke" will not have any effect on your propecia use. None at all. Btw, you said "toke full advantage".....slip of the tongue??

rj, I'm living vicariously thru you........I'll bet its starting to feel like all the trouble was worth it!

........"way to kill your tip".....that was funny! I thought most strip mining was in W.Va, not NC! Welcome to the site.

I wore a semi-shaved head for over 20 yrs because of my job in the military. I used a 1 or 1/2 clipper; it was VERY convenient and comfy on those "no bath for a week" deployments. Once I retired and put on a suit, I looked terrible. I REALLY wanted to grow my hair out and be a regular old civilian looking guy. Without the HT, I couldn't do it. I don't want to look military anymore! I will say this though: there has NEVER been a better time to be a balding guy who shaves his head! NEVER! It is VERY in style and no one thinks anything of it. When I was a teenager in the 80's, anyone with a shaved head was a "bald guy". Now, its actually considered a style. I definately recommend to any younger guys who are balding and considering a HT to shave their head down with a #1 or 2 clipper for a few months to try it out. They might find it looks good, feels comfortable, and relieves a LOT of their stress about the hairloss.

Finally updated with day 42 photos as of today. Have had a bit of shock loss but not toooo substantial. I'll have my wife do some shots of the donor scar when she gets home. I trimmed down with a 1/2 grade shaver about 2 weeks ago. Still have a few txplant hairs growing in the recipient area where it was just smooth forehead before. Some of them are 2 or 3 hair grafts so they really look funny. Now I clearly understand why they do not put them in the hairline!

I agree. Overall it WAS a painful and uncomfortable experience. My scalp still hurts; it is sensitive where I had no work done, still numb around donor and recipient areas, and hurts all over if I rub my head. Its not "horrid pain" but it does suck.

Well, I kind of WISH I had tried it when I was around 12 yrs old or so. Maybe then I'd be taller than 5'8" and my wee wee would be bigger. Seriously, I read an article in New Scientist a couple of yrs ago that said one of the unintended effects on giving it to young boys going thru puberty was "sunstantialy enlarged and permanent penis growth". Would have been nice............

One cup in the morning of home made cafe latte and one in the afternoon. I just make espresso and add milk and sugar.......mmmmmmmmm....going to make some now. Never drank coffee until I moved to Madrid Spain for a few years. The call it "cafe con leche" and make it how I do but in a tall glass. Damn its good.

Try propecia for at least 6 months. The whole side effect thing is blown way out of proportion. Most people have no problems.

Congratulations!!!! Sounds like things went really well for you. Welcome to the waiting game!

You know, I would not be surprised to find out that a HT temporarily changes the cycling of normal native hair in a txplanted area. Like causes earlier or more frequent cycling for a while until things stabilize. I dunno, just a thought but I guess its possible.

Are you saying he just stuck the demonstrated island of air in the middle of your head? WTH? Seriously?

I had my sugery there almost one month ago; flew back the next day to Baltimore. Yes, the flight sucks because you'll be tired but unable to sleep because of the staples and fear of bumping grafted area. But its still worth it!!!!!!!! No issues besides that. I went "au-natural" meaning no hat or anything. A few funny stares but that was it.

I 2nd that! It looks completely natural and really appears to never have balded at all. Must be nice!

Completely normal. If you pulled out a graft, it would bleed like hell from being ripped out of the attached skin. Are you sure your doc said that though? You really shouldn't have many scabs left after 2 weeks; especially any that need to be "pulled" off.

It looks well healed; it must just be your skin type causing the residual pinkness. When my sister gets a scar, it is months before that pinkish hue goes away.

Thanks. I am perfectly happy so far losing the babies knowing they'll be back in a few months. I hope the rest hurry up and bolt so I can stop wearing a hat. I look all spotty right now with bare patches here and there. Not one person asked about it during my "au-natural" travels this weekend in Cleveland. Saw a few people peeking like "ouch what happened to him?" but that was it. Oh yeah, my son pointed out that I mentioned him NOT placing in the speech contest in my earlier post but FORGOT to mention he DID win the talent contest later that night singing and playing the piano. He says to me "you parents.....always focusing on the negative..." He is a great kid and very funny.