kevkristy

Marie Be very, very careful. Shock loss is a major problem with hair transplantation. In my opinion, it's vastly underdisclosed and/or brushed off as a temporary thing. And female hair tranplantation should be particularly worrisome given that female balding is usually diffused and not receding. With this, hair transplants will be placed in and around existing hairs and not in areas where little to no hair exists. And you're right. If you have 3,000 total hairs implanted but lose even 2,000+ due to shock of surgery, you will have virtually no improvement in appearance. And if you lose them in certain areas (e.g. where your hair is currently stronger) you could be worse off. Think about the idea of "if they were on there way out then they may not come back" for a second. You're getting a transplant because you're losiing your hair. Hence, most of these hairs are one their way out at some point. Which ones is the crapshoot. Docs that shave heads seem to have better results, or that's what they claim - as they tout better precision in not harming existing hair follicles. Believe me its a mess during surgery and so the idea of bloody hair getting in the way of the visuals makes some sense. A shaved head would give a cleaner desktop to work, if you will. But again, do you want to walk around with a shaved head for 6-8 months post op? It's a tough call. Just make sure you discuss with doctor. Ask the doctors this question specifically. Get them in writing. And get on propecia and vitamins as this will stregthen existing hairs. Good luck.

Chrisridge Those results look fantastic to me. Your results speak truth to spin. IMO not every doc w/in this network is top-notch. And not every doc out-of-network is crap. Ignore the know-it-alls. It's your hair. And your life. Congrats!!

I stated as such even today, TWICE. Everyone was nice and professional. Describing the procedure is different than attesting to the results. Far DIFFERENT. I'm having a new house built. The contractors are super nice and work hard, but if after 6 months the roof is leaking my opinion will change quickly.

Never happened. Never called me. This is a total lie. And I changed my screen name so as not to concern Morehair as we've become friends and I knew he was nervous as well with some posts regarding your work with DBK and HIGA. So thanks for outing me.

I am more concerned than ever. Epstein is a real piece of work with this post. I sit here 10 grand down with nothing but a "free lunch." I will respond after I gather myself.

Here we go with the attacks against the patient. (Bill, se my email about this very issue.) This is unbelievable. The Female Hair Loss had it right. I guess unless I dosclose my full name and social security number here comes the part where I turn into the attacker. This seems way too calculated. Read my post above. I emailed him about concern with 6 months - no growth. If he does not know who I am, he's got some serious problems. How many patients does he have at 6 months? And how many have expressed concern? If he has too many to nail it down, then Enough said. As for your threat "don't say it at all," that's pretty disturbing. I thought this place was for openness and frankness. Mgoldberg - You'll regret that statement.

I did contact the doc last week. Obviously kevkristy is a screen name (a takeoff on my kids, and my real name is NEVER EVER to be used on this site). I emailed him re: '6 months - no growth' and provided link to photo in thread. How many patients does he have at six months who are struggling? The idea that he wants to "properly" work with me in a "professional doctor-patient relationship" sounds all warm and fuzzy. But the reality is this "professional doctor-patient relationship" consisted of a generic two sentence email reply. Period. No questions. No followup the next day or even the next week. No tips, advice, or any offer of support to put me at ease. The reality is not one question was asked in his two sentence email reply. Let it be known here that I do respect Dr Epstein. And I agree with his posted synopsis of how he operates. He has no doubt worked hard to build a first class operation, which includes a staff of competent and caring professionals. However, I am quite disturbed at his attempt to marginalize those who have concerns as "witch hunters." The bottom-line is this: I was unhappy with his two-sentence reply, which I interpreted as a brush off, and I came here for support. That's it. If you all remember, I never disclosed the doctor's name (see thread below) until the Female Hair post flared up, following the TTDS thread. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/showthread.php?t=148177 I mean what is this forum for? In closing, I find it disturbing that Dr Epstein spent far more effort and about three thousand additional words in replying to a couple of (bad pub) threads than he did to a personal email from a patient looking for nothing but support. The question I ask: Did I not warrant as much attention? Respectfully, -KK

This now the exact same copy in three different threads. Copy/Paste. Is this allowed? When does the spam policy kick in? I see he learned well from MHR and Hairclub.

Aaron You posted the exact same copy in your own thread. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/showthread.php?t=147338 What's the purpose of duplicity?

I was about to post a thank you to Pat in another thread re: his post about openness and democracy. Then I come upon this. This is extremely dissapointing. NG2GB sent me private messages and was far more caring and compassionate than my own doctor. His open candor and colorfulness made me laugh at a time when I was extremely edgy. I think people are smart enough to make their own decision, to place his comments in the proper context. This banning makes me quesiton who the community is really serving. Respectfully, KK

I would like to put into context the techs/partying post. My posting of this had more to do with my concern for concentration, and not an insinuation of being drunk. They could have been talking politics or sports and I would have had same concern. My feeling as a first-timer in the chair as my head was being sliced open was: "please, enough with the chatter, concentrate on me." That's it. If you reread post, no where does it state I believed they were drunk. Again, it was a worry about concentration and focusing on the job at hand. I hope that ends any speculation of this drunk tech talk. As for the user 'something'. It's people like you who do a disservice to this community's direction. Calling people "uneducated" and "jackasses" for simply posting concern about one's personal experience. I used Epstein. I am at 6 months post. But

Well here comes the part where the doctor is defended by the backslappers, most of whom have never had a procedure performed by the said doc. And the patient is quietly dismissed as the panicky wolf cryer. Let me get this straight. A patient who uses this board to express concern and doubt (about his/her own personal procedure, his/her own personal experience, his/her own results he/she lives with everyday) is now a smear merchant? I got the memo now.

Bill My error. I should have stated, "similar results to date". As for waiting. I think Female said it best. Whatever! No one is going to convince me that within the next 3-4 months, after going backwards (shock loss) for the last 6 months, and hearing about others like TTDS, that I'm going to suddenly sprout like a fertilized lawn and end up with the (conservative) results I sought. What happens at 12 months? Do we have a jury hearing? Do we call the disgruntled back to the community? I would think most of them kind of fall out of touch and give up - either out of embarrassment or despair. However, I do appreciate your efforts. You have a great community here. It is a must for future patients to educate, and those traveling through the doldrums of post op land. The support is great!

HIGA How did your final results end up with Dr E? You're now close to 16months or so. Any improvement with overall density? Are you going back to Epstein for 2nd procedure? Would be very interested in your case. KK

So the concern I had when they were chatting about who danced with whom, and who got what free drink at the club the night before is becoming valid. Great!

Please Grow mentioned the techs in the TTDS post re: 9months. I wonder if there is anything to this? I had my procedure at the same exact time as Female Hair Loss. And we both have had similar results: No growth and shock loss. I would really like to learn the role of techs and how important they in terms of success, or lack thereof. How much damage could an inexperienced tech do? Because like Female stated, Epstein is barely in the room for the procedure. Do grafts have to be planted at a certain depth? Can you screw up slicing the grafts? What if the grafts aren't planted deep enough to get sufficient blood, to take root, etc? Just rattling off some ideas here. I'm getting really concerned now. -KK

I used Epstein. I am 6 months post op of 2400 grafts. To date, I haven't had much luck with the most critical part of hair transplantation, i.e. growth. So take it for what it's worth. If you go to his website (foundhair.com), he has a nice portfolio of past work. I believe he can put you in touch with some of his former clients for testimonial purposes. Good luck.

DBK Two full months have passed since your posting. I know many suggested you wait it out, including Dr Epstein. So I'm wondering where you stand now -- 9 months post op? Have you had any further growth? Have you been in touch with Epstein? Your feedback would be appreciated. KK

I think TTDS nailed it. It's the down time that is so devastating. Money can be made, spent, and recouped. Time cannot. -KK

hey notgoing2gobald In response to 2500 and mega session. I think you need to read the entire thread. I never said 2500 should be considered a "mega session." I simply said it was considered one not too long ago, and lately people are just dismissing it. Pat said similarly that 1500 was considered "mega" 10 years ago. Secondly, the 2500 in question was concentrated on 1/3 of scalp. So no matter how you cut it, this should make a huge difference, even on a NW5 or 6. Bill said similarly within thread. Obvioulsy if the 2500 were spread out on the entire scalp of a NW5 it would produce a marginal difference. Either way, thanks for your input, and advice. -KK

...And furthermore... I am in no way "insisting" on final cosmetic results at 6-9 months. Nice try with the spin. But I am insisting on SOME results, SOME hope at 6-9 months. Is that too much to ask for? Or maybe I'm just inexperienced and panicky.

herethere Here's the FAQ I was referring to. Where does it say "START". PS - I don't appreciate your attacks on my credibility. After the procedure can I resume my normal activities? Most people are able to return to work and most social activities in one to three days. In four to six days all activities, including most exercise and regular hair care, can be resumed. Tiny crusts will develop around each graft, falling out after one week. During this first week a powder, Toppik, provided by the office can be applied to the scalp to conceal the crusts. The transplanted hairs then usually fall out two weeks later, only to regrow in two to three months.

Bill I understand. But it's really annoying to see the selective outrage around here. It can be guaranteed that if this were a Bosley job, the regulars in this community would be ripping and roaring. I mean, here is FAQ copy straight from Epstein's website: "...The transplanted hairs then usually fall out two weeks later, only to regrow in two to three months." What are us so-called inexperienced patients supposed to think after reading this FAQ? Yet we're ridiculed as "panicky" because at 6 and 9 months, respectively, we're concerned? I'll keep quiet going forward. -KK

Hairthere I think I included the word "average" in Bill's quote. And I do understand that average does not include all. However, 9 months is 9 months. No matter which way you slice it. Additionally, I think my "experience" counts as much as yours, if not more. I'm the one going through the so-called "panic." So I can relate with TTDS. It's a real sickening feeling. I know by now, six full months post surgery, I thought for sure I'd be well on my way, enjoying spring (sans hat), excited about growth and looking forward to what's coming. And I'm sure TTDS feels similarly, possibly worse. Hang in there TTDS. Let us know what you hear back from the doctor. -KK

TTDS I agree. The bottomline is you went in for cosmetic surgery. By definition it is supposed to improve your appearance. Would you (or anyone else) have gone through with the procedure if you were told pre surgery that this was the end result? I know I would not have -- not for 10 grand and 9 months of down time. Again, I'm in the same boat, and I'm getting fed up with the goal post changers. 6 months with no growth (for me) and 9 months with little cosmetic change (for you) is way out of the norm. -KK