HarryLemon

Based off of Pail148's remarkable story, I just started taking Spiro and Lipoxidil myself.... I'll let you know in about 4 to 6 months!

Yes, it is normal. Stay on it and give it at least 6 months to a year. Get on Propecia as well if you're not already. The amino acid supplement L-Lysine will boost your body's ability to process those drugs substantially also, plus it's cheap, so I'd start taking that to boot.

Hogwash! Maybe after 10 years - I really can't say. But I'm coming up on 4 years of using the stuff and it hasn't diminished in the slightest. (watch it all fall out tomorrow now)

river rat, When I started Propecia over 3 years ago (when my crown started to thin), I noticed much the same response at about the 3 month mark. My crown grew back in full force and has remained full ever since. When I got my first HT (Dr Shapiro) just over 5 months ago (which is now starting to look fricking amazing, btw), I suffered a fair bit of shock loss, even on the crown (which wasn't touched). Thankfully, most all those hairs from the recipient zone have already begun their return, but the crown is now already fully restored. I guess my point is this: If you're experiencing a return of hair anywhere within the intended recipient zone, I would personally push the HT out by at least another 9 months - to see how things progress, if not just stabilize strengthwise. I wouldn't do it any sooner, myself. Congrats on your excellent response to finasteride. I owe it a lot! Regards, HarryLemon

Try the 2% strength solution instead of the 5%. It's more gentle on you scalp and, as your scalp gets used to the 2%, you may be able to shift over to the 5% with very little, if any, of the same reactions. Or just stick it out until your scalp adjusts. I'd give it up to 2 months for it to do so, otherwise - consult your doctor... Or try Lipoxidil: http://www.lipoxidil.com/lipoxidil.htm

Touch my chandeliers and you die...

Those are just the hairs... Your doctor should have told you that they would shed. Who did your HT?

Don't worry about that - if it doesn't start flowing with blood, what your seeing's perfectly normal. As far as shock loss is concerned, if you had hair transplanted into an area of existing hair you very likely will experience some loss from the shock of it. It sucks. It will continue to suck. I'm 4 and a half months post op now, and I think it's finally starting to come back. I can differentiate this from my graft's growth by the fact that I had lost a little on the crown (which was not touched by the procedure - was perfectly fine in fact), and that bit is finally restoring it's thickness (which, btw, was saved by Propecia over 3 years ago and has remained full ever since). Hang in there - my worst period of loss was from the 1 month mark (I thought I was gonna be lucky up 'til then) to about the 2 and a half month mark. Oh, and those ingrowns are finally taking a hike as well! [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 22, 2003 at 09:46 AM.]

I could not take my cap off for a good month+. At least it's not out of place for me to wear one. Of course, any chance I had NOT to wear it, I took, but these moments were all indoors at home. If you can't wear a hat at work, try to get 2 weeks off, imo. Certainly no less than 7-10 days. Also, get yourself a nice tan (no burns!) on your head beforehand, it will definitely reduce the contrast if your pale and white like me. I wish I had done that. If your skin is not pale, then the above probably won't apply nearly as much. [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 19, 2003 at 11:24 PM.]

How many follicularly un-challenged wolverines do you think peruse this forum?

My scar looked very similar up until about 3 months post-op. Now at 4 months +, my wife is consistently astounded at how thin (1mm and shrinking) and hard to find it is. The redness and pinkness has gone, and I've been rubbing it with Aloe mixed w/ Emu Oil at least a couple times a week which definately seems to have helped with the healing...

Yeah, you guys are right - it is pretty silly to be going off on the deep end about it so soon! In truth, I am indeed absolutely ecstatic already with how it's shaping-up. I've gotta lay off that mirror for a while though, it's making me obsessed! Thanks again for your replies. They mean a lot to me... Thanks, HarryLemon [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 06, 2003 at 03:02 PM.]

and the left...

Here's my profiles again...

Thanks... I've kinda got a landing strip for a forehead, so I'm enjoying the return of "the bushes"! The before photoes aren't the best, and you're right in that they obscure how much hair loss I have had. The blurriness actually makes it look thicker. I enjoy the short cropped look as well, it's just I've been needing to carry that extra length both before and, obviously, after the surgery. I'll probably get the chop at around month 7 or 8. Thanks for your input. I know alot of you guys must be thinking, WTF?! You didn't need to go and do that! Well, for me I did, but I only went for it after years of holding the course, taking Propecia (3yrs+), and biding my time. At 31, with no real change in loss since I started Propecia, I'm willing to risk the potential for a bit of shock loss in exchange for a proper hairline again, 'cause I'm basically just sick of this big-ass, damn forehead!

After right...

Before right...

Before right frontal...

After left... [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 04, 2003 at 06:12 PM.]

Before left...

Left frontal...

... [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 04, 2003 at 06:12 PM.]

Another before.

After Frontal... [This message was edited by HarryLemon on March 04, 2003 at 06:12 PM.]