Gorpy

Dr. Keene does make it clear up front that the payment is due 2 weeks in advance or she will have to cancel your surgery. She is only going to charge you for what she estimated. She doesn't do the "let's go for all we can get and charge you for every graft" thing. At some point she will have to scramble to either get your payment or cancel you. I suppose if she got burned a few times with payment, then yes, it is reasonable to require payment before hand. I think it would be weird to not know what your HT is going to cost you utill after the work.

Thanks Nobuzz and Folica. I'm seeing early growth this time, which is always exciting.

Thanks rp, I think the stick and place, selection of finer hairs and overall hairline emphasis by the doctor play a role. Part of it is a desire to do a soft hairline. Some doctors just want to do harder hairlines. It's as simple as that. I'm not saying that is bad, just different. I prefer the softer style. I think it looks more natural. I like to expose my hairline and I'm really pleased with the way it looks. BTW - this is 4.5 months post op.

I've posted this subject before. I feel it is important enough to post again. Sometimes new patients can get carried away with density numbers. I have what is called a "soft" or "fading" hairline. I like it and prefer it over a hard hairline. Prospective patients should understand what a soft hairline looks like. Outdoor natural light - no flash. While it is true a flash will enhance the density, at the same time it sharpens an image and shows more detail. Here, in this flash photo, you can see the extreme detail in the hairline. For those of you wondering how I got two pictures in this post, I put one, then edited it and added the other.

I've posted this subject before. I feel it is important enough to post again. Sometimes new patients can get carried away with density numbers. I have what is called a "soft" or "fading" hairline. I like it and prefer it over a hard hairline. Prospective patients should understand what a soft hairline looks like. Outdoor natural light - no flash. While it is true a flash will enhance the density, at the same time it sharpens an image and shows more detail. Here, in this flash photo, you can see the extreme detail in the hairline. For those of you wondering how I got two pictures in this post, I put one, then edited it and added the other.

Ok, I've decided to post some 4.5 month post op pics. Although it's still very early, I've noticed some improvement already.

Great pics Bill. You're lookin' good. How did you get such clarity on your natural lighting pictures? Did you use a tripod?

We are talking recent post op strip scar coverage here. 6 months post op, you will generally have no problem covering the scar and it will be virtually undetectable (assuming you go to a quality doc). As in CreepingBack's case, most of us tend to have hair that is both more dense and coarser in the back of our heads. It is therefore easier to cover a strip scar with it. On the sides of our head, we have somewhat less dense hair so the chances of the scar showing through are greater. Add to that the fact that on many people the hair on the sides of the head tends to stand out a little more (as opposed to laying down flat) and you have a somewhat more difficult time. Add a cowlick or donar area shockloss caused by the strip and it exacerbates the problem. One last factor is that the scar tends to go upward as you go around the sides of the head. This places it at the transition point between the top of the head and the curvature downward. At this point the hair sticks out in a more horizontal direction, increasing the see-through effect. In the back of the head, the scar is at its lowest point and the hair back there is virtually laying flat vertically.

It's coming NoBuzz. 5 months is way early. I look back at my 5 month pictures and am surprised at how little I had at that point.

That is all good info, but let's keep in mind the second part of his concern - it is easier to hide the scar in the back. It's much more difficult on the sides. People are concerned about these things.

Let me clarify a little more. I don't think it works very well right on the edge of the hairline and that includes the temples. However, behind the hairline and on the front half of the head, I think it works. That's great for getting a less "see through" look behind the hairline. I quit using it about 10 years ago, and like they say, I lost the hair it was maintaining. Too bad. I had no sides. I just got tired of using it.

Hi Folica, I have to disagree with that. Rogaine does work on other areas (the front). The reason Pfizer makes claims that it is for crown use is because that is where they have done the tests. Having said that, it probably works best on the crown. That doesn't mean it doesn't work at all anywhere else. Why am I making these claims? I have had personal experience and success using it in the front. Your statement about it getting in your hair is true, however if you have any hair on your crown, the same would apply.

Joe, I realize you like to use this forum as your personal marketing tool, but it doesn't work that way. I really cannot even read your B.S. posts anymore, so save yourself some time. Bottom line is this. I tweaked Dallas's interest in the strip scar appearance. He'll now go off, research it, look at some pictures, read some more posts. Joe, using his well developed, ahem, "consultant" skills will convince him that his strip scar will look great 3 weeks post op. Dallas will go into surgery a more informed patient. I have done my job. You can thank me later.

That is an excellent point and is a valid strategy. It is much easier to hide the scar in the back. The problem is that you would have to go with smaller sessions.

I did not "target" H&W. I only mentioned them because Dallas stated he was going to them. I called the strip scar "hideous" because that's the word Dallas used. Joe is obviously overly-sensitive with my comments since I put him to the test in our previous discussion. I simply decided not to take any more crap off Joe. Since he attacked my initial statement, I decided to call him a "salesman". It's as simple as that. I will continue to call him a salesman every time he attacks me.

Looks nice PB! You're going to have a great hairline after this. Gorp

Right. And I'm totally off base warning a newbie about what his strip scar might look like 3 weeks post op with a buzzed head. Dallas, you have been warned. Dallas said: Posted June 08, 2007 12:45 PM Hide Post YoungGuy, Thank you. I guess my situation is that I currently have my head shaved, and I don't want to start growing hair back because I'll be thin on top (until the hair starts growing back in), and again, I'm in the public eye. So, if you're saying the only visible problem I'm going to have is the strip scar (which I really don't know how large that is), then that doesn't sound too bad. And, to me, at least on the surface, it sounds like something I'd be comfortable with having...unless you guys are telling me that it will a) look hideous even 3 weeks after the procedure and b)is a terrible idea (keep in mind, I'm obviously planning on growing my hair out in the 5-6 months it takes to grow back).

Cowboy states: Posted June 08, 2007 08:26 AM I'm preparing to schedule a session in the very near future. Currently, I shave my head with an electric razor (with no guard...so it's not cleanly shaven...kind of a stubble...and fortunately...I have hair growing in all over my head, but it's just thinner on top). I have a job in the public eye, so that's why I'm paranoid. Deceptive practices Joe. It is obvious he won't be happy with a strip scar while buzzing his hair. I don't care if it is 15, 20 or 30cm long. He won't be happy with it unless he grows his hair out to cover it. Tell the truth Joe. Sorry I interfered with you "making the sale".

Get off your high horse salesman Joe. I have seen plenty of stats from H&W patients. Dallas needs to know what he potentially is in for. He apparently has no idea about the strip scar so I was simply informing him of common strip lengths.

Yes, 30cm. Mine was 27cm, which is very typical. Search around, there are some people who post pictures of strip scars after surgery with short hair. I think Bill is one of them.

The strip scar will be hideous and ugly for several months. Typically H&W use a 30cm long strip. Measure that out on a ruler. It's a heck of a long scar. If you're worried about how thin the top of your head will look if you grow your hair out a little, you'll be totally embarrassed by a huge strip scar.

Basing your happiness on your physical appearance doesn't sound very spiritualistic to me. Oh and BTW - the future matters and preparing for it it one of the wisest things you can do.

Look familiar Midiman? This is post HT 1.

Sounds like a good plan Bank. Good luck.