pushing 40

Personally I think a lot depends on your pain thresh hold. The shots in your head for strip removal hurt like hell as far as I'm concerned. Car accident broken body type pain? No, of course not. But stung like a bitch none the less. Enough to keep me from doing it? Hell no. I also had pain the night of and the next morning in the donor area; about equivalent to a really bad headache; nothing to really freak over. It is exactly like More-Hair said: a little pain yes, and you'll be "uncomfortable" for about 10 or 12 days after that. Well worth it in my opinion.

Well, it was easier for me than most. I was retired and not working; I usually cut my own hair because I was simply buzzing it off and so no one here ever really saw me with longer hair, especially the barber. Then, as its been growing out, I see people I haven't seen in a year or so and they are like "wow, you look great; look at all that hair; you look younger since retiring; must be the lower stress!" They only saw me with a buzzed head so they just think it is so different since it is longer now and don't realize there is more hair. My friends and family know of course but general acquaintances don't. Like you said, our memory of what our hair used to be like is just not too fresh. So, add a few thousand grafts and cover some forehead up, and viola!!

NG2GB, I basically had almost what you described; draw a line from one side to the other at around the center of the ears. 4900 grafts. Even knowing I DO NOT have the same density I had at 20yrs old, I can't tell by looking at it or feeling it. My temples receded WAY back (Jack Nicholson style) by the time I was 24. Add to that I wore it buzzed for 20yrs in the military. So, for 20yrs, I've had little hair on my head with the exception of a few times here and there when it was necessary to blend in with local nationals by NOT looking military. So, basically my "memory" of what my hair was like or how thick it was 20 sum odd years ago is fairly hazy. So now when I brush it, wash it, feel it blowing in the wind, or look at my hairline, as far as I can tell I'm back to 20 yrs old! If I compare my "Hasson" hairline to pics from 20 yrs ago, it is almost identical. I was looking at a picture of me and my son when he was about 18 months old (he's 17 yrs now) I have more hair and hairline than those pictures. I think I actually giggle like a little girl in those moments but don't quote me on that.

These are the worst of times!! No doubt about it. There is just almost NOTHING you can do to get that "hurry up!!" feeling to go away. I don't know what else to say. When you hit 5 or 6 months it will feel like time is cruising right along but until then.....

I just tried but it limits it to 300k; the pics are all over 1M.

Just the front 2/3 maybe? Looking at the surgery day pics I think that's right. Do you have a high speed internet connection? If so, I can send you some larger fairly hight resolution pics giving better detail.

Thanks man. Actually I do have some from the months after I retired and tried to grow it out. That is when I finally made up my mind to stop researching and just go for it. I was very disappointed I could not let it grow out without it looking goofy. This pic is from about 18 months ago. I was also looking at a photo the other day when I was only 24 and my first son was born. My temples had already receded so far back I looked like I would be a N6 within 5 yrs. Guess you never know. By the way, my birthday is tomorrow; I'll be 41 so that tells you how long ago I came on this site and started researching!

Sorry guys I haven't been following this for a few days I guess. Someone asked if I had any dermatch or anything in my hair for the pics and the answer is no. I haven't ever used any of those types of products. NGTGB, I want so badly to help you with this obsessive quest of yours but I just don't know how!! Like I said before, my hair naturally parts slightly on the left; If I dry it with a towel and just leave it be without any brushing or anything, it STILL parts itself there. Jotronic pointed something out to me when I was there that I had never known: your "whorl" pattern is not just at the back of your head. It actually continues out and spreads throughout your entire hair pattern. This is especially true for me. I can actually see the continuing pattern since my hair is so damn straight and fine. On one side of my head the hair goes one way and on the other it goes another way. Until I joined the AF at 18yrs old, my hair was always shoulder length or longer so it was not noticeable. Then for the next 20 yrs, I had it buzzed down to the skin every 10 days or so. Now, especially with Dr Hasson's skill and artistry in replicating the proper pattern and angles for my natural hair growth, I can actually see the pattern. But, I forgot the point I was trying to make because I'm watching deal or no deal. Damn it! Anyway, I am trying to just let my hair grow out longer for the next few months; SO, I'M NOT going to go cutting it up to try new hair styles for you!! I know, where's the love? Maybe I can get some gel, and just goof with it, take a bunch of pics, and post them to see how they look? I'm trying to help man!

Hey, thanks guys!! You all made my day! I guess seeing it every day over the long term I don't realize how different it is. I am very happy with it so far. I have been getting it trimmed up every few weeks but hopefully will be able to let it grow now since most of the frizzy ends have been cut off. I get a little surprise every now and then with new tiny little baby hairs still popping out. The hairs themselves seen to be getting thicker in diameter also just like you guys said they would.

Just posted my 9 month photos. Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Trying to answer the original issue: I am coming up on 9 months in a couple of weeks. I would say I've only been limited in hair styles for a couple reasons so far. 1) its still growing in 2) its growing slower than the native hair on the sides and back. My hair is very fine and straight and lays a very particular way, or pattern if you will. It has always naturally parted on the left side and I cannot change this. I can however make it "go backwards" with a buzz cut and gel, but thats really forcing it. I have had it trimmed a few times now to cut the frizzy ends off and its looking much much better as time goes on. I guess I should post some pics soon.

Hey D! How have you been? How are the Marines treating you?

Emu, what are those pics that make it look like you had the old plugs? Those are confusing me!

Replicating that "flow" is where the doctors experience and skill really comes in. I was looking closely at my hair line and this "flow" a while back and comparing it to close up pictures I had from 20 YEARS ago. Dr Hasson did a phenomenal job as far as I can tell. How in the hell he was able to figure out exactly how the hair should be directed to grow in places where the had not been hair for 20 years is beyond me. I don't understand how he figures that out but I'm sure glad he does.

I know you are but what am I?

No regrets here. I am one happy sumbitch! I'm still dealing with the frizzies and need a haircut but I'm VERY happy with the results at almost 8 months.

Wha? What did he tell you this liquid is? What is the purpose of the injections? Let me guess: your not in the United States or Europe are you?

Exact same thing here; I am at 7 months and it came in kind of kinky / frizzy. I also have VERY straight hair so there is a line where the old straight hair and new kinky hair comes together. Annoying but oh well. I'll give it time.

I am at a complete loss for words............

Hmmm....it is really hard to put these things together. Normally, the premature ejaculation is a problem when you are younger, not as you get older. A dramatic decrease in seminal volume is also not really an "indicator" of simply aging, especially at just 40 yrs old. You REALLY need to get a check up. Prostate issues can be serious but also can be taken care of fairly easily if caught early. As blowdry said, your physical condition over all will also effect your "performance". Men who are over weight and in poor cardiovascular shape WILL have a difficult time staying "on top of their game" so to speak. Belly fat really kills your ability to perform, your libido, and probably hers too.

Can you believe a Dr. wanted to charge my Dad almost $60K for heart surgery??!! I found him another doctor willing to do it for only $25K!! Isn't that great? Wish us luck............

LaGrange!! What's up brother!! Things are looking kick ass for you! How does it feel to have all that hair where once there was none??

First off, congrats on choosing a great doc this time!! Go easy on yourself and enjoy the fact that it will be nothing but improvement! Keep us posted!

Its only kind of a little sad that all this effort by top research scientist and companies is simply being driven by money; the desire to make billions. Hair loss has no discernible impact on health or physical quality of life. Its not cancer or aids. But they will work hard and dump money in to invest in those future billions. Oh well, we humans...what can we say.

Very nice indeed. Clean work!