Chris in Seattle

Yes, Dr. Gabel and his team are great. Yesterday marked 1 year since my procedure.

Well today marks exactly 1 YEAR since my HT. My hair is still thickening and darkening. It's becoming harder to see my scalp, unless it's wet or under harsh lighting. It's a funny thing 'cause hair thickness seems to vary from day to day. I'm also letting it grow out. I'm noticing quite a difference in the way strangers respond to me, or look at me. And I'm more often referred to as "bro" or buddy" which is SO much better than "sir" (I just HATE that!). Anyway, I posted a couple new pics. 4,115 grafts (8,319 hairs) by "The Great" Dr. Gabel Hillsboro, OR March 8, 2010

Thanks for all your kind words! I have just recently seen a lot of thickening, so I look forward to the final result.

Here's the link to my photos from Month 0 - 10. HT by Dr. Gabel March 8, 2010 4115 Grafts http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/ChrisinSeattle/albums/451

I just wanted to add that I also had a procedure done by Dr. Gabel, in March, and he (and his team) ARE outstanding! I could not have made a better choice. It was not only worth the 3 hour drive from Seattle, but I would've chosen him, even if he was thousands of miles away. I recently saw a friend who I haven't seen since I experienced any hair loss. He pretty much forgot that I had the procedure done. Then I reminded him and showed him pictures from before my surgery, and he was absolutely shocked! I've definitely noticed some thickening lately, and I look forward to the full result. I feel most "exposed" when my hair is wet or if I'm around bright lights. But in general, the self-consciousness that used to rule my entire life is hardly felt at all. I plan to post pictures this weekend, to mark 10 months since my surgery. Thanks, Dr. Gabel!

Hey Labrat, Yes we are fortunate to be living in a time when such high quality hair restoration is even possible. Have you been to any consultations yet or considered any specific clinics? After reading some of your prior posts on this thread, there seems to be a part of you that is a bit hesitant about getting a HT. It's a big decision but I wonder if there are any psychological (or financial) factors holding you back? Are you totally sure that this is the right thing for you? Dr. Gabel - March 8, 2010 4115 Grafts 1s - 958 2s - 2209 3s - 849 4s - 99 Total Hairs - 8319

Labrat, To answer your question, I had my HT done by Dr. Gabel in Oregon. I HIGHLY recommend him and could not have made a better choice. It's very true what you said about some guys looking radically different with/without hair. It's a bit like a girl with beautiful dark hair who dyes it blond. Often it just washes out her complexion and she doesn't look as good. So are you saying that you've been considering a HT for 17 YEARS?! Well what's stopping you from pursuing it? Dr. Gabel - March 8, 2010 4115 Grafts 1s - 958 2s - 2209 3s - 849 4s - 99 Total Hairs - 8319

Thanks guys, for your kind replies and support. I tweaked the title of this post a bit. I honestly don't know if the scar will eventually emerge, but I'm not concerned 'cause it'll be as good as it can be. Today marks milestone Day 14 post op so it was really nice to return to regular showering again, jogging, and I also worked on carefully removing nearly all of the remaining little white scabs. It was funny 'cause when I started jogging today, my scalp felt a little funny, but that sensation was gone in just a few minutes. I'll occasionally get a little itchy, but other than that it feels like nothing ever happened! I have been taking pictures almost everyday, although Dr. Gabel also has some which he initially said he'd like to post first.

Hair Me, Yes I will post the pics. However, I'm in no rush to do that just to "prove" something. Dr. Gabel has the best quality photos to date, but we haven't discussed exactly when we'll release them (they'd also have to sort through them all, which takes time). But it's only been 13 days and right now I'm more focused on getting rid of my little scabs, not to mention tomorrow which marks day 14, when I can officially do basically anything I want. I really look forward to that! Even though I felt fine, holding back a little in the first 2 weeks hasn't been easy for me. I'm sure that some of you can relate. I haven't even looked for the donor scar myself 'cause Dr. Gabel told me that you can't even see it, and I believe him! However, it should also be noted that I have dense donor hair, so just 'cause it can't be seen now doesn't necessarily mean that it would be completely invisible if I were to shave my head. So perhaps "invisible" is a relative term.

Well I had my sutures removed on Friday (post op day 11). Dr. Gabel says that you CAN'T EVEN SEE the donor scar! I didn't think that could even be possible! And I feel NO tightness or discomfort at all. I know I'll be asked about photos, so FYI many were taken, both in Dr. Gabel's studio and with my own camera. Selected pics will be posted in the near future, possibly after the shedding period. Thanks again to Dr. Gabel, AND his fantastic staff! Although a HT is masterminded & directed by the surgeon, we should never overlook the huge role that talented Technicians, CMAs, Patient Coordinators, & Graft Placers (other than the surgeon) play in the process. Dr. Gabel - March 8, 2010 4115 grafts 1s - 958 2s - 2209 3s - 849 4s - 99 Total Hairs - 8319

Hi Joe, Despite our earlier exchanges and sarcasm, I just wanted to commend you for your reply that I just read on another post, to the guy who is interested in Dr. Gabel. You were kind enough to actually pass along Gabel's phone number which was really cool of you!

Hi, well I just had a HT by Dr. Gabel, who I highly recommend. The cost is based on how many grafts are placed, but after a certain number of grafts, the cost per graft goes down dramatically. I would consult with him for a better assessment of the actual cost, based on your specific needs and goals, and his recommendations for you. He will be very straight-forward about it. Joe was nice enough to pass along his phone number. I wish you the best.

OK...since a few of you are so confused or curious about my original line regarding "overhead costs", I'll clarify so that we can move on. :-) All I was basically trying to say is that those who conduct business in a more remote, rural place or even in a modestly affordable city or suburb, obviously do not have to pay nearly the same amount for office space (and the like) as somebody who practices in an extremely expensive urban area. That's a simple fact. And of course, the average cost of living varies significantly from place to place, including what would be considered a liveable, suitable wage for experienced staff working in that particular region and trade. This is all I meant by "overhead". I wasn't referring to costs directly related to the medical field, 'cause I know nothing about that. It was merely a general statement that I later decided to delete 'cause I wanted to shorten my post and stick to the more important points. Of course I was not comparing costs between any specific coalition clinics and certainly not to any based in Canada, where there's an entirely different healthcare system altogether (frankly, I wish we had some form of universal healthcare coverage in the US too, but that's a whole different subject). I should add, however, that I was also vaguely referencing the worldwide HT "chains" that we've all heard of, who charge an incredible amount of money, largely to merely cover the costs of more advertising. So now that I've clarified, I hope we can put this to rest and get back to why we're all here: HAIR!

Hi Joe, I may be new to this forum, but why would you, as a salesman, have any sincere interest in my progress? It's especially perplexing, given that I had my procedure done by another surgeon, who just-so-happens to also be located in the Pacific Northwest. While it's no secret that Hasson & Wong do great work, so does Dr. Gabel. It's perfectly understandable that you'd have specific agendas, goals and motives to fulfill. After all, you're just doing your job and you've gotta make those quotas, right?! However, most of us are only here to help eachother out. I appreciate the encouragement, but I will post my pictures when I'm ready. I haven't even had my sutures removed yet. But thanks for your concern and willingness to offer advice.

Thanks Bill. I do plan on posting pictures, it's just a matter of when (possibly after the shedding period, but perhaps sooner). But I will say that even the relative stubble that I'm seeing now, just 9 days post op, is an incredible improvement. And despite the fact that I haven't gotten a haircut yet to even things out, I can actually tolerate looking like this, unlike before the procedure. That says a lot. Thanks so much, Bill, for starting this community. We're all fortunate to have a forum like this to support eachother and have the resources available to make informed decisions. I enjoyed reading your story (and could certainly relate). Chris