Big1

At 5 months you have probably experienced about 40%. You can still expect another 60% of growth. At the 8 month mark you will be at 85 to 90% and will have a good idea of the final result. The last few months (9 through 12) add a small amount. At a year your basically done.

I had my surgery with DR. DeYarman 2 months ago. I was very pleased with my experience -- A+ -- and can't wait for these puppies to start growing. If anyone has any questions about Dr. DeYarman please feel free to write me.

It is possoble that you will experience shock loss. I don't know how much you will experience. Could be worth it or could not be.

I would not get another transplant if I were you. You don't look bald; you have a thin look (which is all most of us want). You look great. ALmost all men have a thinning crown. More surgery is a waste of money imo (unless your filling in the hairline). You will also lose hair from shock. A losing proposition if you ask me.

Don't forget to let us know how it goes.

I have toppik that I never used even once (in the big bottle). The big bottle of medium brown, a small bottle of medium brown and a small bottle of dark brown are not being used. If anyone needs it let me know and I will send it to you. 45 bucks for all 3 bottles plus Toppik hair spray (big bottle alone with spray was 50 dollars). I DON'T NEED IT!

750 grafts is an unusually small procedure. Have you asked another doctor for his opinion? I STRONGLY encourage you to do this. It is possible that your doctor has low-balled you to get you back in the chair. Unless your recipient area is about 10 cm/2 (which is a VERY VERY small area) you really really really need to get a second opinion from smeone who is recommended on this site. If you don't at least get a second opinion, and perhaps switch doctors, it is possible and VERY LIKELY that you will regret your decision for the rest of your life.

Its been about 2 months since my surgery. This was not my 1st, it was my 4th and I am prone to scarring as it is. My elasticity has only diminished after each passing surgery. I had a very wide scar after my third surgery. At 2 months post-op (from surgery number 4) the scar is much, much better than scar number 3; however, I don't want to mess that up. Do you think 2 months is too soon to work out?

Its been about 2 months since my surgery. This was not my 1st, it was my 4th and I am prone to scarring as it is. My elasticity has only diminished after each passing surgery. I had a very wide scar after my third surgery. At 2 months post-op (from surgery number 4) the scar is much, much better than scar number 3; however, I don't want to mess that up. Do you think 2 months is too soon to work out?

I went to his site. I have respected Dr. Feller's ethics for a long time. His work is definitely top notch; however, he needs more pictures in the gallery from different angles.

That was pretty good.

Balloonman, Bravo for being generous and consistent with the photos!

How much of that is transplanted hair? It looks great (and you still have yet to begin).

I've spoken with Dr. Charles and I would definitely use him if need be. I'm pretty pissed that Altair accepted the procedure and has NOT been active on this site. What a douchebag!

Welcome to the club! The coolest thing about Dr. Cooley is that his heart is in the right place. He was the first, and remains one of only 2 surgeons -- the other being Dr. Charles of Miami, Fl.--, that stepped up to the plate and changed the lives of 2 posters at this forum (for free). He seems to be the exact antithesis of what so many other hair transplant surgeons have become: utter soul-less scumbags. Hair Apparent, your writing is awesome and I hope that you continue to contribute to this forum regularly.

I went to his webpage. Practically no photos. Hmmm....

You are a bona fide veteran and are more researched than most. I'm confident your procedure will be a huge success.

I totally agree. It is very unusual to be "pushing 50" and to have a full hairline. Generally, guys with full, unscathed hairlines are wearing systems or have had transplants. But many of these guys would look better if their hairline looked more natural, and more appropriate for their own age.

1000 fu's in the hairline should make a big difference. Dr. Feller is active on this forum and regularly posts pictures. Let us know about your recovery.

You already look noticeably better and you have barely achieved 15% of your yield. 85% left to go. Enjoy.

I believe that everyone who suffers from MPB -- even the healthiest patients-- need to be concerned about an appropriate density (consistent with the limits of blood supply). In other words, blood supply is not contingent on proper diet. It is a concern for all patients.

I do not know for certain. I believe that 50 grafts/cm2 is pretty aggressive and damn dense and not outrageously challenging for a competent surgeon. "Some surgeons (e.g. Shapiro) simply prefer to achieve 40-45 in 2 passes for "strategic" reasons (e.g. fine tuning at 2nd pass, assess the hairloss progression, etc.), but they wouldn't have any problems in placing 30-40 in one step." I don't know that this is true. The best doctor for me is the one who has a lot of experience, and not the doctor "who wouldn't have any problems". Any less than 30 grafts/cm2 is a waste of the patients time; he can solicit a doctor who is able to pack nearly twice that many grafts and ultimately save the patient a lot of time and grief. "Another reason for the 2 pass is the size of the medical staff" I agree but such is not a good enough reason. This is why one needs to find a doctor who can provide what the patient wants, and not merely what the doctor thinks the patient can benefit from. "Did I understand correctly?" You made some good points.

Its hard to imagine a scar better than 1mm.

I do not completely agree. Most people do indeed have this "problem". Hair needs the nutrients that the blood provides. Densely packed grafts receive less blood than grafts that aren't densely packed, thus they have less chances of survival. Just because a doctor has the ability to make 70 "slits" in a cm/2 doesn't mean that he should. Surely the survival rate will not be as good (for 70) as it would be for half of this density (or around 40). Why would any patient elect to pay for the destruction of his own hair? By requesting ultra-high densities a patient is also requesting to pay much more for a much lower survival rate. Doctors need to be more forthcoming. Patients need to be well informed. I agree that diet and nutrients are important.

I have Toppik but the medium is too light and the dark is too dark. How can I apply it so that it doesn't look fake? How can I apply it so that I address the needed areas and that it doesn't spill all over my face? Is there anything I should use in addition to Toppik? Thanks.