SouthCarolina

Hi Rugby Yes, you can wear a system after a HT. I have been wearing some kind of system for 20 years. I had a HT 3 years ago as well as one 3 months ago and continue to wear my system ... that is until I get out of it hopefully at the end of the year. You need to be careful not to disturb the grafts at first. Since I traveled for my HT I stayed there a few days. I did this so I could go back the next day to have them shampoo my hair and give me the "once over". I stayed another day or so to let the grafts adhere without my wearing a system at all. If you use tape the be sure to tape the system a little in front of the grafts. You will probably do this anyway in the fronT from now on but it is imporatnt especially at first. For the next few weeks you will need to be removing your system every day to wash/rinse your head/grafts in order to be sure the area stays clean as well as help remove the tiny scabs. I therefore used very little tape and only half to 1/3 the normal width (not lenth) so as not to hit the grafts as well as make it easy to remove each day. I normally wear it continuously for 5 days or so and then re-attach. During the first few weeks I removed it each morning, cleaned and reattached it until the next morning. (This was a big pain in the neck by the way!) See my post here for more on my hair system strategy ... http://www.hair-restoration-info.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=5696015661&f=1466060861&m=4776069813&r=5926071123#5926071123 Some people might say to ditch your system and go for it. If you feel cofortable then do it. I would not feel comfortable so I am taking the slow easy-does-it route. Good Luck!

Just had my 2nd HT about 3 months ago. I am still wearing my system. I am a NW7 and 46 years old. My system is thin to begin with so as to look as natural as possible. To get it this thin I had the system thinned with tiny scissors at the base in places you would normally be thinner like the crown. It is also pretty recessed on the sides (power alleys). My plan is to progressively "lose" more and more hair in my system as time goes by. It will end up being much thinner in the crown and surrounding area. The trick is to get it thin but not slick bald. Bald means the base would show and you don't want that. You must still "see" the skin however but have whispy hair still cover. When I am ready to ditch the system I will probably do a much different hair style ... shorter and without my usual part and maybe shave my mustache. That's my plan.

I read a number of years ago that research was being done on using cold packs or a cold head "mask" to keep hair from falling out during chemo therapy. It was reported as having success but I have never heard of it since then. Have any doctors heard of this? Perhaps it may apply to keeping grafts after a HT. Maybe something to look into?

I am 6 days post opp with my 2nd HT with Dr. Shapiro. The 1st was 3 years ago in FL which yielded about 1800. I am a NW 7 so my expectations are not as great as some of you. I also wear a system over my transplants. (I'm 46 years old.) This time I got 2100. It was actually more than I expected and I was pleased. We filled in between the old grafts and concentrated in the center more and also on the lateral hump (over the ears). We decided to go a little more heavy on the part side in order to allow a possibility to throw the system away when this grows in. With these new grafts I must say that I haven't seen the top so full in 20 years! I am excited to see how this turns/grows out and at least for now ... I'm filled with a at least a little hope of gaining my "follicular freedom" from the system. I know the big wait is next so... An unusual note. We observed that it appeared most of my 1st HT grafts were singles. I had a lot more 2's and 3's this time. Hopefully that will pay off in density. I have plans for 1 more HT to round things out. Probably 1000 or less since I don't have an over abundance of donor. This was my first trip to MN and their office was great. It was modern and clean. (The weather was crappy and cold!! MN is no place to live ... at least in the winter. Its was snowing too! Very uncomfortable for us Southern guys.) Shapiro was tops as you might expect and ALL the assistants in the office were professional yet absolutely friendly. I was there 10-11 hours. The actual procedure was almost painless. A piece of cake. Only a small pin prick. Negatives. Everyone knows about the wait for regrowth so enough said. Getting someone to take the stitches out later and that 10 day window is not enjoyable but there's not actually any pain. My having to deal with a system and taking it on & off each night to wash the grafts is the MOST annoying part but most of you won't have to deal with this situation. I also met Dr. Rose. He seemed to be a great guy (down to earth like Shapiro) also. Final results are a ways off so I won't even try to say otherwise .... but I'm hopeful.

Dr. Rose works with Dr. Shapiro also ... a good sign. Check his bio on Shapiro's site here: http://www.shapiromedical.com/aboutRose.htm

Has anyone actually ordered Proscar over the net at www.cyberdrug.net or anywhere else? Want to be sure you got the real deal. Did you cut it in 4ths or 5ths. Can any doctors comment on getting it without a prescription over the net (even though I have one for propecia)? Just want to get a cheaper alternative and hear from folks with first hand experience.

Hi Arfy You stated, "... I suggest we stick to discussing the results of everyday guys like you and I.". If a celebrity got good results from a HT then I think we all could benefit from his experience. If he had a procedure done that is also available to all of us then I think for all intents and purposes he's an everyday guy ... just like us. Although this subject is not as technical as many others ... I think many would be "interested". Who else could we ask if not this elite gathering of knowledgeable patients and doctors? I felt comfortable in bringing the subject up and had 1 other reply (besides yours) and 138 views so far. Not an overwhelming response but it proves at least "somebody" was interested. Have a good one!

Seen the famous 50's singer Pat Boone lately (white buck shoes)? He has worn a hair system for years but now appears to have had a hair transplant. He looks great! Anybody know anything? His doctor, etc?

Seen the famous 50's singer Pat Boone lately (white buck shoes)? He has worn a hair system for years but now appears to have had a hair transplant. He looks great! Anybody know anything? His doctor, etc?

I have noticed that on several before and after shot that clients have lost weight or improved their looks in other ways in addition to their HT. I can see how improving ones self esteem can lead to other positive changes ... even things like going back to school, getting married, etc. Does anyone have stories such as this?

I have noticed that on several before and after shot that clients have lost weight or improved their looks in other ways in addition to their HT. I can see how improving ones self esteem can lead to other positive changes ... even things like going back to school, getting married, etc. Does anyone have stories such as this?

I have had one HT with Dr. Shapiro. I am a 6-7 and wear a hair replacement to cover. This is working for me. (The trick is to place the tape in front of your hairline. I once had the super glue version. It won't work here however. Just tell them you want to use tape.) I cut the tape in half width wise in order to leave room not to touch the hair line. My system stays on 5 to 7 days. After my HT I stayed out of town a few days (I traveled to see the doc) and did without the replacement to allow the grafts to heal some. For the next month or so I used very little tape and took it off every night to "rinse/wash" my new grafts and put the system immediately back on. After total healing there is no problem. I plan my second HT in the next few months. A 3rd HT may be required but not as large as the others. I understand the crown may be sparce but I will probably live with it. I have worn a system for 21 years (I'm in my mid 40's) and I think I can live with a "sparce" crown if it lets me be free from the replacement. I am older now so it probably won't bother me to have a "balding" spot. I can however see how a small hair replacement for the crown would be acceptable for many. It seems do-able to me.

I forgot to mention that Dr. Baxa worked with Dr. Shapiro years ago in another organization and has had 2 sessions himself performed by Dr. Shapiro.

I don't know Dr. Cooley but there is a Dr. Baxa in Charlotte, NC you may check out if you need someone in NC. He does follicular unit transplants at the Professional Image & Laser Center. They do hair replacement systems, microdermabrasion, and hair removal but Dr. Baxa does all their transplants. Look here: http://www.pilc.com

I saw Dr. Barry White in the Find A Doctor list and also he had pictures listed. He is no longer in the Find A Doctor section but the pictures remain. What happened to Dr. Barry White?

I saw Dr. Barry White in the Find A Doctor list and also he had pictures listed. He is no longer in the Find A Doctor section but the pictures remain. What happened to Dr. Barry White?