TimofCharlotte

I would expect that it depends alot on where your final state of hair loss would have been if not for a HT. For example, if you were 45 and hadn't seen any additional loss in the last couple of years, it may be that your loss is stabilized, in which case Propecia may not be required to prevent additional loss, but would possibly help thicken up existing or possibly grow some non-HT hairs that had gone dormant. IMHO

As you said, it is possible that the very same hairs removed from the donor area may begin to thin out at some time in the recipient site...however, most of us are also likely taking Propecia to help keep additional loss from occuring. Heck, if Propecia had been available when we starting losing our hair, (and we had noticed it and figured the loss would have continued), then it's possible that most of us would never have had a need for a HT...right? Bottom line, keep the DHT effect at bay and the loss may be hard to ever detect, IMO.

I was prepared for worse, having had my first HT 2 weeks ago by Dr. Cooley in Charlotte, NC. I had two back to back sessions of 1500 grafts each, total of 3000. I expected to lose most all by now, however, I am still growing the little transplanted fellas...yippee!! I think everyone's reaction is a little different, and mine may still fall out and go dormant, so I'm not getting my hopes up too high. Good luck.

On the first day, the donor area came from just behind my left ear area to middle of back of head, then sutured up, etc. The second day essentially went from the back of right ear and over to where the first donor area had ended. Overall effect will be one scar as if taken at one time. If I remember correctly, it was about a 3/8" wide donor area. First night was worst, but I didn't know I could take Tylenol to help ease the pain. Still not that big a deal. I've attached my 'pre-op' hairline as well.

The before pic is me, age 44, slowly progressed from mid-20s. (sorry but coudn't figure out how to post more than one pic) Tried Rogaine in past, all I did was boost their stock. Some growth in crown, but not enough. Finally stopped all products about 3-4 years ago, then started thinking about HT. Got great feeling from Dr. Cooley in Charlotte, and recommend him highly, as most reviews show. My decision was to go with a 'one-shot-deal', with no real intention of having to go back. Reality being what it is, and new found vanity may have me wonder back in a year or as my donor area and thickness is pretty good. I had two back to back sessions (two days) of 1500 each, which is probably good from standpoint of not fatiguing the staff or me. It was a logical break point for doing 1500 in crown and 1500+ in front area to mimick my late 20s hairline. I am very pleased with the contour and can't wait for process to start, but from reading all your great posts, I know it will take time. Good luck to all and Many thanks to Dr. Jerry Cooley, his wonderful staff. [This message was edited by TimofCharlotte on June 25, 2003 at 09:22 PM.]

The before pic is me, age 44, slowly progressed from mid-20s. (sorry but coudn't figure out how to post more than one pic) Tried Rogaine in past, all I did was boost their stock. Some growth in crown, but not enough. Finally stopped all products about 3-4 years ago, then started thinking about HT. Got great feeling from Dr. Cooley in Charlotte, and recommend him highly, as most reviews show. My decision was to go with a 'one-shot-deal', with no real intention of having to go back. Reality being what it is, and new found vanity may have me wonder back in a year or as my donor area and thickness is pretty good. I had two back to back sessions (two days) of 1500 each, which is probably good from standpoint of not fatiguing the staff or me. It was a logical break point for doing 1500 in crown and 1500+ in front area to mimick my late 20s hairline. I am very pleased with the contour and can't wait for process to start, but from reading all your great posts, I know it will take time. Good luck to all and Many thanks to Dr. Jerry Cooley, his wonderful staff. [This message was edited by TimofCharlotte on June 25, 2003 at 09:22 PM.]

I too mimick your praise and assessement of Dr. Cooley and his staff. I told him about your posting and 'the fries', needless to say, I was treated to a fine chinese dish one day and mediterranean dish the next. Thanks for the good words, it helped ease my nervousness the night before. Regards.

After many years of deciding should I or shouldn't I, I finally had several weeks coming up this summer and decided to visit a couple docs in the Charlotte area. I had seen Bosley and just didn't get a warm feeling, saw Dr. Cooley and Aileen there, and immediately warmed up to them. I had a followup appointment with others but decided against. Living in Charlotte made this a plus as well, but as others have said, it should not govern your decision. I'm in category 5/5A and new I needed significant numbers to cover the entire area without having to wait 6+ months to start again. Talking with Dr. Cooley, he suggested two back to back sessions of 1500 grafts each, which made good sense to me while still keeping the additional graft discount in tact. I had this scheduled months in advance, but didn't get too nervous till last few nights...OK, the night before. I found this site and cruised thru it extensively and put all my fears to rest, even finding many very positive references to Dr. Cooley's experience and technique with FUs, consistent with his disussion with me. Each day went very well, starting at 8:30 and being out by about 5-6PM with a short lunch break in between. His assistants, Brandy, Christen and Lisa were all excellent, talking back and forth about aesthetics and when in doubt, referring to Dr. Cooley, who supervised and performed all the critical placements. I had in excess of 1500 the first day, covering the crown area only and then upwards of 1600 or so for the frontal area. Alot of this was probably because my hair is pretty thick and coarse and few were natural 1 hair units without cutting down. I can't wait to start seeing results. Pain has been minimal with only slight discomfort at night these first two nights. I did not go for an agressively low hairline, trying to keep in sync with were mother nature has deemed me, but it looks like it will take me back to about my late 20s when it first starting receding in front. Who knows, I think I have more than enough donor hair, maybe a year or two down road I'll bring down a tad more. Have to wait to see how this works out. I like the natural look, no comb or brush, so I'll probably have more than enough to satisfy my needs. Good luck to all, and thanks for a wonderful board. I'll try to get some pics up soon. Tim

After many years of deciding should I or shouldn't I, I finally had several weeks coming up this summer and decided to visit a couple docs in the Charlotte area. I had seen Bosley and just didn't get a warm feeling, saw Dr. Cooley and Aileen there, and immediately warmed up to them. I had a followup appointment with others but decided against. Living in Charlotte made this a plus as well, but as others have said, it should not govern your decision. I'm in category 5/5A and new I needed significant numbers to cover the entire area without having to wait 6+ months to start again. Talking with Dr. Cooley, he suggested two back to back sessions of 1500 grafts each, which made good sense to me while still keeping the additional graft discount in tact. I had this scheduled months in advance, but didn't get too nervous till last few nights...OK, the night before. I found this site and cruised thru it extensively and put all my fears to rest, even finding many very positive references to Dr. Cooley's experience and technique with FUs, consistent with his disussion with me. Each day went very well, starting at 8:30 and being out by about 5-6PM with a short lunch break in between. His assistants, Brandy, Christen and Lisa were all excellent, talking back and forth about aesthetics and when in doubt, referring to Dr. Cooley, who supervised and performed all the critical placements. I had in excess of 1500 the first day, covering the crown area only and then upwards of 1600 or so for the frontal area. Alot of this was probably because my hair is pretty thick and coarse and few were natural 1 hair units without cutting down. I can't wait to start seeing results. Pain has been minimal with only slight discomfort at night these first two nights. I did not go for an agressively low hairline, trying to keep in sync with were mother nature has deemed me, but it looks like it will take me back to about my late 20s when it first starting receding in front. Who knows, I think I have more than enough donor hair, maybe a year or two down road I'll bring down a tad more. Have to wait to see how this works out. I like the natural look, no comb or brush, so I'll probably have more than enough to satisfy my needs. Good luck to all, and thanks for a wonderful board. I'll try to get some pics up soon. Tim