Middleson

Hello pokerbrat, It's been a while since I've spent time reading these forums and this thread caught my eye this morning. Looks like you've had a pretty good response already, but I'll add my own anyway. I'll say with absolutely no uncertainty at all that I would go back and I would do it all over again. I am just over 7 months post-op and I am not only extremely satisfied, I am thrilled with my results so far. I haven't updated my blog yet--will get around to it eventually (busy as hell with life/work/other obligations/etc..). No question at all for me pokerbrat. I would do it again in a heart beat. Seems to me as if you're doing your own research, which suggests to me that you're probably going to make a well informed decision for yourself. Best of Luck to you whatever you decide!

Hello Ryan, I think most of us who read and post on this site would love to have your head of hair. For what it's worth, I would add that if you do happen to find a doctor willing to perform HT surgery on you right now, then run away as fast as you can.

Thanks for the responses. I was just thinking about how far back the clock is at this point, and my best guess (from a vaguely clouded memory) would be about 7 years or so. In other words, I'm 47 now, and I'm guessing that my hair probably looks the way it looked when I was in my late 30's/early 40's. I'm thinking that when this whole process is done that my hair will likely look the way it looked in my early to mid 30's, and I will admit I'm very pleased with that! While I am anxious for the end results, it is also interesting watching this transformation unfold (probably helps if you only inspect closely about once every week or so).

Hello irish homer & Bill! I just broke down and purchased a digital camera so I'll be able to post some 6 months pics next week when I'll have more free time. I recall a thread here about how to take good pictures and I'll look that up & learn how to use the new digital & get the photos onto my computer & up on this website (I'm a little slower than you younger fellas with this computer and new technology). I also promised Dr. Cooley and Ailene that I would make a trip to their office around my one year post-op point and have them take another photo under the sames lighting conditions/etc.. I suppose I might be easily amused, but this new hair growth stuff is really incredible. I am SO GLAD I found this site and was able to steer clear of the hair mills. Thank you again to everyone here for your honest feedback, your encouragment and for the time you give to helping people. I mean that.

Hairbank, I guess I'm a bit late to this thread, and I hope it's not too late to tell you how much I also appreciate your contributions here. You have also helped me and for that I thank you.

Two reasons for this post: 1. Not many other people would appreciate how excited and happy I am with being very nearly 6 months post-op from a HT. For so many years I'd look into the mirror and sometimes get a bit bummed out from noticing a slow hairloss in my temples and my crown typical of MPB. Now when I look in the mirror I am genuinelly thrilled with watching this "reverse balding process". It really is like turning back the clock! and 2. I want to offer encouragment to anyone currently or soon to be going through the doldrums (2-5 months). I know firsthand how much that time sucks, but it does get better and better!

Two reasons for this post: 1. Not many other people would appreciate how excited and happy I am with being very nearly 6 months post-op from a HT. For so many years I'd look into the mirror and sometimes get a bit bummed out from noticing a slow hairloss in my temples and my crown typical of MPB. Now when I look in the mirror I am genuinelly thrilled with watching this "reverse balding process". It really is like turning back the clock! and 2. I want to offer encouragment to anyone currently or soon to be going through the doldrums (2-5 months). I know firsthand how much that time sucks, but it does get better and better!

Hey Warren, Congratulations on your decision. Speaking as a recent patient of Dr Cooley, I can say with confidence that you will be in good hands. His surgical team is every bit as dedicated as he is and I am sure you'll have a very positive experience. I look forward to hearing from you in September!

Tony, Great photos, and congratulations! I know what you mean about washing your hair at this point in your progress...it does feel good. I also remember how pleased I was during the first month while most of the transplanted hairs remained. I'm sure you're already aware that you're going to have a couple months that are going to really suck. There was a time during my third month when I thought I might have looked worse than before my HT, but things are really turning around now for me...and they will for you too. Hang in there buddy. Look forward to seeing your 6 month post!

I always appreciate your thoughtful and detailed responses to peoples questions Bill, thank you. A follow up question(s): I've read about people getting "hair greed" after their first HT. And I've also read about people getting a HT to increase their density on a specific area of the scalp. To your knowledge, has this ever been a matter of increasing density in a HT recipient area where the patient didn't get enough density in the first place (for whatever reason)? In general, is there an optimum amount of density per cm2 for different hair types? Is there a minimum density below which you would say "why even bother with a HT", and is there a maximum density beyond which it is simply not technically possibly assuming the most ideal candidate with nearly unlimited hair & resources & a top notch surgeon?

This question is for the folks who are at least 12 months past a HT. Having reached the 5 month post-op milestone, I'm starting to see some growth as expected. Even though I know there's much more to come, I'm still pretty thrilled with the process at this point. Recently I'm starting to notice that in indirect lighting my crown almost looks filled in, and in direct lighting, while it looks much improved, it looks not quite so filled in. I suspect having dark, somewhat coarse hair is giving me this illusion of density in lower lighting(?). I recall reading many references in discussions on this board about the "illusion of density", and also recall (think it was Bill?) someone saying something like "some lighting is friendly, other lighting is not so friendly" in terms of being satisfied with the results of your HT process or end result(?). And, of course, we've all heard about greed. After my HT, my doctor provided me with this density data: Transplanted Area: 60cm2 Recipient density: 40-60 grafts/cm2 (average~50/cm2) Question: In general, what can you tell me about your level of satisfaction with the results of your HT (in terms of density) with respect to the actual approximate density obtained from your HT?

This question is for the folks who are at least 12 months past a HT. Having reached the 5 month post-op milestone, I'm starting to see some growth as expected. Even though I know there's much more to come, I'm still pretty thrilled with the process at this point. Recently I'm starting to notice that in indirect lighting my crown almost looks filled in, and in direct lighting, while it looks much improved, it looks not quite so filled in. I suspect having dark, somewhat coarse hair is giving me this illusion of density in lower lighting(?). I recall reading many references in discussions on this board about the "illusion of density", and also recall (think it was Bill?) someone saying something like "some lighting is friendly, other lighting is not so friendly" in terms of being satisfied with the results of your HT process or end result(?). And, of course, we've all heard about greed. After my HT, my doctor provided me with this density data: Transplanted Area: 60cm2 Recipient density: 40-60 grafts/cm2 (average~50/cm2) Question: In general, what can you tell me about your level of satisfaction with the results of your HT (in terms of density) with respect to the actual approximate density obtained from your HT?

I feel your pain asda! Jan 3rd here & waiting & waiting & waiting...

Looking pretty good at the 5 month mark IH. We're finally out of the dreaded doldrums, and I'm sure you're looking forward to the rest of this year as much as I am!

nobuzz...oh yes, it's been a long 4 months for sure. irish homer...we'll be anxious to check out the progress when you hit 5 months Everyone...with just 2 weeks to go before the 5 month post-op mark, i'm just starting to get some noticable growth which is really encouraging after spending a couple months in the depths of the doldrums. I knew very well to expect the doldrums but that didn't make it suck any less. Here's what I'm noticing at this point. My crown almost has a covered look in a low lighting environment. In a well lighted environment (or outside), my bald crown is clearly visible, but so is a thin layer of new growth just starting to cover the area. Also I had a little work done on my hairline just to reinforce and refine my hairline, and I'm able to see growth from the transplants in that area as well. Nothing earth shattering by any means, but it is incredibly encouraging to finally be at this point following the dreaded doldroms! I just purchased my first digital camera (being shipped next week) so I'll be able to share photos. My plan is to share photos at the 6 month and one year point in my progress. Since most of my work is on my crown, it really won't make for very exciting or dramatic photos the way the photos do when showing work in the front. Have a great weekend all. Is there anyone else posting/reading/lurking here who also had HT in January (or close to January 2007) who would be willing to share experience?

irish homer, B Spot, No buzz, and others who had a HT this past January: I just got home from dinner out on the town...decided to hold up a mirror and check out the crown...and for the first time I had to say to myself: HELL YEAH!...finally things are starting to turn around. Real improvement. I hope this means the doldrums phase is over? How are you guys doing?

irish homer, B Spot, No buzz, and others who had a HT this past January: I just got home from dinner out on the town...decided to hold up a mirror and check out the crown...and for the first time I had to say to myself: HELL YEAH!...finally things are starting to turn around. Real improvement. I hope this means the doldrums phase is over? How are you guys doing?

ahback9: Let us know how things turn out during the next couple months. You can be sure we're all highly interested in reading about your own personal experience! By the way, we would certainly appreciate it if you would share more information with us. Who was your doctor? How many grafts/hairs did you have transplanted? Any pictures you might be able to share?

I'm not really sure? I recall being very pleased with how much hair remaining when I was 2 months post-op and I really thought I was one of the lucky ones. In my case I ended up losing most of the transplanted hair between months 2 & 3. I would estimate that I held onto maybe 10-20% of the transplanted hairs. At this point (4.5 months postop) I would say I'm probably a bit better than where I was at 2 months post op. While it is certainly true that progress is highly individual, it also seems true that certain sweeping generalities do seem to hold true as well. With a very small exception, I have the impression that most folks eventually lose most of their transplanted hairs. I also recall a thread here about the relationship between new growth vs. transplanted hair lost. IIRC the theory was "the sooner the hair is lost, the sooner it will regrow". I hope you are one of the lucky ones, but if you do end up losing more of your transplanted hair during the next month, realize that this is normal and it will grow back (assuming qualified surgeon, of course). There's a reason most folks here refer to months 2 and 3 (and sometimes 4) as the doldrums.

Well, here's a clue. If I would have commented on her wobbly bits after her comment about my bald spot, that would have been "tit for tat". Does that help?

Hey thanks for responses guys. I knew I could count on a little empathy here. I'm sure her comment was completely without malice, and meant only in a lighthearted way. I've known this woman casually for many years and she knows me well enough to know she's pretty safe with me. I won't comment on her wobbly bits. rp1979: My HT from Dr Cooley is doing great, thanks for asking. I'm about 4.5 months post-op with evidence of new growth throughout my balding crown and along my hairline. Obviously the growth is not enough for friends/casual aquaintences to notice. At this point I'm eagerly waiting for the more noticable stuff to come in the next 4-6 months.

I just got my ego bruised. There's a lady I was making small talk with a few minutes ago. She has a new convertable car and I was just outside striking up a conversation when I joked "So Kathy, when are you going to take me for a ride in that awesome car?" I was feeling pretty good when she said "Anytime", but then she commented on the weather & how it would quickly get too hot to have the top down. She said "It would burn your bald spot at a traffic light." OUCH!

I just got my ego bruised. There's a lady I was making small talk with a few minutes ago. She has a new convertable car and I was just outside striking up a conversation when I joked "So Kathy, when are you going to take me for a ride in that awesome car?" I was feeling pretty good when she said "Anytime", but then she commented on the weather & how it would quickly get too hot to have the top down. She said "It would burn your bald spot at a traffic light." OUCH!

Hello Warren, I was Dr Cooley's first patient this year (also my first HT on January 3rd). It was an incredible experience for me and a decision that I have not regretted at all. The surgery itself was impressive (look at my pre & post op photos from the weblog I created on this site)...it was extremely clean and well done and healed very nicely and rapidly, and my progress to date has been right on track with just about everyone else I have seen posting on this site. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Cooley, or any other physician recommended by the "Coalition of Surgeons for Ultra Fine Results". I wish you all the best and hope you'll continue posting here and sharing your results!