Neptune

I think YoungGuy's experience confirms something that could use some talking up to those about to have this surgery. Maybe everyone already lives pre-op surgical instructions to the letter, but for as important as the impact of as little as a few beers (or Asprin) a week to two weeks ahead of time may be, seems we should be sure to really warn those about to have this surgery of the potential impact. Don't take me wrong. I"m not beign critical at all. I've had some outstanding advice gained from being on this forum. Just haven't really heard this talked up as much. Maybe we should hype it up a bit more since the potential impact is so great. Many people around their 40's have already had a surgery or two, and speaking from personal experience, while Asprin was heavily warned against, alcohol was not (at least not for as much as a few days ahead of surgery). HT surgery is a different beast in many respects. Thanks to all for chiming in on this one. Good stuff to use and share.

I know. For my shoulder surgery, I was told no asprin for two weeks and no alcohol for a couple of days prior. For hair it's two weeks/one week. I guess the alcohol has more of an affect on the scalp than other body parts. Maybe it makes the recipient area bleed more with as many small incisions as are being made.

Well Bill, if anyone would know it would be you! Don't worry, I don't intend to not follow the directions. I was curious to see what everyone's experiences had been. I had surgery on my shoulder last year and went though the same drill. A little different than this though.

Does sound cool to think you can have a procedure like this and a few days later be walking around without anyone noticing. From your pics I can see why. Dr. E. does good work at minimally invasive grafting it seems. Hope he can keep it up for me in March. It's going to be fun for you this summer when you start to see the results!

Pre-op instructions say to stay away from anything that could thin the blood for two weeks prior to surgery. No asprin, alcohol etc. So, here's the question: How serious did you guys that had your HTs adhere to this pre-op instruction? If any of you popped an asprin or had a glass of wine/beer in the days preceeding your surgery, did you feel it made a difference in either the healing of the recipient or donor sites? Not to fear - I'm not thinking of bucking the trend. Just curious as to how people really follow instructions when all is said and done.

Pre-op instructions say to stay away from anything that could thin the blood for two weeks prior to surgery. No asprin, alcohol etc. So, here's the question: How serious did you guys that had your HTs adhere to this pre-op instruction? If any of you popped an asprin or had a glass of wine/beer in the days preceeding your surgery, did you feel it made a difference in either the healing of the recipient or donor sites? Not to fear - I'm not thinking of bucking the trend. Just curious as to how people really follow instructions when all is said and done.

Looks great rjvw! Can you elaborate on what you are doing post op cleaning and care? Are you using aloe of any form, or graphcyte (think I spelled that right)?

Looks great!

Thanks rjvw! The pics will really help me as this is a rare chance to follow a couple months after someone who's condition is very similar to mine with the same surgeon. Most appreciated! I got an email from Dr. E over the weekend just asking if I had any more questions (we have corresponded via email quite a bit over the last month), so that made me feel good. He's answered every question I have had to date. So far, so good.

Thanks for the info guys. rjvw: the pics look great. You are healing fast it seems. One of the guys commented on your pics and asked about Dr. E's comments on shockloss. Be curious to hear what he said. Hope things keep going this well for you!

Looks great rjvw! Still feeling the tightness in back?

Haven't seen anything on this, so I thought I'd ask what may end up being a dumb question. For those who have travelled by plane following their transplant, how did you feel going into the airport, going through security and getting on a plane (as far as swelling, hiding the "work" and hats? Don't they make you take your hat off going through security? Just curious casue I'm going to be flying from Miami home after my visit with Dr. Epstein and the only part I'm really worrying about at this point is that. Any thoughts from those who have "been there, done that" would be greatly appreciated.

Haven't seen anything on this, so I thought I'd ask what may end up being a dumb question. For those who have travelled by plane following their transplant, how did you feel going into the airport, going through security and getting on a plane (as far as swelling, hiding the "work" and hats? Don't they make you take your hat off going through security? Just curious casue I'm going to be flying from Miami home after my visit with Dr. Epstein and the only part I'm really worrying about at this point is that. Any thoughts from those who have "been there, done that" would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks rjvw. I agree you don't want to go to any extreme. How does the donor area feel? Did Dr. E use the tricho technique on your suture? Hope you can share some pics as time goes on cause I'm really curious as to how things progress (the healing) over the next couple of weeks before you settle into the waiting phase.

rjvw: Amazing post op "lack of redness" and scabbing! I am looking at almost the exact same amount of grafts and my hair is almost exactly where yours "was" going into your procedure. Can you tell me a few things? Since Dr. E. worked around your existing hair, did he give you any idea what you might expect from shock loss in the main work area? Does your new "mature" hairline start at or slightly behind your existing hairline (if you are like me, where you had just a few hairs sprinkled up front that technically was the front of your old hair line? Finally, did he give any indication if you might need a follow-up procedure later on for max fullness? Or, was he of the mind that this should be all you'd want for the area he worked on? Looks great! As I said, I go in for a March procedure, so I'll be sure to post before and after pics too. Thanks for any info you can share.

Congratulations! I was waiting to hear from you since I'm scheduled to go in with Dr. Epstein in March. Any details you can share of the experience would be appreciated, especially regarding post surgical appearance and how you feel around the recipient and donor sites. Really glad to hear it went well!

Today was the day rjvw! I figure you won't see this for a couple of days, but be sure to report in and let us know how today's procedure went with Dr. Epstein. Hope it went well and can't wait to hear about your experience!

Sounds good! When is your surgery date? Can't wait to hear and see your progress. I'll do the same when I go in.

Congrats RJVW. Just so you know you aren't alone, I signed up for a procedure with Dr. Epstein month after next. I had narrowed it down to him, Shapiro, Alexander and Berstein. Decided on Epstein, not because of anything against any of the others (I know they are great) but just liked how he approached giving me feedback and walking me through how he works. Plus his results are well documented. Really pumped but nervous like most it seems. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Gentlemen. I apprecaite all I have learned from you over the last few days. I'm going to set up some consults with other coalition doctors and look forward to this process. I'm thinking about Epstein, Alexander and Shapiro for starters. Might look at others but gotta start somewhere. But, I do not have the option of shaving my recipient site, so I can only consider those docs who don't require you to shave. I'll of course call them to verify, but do any of you know if these physicians require you to shave your recipient site? Again, I'm going to have no more than 1500 to 2000 FUs mainly around the frontal hairline and top front to bulk up the only area that is thinning thus far. Anything you guys know about these surgeons techniques or others who don't require shaving would be most appreciated!

Gentlemen. I apprecaite all I have learned from you over the last few days. I'm going to set up some consults with other coalition doctors and look forward to this process. I'm thinking about Epstein, Alexander and Shapiro for starters. Might look at others but gotta start somewhere. But, I do not have the option of shaving my recipient site, so I can only consider those docs who don't require you to shave. I'll of course call them to verify, but do any of you know if these physicians require you to shave your recipient site? Again, I'm going to have no more than 1500 to 2000 FUs mainly around the frontal hairline and top front to bulk up the only area that is thinning thus far. Anything you guys know about these surgeons techniques or others who don't require shaving would be most appreciated!

Thanks Bill. I had actually looked at your pics and was impressed with the limited redness you had after 6 days. Wish I could have the same. I just didn't know if "ultra refined" with 1.5 mm blades or something like that made any difference or if that is what everyone is using these days. May sound stupid and probably is cause I'm repeating what I see on many of the doc's websites and message boards. Don't really know if people who have been to docs have heard them say "you know, I do such and such which really helps the healing process and not all docs do this." I won't be able to wear a cap after two weeks and I'm in a high profile job so "low profile" is the key!

Hey guys. This is kind of a spinoff of the other thread but it is not surgeon specific. It seems that the coalition is packed with good docs, so this is really about this: Does anyone know the "best" surgeon who is known for limiting redness post op? Or even what your personal experiences were. I'm a Norwood 2 who will need max 2000-2500 total FUs to fortify the hairline and bulk up. I'm trying to figure if there is a surgeon I should zone in on in the coalition who uses such fine blades and techniques that, after two weeks, I should have a decent chance of hiding what I've been up to! Any input you have is appreciated!

Hey guys. This is kind of a spinoff of the other thread but it is not surgeon specific. It seems that the coalition is packed with good docs, so this is really about this: Does anyone know the "best" surgeon who is known for limiting redness post op? Or even what your personal experiences were. I'm a Norwood 2 who will need max 2000-2500 total FUs to fortify the hairline and bulk up. I'm trying to figure if there is a surgeon I should zone in on in the coalition who uses such fine blades and techniques that, after two weeks, I should have a decent chance of hiding what I've been up to! Any input you have is appreciated!

Thank you for your advice. Let me be clear. I have absolutely zero problem with traveling. I just have no way to know really where to go other than what people say here or physicians who are listed on this site. I'd go to Minneapolis, New York or wherever if that will provide a better experience than here in OKC. Just seemed a bit simple that Dr. Lehr, who took over for Dr. Norwood and who's right here in OKC could be the guy to do the job. But I just don't hear people lined up saying what a great outcome they got here, and I hear that from some of you talking highly about other surgeons. So, I'm wondering if I should just pick a couple based on popularity here and go see them. I'm only in the market for about 1500 to 2500 FUs, mainly in front and front top to rebuild and populate the hairline and ridges. No loss yet in crown or mid scalp, so I want to start the rebuilding process now while I have a chance to fill rather than replace entirely. Any advice on top surgeons that are highly thought of by you folks would be greatly appreciated!