What are the pros and cons to one 6,000 session vs. two 3,000 sessions?

[rsn]

A couple of doc's I spoke to recommended two sessions of about 2,900 each.

 

One doc I spoke to recommended one session of 4,000.

 

I have every faith from what I have read that Hasson and Wong would recommend one mega session of 6,000. I am a Norwood V who will eventually be a Norwood VI.

 

What are the pros and cons of two small 3,000 sessions versus one 6,000 session?

 

This is what I have gathered: one megasession will leave a smaller scar, cost less, and have only one recovery period.

 

Two smallers sessions will lead to less shock loss and a higher yield.

 

Am I correct here?

 

Are there any other pros and cons to two small sessions versus one mega session?

 

Do the superstar docs represent that they can pack in just has high density with just as good yield in a mega session versus two smaller sessions, and only the less famous docs say you will get more yield with two sessions?

[chrisdav]

In my own personal opinion, I would want to get it all done in one session as your waiting time for the final result will be increased with two smaller sessions.

 

Why don't you PM Jotronic as Hasson&Wong are the mega session specialists and I am sure he can answer all your questions.

[Postdoc]

Good question. I've just had a megasession at H&W and the total number of grafts harvested was 4400. I'd hoped for more to complete a decent one pass procedure but realise that that's impractical unless you've got really high density in the donor region and excellent scalp laxity. My scalp laxity was relatively tight, and even though my donor density was good, I ended up with a 35 cm scar and a fair bit of shock loss. It's worth trying to estimate your own scalp laxity and doing a quick calculation of the likely yield. If you can squeeze a couple of cm of skin over most of the donor region and you've got a density of 80 follicular units per sq cm, you'd need a strip 37 cm long to harvest 6000 grafts, which is really pushing it. Personally, I'd recommend a less extreme FUT session followed up by some FUE work.

 

Regards,

David

 

A couple of doc's I spoke to recommended two sessions of about 2,900 each.

 

One doc I spoke to recommended one session of 4,000.

 

I have every faith from what I have read that Hasson and Wong would recommend one mega session of 6,000. I am a Norwood V who will eventually be a Norwood VI.

 

What are the pros and cons of two small 3,000 sessions versus one 6,000 session?

 

This is what I have gathered: one megasession will leave a smaller scar, cost less, and have only one recovery period.

 

Two smallers sessions will lead to less shock loss and a higher yield.

 

Am I correct here?

 

Are there any other pros and cons to two small sessions versus one mega session?

 

Do the superstar docs represent that they can pack in just has high density with just as good yield in a mega session versus two smaller sessions, and only the less famous docs say you will get more yield with two sessions?

[HARIRI]

Im against mega sessions over 4000 grafts. Its is because if anything went wrong in that particular surgery, then it would very hard to get fixed. Grafts are like dollars, using them all at once is a crazy gambling. No matter who your top surgeon is, Shit happens. Better do 3000 grafts at first and see how things goes then do the other 3000 grafts. There are many uncomfortable mega session patients in the forum but they stopped posting due to unknown reasons.

[lorenzo]

RCN I am very confused by your post. You have asked questions like you are enquirer not somebody that just had surgery on Friday.

First you claim that you had recieved a botched hair transplant the same day as your surgery. Its understandable to have question after surgery but to call your surgery botched on the same day is confusing.

Second you say that some doctors laugh at doing scalp exercises. Yet according to your posts your doctor tried to get a many grafts as possible but couldnt get the number is apearred to want. You claim to be closed very tight but with scalp exercises you may have been able to get a bigger number and a less tight closure.

Thirdly now you are asking about the difference between one session of 6000 vs two 3000 sessions. There is no proof that with the right doctors big session over 5000 cause less yield. If that was the case doctor like Hasson and Wong and Rahal wouldnt be doing it and considered world class. This is the type of comments that many doctor that are unable to do larger session use as a defence as a explanation on why they cant or wont do it.

 

Its still early on your transplant journey so it important to stay patient and postive. Good luck and keep us posted on your results.

[RCWest]

Im against mega sessions over 4000 grafts. Its is because if anything went wrong in that particular surgery, then it would very hard to get fixed. Grafts are like dollars, using them all at once is a crazy gambling. No matter who your top surgeon is, Shit happens. Better do 3000 grafts at first and see how things goes then do the other 3000 grafts. There are many uncomfortable mega session patients in the forum but they stopped posting due to unknown reasons.

 

 

This is my only reason against being all for a one pass megasession. If something goes wrong, you would have used 6000 grafts that you can't get back. If you do 3000 and something goes wrong, you still have the other 3000 plus what else is left. If the first surgery goes wrong, they can figure out what went wrong and adjust for the second go.

[rsn]

Well, the swelling went down. I don’t think anymore it was botched. My ears stopped pointing. I thought my face had been permanently changed, but it looks like it was all temporary.

My big regret now is that maybe I should have gotten a mega session.

Also my doctor did not stress scalp exercises, and I only did them for one week before, so I am now full of regret wondering whether he could have done more in this session had I only done them. But many surgeons I saw laughed at the exercises, so I only did them for one week before.

I just had a 2700 surgery. I am a Norwood VI, and have heard I really should get a grand total of a minimum of 6000 grafts. Honestly, I would like as much coverage as possible, so I would even want 7,000 grafts. So first I am wondering if I should have gone to someone like Hasson and Wong to begin with and tried to get a 6000 graft off the bat. It is too late for that. But I am still going to have one more session, and want to explore getting 4,300 in one shot or possibly getting two small sessions or even getting less coverage and settling for one more small session, and ending it.

[aaron1234]

Just wait this one out and take it from there. You went to a good doctor and as long as you get good yield then you shouldn't regret the decision. 2,700 grafts used to be considered a mega session - its all relative. It probably won't prohibit you from getting a larger procedure down the road if you want one. Who knows, you might not even need a larger procedure next round.

[lorenzo]

Rsn thanks for sharing your concerns and thoughts with us. Although I do believe 2700 grafts will make a different, its not alot on a Norwood 6. Its sounds like you were quite tight and considering no importance was put on scalp exercises until the last week, that may have been the max number you would gotten.

Regardless you went to a good doctor and now its time to be patient.