Slick HT #2 Dr. Paul Shapiro

[Slick]

Pictures of my second surgery

 

 

 

[PLEASE GROW PLEASE]

Looks great !! Did Paul do your first surgery?

[Slick]

Hello again everyone on the HTN! Some may remember pictures of my first surgery with Dr. Paul almost 2 years ago to the day. Here's the prevous thread:

 

http://hair-restoration-info.com/eve/forums/a/albumcomm...861/m/6261048452/p/1

 

After thinking about this for a while I decided to take the plunge and go for #2. I was pleased with my first surgery and felt like it made a world of difference in my look but there were still times where I wished for more density. I'd been using dermmatch for 2 years since HT #1 and it's been a lifesaver but does gets old applying this stuff every day. Goals were to square up the corners and more density in the central area. Also I wanted a dusting in the thin spot in my crown which had unfortunately progressed in the last couple years. I'm one day post op and feeling well so far. Graft count was 219x grafts (will call for official count and # of hairs) Was hoping for around 2500 but ended up with a little less. Of course Dr. Paul explained we are looking ahead to the future and continued loss so he didn't want to get overly aggressive which I understand and agree. I just hope this session will give me a nice thick look. After surgery he said he was happy with the session size so I will trust his judgment as he seems very honest and straight forward. Anxious for results... Now if only I can get this time machine working :-) Now I just need to go out and buy a good digicam to document my progress... Thanks guys any comments appreciated!

 

P.S. Bill I was unable to remember my previous password for my username slick and don't have access to that email anymore. Any chance you could help me out with that?

[Bill - Seemiller]

Still Slick,

 

Congratulations on your second surgery with Dr. Paul Shapiro. I am intrigued that the recipient area is shaved because I know that they don't typically require it. Is there any particular reason that yours was shaved for your second surgery?

 

I'll be happy to reset your password to your previous alias, but the question is...which one do you want to use? At this point, you already started another one?

 

Send me a private message and I'll be happy to help you out.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[HairDew]

Looks like an awesome job you must be thrilled.

[Janna]

Thanks for posting your pics again. I'm confident you'll be happy with your results. With your fine caliber hairs, you need more grafts/hairs to get your desired density. Grow well.

[Slick]

Bill, I was told up front they were going to have to shave my head again. We actually had to shave even shorter than the first HT. Dr Paul says I have more hair up there then I realize because my hair is so light and fine. I remember for my first surgery I wasn't crazy about shaving down but was told it would limit my session size if I chose not to so I just decided to go for it.

 

One thing I'm dealing with is for my first surgery I lived alone and told everybody I was going out of town so I pretty much hid out for 2 weeks (which drove me crazy BTW). Now I have room mates so I would have a bit of explaining to do if my head were exposed. I'll probably be living under a hat for the next couple months but in the end I'm sure it will be worth it. As for my user name I will just stick with the new one to keep things simple!

 

Hairdew thanks for the compliment I'm very happy with the surgery and it went pretty smooth since I knew more of what to expect this time around. Now I just need to get ready for the waiting game which is the worst part in my opinion.

[PLEASE GROW PLEASE]

Bill I believe they prefer to cut your hair shorter but If its going to be a problem they will work between the hairs.

Unless theres is no possible way you can be shaved you would be in my opinion a little silly not to .

We all know the main reason why but another good reason is no matter how careful they are there is going to be shockloss from the trauma,and hands all over your head pressing down and pulling apart so the reciepent holes wont close, the washing and trying to comb out the blood.

In most people your hair is going to look thinner after the surgery anyway. So instead youll be explaining why your hair just got so much thinner, instead of why did you shave it.

As far as the donor is concerned its hard to hide the staples unless your hair is real long in the back ,so you end up looking like you have a thin mullet.

Shave people shave

[Bill - Seemiller]

Still Slick,

 

Thanks for your explanation about Dr. Shapiro's reason for shaving. I am perfectly aware of the proposed benefits of it, I just know that it isn't common practice for them to shave the area. I guess this is a prime example of the benefits of shaving when transplanting between a lot of native hair.

 

You are going to turn out great!

 

Keep us posted.

 

PGP,

 

In most people your hair is going to look thinner after the surgery anyway. So instead youll be explaining why your hair just got so much thinner, instead of why did you shave it.

 

No doubt. In my first two hair transplants, my natural and previously transplanted hair appeared flimsy after the transplant. When I shaved it, it was easier to pull off in my opinion. I know that others have different experiences however.

 

Bill

[Dr. Paul Shapiro]

Slick,

Thanks for posting your photos. I am glad you are so pleaed with my first transplant.

About cutting the hair short..

In a second hair transplant I there are many times when I do not have to cut the hair short, and Slick shows how every case is different.

Slick has a diffuse thinning pattern at a young age and very fine hair When I look at his hair under magnification there is still a lot of fine, thin, hair between the transplanted hair. Without cutting his hair short it would have been almost impossible to make incisions at the density I wanted to without transecting these fine hairs. As Jana said in her post he will need more gafts/hair to get his desired density becasue of his fine thin hair. On a positive note I did notice that his tranplanted hair from his frist session was daker and had more density to it. That is one of the reasons his first tranplant took so well.

Dr Paul

[Slick]

Thanks for the additional details of my surgery Dr. Paul. Everything's healing well and I'm feeling 100%. These coming months will be exciting to watch the new work blend with your great work from round 1. Looking ahead to removing the staples and will get some more pictures next time I'm in. Thanks again to everyone at SMG for making me feel as relaxed as possible on my big day!

[dmoor]

Looks good....appreciate your detailed posting.

[Slick]

Hey all took some 1 month pictures a few days ago. Not a lot going on up there! My native hair and previous HT hair is about 1/2 inch long and looks ok if I put some dermmatch in. I haven't been using any lately but have been sticking with the hat instead. I've been wearing a hat everyday since 1 day post op and nobodies said anything but I'm nervous to take it off. Might let my hair grow out a bit and go hatless at 2 months.

I'm pretty happy with my scar so far. I think it definetly feels alot smoother this time around. Dr Paul used staples this time and I think the added discomfort was worth it. The staples were really starting to drive me crazy by day 12 though.

Been feeling the doldrums but trying to stay positive. When the doldrums strike I just look at the post op pics which help remind me to hang tight for the next few months. I will call SMG to get all the details of my surgery and post back. Cheers!

[Slick]

Hey guys 2 month update time. Not too much to report! Hair has grown out a bit. I do see a couple grafts that seem to have hung on and are growing. My hair on top is probably 3/4 to an inch long and I'm thinking of trying the dermmatch again to see how it looks at this length. I'll be sure to post some more pics if I do. Here's my info about the surgery, thanks Jana.

 

Strip size: 1.3cm width x 31.5cm length

 

Total grafts 2197

Total hairs 4768

 

1's ??“ 384

2's ??“ 1176

3's ??“ 516

4's ??“ 121

[Bill - Seemiller]

Slick,

 

In my experience, month 2 was one of the hardest months to get through. The wait truly is the hardest part.

 

Thanks for keeping us regularly updated. The fact that you selected a world class surgeon will lead you to a nice end result.

 

Keep us posted

 

Bill

[Slick]

Hey guys a quick update for 3 months. Have noticed some pimples on top so I think things are starting to happen. Hair looks slightly improved from last month but I think thats just because the existing hair has grown. Bill, I do agree the second month seemed to take forever. Have been feeling anxious about the surgery and having doubts so I'm looking forward to some growth to calm my nerves. I'm starting to get the bozo look with the back and sides so much longer then the top so I'm planning a cut in a few days and will post a scar pic then. Overall I think my hair looks pretty good with the dermmatch in. I haven't had any comments or noticed any long stares so I think I was able to pull of the HT without anyone noticing. I do have a buddy who loves slapping off my hat and has exposed my "natural" hair a couple times but even then I didn't get any balding comments. Luckily this was in bars where the lighting was low so I can pull of a somewhat full look even without the dermmatch. But if I got caught out in the sun I'd be busted as a baldy! Not sure why this gives him such a rise but he's done it several times so I've become used to him and dont let out much of a reaction. Looking forward to next month since everything really started picking up at 4 months last time. Hoping the results will meet my expectations. My fine hair doesn't give much coverage but am hoping for the best. I think I definetly look better then I did at 23 when my loss really started taking off. Although looking back at my pictures from the first surgery I do think I've lost more hair while on propecia. Hard to tell, I will see what dr paul says next time at SMG. I do think propecia has slowed my loss and I even gained hair when starting it so maybe it's all in my head and propecia is working great. Well so much for a quick update, will post a couple more pictures after the next cut. Cheers!

[ALDO]

Hi Slick,

 

I believe this second procedure will definately give you the density you are looking for. You are through the tough point and now it will only get better.

 

I just had my procedure done and I'm a bit concerned about shockloss. Quick question, how much shockloss would you say you had if any? Thanks in advance and happy growing to you.

 

Regards,

 

ALDO

[Slick]

ALDO,

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to stay positive and keep busy to keep my mind off my hair. I'm sure in the end it will be worth the wait.

 

My pictures did show minor shockloss with #1 but I haven't noticed much with #2. I had a lot of donor shock with both transplants though. With my diffuse pattern I think it's tough to notice shockloss unless it's a massive thing. I think my shocked hairs from #1 did return. Congrats on your procedure. Who did your surgery?

[ALDO]

Slick,

 

Thanks for the response. Dr. Rahal performed my surgery. I have some pics posted in the patients section if you would like to take a look. I'm at 10 days post op now.

[Slick]

Hey guys added some 4 months pictures to the album. I've been noticing some growth at the hairline which is maybe 1/2". Its hard to notice growth on top since it blends with the native hair but i do see some improvement. It seemed like my growth really took off around 4 months last time so I think the next couple months should be exciting. I had the sides and back trimmed a few weeks ago and the scar seems to be healing well. Also the shocked hair is returning and the scar can no longer be seen through the donor area except for a couple arears. No one has said anything and I've been feeling comfortable going out without my hat and just a bit of dermmatch. Will keep the updates coming, cheers

[thanatopsis_awry]

Your coming along nicely, man! And w/ the dermmatch you really are quite the deceiver!

[Slick]

Hey all added a 5 month update to the album. Just had a cut and length on top is 2" and sides are a number 5. I think it's looking pretty good for only 5 months and hope for a lot more to come. Noticing more hairline growth and can now see some shorter hairs coming in across the top. The wet shot still looking thin but I do notice a difference from preop. Hoping for the best and will keep the updates coming. I appreciate any comments! Thanks guys

[Bill - Seemiller]

Slick,

 

Things are looking good so far in this early stage. You already had a good amount of natural hair, so the cosmetic improvement will appear to be much more gradual.

 

Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Slick]

Bill,

Thanks for the encourtagement. For 5 months I'm pleased. My hair right now is probably back to where I was at 21. Thinning but looking ok in most conditions. I'm excited for the next few months and waiting for the final result. Patience is key.

[Slick]

Hi all, added some 6 1/2 month pictures to the album. I think people were noticing something up with my hair as I was getting some "rug" comments so I decided to go in for a shorter cut a couple weeks ago to quiet the rumors. :-) My hair on top is about an inch long and with it this short the lack of density is obvious if I'm directly under any bright lighting. With dermmatch in my hair it looks awesome especially with my hairline filling in. Trying to stay patient which is definitely difficult but as of yet I haven't been blown away by the added density. I do still feel some ingrown hairs so hoping there is a lot more to come. I do realize it's still early so I'm hoping for the best. On a positive note I was looking through some old pictures the other day when I was in my early 20s and I have come a long way. I didn't realize how bad my loss was at the time so from then to now is a night and day difference. I've tried to show honest pictures and many are the worst case views with a harsh flash. Under normal room lighting it looks much better. I will try to get some outdoor pictures next update to show a more normal view. Till then cheers!