johne

I also used alot of water in a spray bottle to help with itching...helped alot. Also used some of the supplied Graftcyte on the scar. It kind of gave it a cooling feeling. As far as suture removal. I was on vacation with my girlfriend out of town when mine needed to come out. Called a bunch of clinics to see if they could do it. No one wanted to because they hadnt performed the procedure themselves. One Dr. said he would do it but would have to charge $500.00 I said no way! I had my girl friend do it. It took her 5 minutes and there was no pain. I do recommend good scissors as well. It makes a huge difference having these out. Much more comfortable.

As far as Proscar, I do what was recommended to me a year ago by someone on this site...I bite the corners off of mine....I have VERY pronounced K9's..I kind of look like a vampire when I smile, so biting off a chunk works fine for me. One small bite at a time...trying not to get your saliva on the pill...it causes it to decay. I know it may sound kind of stupid, but it works.

Thanks for your input MT.....as well as for the propecia/proscar info......I am currently on propecia at the cost of about $150 every 3 months....I knew proscar was a little cheaper, but had no idea it was sooooo much cheaper.....Tell me, you mentioned getting it from a web site.....How would I do this....?....would I have to mail them a perscription wrote by a doctor?.......As for the information on Shapiro Medical doctors.....I understand what you are saying about the other aspects of the surgery......same equipment, same techs, same training, etc. I was just wondering what ball park was.....I have heard in the neighborhood $8000 for 2000 fu's......I would be from out of town so hopefully they would cut me some slack......If I could get it for around $7000 give or take I would be very greatful .......I know money should not be the deciding issue, and its not......but it is a factor...due to wanting to stay within budget.....thanks again for your reply MT..........

Hey, can any of you guys tell me what you paid for 2000 grafts at Shapiros office.......and is this price affected by who does your surgery? Is it more for Shapiro or the same if you go with Keene, Rose or Charles? Let me know.....thanks for your time.....

Thanks for your reply Matt...I am seriously considering a HT with Shapiro and your account of the procedure helps put me a little more at ease. If possible, could you send me some pictures....I know that you have just had the procedure done, and I am not really interested in seeing the placement area (seen alot of those already) But what I am really interested in seeing is the donor scar.....if possible, could you send me picture of it....if you have them, I would also like to see that placement area, but as stated, I am more concerned with the donor area.....Also, if you dont mind me asking, how did you finance your HT.....the reason I ask is that I dont have alot of credit....not bad credit, just not alot of credit.......did you use a credit card?....I could do this, but I really dont want to pay 20% interest......did you just get a personal loan? Get back to me on this thread and the answers to the rest of my questions and I will email you....ok....thanks again........any other shapiro clients out there....I would love to hear from you............

Hey everyone....I have a few questions directed at people who have been to Shapiro Medical... I have visited the office, and spoke with Matt Zupan, as well as Dr Shapiro..(it was a plesant experience...no pressure)..what I was wondering was if any of you who have had the procedure with them (and are in or was in the same boat as me) could tell me how your procedure went.....any regrets, any comments, etc. etc. Maybe even send me some pictures...scar, before and after...etc.etc I guess my boat would be....a norwood 2 or 3..I think....receding hairline, and slight thinning in the crown.....I comb my hair down to cover the hairline and use dermatch on my crown... I am 26, never taken drugs, been thinning since about 21 or 22 I have a pretty good head of hair but have always been unhappy with the deep recessions on the hair line........What I am considering doing is slightly filling in the recession...not getting rid of it...but just taking the edge off of it I guess....coming forward an inch or two....as well as putting some in the crown.....I spoke with the doctor and he said I had very good donor supply and what I wanted to do was doable.....I am far more concerned with the crown then the hair line....I know alot of you are the exact opposite and prefer the work to be on the hairline.....the doc said because I was concerned about the crown, he recommended 800 FU's in the crown....and 800 in the hairline.....I dont think I would mind having future procedures, provided the procedure went as planned.....the plan being, a good 5 or 10 years down the road before my next procedure......... I know a few of you might jump in and say "get on propecia".....yes, yes....I know I know.....I am in the process of getting it.......but I would still like to hear from all of the shapiro patients...the good, the bad, the ugly. ...thanks for your time everyone....you can respond to this post or email me at infernaldevice@hotmail.com

Hey everyone....I have a few questions directed at people who have been to Shapiro Medical... I have visited the office, and spoke with Matt Zupan, as well as Dr Shapiro..(it was a plesant experience...no pressure)..what I was wondering was if any of you who have had the procedure with them (and are in or was in the same boat as me) could tell me how your procedure went.....any regrets, any comments, etc. etc. Maybe even send me some pictures...scar, before and after...etc.etc I guess my boat would be....a norwood 2 or 3..I think....receding hairline, and slight thinning in the crown.....I comb my hair down to cover the hairline and use dermatch on my crown... I am 26, never taken drugs, been thinning since about 21 or 22 I have a pretty good head of hair but have always been unhappy with the deep recessions on the hair line........What I am considering doing is slightly filling in the recession...not getting rid of it...but just taking the edge off of it I guess....coming forward an inch or two....as well as putting some in the crown.....I spoke with the doctor and he said I had very good donor supply and what I wanted to do was doable.....I am far more concerned with the crown then the hair line....I know alot of you are the exact opposite and prefer the work to be on the hairline.....the doc said because I was concerned about the crown, he recommended 800 FU's in the crown....and 800 in the hairline.....I dont think I would mind having future procedures, provided the procedure went as planned.....the plan being, a good 5 or 10 years down the road before my next procedure......... I know a few of you might jump in and say "get on propecia".....yes, yes....I know I know.....I am in the process of getting it.......but I would still like to hear from all of the shapiro patients...the good, the bad, the ugly. ...thanks for your time everyone....you can respond to this post or email me at infernaldevice@hotmail.com

Oh...I also would like to know how other people in my shoes (no six figure income) are funding their transplants.....credit card, bank loan, etc??? Any input from anyone would be great....thanks

Hello JP....I am a long time reader of this site, but a first time poster...I was wondering if you can give me some information...I recently went to Shapiro for a visit....I was very nervous, but was put at ease when I began talking with Matt and Ron....my questions for you are 1. I am 26...and dont have alot of credit...not bad credit. If you dont mind me asking, I was wondering how you funded your FU's and about how much did it cost....they quoted me at needing about 1600 fu's to get my desired results....800 up front and 800 in the crown.....and told me it would be about $6000 2. I was so nervous I forgot to ask them about the donor scar....did you get staples or sutures? Your reply would be very helpful....thanks