Question to all those who had a transplant

[shershko]

Hey all,

Long time lurker, recently decide to take the plunge and send some surgeons my photos for consultations. I'm trying to plan a date to schedule the operation. My question for you is, how long did it take you to return to work without being embarrassed or feeling that you looked like a freak? Obviously the redness and swelling reduces in a few days, but how long did it actually take, not for results to start showing, but for it not to look like anything was done to your head? I work in a job where I can't wear hats and can't have it look like somebody poked thousands of holes into my head. I know the answer, to some degree will be, "it depends", but what's been your experience? I'm trying to get a sense of the ranges. If you have a blog with progress photos that'd be great help!

 

Also, after looking at many transplant photos, I'm wondering why not all people show up to the surgery with their head shaved? I mean does anybody actually go back to work or go out with the hair on their sides long and shaved on top and back? How short do they buzz it for you on the day of the surgery and what's the longest clipper I could use so that they wouldn't have to shave my head (or do they do that regardless?)

Thanks!

[Cant decide]

2 months for me but I had over 5000 done and the area was shaved. I also had allot of shock loss. I look great now though 15 months later All well worth it.

[Levrais]

Shershko,

 

As you say, it will depend quite a bit on what you have done and how much native hair you have. Like you, I have a job where I can't wear a hat. I went back to work on day 10 after ht#1. I was able to keep almost enough hair to cover the scabs and redness. I got a few looks but each day the hair was a little longer and provided more camouflage. For ht #2 the docs shaved quite a bit and it was a harder sell when I went back to work. I think I was able to pass it off as a bad haircut. You can see my pics by clicking below.

[orlhair1]

I was able to go back to work after two weeks and it looked OK. I could hide the scar completely and comb my hair over the recipient area pretty well. I grew my hair out quite a bit before the procedure. Even though the recipient areas were cut short, the rest of the hair allowed me to cover it pretty good. Then after about 3 weeks I got my hair trimmed a little and it looked better. Then at 5 weeks I got a fairly short haircut and everything blended right in. I have it all documented in my photos via the link below.

[Cartesian]

Individuals experience different time frame for recovery and masking of the sutures depending on the hair line/loss. I had around 3000 grafts. The first ten days was worse with swelling of face and the redness of the donor area. It took almost 6 weeks for me to get out to mingle with friends (to avoid the crazy questions).

[N-6]

This depends a lot on the type of procedure you undergo, whether or not the doc shaved the recipient area and how you recover as an individual. I had a strip procedure (where recipient area was trimmed) with staples and was back at work in 16 days. I work at an office, have lots of personal interaction with people and don't think anyone noticed.

[aaron1234]

It takes time to feel comfortable again. For me at least three months. Longer and shorter for others. Be prepared to have a convincing story - like a bad haircut or something - to explain it. Concealers are a life saver in the ugly duckling phase. Just don't cake the stuff on and wash it out at night.

[StaggerLee123]

orlhair when I click on your website nothing happens. Is it just on my end or is your website still up and running?

[RodG]

Hi,

 

I was a norwood VI and I had my recipient area shaved. It took about 4 weeks to look normal again. In most cases a clinic will shave the site and if you don't have a lot of hair to cover the area it is quite easy to notice.

 

I guess it also depends on your level of baldness. Unfortunately for me it was quite extensive and it took a long time to look normal again.

 

Regards

 

Rod

[orlhair1]

orlhair when I click on your website nothing happens. Is it just on my end or is your website still up and running?

 

Yes it is still up and running. Give it another try. Just tested the link and it worked for me.

[aeoniumarboreum]

For me the biggest problem was the donor site - my doc shaved around it, so after the HT I had a large arc of very shaved hair even after he had closed the wound up. For 2 weeks I wore a cap, then I got a haircut at the back which exposed it even more but at least evened it up so it all the hair would grow in at a similar length. For a week and a half I wore concealer at the back over the shaved bit, but now, four and a half weeks in, everything looks normal and I don't have to do anything to it.

 

So I would say - by week two, when I'd had a haircut and could wear concealer, no one could tell I'd had anything done.

[MrJobi]

Hello

 

I had 3 strip procedures, all of which I returned to work in 7-10 days or so with "concealer" to hide the surgery. If you get a strip procedure, then shaving the head is pretty much out of the question due to the scar. With FUE you could but not everyone can get away with that look

[Jjjj]

Had HT 12/1/11 strip method

No swelling slept upright first 4 nights

Redness gone after 7 days

Scabs were minimal and gone after 10 days

Back to work after 10 days when staples removed

age 54 good health and good surgeon

Have office job many interactions no one noticed

Good luck happy hair year

[hair1978]

For me as a Norwood 4, I should had buzzcut my entire head, not just the donor area before my transplant. On day 8, I decided to buzzcut the rest of my head to match my tiny new hairs. I'd take at least 10 days off. You can look at the pictures in my account. Good luck.