Shapiro: The deed is done.

[jp]

Surgeon: Dr. Ron Shapiro.

Patient: 42 yo male with boyish charm. Class 3a. 1500 FUs all forelock and temples.

I flew into MSP the day before so I cold meet Dr. Shapiro and have a consultation with Matt Zupan, whom I had spoken/corresponded with previously.

Matt picked me up at my hotel (Hampton Inn) on the morning of the surgery. The hotel also had a shuttle, which took me to the clinic the day before the surgery; also to the Mall of America the night before.

Everything went smooth. The valium is a good idea as I am fidgety. One of the technicians told me to keep still a couple of times. I needed a booster dose half way through. The next morning I was supposed to come by the office at 9 am for my post op check. I didn't wake up till 10:20! As I scrambled to get going I hit my head right in front. It started to bleed. OH NO!! Instead of killing myself I called the office. Matt swung by the hotel to have a look before I was to fly home at noon. No harm done, thank Buddha.

Now 6 days post op, my donor site is still pretty tender. It is not really painful but I am "aware" of it. I take aspirin occasionally but that's it. Very little swelling. No numbness.

After I used up the graftcyte spray I refilled the bottle with distilled water and a dash of plain salt; been using that since.

Dr. Shapiro is a humble guy. While we talked about other HT Docs he never made a disparaging remark about anyone. Class.

I like that that are 4 HT doctors in the same practice. I suspect that helps stimulate and motivate them daily to be excellent.

I went to work Friday; you know showed up got paid, nothing strenuous/stressful. No one noticed my sprouts unless I made a point to tell them. just combed my hair forward. Did not need my beret. I am going to try to go the gym tomorrow. See if I can do a little workout.

It took four months from the time I heard of the procedure with "FUs" to the time I scheduled my surgery, thanks in part to this web site.

 

[This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:46 PM.]

 

[This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:48 PM.]

[jp]

Surgeon: Dr. Ron Shapiro.

Patient: 42 yo male with boyish charm. Class 3a. 1500 FUs all forelock and temples.

I flew into MSP the day before so I cold meet Dr. Shapiro and have a consultation with Matt Zupan, whom I had spoken/corresponded with previously.

Matt picked me up at my hotel (Hampton Inn) on the morning of the surgery. The hotel also had a shuttle, which took me to the clinic the day before the surgery; also to the Mall of America the night before.

Everything went smooth. The valium is a good idea as I am fidgety. One of the technicians told me to keep still a couple of times. I needed a booster dose half way through. The next morning I was supposed to come by the office at 9 am for my post op check. I didn't wake up till 10:20! As I scrambled to get going I hit my head right in front. It started to bleed. OH NO!! Instead of killing myself I called the office. Matt swung by the hotel to have a look before I was to fly home at noon. No harm done, thank Buddha.

Now 6 days post op, my donor site is still pretty tender. It is not really painful but I am "aware" of it. I take aspirin occasionally but that's it. Very little swelling. No numbness.

After I used up the graftcyte spray I refilled the bottle with distilled water and a dash of plain salt; been using that since.

Dr. Shapiro is a humble guy. While we talked about other HT Docs he never made a disparaging remark about anyone. Class.

I like that that are 4 HT doctors in the same practice. I suspect that helps stimulate and motivate them daily to be excellent.

I went to work Friday; you know showed up got paid, nothing strenuous/stressful. No one noticed my sprouts unless I made a point to tell them. just combed my hair forward. Did not need my beret. I am going to try to go the gym tomorrow. See if I can do a little workout.

It took four months from the time I heard of the procedure with "FUs" to the time I scheduled my surgery, thanks in part to this web site.

 

[This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:46 PM.]

 

[This message was edited by jp on October 15, 2002 at 09:48 PM.]

[JEBSTER]

Hello. I am proud for you and your new procedure. I think you went to a great surgeon. However, I would slow down on the plans to hit the gym. If you take aspirin and apply strenuous exercise your asking for some subdural bleeding and possiple graft displacement. You could also cause some bleeding in the donor site also. I really would not recommend aspirin until a month or so after a procedure. I have had 6 HT procedures myself and must admit that I made some mistakes along the way that I tried not to repeat. You have invested a good deal of money so protect your investment and give your grafts the best possible start on the road to growth!! Jebster

[jp]

I guess I will lay off the aspirin,with its proclivity for thinning the blood. I ran out of the motrin that I had been taking. Why do the surgeons like the opiaites so much for pain? Doctor gave me vicodin (same as my ENT for my recent septoplasty) but that stuff makes me feel too good, if you know what I mean. Anyway thanks for the advice.

[johne]

Hello JP....I am a long time reader of this site, but a first time poster...I was wondering if you can give me some information...I recently went to Shapiro for a visit....I was very nervous, but was put at ease when I began talking with Matt and Ron....my questions for you are

 

1. I am 26...and dont have alot of credit...not bad credit. If you dont mind me asking, I was wondering how you funded your FU's and about how much did it cost....they quoted me at needing about 1600 fu's to get my desired results....800 up front and 800 in the crown.....and told me it would be about $6000

 

2. I was so nervous I forgot to ask them about the donor scar....did you get staples or sutures?

 

Your reply would be very helpful....thanks

[jp]

You got a bettter deal than I did; On the price that is. Not by much though. Mine was all hairline work so maybe that's why. I dunno. Who cares! My hair looks great er, it will when it grows in, hopefully soon.

 

He used sutures. Best way to go.

 

I showed the donor incision/scar to a local plastic surgeon. He said it looked great. (I used Mederma on it for 6 weeks. Applying the ointment was messy at first then I got the hang of it. Used a spray bottle of water to resaturate it often.)

[johne]

Oh...I also would like to know how other people in my shoes (no six figure income) are funding their transplants.....credit card, bank loan, etc??? Any input from anyone would be great....thanks

[jp]

my credit limit was $500. I would not have been able to afford a hair transplant. You are still pretty young for a transplant johne. I would consider waiting. Go on propecia see how that works before the HT. Just be sure you can afford to stay on propecia if you do get a HT!

 

Did Dr. Shapiro mention any concerns about a HT at your age? What about using propecia in your case?

 

I have been on propecia for 5 months. Topical rogaine for 6+ years. I think Rogaine is too much hassle and doesn't do much anyway. I have not had any coronal thinning yet, however.

 

 

[This message was edited by jp on July 06, 2002 at 12:55 PM.]

 

[This message was edited by jp on July 06, 2002 at 12:57 PM.]