jddidt

I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday after viewing it. I mean how did those docs pull it off? "Would you like the GI Joe look or the Ken Doll style?" An absolute disgrace. Unfortunately that is still the perception of hair transplants (or "hair plugs") to many people.

Congrats djdennis!! I sure wish I got 650+ "on the house." Either somebody screwed up (because that's some serious leftovers), or someone was looking for some good PR... Either way, you are one fortunate dude. Good growing.

I used the bag balm about 5 days post with sutures still in, and for the next 2-3 weeks or so. It's really good stuff. We've been using it in our house for years, basically in place of vaseline ointment -- for scrapes, rashes, etc.

Hey That week flew by, eh? A couple of things I did: I used conditioner pre-shower. I'd place it on head for about 10-15 minutes prior to shower. This seemed to soften/moisten up scabs a bit. Don't scrub overly hard in shower. Just a good massage will do. For donor area try some Bag Balm. It worked good for me anyway. Gently rub it along stitch line. Will help with healing and scabbing in that area too. Remember, every day gets better.

Good luck on your big day... You're in good hands. Call me if you need any advice over the next few weeks. Talk soon.

I'm just throwing my two cents in here... I live outside of Boston (NH), and flew to Miami for my procedure with Dr Epstein two weeks ago. He and his staff are extremely caring and professional. If you look at the numbers, it makes a lot more sense to fly into Miami for the procedure. My round-trip flight and hotel (2 nights) were about $600 total. That's a lot less than 30% premium on a $10,000 average fee. In addition, Miami is his main office with all his great staff, all his tools, all his infrastructure, etc. For such a delicate procedure I know I would feel a lot more confortable having it performed in his comfort zone if you will. In a sports analogy, I kind of relate to your favorite team, home or away. I know I'm more confident when the Red Sox play at Fenway Park vs away. This is not intended to discourage NY surgery from Dr Epstein, but more to weigh the monetary and comfort factors relative to Miami. It's well worth the effort. Travel should never be a deciding factor, in my opinion. In addition, it's a nice reprieve from the daily slog - especially if you have a family. I spent the evening prior in a Miami hotel by myself, relaxing, watching football, without a care of phone calls, children's homework, picking up from soccer, etc. For me this helped calm my nerves, being in my own little zone. Just my thoughts...

Sabravo I had mine a few days before you w Dr E. I was told by Susie who did the followup wash to use baby shampoo. I've been using that every day. Just something with not too many chems will work. Good luck.

MORE HAIR I hear you... I'd have much preferred if Dr E was in the New England area, as opposed to having to fly in and out of Miami (Mon-Wed). But I would never allow a plane trip and hotel sway me either way. In the end, however, I did enjoy the mini trip on my own. I have a wife and children so they didn't have to experience my nervousness the evening before, or the morning of the surgery, or even see me immediately following. I arrived in Miami at 3pm, checked into the hotel at 4pm, and even got lucky as the NE Pats were on Monday Night Football. I ordered some delivery and watched the Pats roll on towards Super Bowl #4! So when I arrived back in Boston the next evening I was cleaned up, refreshed wearing a hat. My kids have no idea. Good luck. And feel free to contact me. I'll be creating a web page soon.

Hi MORE HAIR I did look into Feller. The only thing taht scared me was his "lunchtime procedure." This seemed to me a little disingenuous, a little snake-oil salesmanship. No procedure, even at 200 grafts, is simple, and should not be marketed as such. It is surgery. My considerations were Rose, Epstein, & Hasson/Wong. I felt like all were superb pros. I knocked off H&W because of shaving head. But Epstein and his staff just seemed more personal, not to mention that Dr E is a plastic surgeon which undeniably includes an eye for artistry, especially relative to end results and healing aspects. But more than anything it was a gut feeling. Good luck.

Hi MORE HAIR No, Dr Epstein does not shave head. This is one the main ressons I chose him, not to mention is great reputation and friendly staff. I am impressed Hasson/Wong but they shave the head, and this was a definitely not for me. I have a fairly high profile job, and to loook like a clown for 2-3 months was out of question. Good luck.

Hi Sabravo You made a great decision. You'll be in good hands with Dr Epstein and his crew. I just had my first procedure yesterday, 10/2. I write this from the Hampton Inn in Miami, awaiting to head back for my follow-up and wash. I had around 2,200 grafts. I am virtually pain free this morning. Tightness around suture area but no great uncomfort. I'll be heading downstairs after I post this for a nice breakfast. Here's what to expect for the day: Enjoy a nice light breakfast (toast, fruit, yogurt, decaf coffee). Don't fill yourself up too much to allow medication to work well. You will arrive. Check in with Roxy and crew. You'll fill out patient registration docs. You'll then be taken to a room to meet with Dr E. There you will both discuss your goals. They will then bring you into a changing/recovery room. You'll remove your shirt and put on some patient garb. They'll give you a valium and Tylenol w Codeine. This will relax you a bit. They will give you a menu to select your lunch (I got the club sandwich). Dr E will mark out the hairline and fill in area with a marker. He'll take some photos. Then you will be escoretd into the procedure room, where you'll be seated in the center-- it's like a dentist chair. Along the wall are stations setup with about 10 microscopes for dissecting/cutting grafts. Once seated and comfortable, they will inject some novacaine. This is a sharp tingling feeling, but not exceptionally painful (well worth it). Once numb (about 5 minutes or so). They will remove your strip. This doesn't hurt at all. I didn't even realize they were doing it. With the relaxant medication and numbness to head it's very comfortable. The girls now to start to arrive and sit at their stations. They all work on cutting. They are professional but very personable and open (not stuffy). You'll hear them chatting about families, gossip, etc. Dr E will now start to slice the spots where grafts will be placed. They do this in sections. They will work on your hairline first and then fill around from there. The cutting/slicing of grafts takes time, it's not like they have 2,000 or so grafts waiting. Timing of cuts and placements are done in accordance to available grafts at time. You'll hear "who's got grafts" quite often. Grafts come in three types (1'2, 2's, 3's). These are the amount of hairs within each graft -- 1's are placed along hairline, 2's and 3's are placed behind hairline to fill in. About halfway through you will be offered lunch. You should take this break even if you're not hungry. They will escort you into recovery room. Make sure you get some food in you, and then take another valium and Tylenol if needed. This helps. Also, request some more novacaine if you are starting to feel any pain at all. Then it's off to finishing up job. Same procedures. All placement cuts are performed by Dr E. This is the artistry work, and he does it all. Some grafts are transplanted by the doctor, but most are performed by two of his assistants (who are competent and so nice). The doctor comes and goes (he has consults, business, etc), allowing him to check transplants, perform more cuts, and just to keep things running smoothly. Once done, they will clean your head down with water spray, towel combo. You will be escorted back into recovery room where you change back into shirt. They will ask if you need anything to drink. They will spray on some Graftcyte, and place a strip of tape on your forehead to help with swelling. You will then gently place a bandana over your head. You will be given a baggie full of medicine including Tylenol w Codeine and Alleve (for any pain), Antibiotic (to fight possible infection), and Prednisone (for swelling). You will then be escorted outside to an awaiting cab or shuttle. They set this up for you. I arrived back at my hotel around 5pm, took my medication, and sprayed on some more Graftcyte (you need to spray this on every waking half hour for 3 days). For the rest of the evening I just kind of chilled out, relieved it was over and excited about future. I order some delivered Italian food, surfed the web, and watched TV. Dr Epstein called in around 8PM to check on me. He's very personable. Didn't just do it as a PR/obligatory service. He honestly cares! All and all, the procedure experience with Dr Epstein and his great staff was extremely positive. If you need any answers simnply reply. Otherwise, best wishes and good luck You'll be so happy when it's over.