CHAZ Posted April 27, 2003 Share Posted April 27, 2003 It was truly a remarkable experience going to the Charles Medical Group. My hair has been receding for the last 12 years (Phase III/ Norwood 3) and has been exceedingly more difficult to manage over time. I made the decision to seek hair restoration, did the research and chose Dr. Charles. I am 45 years of age and live in Michigan. I came in on a Friday night; Dr. Charles graciously agreed to a Saturday morning surgery and I was back home Sunday night. There was absolutely no pain either during or after the procedure other than the initial local. I slept through most of the operation and they probably had to tolerate my snoring. I was woken for lunch and done by 3:00. A 15 cm x 1 cm donor site was used to create 1357 grafts of 1, 2 and 3 clusters. Swelling afterward was very minimal and it felt as if I was wearing a tight fitting hat. Itching was my only complaint the 1st week, but it was not intolerable. I followed the Post-Op procedures and experienced no problems with showering. At the end of the first week I still had all the initial transplants with scabs; it felt like thousnads of little seeds on top of my head. Most of the initial grafts held for a little more than a week. At one month out, I still had all of my hair in and around the transplant site and a great deal of the grafts less scabs intact. At approximately two months out, I started to experience some shock to the transplant area and I would say 30% of my previously intact hair fell out. Going into my third month, I am starting to experience fuzzy growth and have been taking Propecia since the 3rd day after the surgery. I just recently had my hair cut by the stylist I have been seeing for the last 10 years and she could not readily locate the area where the donor strip was removed from. The skin in the area where the grafts were placed is completely free from any surgical appearence and looks completely natural where the hair is exiting my scalp. I will post more in the next few months. I wish I had done this 10 years ago, but at the time the option for hair restoration was ugly, noticable and unrefined. In summation there was NO PAIN at all and I am extremely pleased and happy with the outcome thus far. I would just like to say that Dr, Charles' skill level, artistry and his "bedside manner" were top flight. I will be glad to speak with anyone thinking of having this procedure done. With my highest recommendations of Dr. Glenn Charles and the entire staff of the Charles Medical Group, - Charles Ryburn charlesryburn@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAZ Posted April 27, 2003 Author Share Posted April 27, 2003 It was truly a remarkable experience going to the Charles Medical Group. My hair has been receding for the last 12 years (Phase III/ Norwood 3) and has been exceedingly more difficult to manage over time. I made the decision to seek hair restoration, did the research and chose Dr. Charles. I am 45 years of age and live in Michigan. I came in on a Friday night; Dr. Charles graciously agreed to a Saturday morning surgery and I was back home Sunday night. There was absolutely no pain either during or after the procedure other than the initial local. I slept through most of the operation and they probably had to tolerate my snoring. I was woken for lunch and done by 3:00. A 15 cm x 1 cm donor site was used to create 1357 grafts of 1, 2 and 3 clusters. Swelling afterward was very minimal and it felt as if I was wearing a tight fitting hat. Itching was my only complaint the 1st week, but it was not intolerable. I followed the Post-Op procedures and experienced no problems with showering. At the end of the first week I still had all the initial transplants with scabs; it felt like thousnads of little seeds on top of my head. Most of the initial grafts held for a little more than a week. At one month out, I still had all of my hair in and around the transplant site and a great deal of the grafts less scabs intact. At approximately two months out, I started to experience some shock to the transplant area and I would say 30% of my previously intact hair fell out. Going into my third month, I am starting to experience fuzzy growth and have been taking Propecia since the 3rd day after the surgery. I just recently had my hair cut by the stylist I have been seeing for the last 10 years and she could not readily locate the area where the donor strip was removed from. The skin in the area where the grafts were placed is completely free from any surgical appearence and looks completely natural where the hair is exiting my scalp. I will post more in the next few months. I wish I had done this 10 years ago, but at the time the option for hair restoration was ugly, noticable and unrefined. In summation there was NO PAIN at all and I am extremely pleased and happy with the outcome thus far. I would just like to say that Dr, Charles' skill level, artistry and his "bedside manner" were top flight. I will be glad to speak with anyone thinking of having this procedure done. With my highest recommendations of Dr. Glenn Charles and the entire staff of the Charles Medical Group, - Charles Ryburn charlesryburn@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NW Posted April 28, 2003 Senior Member Share Posted April 28, 2003 Chaz, Nice !! I cant wait to hear the excitment when the new real hair grows out...in 6 months youll be singin'. NW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member tkotko Posted April 28, 2003 Senior Member Share Posted April 28, 2003 Sounds great Chaz. Keep us posted. I just had a procedure with Dr. Charles last Monday. Question for you - How long were you numb in the recipient area? I'm a week out and still numb. I've heard that's normal, but I'm just curious to what your experience was. Take care and good luck, tkotko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAZ Posted May 8, 2003 Author Share Posted May 8, 2003 Hi TKOTKO, Sorry I was not able to reply sooner, been out of town. Numbness seems to be different for everyone.Initially, when the local wears off there was a slight numbness. It felt very strange and seemed to move around. It wasn't uncomfortable, just very strange. It seemed to fade by degrees if you will. At just over 2 months out it was gone. My scalp area is still alittle tender. I had a haircut 3 weeks ago and I had to tell the stylist to be careful with the comb. The itching is still present from time to time but not crazy like it was the first month. All in all it's been pretty easy. As I said the numbness was pretty strange and freaked me out slighlty too. But Hey, Dr. Charles has one hell of a touch. I had heard horror stories of nerves being cut by other doctors, but based on Dr. Charles' Surgical accumen of teaching and repair (so to speak) of other earlier Doctors mistakes on other patients, I felt really good about not becoming a horror story. CHAZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 Isn't Doctor Charles with Shapiro Medical Group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vocor1 Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Fabe: Yes, he also works with Shapiro Medical. What you find out is that some docs work for several organizations out of several locations. I know Dr Rose works at the Rose Clinic in Tampa, with the forhair organization in another location, and Shapiro Medical in Minneapolis. There are quite a few docs who do this, meaning they are part of several top notch organizations and not just one, in a variety of locations in the US. vocor1 Knowledge is Power If the worst question is the one never asked, then the worst answer is the one never shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 vocor1, concerning your last post, do you know why the docs do this? it sounds strange to me. what's funny is my hairstylists do this too. anybody out there can take a gander at this one too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member tkotko Posted May 9, 2003 Senior Member Share Posted May 9, 2003 My guess it's a business decision to help both parties. For instance, one doctor who's not well known but does quality work would like to enhance his reputation by being affiliated with a clinic that is already reputable. And the clinic that is already reputable, say Shapiro for instance, having approved of the quality of the relatively unknown doc, can partner with him and increase cash flow by taking a percentage of the proceeds. So they both win, as long as the quality of the new doc is high and doesn't damage the rep of the established clinic. Anyway..that's my take on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAZ Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 GENTLEMAN, It's purely a question of Economics! It takes a great deal of Capital as well as time to start and develop a surgical practice. By associating himself with Shapiro (who is one of the leading individuals in the field) Dr. Charles accomplishes several things: A.) Cash Flow for his expertise and services B.) The oppurtunity to "keep his hand" by actively performing surgeries on a regular and frequent basis when his clinic is not booked. C.)The ability to develop new techniques and procedures. Don't forget, Dr. Charles publishes and teaches other surgeons via demonstrative surgery sessions. CHAZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vocor1 Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 I agree completely with the previous two posts. You join several successful teams, and you spread the word about the type of doc you are to a larger audience. Remember, all these organizations have their own independent marketing system. A doc should utilize that fact IF they are willing to travel around the country on a regular basis. vocor1 Knowledge is Power If the worst question is the one never asked, then the worst answer is the one never shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 I had a consult with Matt at Shapiro and he said I can pick one of the docs and all would give the same care at the Shapiro Clinic. But if I go with Charles can I go to Floida to his person clinic and would one get the same care? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vocor1 Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Same doctor, so I'm guessing the same quality of service. Just a different location. I can say that the staff and facilities at Shapiro Medical in Minneapolis are top notch. vocor1 Knowledge is Power If the worst question is the one never asked, then the worst answer is the one never shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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