kman

Wow, John. That was a long post. I can't believe I read most of it. I agree that the industry could benefit from some "oversight", whether it be forums vetting docs or the government examining the practice, etc. My preference is for patient based sites like this to weed out the unethical docs. Politicians getting involved usually make matters worse for "everyone"...and in the end nothing really changes. At least with this site I can, and did, get trustworth referrals of very ethical docs who do topnotch work. I won't get that from the government no matter what the field. Can anyone say "subprime"?. In fact, I had surgery on my knee and while I was under anesthesia the surgeon discovers they don't have the proper pins and had to use a different size pin?! Surprisingly, the repair didn't hold and I was back in for round 2, which was how I found out about the wrong sized pins. This time they sutured the cartilage but anchored the suture outside. Within a month I discovered some necrosis and my knee really hurt. I went back and the emergency doc panicked, thinking I had infection in the joint and scheduled me for immediate surgery to remove the entire cartilage, which another surgeon did. Turns out it was only inflammation, not infection as nothing grew in the culture dish, and now I have no cartilage and a future of possible arthritus. The surgical field is probably well regulated, but shit happens sometimes. I suppose I could sue but I want to focus positively on the future and not wear a "woe is me" face for the lawyers for the next 3 years. Besides, it was not intentional. They had my best interests at heart. As for someones comment that it's hard to do research when you have a toothache...we're they really serious? C'mon, a toothache by it's very name infers "pain". A HT does not involve pain that must be remedied immediately thus making research impractical. It's like saying "ouch, i really need to find someone to give me a facelift...NOW! I feel for you John, and I wish you all the best in your struggle. I know you are just trying to help people not make a mistake...and that's an admirable goal. Don't let it consume you though. Kman

I'm also noticing some slight thinning with my own HT at 8+ months. I'm wondering if it isn't a bit of an "optical illusion", as balody suggests. We see lots of new growth that overwhelms anything else going on with our hair, like normal cyclical shedding. Once the rapid new growth eases off, we now notice the shedding that may typically occur when the hair goes through it's normal growth/loss phases? Yes, additional thinning behind the hairline could also have an influence on the density of your hairline, or illusion thereof, if it is significant or close to the hairline or under harsh lighting, but you likely know this already. As far as when to do round 2, I don't care for the down time so I personally don't think I would go back for anything less than 2000-2500 grafts. I guess it depends on how well you can hide the hairloss. At a minimum I would wait til i reached the 18 month mark. Given that you still have "maturation" of the hair to go through, I think you will see improvement of your hairline over the next several months and no longer notice the "thinning" you notice now. Kman

I agree with you, Longpig. It's an uphill battle but hopefully someday soon the stigma of HT's will fade into the past. Media personalities and "talking heads" are mostly shallow twerps themselves, so don't be too concerned about their comments...although they do keep the stigma alive with their inane attempts at humor. The more people who get HT's done and the more information provided on sites like these, hopefully things will slowly change for the better. As for your comparing boob jobs with HT's, peoples hair is literally "in your face" when you talk to them so it is far more noticeable and comment worthy. Apparently, it's impolite to stare at women's boobs when you talk to them...or so my wife tells me! It's like a catch 22, they want you to notice their boobs...but you cant discuss it?? Bitches be crazy! Hang in there, LP Kman

I had the same dryness problem and I found it was from shampooing twice a day. Even though Johnson & Johnson is mild you can still experience dryness(just from water, even), especially after a few weeks of 2x/day shampoo routine. I put some aloe vera on my scalp and occasionally put vitamin e on the scalp in the 3rd and 4th week if things got too dry on top. I also had dryness and flaking on my face around my ears and forehead and as a result had to start using a moisturizer for my face to help with the dryness. Once I went to 1x/day shampooing the dryness went away for me. You will probably find things clear up by the end of the first month when you stop shampooing several times each day.

Proscar comes in 5mg tablets and that dosage is usually presribed for patients with prostate problems. I would buy a pill splitter and cut the 5mg tablet into 4 equal pieces so you dosage will be roughly 1.25 mg. You can take this daily or you could try it every other day or Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I understand that this can be just as effective as daily dosage, plus it lasts longer. Good luck.

I also had redness that lasted past 3+ months and it may have lasted longer, i just don't notice it as much now that my hair has grown out and covered the area. I did use witch hazel during the early months as someone on here said it would help reduce the redness. I do think it helped a bit. I wouldn't worry about it as it sounds like things are now getting better. Some people are lucky and the redness goes quickly and some aren't so lucky and have to wait longer. Glad to hear things are starting to sprout! It's an exciting time for you.

Truthseeker said Dr. Vogel's estimate was conservative and if he could get more grafts, he would. After looking at some of Dr. Vogel's work I would say you are in great hands. Maybe he's pricey, but I just saw one of his repair jobs and you can't put a price on that. It was amazing! All the best, Truthseeker. And stop being such a dick, vincehair! Kman

Looks great, Eman. That's alot of grafts! With your hair color and skin tone I think you will have a better result than most of your(how should i say this) pastier brethren. I'm really happy for you. Keep us posted and remember, these next several months will be over before you know it...and then, watch out! Kman

Dr. Feller, After reading your post I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I have a laser comb. However, I have not given up on it. Currently I am conducting studies on it's effectiveness when combined with the properties of a QRay bracelet. Stay tuned. I might be on to something here. Seriously, I did think it worked for the first 6 months but really I just wanted to believe it worked, I think. Eventually I stopped using it as I had to admit that I saw no change. Is it possible though that heat has some minimal benefit to scalp health, and thus hair health? Also, let's not discount the "placebo effect" here. That's my argument to my wife when she asks why I still wear my Qray. Of course, none of the above requires an $800.00 laser. I appreciate you taking the time to explain your reasoning. Makes great sense. Tks. Kman

I think it might be the other way There have been studies indicating that fin can slightly reduce sperm motility and volume, but not enough to affect impregnation, from what i understand. On the other hand, I've never heard of ejaculation or any other bodily function affecting fin levels in your body. I could be wrong.

Hi Eman, It's a big step and truly can be life altering, but you've made a great choice with Rahal and soon enough you will see the positive results of your actions. By next spring you will look like a different man, the one you remember from your past. Although you're never too old for a HT, I'm excited for the guys who do this when they are young as they get to enjoy the fruits of their bold decision in the prime of their life. All the best and looking forward to seeing your blog. Kman - older and further down the alphabet too!

I know it's been discussed before but I can't remember the consensus. I would prefer to take 1mg propecia tablet every other day. I have been taking it every day for approx 18 months now. The main reason for EOD being concern over sides(psychological or not) and the fact that I don't like taking any drug unless absolutely necessary. I will continue with 5% minox 2xday. Does anyone know if the drug still has a benefit if taken eod and what the percentage of effect might be? Thanks.

I've been doing some reading on the subject of propecia for other concerns not related to pregnancy/conception issues. What I read seemed to indicate to me that there is no ralistically measurable risk to the fetus from your sperm while taking propecia, as long as your wife does not handle or ingest the drug herself. She should not handle it at all, just to be safe. Just like your wife shouldn't change a litter box while pregnant...or did my wife play me with that one? As far as trying to conceive, what I read quoted studies showing somewhat reduced motility of sperm(20%) and slightly reduced volume of sperm in the ejaculate. That was not shown to inhibit pregnancy but you could see how some people might think you're possibly hurting your chances. Not the case, apparently. If you are having problems getting pregnant I would talk to your doctor but otherwise, if you follow the script, i would say you and baby are safe.

I believe her number is 1 900... No offence nurse Neena. Wow, I could kick myself for missing such a great party. Pat, Bill, how come you guys didn't tell me about the girls? JK. If I went to your party I might not have met my Russian princess. Yeah, I know, I'm married. Nothing happened, but a guy can still talk to a good looking girl, right? Guys? Anyways, you guys sure know how to throw a party.

Well, I just returned from my annual trip to Montreal where I saw friends who hadn't seen me since last year. We always have fun as a group but this year I was wondering if anyone would razz me on my hair. First off, i had a buzzcut, which I don't normally sport, plus there was no thinning like before my HT in March. I did get some razzing on the short hair and some joked if I was taking propecia but no one went beyond that. I really think HT's today are so undetectable that most people wouldn't assume you had one, even if you have more hair the next time they see you. Still, with all the goodnatured ribbing that went on, I was glad I decided to keep my HT a secret. Hope you guys that went to the party in Mtl had fun! Wish I could have made it.