tkotko

To be honest I really don't know. They indicated after 5 days they are thoroughly adhered, which is today for me. I've barely been moving a muscle literally during these days just in case, and probably for another just to be on the safe side. But by looking at them now I'd say they are pretty solid after 5.

Sure Fabe, here's my experience with Shapiro Medical. I've been thinking about hair restoration for about 5 years, luckily I didn't jump into it without extensive research, and go to a Bosley or one of those other commercial establishments. My hairloss has been extensively slow, so I've had time. Finally found this site and there's a few elite clinics you'll hear about, Shapiro Medical being one of them. I'm not one to make a rash decision, especially like this, so believe me I had to be very convinced this was the correct thing for me to do, with the correct clinic, to enhance my quality of life. Had my consultation in January with Matt at Shapiro and we talked about everything under the sun regarding my situation. Talked to Dr. Shapiro as well. After further consideration, I made the appt for 4/21/03, with Dr. Charles. Flew in the night before, went into the office that morning. Needless to say I was VERY nervous, but after talking with Matt and Dr. Charles about the strategy and my concerns I was more relaxed. They were very professional and listened to all my questions and spent the time to answer them all. The procedure itself went from about 9:30am - 3:00pm. Watched 2 1/2 movies, slept a little, had some nice conversation during, so the procedure itself was not traumatic. You'll hear about mild bee stinging sensations as they anesticize you, and that's about right. Not nearly as bad as I thought. Went home that night and slept very comfortably at the hotel. Came back the next day and they shampooed me, took a few pics, checked it over, got some last minute instructions from Dr. Charles. They all said it looked great and very clean. No overnight bleeding either. They even let me come in the next day for shampooing again cause I was a little afraid to do it myself. So far everything seems to be going well. Had a little swelling on day 3, and has now subsided today (day 5). I've had VERY little discomfort in the back at the suture line. All redness is gone now after day 4, so I have little stubbles and scabs. So today I'm pretty upbeat. Still taking it easy. After day 3 I couldn't help but think "what the heck did I do", but with some support here on this forum, and now that things are looking good I'm feeling very positive. I am still numb at the recipient site, but have been told that will go away. I have posted some pics taken at Shapiro, so you should peek at those. At this point, I must say Dr. Charles and Shapiro Medical are class acts and seemed genuinely looking out for my best interests in hair restoration. Of course the final results are still to be evaluated, but I have a good feeling I'll be singing their praises once again. Good luck to ya Fabe, and if you want to know anything else about my experience with them let me know. tkotko

I'm 5 days post-op from Dr. Charles at Shapiro Medical, and thought I'd share a pic. There was a dramatic improvement in the redness from day 4 to today, which I'm happy. I'm not ready for going out in public just yet without a hat, still have scabs but hopefully they will be gone shortly. I won't be going back to work for another week so I have ample more time to heal. The new hairs are coming in like crazy, like I need to shave. I almost welcome them shedding so that when they come in more finer to start it will be a more gradual change and less noticeable, I hope. I do have quite a bit of numbness in the recipient site, which kind of concerns me but I'm been told that's to be expected at this point, so I won't worry yet. No numbness in the back. No noticeable shock loss yet either, but it's probably to early to tell if it's going to happen. Anyway..here's the pic. So far so good.

I'm 5 days post-op from Dr. Charles at Shapiro Medical, and thought I'd share a pic. There was a dramatic improvement in the redness from day 4 to today, which I'm happy. I'm not ready for going out in public just yet without a hat, still have scabs but hopefully they will be gone shortly. I won't be going back to work for another week so I have ample more time to heal. The new hairs are coming in like crazy, like I need to shave. I almost welcome them shedding so that when they come in more finer to start it will be a more gradual change and less noticeable, I hope. I do have quite a bit of numbness in the recipient site, which kind of concerns me but I'm been told that's to be expected at this point, so I won't worry yet. No numbness in the back. No noticeable shock loss yet either, but it's probably to early to tell if it's going to happen. Anyway..here's the pic. So far so good.

midnite - I had my procedure this week, and I experienced some swelling on day 3, and today, day 5, it appears to be about 90% normal. I was diligent in sleeping upright and icing, but on day 3 I drove 9 hours without icing and that may have been why, maybe not. But be sure to ice and whatever they say to minimize it.

Trendsetter, I was just like you. Just received my procedure at Shapiro this week, and from a procedural standpoint, the anethesia part of it scared me to death going in. But as everyone says, small bee stings at most is about it. I think I have a low tolerance of pain, and it was very much less traumatic as I imagined. They will tell you to breathe deeply during it, so do that and it will help as well. But as the one poster said, the three minutes you bear it is a small investment to the benefits you are striving for. I actually dozed off for a bit during my procedure, between movies I was watching. If you would, please keep us all informed on your progress and good luck to ya! They are one of the elite groups in this industry I'm convinced, so you're in excellent hands. tkotko

Thanks NW. I'll be patient. Just feels weird, like having a hairpiece or something. But so far so good, I'd almost accept the results as they are now (without the scabs of course!), but I know it'll all shed soon and the waiting game starts.

Hi all - I was wondering how long typically numbness will be experienced in the recipient site. A couple days, week, longer?? I'm only 4 days post-op, but when I pat my head as directed for shampooing, the recipient site is still very numb. I'm hoping that's normal.

Hi all - I was wondering how long typically numbness will be experienced in the recipient site. A couple days, week, longer?? I'm only 4 days post-op, but when I pat my head as directed for shampooing, the recipient site is still very numb. I'm hoping that's normal.

Jenn- to your earlier question today if Shapiro Medical does work on women, they do. I actually spoke with Dr. Charles about that during my procedure, just out of conversation. In his bio in the Shapiro Medical pamphlet, it states he specializes in female hairloss. So they (Shapiro Medical)are another option for you to research in addition to the other recommendations you have been receiving. Isn't it nice to get the straight scoop from consumers? It really helped me in my decision.

Here's some better pics, taken right before the procedure, and taken the morning after (today). Very clean results.

I had 1907 grafts. Went in for 1500, and Dr. Charles was able to yield an extra 407, nice little bonus. 1200 in the hairline zone, the remainder in the frontal core region. I would say I was probably a NW3, not exactly sure. I'd say I was exactly like AJ from a previous post a few weeks back. I was nervous as hell going into it, now it's turned into excitement to see how this ends up. I'm resting comfortably and very little discomfort, a little throbbing once in awhile in the donor area. They emailed me some good before and after shots, and I'll post them once I figure out how to resize them because they are in groups of 3. Thanks all for the kind words so far. tkotko

Well, I joined the club and had my procedure done today by Dr. Charles at Shapiro Medical. The procedure was as described by other posters, very smooth and not nearly as much of an ordeal as I was anticipating. They are very professional. So from a procedure standpoint I would have to recommend Dr. Charles. Hopefully in 6 - 9 months I'll be singing the same praises, and I'll post pics approx monthly. I'll try and post a post op pic here if I can figure out how. I feel I owe it to those who have posted theirs and have helped numerous people with their decision.

Well, I joined the club and had my procedure done today by Dr. Charles at Shapiro Medical. The procedure was as described by other posters, very smooth and not nearly as much of an ordeal as I was anticipating. They are very professional. So from a procedure standpoint I would have to recommend Dr. Charles. Hopefully in 6 - 9 months I'll be singing the same praises, and I'll post pics approx monthly. I'll try and post a post op pic here if I can figure out how. I feel I owe it to those who have posted theirs and have helped numerous people with their decision.

jj250 - In defense of vocor1 and the others who are submitting support to AJ, the deed is done and since AJ isn't asking for advice but rather showing his early results, they are critiquing what has already been done. I don't think I'd want to hear "You shouldn't have done it" after it's done, but rather either hear a "looks good", or if not, what I could do to recify it.

Thanks for showing us your progress Paul. Looks excellent. My procedure is this Monday and my emotions are like a roller coaster, even though I'm convinced I'm making the correct choice, largely in part from this forum. But when I see success stories such as yours I will be able to rest easier this weekend prior to my big day. Thanks again for showing the pics and I plan to chronicle my experience as well.

NEMO - do you have any pictures of your current progress now that your 4 months out? Just curious because I have a procedure scheduled with Dr. Charles.

Hey AJ, Any updates to your progress? Experiencing any shock loss, and how's the scar healing? tkotko

Thanks guys for your comments. I got off track a bit with my decision, but back on and I'm going for it. Going to Dr. Charles at Shapiro Medical Group, whom I've heard nothing but good things. I just read a post from AJ with pics, and I'd say that was me if I didn't know better. Anyway...thanks again for the inputs. You all are more than helpful and help provide a good service.

I must say this thread has shifted my opinion on HTs unfortunately. I finally have decided to take the plunge and scheduled a HT to be performed in a couple weeks, with one of the clinics I read about numerous times in this discussion group. After reading this I'm second guessing what I felt was a well-researched, well-thought out decision. Arfy's quote was "I will say that "most" transplants do not look natural", which for the most part seem contrary to what I've seen and been lead to believe in this forum. Do you veterans agree with this statement?

vocor1 and Joe Transplant, With regards to these cover up techniques for the donor area, are these temporary necessities until the scarring has healed, or do you find yourself doing these even now, sometime after the surgery. The donor area is one of my concerns of having the surgery.

HI Vocor1- I'm glad things have worked out well for you so far. I had my initial consultation with Matt last week, spoke to Dr Shapiro for about 20 minutes also. Both were very informative and professional. I'm about 75% sure I'll proceed with it, still a little nervous about shock loss, doing a little research on that. I'm about a NW II right now. Dr Shapiro suggested about 1500 grafts, 300 going thru the frontal area past the hairline. That's where I fear the shockloss from. They reassured me that it shouldnt be an issue though. By all accounts his office seems to be on the short list of the elite. I thought that was funny you mentioning the hat in the airport. I actually thought about that since I travel alot, and was considering driving from STL just for that reason! Kind of stupid but you wouldn't believe all the details I've racked my brain with this situation. Good luck with the results and hope to see pics in the future. tkotko