Hair Transplant Questions - Shockloss and Scars

[nm76]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of considering a hair transplant. Now I am not completely bald - but have lost hair from my temples and you can see my scalp from the front - more so under sun slight or florescent lights. Although i have some hair loss at the front - its still manageable enough to comb (parting from the left). Just thought I'd mention that to give an idea (if it helps any) about my hair loss. That said, the questions I have with respect to the transplant are:

.

1. I've read over this forum about shock loss. I understand it to be, well , general loss of hair after the transplant. With that said, could i expect to have shock loss that would result in more of my scalp being visible - not just from the front my generally all over? Or would the shock loss only be where the transplanted/donor receiving area is? Just a bit confused on what and the extent of this shock loss.

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2. I've been told by some one who has had this procedure done that scarring or crust like (can't recall exactly what) will be visible on the scalp in the area corresponding to where the new transplanted hairs have been put - could someone please elaborate on that?

.

I would appreciate any input/help on this - thanks.

 

NM

[nm76]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of considering a hair transplant. Now I am not completely bald - but have lost hair from my temples and you can see my scalp from the front - more so under sun slight or florescent lights. Although i have some hair loss at the front - its still manageable enough to comb (parting from the left). Just thought I'd mention that to give an idea (if it helps any) about my hair loss. That said, the questions I have with respect to the transplant are:

.

1. I've read over this forum about shock loss. I understand it to be, well , general loss of hair after the transplant. With that said, could i expect to have shock loss that would result in more of my scalp being visible - not just from the front my generally all over? Or would the shock loss only be where the transplanted/donor receiving area is? Just a bit confused on what and the extent of this shock loss.

.

2. I've been told by some one who has had this procedure done that scarring or crust like (can't recall exactly what) will be visible on the scalp in the area corresponding to where the new transplanted hairs have been put - could someone please elaborate on that?

.

I would appreciate any input/help on this - thanks.

 

NM

[nm76]

So with respect to the shock loss - I came across the following post:

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http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/showthread.php?t=155201

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Where Mike Beehner, says:

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"Obviously, "shocking" only occurs in patients who have some remaining hair on top, which in most of our practices is the majority of our patients. If that remaining hair is very "weak" and vellous (thin, wispy, and limited in how long it will grow to), then it is far more vulnerable to this occurring than if it is relatively strong hair with good caliber and length"

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I still have plenty of hair up there {top} (I am not at the comb over phase - well yet anyway - or ever will be for that matter). Do i then assume my shock loss (if any) would not be noticeable - with respect to my overall hair appearance?

.

That said, if shock loss occurs mainly with patients who have hardly any hair to begin with - how is shock loss really an issue (I'm assuming it is, since its posted about quite a bit)....its a bit confusing actually or i'm reading too much into it.

[hatrick]

shock-loss, for the most part, is limited to the areas of your scalp where you are receiving transplants or where the donor tissue is extracted. Shock-loss is caused by irritation or damage to the native hair follicles during transplant surgery. They will grow back, except in a small percent of cases where there is serious damage to the follicle. This makes it important to pick an excellent surgeon. A great surgeon will be able to minimize the amount of shock-loss you endure. Virtually everyone who has a hair transplant will experience some shock-loss. This is normal, and nothing to get frightened off about. After a couple months the shocked hairs will grow back, and not long after that your transplanted hairs will begin to grow.

 

It is also normal to get some slight scarring and crusting on the scalp after transplant surgery. Not to worry, any scars will fade quickly and will eventually be undetectable. crust on the scalp will only last for a week or so.

[nm76]

thanks for the reply. my main concern with the shock loss is its extent - i.e how visible the loss would be? Another thing, i've seen a few pics on this site which have left me a bit confused (not that i wasn't to begin with). But lets say I'm going to have hair transplanted in the front - will the front area - where the implants go have to be shaved - i still have hair there - scalp is only visible under sun slight or bright lights. Or will the implants go in with my existing hair in tact ?

[hatrick]

Unless the doctor asks you to shave your head, it is not necessary. Your like me, my thinning is just in the very front. How visible your shock-loss could be is hard for me to say accurately, thats something you should discuss with your doctor. Just think of it this way, for about 2-3 months after your surgery you won't look your best. Your hair may appear to be worse than it was before surgery. However, around the 3rd month your new hair will start to sprout and your life will start to change.