HBT's 11th month update..

[HairBeThere]

Well, it's been a little while since I've posted an update. Work has hade me running crazy again over the last few months, to were all my focuses were elsewhere.

 

For those who don't know, I had 2360 grafts, Nov. 12, 2004.

 

Here's a before.. It's the only I can locate at the current time.

 

This was taken under normal lighting.

 

Now for the 11 month update..

Bright lighting.

 

These are 11 month, under normal lighting.

[Guest sac95816]

Not the results I would have expected. Frankly, they look terrible. I can't distinguish between your before and after photos. I'm really sorry if this seems unnecessarily negative, but for 2500 grafts I'm not impressed. Hopefully, you're a "late bloomer." Where did you have the grafts placed? Entire scalp, crown, front 1/2 or 1/3, etc?

 

Do you feel the HT was a success? Who performed the HT?

 

Hope it works out ok,

 

SAC

[HairBeThere]

no problem sac... actually if you had seen the past photo's or knew my back ground, you may see things differently.

 

I will work on locating those photo's, but you really can not compare from the one I posted. Especially from the front view alone.

 

Grafts were placed in the 2/3 front, to cover some previous work and blending.

[billydar]

2360? I'd be expecting more density. Good luck.

[HairBeThere]

wow.. like I said, it's hard to judge from one old front photo.

 

Also, you have to realize that 2360 grafts isn't good coverage for NW5 if you get 2/3rds of the area covered.

Here's the simple equation.. NW5 needs roughly 150 sq.cm. at 40-50 grafts per 1 sq. cm. for cosmetic coverage, depending on hair texture and single hair thickness. You can break that down to 50 sq.cm. grafted area, per 1/3.

 

That now equals, (45 grafts x 50 sq. cm.) 2250 grafts per 1/3 area covered.. Great density.

 

But, like I stated, I had 2/3rds coverage with 2360 grafts for reasons of camoflaug. Which puts my graft coverage at, only 22.2 grafts coverage for 2/3rds area. Not decent density coverage.

 

I did find some pics of some better before. And in both types of lighting.

 

Bright lighting before and after...

Before

After

 

Normal Lighting, before and after..

Before

After

[Bill - Seemiller]

Hey Hair,

 

Well, I can definately see a difference, but I am with everyone else....it doesn't quite seem like 2500 grafts. I guess I would also be expecting more density. Who was your doc? Forgive me if this was already mentioned, but I can't remember. How do you feel about your results? I guess that's really the important question. Are you satisfied with what you have received or do you agree with the other posters?

 

Bill

[HairBeThere]

Bill.. your opinion is the only just one posted so far. You've been around here long enough.

 

Yes, I am happy... Extremely!!

 

I know the density is not there. That was not part of the equation when I had it done. But only agreed density needed to be done at a later time.

 

Here's another part that needs to be added.

I do not have the best prize hair for HT work. I have very straight fine hair... very fine.. and brown. Only thing worse would be black fine hair.

 

So, the photos posted are not the best, but are as honest as I can post them.

 

Believe me when I say, it's much better outside of a camera shot.

 

Like I said.. 2360 over 2/3rds, which was pretty much bald, gives me the coverage I expect. Thinning...

 

People under the belief that 2000+ grafts is a cure, are mislead. As you know from reading experiances.

 

Good luck on your healing!! Can't wait for your updates.

[baldcasanova]

i am very glad you are still around and as we all know you started with basically nothing and I think one more procedure you will be set.

 

keep us posted.

best,

cas

[Bill - Seemiller]

Hey Hair,

 

You are right for the number of grafts...though 2360 sounds like a lot of grafts, when you are starting with virtually nothing on top, and filling in 2/3rds of your head, it doesn't add a whole lot of density. I assume you are more into the overall coverage approach than the dense packing of the front routine. I understand both mindsets, and I think it comes down to what the individual patient wants and expects. I am happy that you are happy, that is what is important. Seeing the photos, there is definately a difference, but like I said, it's not significant....but it is definately an improvement. I know I have posted before asking this, and I believe you said you are going for at least one more? What is your goal for your next surgery? Are you going to shoot for another overall, or are you going to focus on any one given area to try to nicely dense up?

 

I look forward to more of your posts. Yes, I have been around awhile now...over a year now I guess, and as you know, just shy of 3 months out of my second HT. I'm hoping that this will add good density, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks for replying and I look forward to hearing from you again.

 

Bill

[Guest]

Hi Hair,

 

sorry about the first rather rude post, I didn't intend to insult you. How much donor hair do you have left? Is that how you normally have your hair? How does it look if you comb it to the side. I think another fair sized HT concentrated on the front 1/3 would probably make a big improvement.

 

PB

[baldcasanova]

Originally posted by PB:

Hi Hair,

 

sorry about the first rather rude post, I didn't intend to insult you. How much donor hair do you have left? Is that how you normally have your hair? How does it look if you comb it to the side. I think another fair sized HT concentrated on the front 1/3 would probably make a big improvement.

 

PB

 

 

i agree with pb. have you experimented with any other hairstyle? you may want to cut it in the front. and where it to the side, or try to experiment. do you still use toppik or any other concealers normally?

 

i took a look to find your pre-pictures, and i found them here.

 

cas

[HairBeThere]

thanks for the replies... Yes, I know and knew my outcome would be thin looking. But I weighed, along with my physician, the best approach. That was coverage over density. Not only do to the fact of camoflaug, but that I would be seeking an additional procedure(s).

 

As for the hair style, there really is no differance in apperance. Speaking of which, and I should have stated this in the first post, the DIGI-camera I am using doesn't pick up the true results. I think this may be in part of, that I have fine hair, and it's poor ability to pick up detail.

 

Here's a pic from the doc's office with a good camera of my hair type.

 

 

I will be working on getting a truer picture of the results. Be asured, the photo's posted, by far lack a more better result. The can be seen by the unclarity of the photo's. But that still won't improve the true density coverage, which is half of optimal.

 

I will try to get better photo's posted, as time permitts.

 

Thanks again for your feedback.

[HairBeThere]

PB, no problem.

 

If I do the same area of coverage, I will be at roughly 40-45 grafts per sq.cm.

 

So, the next one will be key.

 

I do prefer to have coverage over density, though. My personal preferance.

 

I'd rather be thinning than bald.

 

But the final decision will be made just prior to my next HT. Which will be at the beginning of next year.

[HairBeThere]

oh, and thanks cas.. I couldn't find those.

[Bonzo]

HBT, I've been on vacation so I don't know exactly know whats been happening on this forum. I do know that you appear to have a fuller look then your pre-op photo's- Bonzo

[Guest]

Originally posted by HairBeThere:

...and I should have stated this in the first post, the DIGI-camera I am using doesn't pick up the true results. I think this may be in part of, that I have fine hair, and it's poor ability to pick up detail.

 

 

Yes, I know what you mean about cameras not picking up true results - I look a lot balder in photos than I do in the mirror - unless my wife has rigged up some sort of special mirror that makes me appear to have more hair than I actually have to keep me from being depressed

 

PB

[Hair Apparent]

We are obviously kindred spirits, HairBeThere, when it comes to HT approaches. I was a Norwood VI when I had my HT, and I opted for the same approach as you did--overall coverage, as opposed to front-loading. I received 2,500 grafts and my results were virtually the same--disappointing in photos and in bright light, but under normal light, in a mirror, the results are noticeable.

 

To be candid, while not expecting great density, I overestimated how much density I would get. Still, even knowing what I know now, I still would have gone that way. For one thing, with either approach, a second HT would have been necessary, and it just fit my nature not to leave a shiny bald spot gaping in the back.

 

I'm on the verge of scheduling my next HT--within the month, it is hoped--and now that I have some hair in back, I intend to concentrate on the front and top, and only a small fraction of my 3,500 grafts available to the crown and back.

 

If anything, you are somewhat better off than I am, since you had more hair on the sides and back than I did. In my estimation, you got max gain from your first HT, given the number of grafts. Like you said, it's like trying to re-paint a house that needs a gallon of paint with only a half-gallon to do the job. A very apt analogy.

 

Good luck to you on your second time around!

[Brando]

Hairbethere,

I can see a nice difference. Like you said, the 2nd one will be the key. I think it's a nice after photo because before you basically had nothing. Good luck with the second procedure, buddy!

[Mahair]

What kind of camera would make this look good?

[HairBeThere]

Mahair... Um.. You're an idiot!

That's about all your post deserves.

[HairBeThere]

This is for the few that can't understand what coverage over density looks like.

 

This is normal lightiing... Best I can get from my $100 camera.

 

all mormal lighting... your everday thing.

[HairBeThere]

Hope this brings into light what your expectations will be, when you opt. coverage vs. density.

 

All expectations should be a personal and confident decision made by you. No matter how many idiots decide to chime in, and tell you differently.

 

2360 grafts, over 2/3rds area. = 22 grafts sq.cm.

[Mahair]

Sorry HBT I wasn't considering your feelings.Although I did observe your glowing testimonial of "DR." goetrz on his website half wacked out. I do understand your elation with the marginal improvement. I wish I was so objective. Unfortunately glowing testimonials and blaming cameras are the very cause of much dissapointment. Perhaps the humanitarian ,goertz (whatever) should put you in his gallery of what to expect from a H/T . That would be a real eye opener. You have recieved enough positive reenforcement from the forum. Enough already. Ok you look great. Happy now dude.Stop looking like some doped up advert for GOERTZ Getz whatever.

[HairBeThere]

thanks Mahair.. You just proved to be a bigger idiot than I thought.

 

Let's start off by saying I have not mentioned the name of my physician for the exact reason you state. "Stop looking like some doped up advert for GOERTZ Getz whatever. and you might get some sympathy". I don't want to be looked upon as some shill. Something that I am not.

 

Secondly, I can take constructive critizism gladly. Heck, I can except the fact, that someone may not agree with me. But don't put your self worthlessness on me. "I wish I was so objective."

 

Now I said, the photo's were not great, and I said I will post better photo's. As I did.

 

Oh, and for your information. My posting is to educate. I don't want people's "sympathy". I don't seek it like you have always done in your past postings. So go crawl back into your cave of pitty.

 

That's the obvious truth.

[Mahair]

The cave was lonely and I recieved very little sympathy there, actually people were amused with my suffering. Thanks.I never called you out of your name either.Can I use your photos on my website? I want the one were your hugging "DR." Goertz.