Senior Member gmonasco Posted August 12, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 12, 2010 For those of who you have undergone hair transplants, what part of the process did you find most difficult (i.e., painful, uncomfortable) to deal with? Was it the anxiety leading up to your surgery day? Was it the procedure itself? Was it having your staples removed? Was it the immediate post-op recovery period? Was it apprehension over going out in public during your "ugly duckling" period? Was it the endless worrying over waiting for the grafts to start growing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted August 12, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 12, 2010 gmonasco, Speaking for myself, I'd say it was the waiting. I didn't experience too much pain and discomfort. I had sutures and they were easily removed with no pain. The first week after a hair transplant is also pretty rough. Shampooing and working the scabs off, sleeping at an incline. After that it's just a lot of anticipation. Best of luck, David - Former Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member hairthere Posted August 12, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 12, 2010 As far as physical pain, the staple removal part was a bit painful, nothing terrible though. Sutures do come out easier. The ugly duckling phase is the toughest part of a HT, for sure. I am the owner/operator of AHEAD INK a Scalp Micropigmentation Company in Fort Lee, New Jersey. www.aheadink.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Fingers Crossed Posted August 12, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) I would have to say the first 2 weeks after the surgery was the most stressful because you're being overly cautious during this phase, trying not to harm any of the grafts. I started to sleep normally after 3 and a half weeks because I just didn't feel comfortable sleeping on my grafts after 1.5 - 2 weeks. Sleeping for me during this time was tough as well, what helped me was Melatonin and Tylenol PM. The ugly duckling phase was tough, as is the waiting. Edited August 12, 2010 by Fingers Crossed My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Hasson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member wb280 Posted August 12, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 12, 2010 nothing beats the waiting time IMHO. Its only 2 months post op for me and i never felt time crawl by slower than right now!!! View my hair loss website. Surgery done by Doc Pathomvanich from Bangkok http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=1730 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeKid0000 Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I can't decide between the waiting time and the two-weeks post op where you have to be very careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member waveskier Posted August 13, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 13, 2010 How about the shots! That was right up there on my list of things I didn't like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member RCWest Posted August 13, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 13, 2010 My worst part was the actual planting! I had a very low platelet count when I had mine done, and they kept having to push the grafts back in. The anesthetic starting wearing off and they had to redo it while I was already sore! My last procedure of 400 grafts (remember this was 1993 when they were $22 a pop!) took 5 hours!! Finasteride 1.25 mg. daily Avodart 0.5 mg. daily Spironolactone 50 mg twice daily 5 mg. oral Minoxidil twice daily Biotin 1000 mcg daily Multi Vitamin daily Damn, with all the stuff you put in your hair are you like a negative NW1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeKid0000 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 How about the shots! That was right up there on my list of things I didn't like. I remember them giving me the shots. I was told they were ready to be given and I stupidly put my arm out. "No that's not where they're going". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member pablo Posted August 13, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted August 13, 2010 The wait!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Fingers Crossed Posted August 13, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 13, 2010 I changed my mind, the waiting is the toughest part. However, the first 2 weeks is the most stressful/worrisome. My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Hasson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backspace Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Saving up the cash for a hair transplant was the most difficult part [for me]. Thankfully, I've finally saved up the money and I'll be getting a HT next month. I actually look forward to the waiting that everyone is complaining about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member gmonasco Posted August 14, 2010 Author Senior Member Share Posted August 14, 2010 I remember them giving me the shots. I was told they were ready to be given and I stupidly put my arm out. "No that's not where they're going". At least you didn't drop your pants ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member hair_me_out Posted August 14, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 14, 2010 Worst part for me was the incisions made to get the donor strip. Not so much the pain since you're all numbed up but the noise (I should have worn headphones!) and the thought of what was happening (I should have thought of my puppy!). My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Hasson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member stardog champion Posted August 15, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted August 15, 2010 Worst part for me was the incisions made to get the donor strip. Not so much the pain since you're all numbed up but the noise (I should have worn headphones!) and the thought of what was happening (I should have thought of my puppy!). Waiting has my vote for being the most difficult part of the process... Although hair_me_out nailed it, hearing the strip removal (no pain) and visualizing it was a bit unnerving. That and the shots prior to are a very close second and third. My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Hasson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Speegs Posted August 15, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted August 15, 2010 Well I had mine 48 hours ago but definitely the initial anesthesia was not too pleasant and now the hiding the wound and recipient area is an interesting game until the sutures come out. I am going to be a bit reclusive as I've told no family of my decision, I just want to quietly heal and grow and see if anyone notices. So far the baseball cap and bandannas have not summoned suspicion, must be a sign I wore them to much. Hair loss patient and transplant veteran. Once a Norwood 3A. Received 2,700 grafts with coalition doctor on 8/13/2010 Received 2,380 grafts with Dr. Steven Gabel on 9/30/2011 Received 1,820 grafts with Dr. Steven Gabel on 7/28/2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member SoccerBoy Posted October 30, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted October 30, 2010 The 8 years of life BEFORE having the time and money to do it were pretty painful I would say..... Other than that, the most painful was the staple removal (a total of 3 minutes), the first night of sleep (not painful, just uncomfortable), and any stretching i within a week post-surgery. Stay home during your ugly duckling period. Theres a million shows and movies free online, take advantage of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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