Teddw2ds

mm I don't recall for certain, but you may be correct about vocor1. As for me, I could not be more thrilled with my donor scar. I routinely buzz my hair down to a #2 guard (for those that don't know, that is SHORT!) and the scar is not detectable. When trying to take photos for this site, I've had friends try to find it and they couldn't tell where it was in some places, even when actively looking for it. Tedd

Hey, everybody It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since I posted the last update, but it's primarily because little has changed. Dr. Rose did say that I might still see some additional density increase even beyond 9 months, and that turned out to be true, although the increase was not significant. I could just see some of those tiny fine hairs starting to break through. For anyone who's had a HT, you know exactly what I'm talking about. They are easy to spot because they are super curly, whereas my normal texture is pin straight. So, at a year and a half post-op, I still look in the mirror all the time and just stare in amazement at how my looks have transformed, and I am thrilled with the decision I made. With the transplant, in combination with finasteride, I have managed to maintain a great head of hair. I know it's only cosmetic and it shouldn't matter, but we all know it does matter. I look younger and feel more confident than I have in a long time. Thankfully, so far, there does not appear to be any need for another procedure, but when that day comes, I will not hesitate. Peace, love and follicles for all! Tedd

Heirman, I have been taking this version of finasteride for almost a year and for me, it has been just as effective as name-brand Propecia or Proscar. It is the same active ingredient. I never experienced any side effects with Proscar or Propecia, so I couldn't really speak to that subject. As for the quality of the product, Cipla may not be based in the United States, but it is not some shady makeshift apothecary either. Having an MBA, I have conducted in depth research on hundreds of companies and I know what resources to turn to in order to find out information about a company. Cipla is well-respected and their manufacturing processes are as modern and safe as any US manufacturer. My previous post was edited to remove the website I use to buy Fincar, but if you'd like that URL, just email me (email address is in my profile). Including the URL in that post has nothing to do with promoting any particular company. It's completely about helping my fellow man. Tedd

I have been on Finasteride (Propecia) for four years in January, and so far, I have seen no reduction in its effectiveness. Since I started taking it, my hair loss has virtually halted altogether. I also have a readily-available comparison study, since I have an identical twin. He apparently has not been taking anything for his hair loss, since he's lost significant hair in the last four years. Tedd

You can buy 90 5mg pills of Fincar (generic Propecia) from Cipla, a very respectable drug maker from India, or about $1 a pill. Since you can split this 4 ways, that's a one-year supply for $90. That's the best deal I've found and the one I use. If anyone knows of anything better, please let me know. [edited by forum moderator for promotional content] Tedd

hair4good Hey, sorry for no response to your question from way, way back. I'm sure you've had your procedure by now and are growing fistfuls of hair. I haven't been very active on the board for most of this year. I would love to know how things turned out. I'm sure your HT looks great, with Rose performing the procedure. I chose his Tampa office for very practical reasons... I have friends who live there, and they took very good care of my in my post-op recovery days. I wasn't necessarily looking for a doctor in Tampa. I was willing to go anywhere and my decision was based on the skill and reputation of the surgeon. I just happened to find one that I was very impressed with right there in Tampa. Tedd

Hey billorbob, I know I haven't been on here in a long time, but I'm glad to see you go with Rose. As you probably recall from our past conversations, I sat in that same chair just over a year ago and I could not be more pleased with the results. I've only had one procedure, so I can't compare his work with others, but I can't imagine a more skilled surgeon, both in terms of frontal appearance and a super-fine donor scar. I buzz my hair down to a #2 guard and you can't even see the scar line. That is truly amazing! That's less than half an inch of hair hiding that tiny little scar. Great choice. I'm glad you're as thrilled as I am. BaldingHateIt - I had my procedure with Rose on Aug. 6th, 2003, and I'm posting a photo of my results through the 6-month point. I may have had some growth after that, but not significant. Tedd

Hey gang I just got back from a follow-up visit with Dr. Rose, and just like me, he was happy with the results. Of course, being the perfectionist that he is, he suggested I might want FIT to fill in the scar area. I would only consider that if I thought about shaving my head (but why would I do that?), because even at a #2 blade, the scar is invisible. He also said I may want to consider additional grats to thicken up the front 1/2 of my head. It is still a little thinner than I'd like, but certainly livable. My whole objective in doing this was to get a decent amount of coverage without using up my supply of donor hair. If (or when, more likely) I go back for another HT, it won't be for a couple of years at least, so that I can get a better idea of just how much donor hair I'll need to preserve. I mentioned that I thought my density peaked at around 6 - 7 months. He did say, though, that I could still expect to see some additional density, as I am only about 9 months in. All in all, the follow-up was pretty uneventful, primarily just because his work is doing exactly what it was meant to do... covering my previously bald area and showing almost no scarring in the back.

Hey guys I know I haven't had any updates on here in a long time, but that's because there really wasn't anything new to report. It looked like my progress had peaked at about 6 months. Now, though, inexplicably I am seeing several new sprouts throughout the transplant area. They are easy to identify because the transplanted hairs come in extremely curly at first, and the rest of my hair is as straight as a razor blade. I am now at about eight and a half months, and I have my first follow-up visit with Dr. Rose in about a month. I hope I continue to have even more hair to show off by that time!! Tedd

I very nearly made the same mistake about a year ago. I was all scheduled to have a procedure with one doctor that I have done a lot of research on, only to find when I arrived at the clinic (which was halfway across the country) that he was no longer practicing with that clinic. I was pissed off, but mulled over whether or not to procede with the other doctor there. The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was just being pressured and hoodwinked into something I didn't feel comfortable with. I cancelled, thank God! I had to wait another 6 months before getting my HT, but I did more research during that time and discovered Dr. Rose in Tampa, who I eventually ended up going with, and I could not be happier with the result. It definitely pays to be patient and do all your research before making a move! Tedd

Yeah, I kinda felt guilty about not telling my brother, but it makes for an absolutely fascinating comparison study!! LOL I figure if it bothers him as much as it did me, he'll ask about it. I would feel really bad though if he shows up next Christmas with a really horrible Bosley or MHR job!!!

Yes, he does. As you probably know, this gives the surgeon amazing control over the direction of growth, and yields a very natural appearance.

Yes, I used Rogaine for about 60 days following my procedure, and I think that's part of why I saw such immediate improvement. Although the downside to that is my gains seem to have peaked at about 6 months, whereas I was hoping to see continued improvement for the full year, as Dr. Rose predicted. Perhaps I'll still continue seeing more progress, but I can't tell any difference for several weeks now. But I guess as long as it all comes in, it's okay, and better sooner than later, huh? Tedd

Hi TA I had my HT with Dr. Rose (a member of the Shapiro group) back in August 2003, and I could not be more pleased with my experience. I think any one of the doctors in the SMG would be an excellent choice. If you haven't seen my thread, you can check it out HERE Good luck! Tedd

Okay, I finally remembered to get a shot of my donor scar area, but it took a while to find it. Truly, it's almost non-existant, and it takes me a while to find it. Even with a friend helping, and in good lighting, he had trouble discerning where the dang thing was! That's good news though. Here it is. It's not much to look at, but if you examine it closely, you can see it. To help out, I've drown lines on either side of where the scar is, so you have an idea of where to look. Tedd