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

How important is an appealing, natural look? Do you enjoy swelling and infection? How'd you like a nice wide scar? If these aren't important considerations, then the post-op instructions aren't all that important.

Thanks!! People I meet for the first time are now guessing me to be about 5 years younger than I actually am. Before, they always guessed either right on or a few years older. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I have similar hairloss to what you had and I am getting 1500-2000 FUE's this summer an I am only hoping to get a result like yours. Who are you going to? Obviously, I would recommend Dr. Rose. I think you'll be very happy once you've done it. I know I sure am. It completely changes your whole outlook on life. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Im impressed. What do the people around you say? Have you had any comments? -Good ar bad. Thanks again. It's funny, for a long time, no one said anything, but here recently, it seems like people are really starting to notice, and they are commenting. One guy that I used to work with, but who I haven't seen in a while, told a friend of mine that he thought I got the best toupee he's even seen! UGH! Another friend who I only see occasionally asked if it was just his imagination or if my hair really was getting thicker lately. Another time, a friend who knows all about the HT was closely examining my hairline in front of another person I had just met and this guy was obviously curious as to why my friend was staring so intently at my hair. I told him the story and he flipped out. He just couldn't believe it was not my natural hairline. So without exception... the comments have been very positive. Tedd

You're exactly right, but I actually did mention that in my Feb. 19th post. For the first time since the HT, I finally cut my hair down to a #2 blade (which is REALLY short), and I was a little nervous about it at first. After I looked at it, no sign whatsoever of the scar. I even have a hard time finding it when I look for it, much less someone seeing it inadvertantly. Tedd

Thanks so much. I'm pretty excited myself. The funny thing is, I didn't even fully realize myself just how much my appearance has changed until I looked at the two front-view photos side by side. It's just been so gradual, but now the improvement is obvious! Tedd

Here's where the difference is most noticeable. Check out how different my front view looks with only 1500 grafts. I'm just thrilled. Sorry that the first one is a bit washed out, but I enhanced the brightness so that you could better see the contrast between my skin and hair. There's a lot less skin in the after picture! Tedd

Here are the photos I promised. You guys give me your opinion... does it look to you as if I've made any gains since the end of December, at my last update? I really can't see much. I think the bad lighting in the last picture may make it difficult to judge, though. Give me your thoughts. Either way, I'm very happy with the results. Tedd

Hey all It's beena while since I've posted, but there hasn't been much to tell lately. If you've followed this thread, you know that I started experiencing regrowth very early on (after only 5 weeks). I hoped that meant that I had a good long year of steady improvement ahead, but that didn't happen. I think I've pretty much peaked out here at around the 6 month mark. I still see a few tiny new starts of hair, but I think I've already reached my maximum density. I'm hoping there's still more to come, but if not, I'm happy with what I've got. Good news on another front, though. I got my hair cut just a couple of days ago, and for the first time, I dared to cut my hair down to a #2 blade, fearful that my donor area would be obvious. I decided to go ahead even despite my fears. Even at a #2, the donor area was completely indetectable! I was so stoked!! I should have new photos up in the next few days, and then you guys can decide if I look like I've made any progress since the end of December. Tedd

Yes, I've definitely heard of the festival, and I was even up near there over the Christmas holidays, but my brother and I never went to it. My parents always talked about taking us, but it never seemed to happen. I don't think it ever would now, but of course if we did go, people would never think we're twins because he's bald and I'm not!! LOL

Oddly enough, his name is Todd. That's why the extra D in my name... my parents thought it'd be cute if they matched! But we're from Ohio, not Missouri. How strange!

Thanks for mentioning that Shed. I always seem to forget about the donor area in my progress reports, but that may well be because there's little to report. It's really inconsequential. I've had zero stretchback, and at this point the scar is truly almost indetectable. I've been buzzing my hair down to a #3 blade, but I think once it gets warmer, I'll go down to a #2, which is what I used pre-HT. My biggest concern with cutting it short was not so much the scar showing, but rather than I had some degree of shock loss and so the hair looked somewhat thin in the donor area. Thankfully, that is pretty much all gone now, and all that hair is back to its original fullness. Tedd