tkotko

With regards to the pulling sensation, I had some minor scab formations at both ends of the donor area, which gave me a little bit of a pulling feeling. At least that's what I attributed to it. Once the sutures were out, no problems.

I did exactly what Manko did and worked great. Used transfer balance checks on my credit card with 0% interest for 6 months I think it was. These offers come in the mail almost everday. Long-term I'm putting 150 bucks in a separate savings account, just in case I need a second procedure at some point, and it won't hurt as much when paying for it. If I don't need it, then I have all this extra money! I did the same thing when I bought my boat.

With the strip procedure I'm sure there are some risk of nerve damage, but I've only heard one poster on this forum state he experienced this. If you do a search on "numb" you can probably find it. I think he was actually experiencing pain. I researched this topic fairly extensively because this was my only fairly negative post-op experience, albeit very minor so that's positive. I have just a small area in the recipient area, about the size of a quarter, that is still numb. It seems to shrink oh so closely, so I'm hopeful it will thaw out. Interesting enough my donor area is about 98% "thawed", except for about a button size area that feels a little funny, no big deal. These at this point are more a minor inconvenience that an issue. Good luck to ya!

badboy - I'm right behind you at 4.5 months with Dr. Charles. Worked on the frontal area similar to you. It's probably harder for us to compare with the Jotronic's and Futzyheads's progression in their websites because their MPB were further progressed, and at 4 - 5 months the difference with the before and after photos were more substantial that ours would be. I have decent growth at this time, probably the same as you, nothing phenomenal but if I have nearly 8 more months of improvement I can't even imagine how good it will look. So hang in there and I'm sure you'll be showing off some pics in about 4 months.

The answer to your question about creating a new hairline without a HT is a resounding NO, short of wearing a hair system. Finesteride is a drug commonly used by those who wish to slow down the hair loss progression, possibly even stop it. Referred to as Propecia or the generic version called Proscar.

Foxworth - You're in a position to where you can and probably should hold off a bit on a HT. Unless the pics are deceiving, your about what my ultimate goal is from a procedure I had 4 months ago. I should post some pics of myself, I swear we're twins. I showed someone these pics and told them that was me and they were shocked when I said they weren't. One thing I did to slow my growth was massage the back of my head and temples daily just for a few minutes. Started that when I was 19 when I started noticing hairloss and kept it in check the whole time. I noticed progression in the periods I was lazy. Can't prove it but I'm convinced it helped. So if you can hold on or slow it way down which Propecia hopefully will, you might be good for life, or at least until FUE is even more perfected.

For me it appears that one side is progressing a little faster than the other. From what I've heard from past experiences on this site is that this isn't abnormal. I'm looking at it that maybe one side is not behind the other but that the one side is kicking ass while the other is normal, soon to catch up.

Actually he said 'can occur anytime within 3 months'. So according to the doc, and other posts I've read the past year, I think you can rest easy at 5 months.

Actually I was referring to Propecia. I'm not exactly sure about Rogaine.

I wouldn't count on any regrowth in the frontal region. But possibly, if you're a good responder, it will slow down the progression, possibly halt it for some time. Another factor is it possibly will increase the diameter of those hairs that are on their way out and have miniaturized. I would give it a shot for about a year and see how you respond. If you respond well, that will be huge for you psychologically, and possibly avoiding drastic measures, such as a HT.

Great to hear uncjim! For me the test of success will be when I can ride in a boat with my hair whipping thru the wind!! Well maybe not whipping, but at least to where I'm not preoccupied with wondering if it's looking like crap that particular moment, instead of enjoying my friends and the weather.

AKA - For me it was about day 11 when I believe the scabs were officially gone, at least noticeably. It was about then I could go in public without worrying about being noticed.

NW - I'm a patient of Dr. Charles and currently 11 weeks out (can't believe it gone that fast), and I will be posting some pics as well at the 4 month mark. So far so good. Some baby hairs appearing already. My1stHT - Good luck to ya and hope you keep everyone posted. Posting occassional progress reports is invaluable to potential patients, as well as those going thru it.

Glad you had a good experience with Dr. Charles. I had my procedure with him in April, and currently 9 weeks post op. I also had a positive experience with him and the staff in Minn, and the 2nd leg of this journey is so far so good (recovery), and now hoping the 3rd leg will be as positive (results). How many grafts did you receive? Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progess!

I was like NC30 in waiting a month for anything strenuous, so not to stretch the donor area in any way. The doc said it was ok after 10 days, but I wouldn't even golf for a month (Sex might be the only exception!!!) And as far as washing the recipient area, if patting doesn't sound appealling, which it made me nervous until they did it for me, ducking your head in the tub would work as mentioned above, but just DO NOT do it in the sink. My doc explicitly warned me about that for fear of hitting my head against it. And you mentioned hat wearing - for the first 10 days they told me to put a hat on front first, below the recipient area, then gently bring it down and pull on the back. After 10 days I wore it normally, with no graft damage evident.

Son of a Plug - You don't ice the recipient area. You should ice the lower forehead area, around eye lids and the sinus area. I'd wait until after 5 days to lie flat in bed. Personally I didn't do anything for the suture area except make sure I washed thoroughly in the shower, rubbing horizontally. Keeping it clean will make the suture removal much easier and less irritating. As far as washing the recipient area, the clinic did it for me the first 2 days to show me now, and from there I would take a cup in the shower to wet me head, lather soap in my hands, and apply to the recipient area by gentle patting, and let sit for a minute or so. Then rinse with the cup, keeping the warm fairly cool, lukewarm at best. I did that until 11 days post op. Good luck to ya!

Mahair - Hang in there man. You sound like me at about 4 days post op. I was a little panicked and kept thinking what the hell did I do, and used this forum as a bit of a crutch, otherwise I would have felt all alone. I couldn't tell how far along you are, but if your in the first few weeks everything you've described is normal. The cobblestoning hopefully is the scabs, and possibly the new grafts starting to grow like a recently shaved beard. As the previous posters indicated the scabs will fall off after 10 - 14 days. I had a few for a week or so longer than that. At about 11 days I was visually back to normal, with a little redness. Still have slight redness at 7 weeks, but dramatically has improved the past 2 weeks. So hang in there and everyday you'll see progress in getting back to normal.

Just curious - why do you use Toppik on your scar area? Is that because you trim your hair very short?

I think the majority experienced some swelling, some more than others. I did from day 3 to 5. If I were you I would apply ice as often as possible for the next 3 days, and sleep upright if possible. The doc gave me some pills to help minimize it. It'll be gone in a couple days anyway so this is a common and expected thing and nothing to be concerned with. Just looks funny for a couple days.

Pat - I think both ideas are very good. I respect your commitment for helping us out here, and I can't express to you how valuable it's been for me. Couple points - On your first point - just curious, will there be a lower level of a standard in order to make the non-sponsor cut? On the second point - As these "mentors" sign up, possibly they could indicate not just their region, which obviously would make things easier, but also indicate who they had their procedure with. That way if they clicked on a particular doctor, in the event no one had a procedure in their area with a recommended surgeon, they could still find a mentor. Just might have to travel a bit more. Thanks again Pat for continuing to make this a relevant and helpful site.

From what I understand is it primarily effects the area where the grafts were placed. And that is what my doctor explained to me. I have heard a couple posters say their doctor indicated that it could happen anywhere on the head, but I don't think I've heard any particular poster have that actually happen. So from what I take from that is that there might be a very small chance it can happen anywhere on the head, but rare. I have not heard of any cases where shockloss occurred after about 2.5 months.

From your latest description of your situation, sounds like some growth is evident ("10 hairs"), but as far as improvement over where you were pre-procedure, I wouldn't think that would be evident for some more time, maybe 6 - 8 months post-op. Your shock loss might just now be starting to sprout, along with the 10 hairs that should increase over time. So I would hang in there. I really don't know from experience, yet, since I'm only about 6 weeks out, but I look a little worse than before I think, due to a minor amount of shock, but I dont' expect to be improved over where I was pre op until 6 mos, at best, even though I hope to see some growth before that. So hang in the man, give it a little more time before hitting the panic button.

Yep, you'll have to continue using it forever, otherwise ultimately you'll end up where you would have been if you never started. Not overnight but after some time. There's some testimony on this forum about it's effectiveness being limited to x amount of years, some say 10. I have substantiated that yet with anything official, but that claim is out there. Regardless, hopefully by then something better will be out there. From what you describe it's probably a good idea to start using if your hair loss concerns you. It's primarily effective at the crown area, but with regards to RETAINING hair, you may respond well from the crown all the way to the frontal region. Don't count on it reversing your recessing hairline. But retaining, or at least significantly slowing it down would be huge. Good luck to ya.

I think as you read through here you'll find a lot of guys who are happy, especially the ones who went to the elite list of docs. Sounds like our hairloss situation is somewhat similar. I started noticing my hairloss situation when I was about 19, progressed very slow, and about the last 1 - 2 years it seems to have accelerated, or possibly it just got to a point finally where it really bugs me. No hairloss problems run in my family, either side. Shapiro Medical is a good choice, and that's where I went. I can't speak of the final results yet, so stay tuned, but others can. I can speak to your concern about looking like a freak. After 10 days in my case, there was really no evidence of a procedure. Little stubble, but I don't think that was noticeable, just looks like thinning area. Good luck to ya in whatever you decide to do.

Amen to that Vocor1. I find myself semi-addicted to this site, which surprises me cause I'm so busy, but since this has been a major ordeal in my life, talking with others with similar situations is very helpful and comforting. When I logout after some positive words from most of you I feel pretty good about my situation, decisions, and what the future holds. Even those who are critical or extra cautious about the HT industry are good to read if done in a positive and helpful manner because all the info is needed. There's just a few that post negative or insulting comments and I leave here feeling a little less positive.