Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 1, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) Well, here we grow again. I underwent my second procedure with Dr. Paul Shapiro (3rd overall) this Wednesday. I received 1,999 grafts = 3,624 hairs. The plan was to increase the density behind my hairline with about 500 grafts in the frontal tuft and 1000 grafts strengthening the corners of the frontal third and going back towards my bridge. Roughly 500 grafts were placed in the crown. The hair count is: 1's - 654 2's - 1074 3's - 262 4's - 9 1999 grafts = 3624 hairs I was very happy with my prior procedure with Dr. Paul as I got a very natural hairline and received a significant improvement in density. He also fixed up some of the shoddy work from my first procedure. The aim this time around was to address some bare/thin patches in the front corners and increase the density overall. The 500 grafts in the crown should give me more hair in which to better blend with concealers. The physiology of my skin was a big factor in preparing and strategizing for the procedure. Dr. Paul noticed in the pre-op consultation that I had small patches of psoriasis-type irritations on my scalp. I also had irritated/inflamed spots in my scar even though it was almost two years old. Dr. Paul started me on an anti-biotic and prednisone regimen the day before the procedure to reduce the redness/irritations and preempt any bad reaction that I had experienced last time (I fought off a possible staff-infection). Dr. Paul was not entirely pleased with how I scarred from my last procedure (it didn’t really bother me as my hair covered it just fine, no one noticed it). He believes I may be the type to scar a little wider than normal. So Dr. Paul approached the donor strip differently. Instead of doing a trichophytic closer and sutures like last time (which may or may not have contributed to some irritation around my scar) he opted for staples and a double layer closure. The strip was taken right above my previous scar to get more grafts. I will be going in again for a complimentary strip revision within the next year. Due to my fair, pale, easily irritated skin type, Dr. Paul highly suggested regular checkups with a dermatologist. This is one of the many things I really appreciate about Dr. Paul. He is not just a skilled hair transplant surgeon but he also has great experience as a medical practitioner. This makes a big difference for people like me who may have some physiological issues that could negatively impact the yield if not properly recognized before hand. I know that the patients physiology is often thought of as an easy scapegoat for bad results on this forum. But if you are with a surgeon who understands the external factors you bring to the table, you are in a much better situation. The surgery went smooth even though I was more nervous than I thought I would be. I mean, this surgery #3 for me after all – I’m a vet now for crying out loud. Janna doing a large portion of the planting was also very reassuring. SMG really does have a great crew and I’m looking forward to sharing my monthly progress again. Edited July 2, 2011 by aaron1234 Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member orlhair1 Posted July 1, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 1, 2011 Congrats and happy healing! I concur on the experience with SMG.....you had a great result with your first go around with Dr. Paul, so you must be looking forward to the results this time. Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUT 6/14/11 - 3048 grafts Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUE 1/28/13 & 1/29/13 - 1513 grafts http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/orlhair1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member HARIRI Posted July 1, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 1, 2011 Nice work, By the way what happened to Dr. Ron, I no longer see results done by him. Do Dr. Paul does most of the surgeries in SMG??? Plug removal + Strip scar revision - Dr. Ali Karadeniz (AEK)- May 23, 2015 Plug removal + 250 FUE temple points- Dr. Hakan Doganay (AHD)- July 3, 2013 Scar Tricopigmentation- Dr. Koray Erdogan (ASMED)- May 3, 2013 2500 FUT (Hairline Repair)- Dr. Rahal- July 26, 2011 My Hair Treatments: 1- Alpecin Double Effect Shampoo (Daily) 2- Regaine Solution Minoxidil 5% (2 ml once a day) 3- GNC Ultra NourishHair™ (Once a day) 4- GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Saw Palmetto (Once a day) My Rahal HT thread http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/164456-2500-fut-dr-rahal-hairline-repair.html[/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted July 1, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) aaron, Congratulations! I hope this procedure addresses all of your concerns and you end up with the results you've always wanted! Happy growing! Edited July 2, 2011 by TakingThePlunge 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 orlhair1 Posted July 1, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 1, 2011 Hariri, I had surgery with Dr. Ron 2 1/2 weeks ago. Both he and dr. Paul are doing surgeries ar SMG. Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUT 6/14/11 - 3048 grafts Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUE 1/28/13 & 1/29/13 - 1513 grafts http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/orlhair1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 Thanks for the support guys. I just got the pre-op pics and I thought I'd share them with you as well. Remember these are about 2 years post-op from my 1st round with Dr. Paul Shapiro. In the over-head wetted pics you can see the areas that needed to be addressed this round. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mars Posted July 2, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 Looking good aaron..your donor seems pretty dense,could i ask your reasoning for not getting fue?,you would have got 1999 fue no prob..reason im asking is im interested in people opinions on why they personally prefere strip to fue,i know the general opinion on yields etc but a personal opinion interests me as i said,cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 Thanks mars. Actually, my donor density is a little below average. My reasons for going with strip this time is 1) I've already done it before. 2) I will save FUE for when I'm basically stripped out. 3) The scars aren't so bad with my hair at the length I keep it. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TC17 Posted July 2, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 aaron, good luck to you! It's no secret that I'm a HUGE fan of SMG and your previous work with Dr. Paul was world class. I look forward to being able to chart your progress with this latest surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 Thanks for the props TC17! Really appreciate it! Will do my best. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member hairthere Posted July 5, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 5, 2011 Congrats Aaron! That's gonna look really good when it's all grown in. You and I have almost an identical HT history. Now comes the tough part....good growing! 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 aaron1234 Posted July 5, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thanks for the well wishes hairthere. And you're right about the hard part... it's so easy to think you've done it before no problem.. and then the shave/doldrums come again and you remember that it's a difficult journey. And good call about our HT histories lining up... though I'm jealous of your hair texture! Much thicker and coarser than mine. All the best bud. You were there from my first one. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Ahairdown Posted July 6, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 6, 2011 You're hair already looks great - going to be phenominal afte this go round! Did you happen to ask him how many grafts you have available after this procedure (for strips not fue)? Dr Arocha 3626 FU's H1: 508 H2: 1741 H3: 1377 My Hairloss Website: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=2127 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 7, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 7, 2011 Ahairdown, Thanks man. I'm looking forward to see what I got in 6 months. My donor closure was pretty easy for Dr. Shapiro. Before the procedure he estimated i had over 4,000 grafts left via strip. I have no idea how much FUE I have available. We will cross that road when it comes. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member the B spot Posted July 8, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 8, 2011 Hi Aaron...it is truly great to see how far you have come in the last few years. I believe once this session grows out, your going to be a very, very happy man. Dr. Paul certainly does great work, so your certainly in good hands. Take Care, Jason Go Cubs! 6721 transplanted grafts 13,906 hairs Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 8, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks Jason. Really appreciate it. It all started with a little chat with you on this network. Thanks for vouching for me two years ago! I won't forget it. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member balody Posted July 9, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 9, 2011 Sorry mate,totally missed this Congratulations on your third session. Sounds more or less identical to mine last month(must get graft count),in fact looking at your situation from the beginning we were more or less in the same boat apart from the first one. Good growing to you and looking forward to this time next year for the both of us. :cool: 2381 fut Dr Bessam Farjo 2201 fut Dr Bessam Farjo 2000+ fut Dr Bessam Farjo My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Bessam Farjo challenge the unchallenged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 9, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 9, 2011 No problem and thanks balody. Yeah, our situations are similar except I postponed going to a great doctor until my second procedure. D'oh! I should have done it your way. But I'm happy to be in great hands now and feel better about my hair future. Cheers to us this year! Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Ahairdown Posted July 10, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 10, 2011 Hey Aaron, just looked at your site again.... your hair is awesome! Question... I can definitely see your point that when your hair is wet (pics from third surgery) - some thinning can be seen. But dry, your hair looks flawless. Are the dry pics not showing something that can be seen in person? Dr Arocha 3626 FU's H1: 508 H2: 1741 H3: 1377 My Hairloss Website: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=2127 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 10, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 10, 2011 Thanks ahairdown. Appreciate the compliments! Yeah, regarding the dry look: with the way I styled my hair the thin patches could be somewhat hidden, though under bright lights or the sun they could be seen. You could tell it was a thinner area. The frontal tuft was the strongest area but the corners were thinner. Also, the transition zone between the frontal third and the bridge needed to be addressed. I may have had even more thinning there since my last transplant. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member bullitnut Posted July 10, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 10, 2011 Awesome dude....really happy for ya!! Your a great guy and have helped many people on here....a true hairloss crusader;). I too missed this and can only apologise dude warm wishes Nutster 2 poor very poor UK ht's 2 world class repairs with Shapiro Medical Group original thread http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.co...d.php?t=134995 Dr Paul's procedure http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=1710 Dr Ron's procedure http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=1128 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member aaron1234 Posted July 11, 2011 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 11, 2011 Bullit is back! No prob dude and great to hear from you! Can't wait to see some updates from your job with Dr. Paul. Keep it real. Dr. G: 1,000 grafts (FUT) 2008 Dr. Paul Shapiro: 2,348 grafts (FUT) 2009 ~ 1,999 grafts (FUT) 2011 ~ 300 grafts (Scar Reduction) 2013 Dr. Konior: 771 grafts (FUT) 2015 ~ 558 grafts (FUT) 2017 ~ 1,124 grafts (FUE) 2020 My Hair Transplant Journey with Shapiro Medical Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member multiplier Posted July 14, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 14, 2011 Ironically I was in Minneapolis the day after Aaron got his procedure done and we bumped into each other at Shapiro's office where I had scheduled a consultation. Firstly, it was cool to see someone about my age with roughly my own hair characteristics enjoying the results of surgery, especially someone who was down to earth with realistic expectations. Secondly, I was impressed by how scientific and thorough the consultation was. They used some software and magnification to give me a more precise idea of donor density and how it might be spread across the scalp in future surgeries. It made a lot more sense to see what it looked like in blow-up photographs. I'm currently trying to schedule my first surgery with Shapiro in early October, I'm hoping. After visiting, I felt good about putting myself in their hands. Jan 2000 - 600 FUT with Dr Kurgis (MHR) Sept 2011 - 1411 FUT with Dr Paul Shapiro Jan 2013 - 1800 FUT with Dr Paul Shapiro Sep 2014 - 1000 FUE with Dr Paul Shapiro My Hairloss Blog » __________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member orlhair1 Posted July 14, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 14, 2011 Multiplier, I had a great experience at SMG. Everyone there is great. You are in good hands. Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUT 6/14/11 - 3048 grafts Surgery - Dr. Ron Shapiro FUE 1/28/13 & 1/29/13 - 1513 grafts http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/orlhair1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member bonkerstonker Posted July 14, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) Grow long and prosper! I look forward to seeing the end of the trilogy next year! Edited July 14, 2011 by bonkerstonker Bonkerstonker! http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=1977 Update I'm now on 12200 Grafts, hair loss has been a thing of my past for years. Also I don't use minoxidil anymore I lost no hair coming off it. Reduced propecia to 1mg every other day. My surgeons were Dr Hasson x 4, Dr Wong x 2 Norton x1 I started losing my hair at 19 in 1999 I started using propecia and minoxidil in 2000 Had 7 hair transplants over 12200 grafts by way of strip but 700 were Fue From Norton in uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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