Regular Member bmajor98 Posted March 31, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) I previously had two strip procedures done elsewhere about 15 and 12 years ago that I was happy with, but now what is mostly left on my head are the transplants. I felt it was time for number three. Having found this forum and speaking with Matt, I decided to use Dr. Paul Shapiro at Shapiro Medical. I have to say some things have definitely changed for the better since the old days. Two forehead needles are way better than dozens on top that I had the last two times. The whole experience went great from start to finish. The office is in a nice building and was very nicely decorated and spotless. The entire staff was super friendly and helpful. I was hoping to get 2000 grafts and I think he got about 2000 and a little more. (2115) He was also able to get rid of the two scars I had and now made them into one. I wanted to concentrate on the front area as I notice now how whenever I pose for pictures, the flash or the sun goes right through the hair and it looks like there is no hair there when there actually is a fair amount. The old built up hairline kind of shows because back then, they weren't using many ones for the very front. I needed that touched up. There is even still more donor hair left, he says for a future procedure for the crown when the time comes. I've really experienced no pain at all, just the tightness of the head and now the face swelling some after three days now.I hope the results are as good as some I have seen here. Edited April 8, 2013 by bmajor98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member SADbutTRUE Posted March 31, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted March 31, 2013 welcome to the forums, you have chosen a great clinic , heal well and good growth to you, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 31, 2013 Thank you. I forgot to mention that I had about 1800 grafts in total after the two sessions years ago.I was just starting to lose the hairline at that point. Then about two or three yrs later I needed a little more. Then after about 12 happy years, I needed some more. That brings me to roughly 4000 all together. I had the first one at 39yrs, second at 42, and now this last one at 54. I like many here I'm sure was hoping that some form of cloning or some other cure would have come along in the 15 yrs since my first session but I say never give up. I hope to have some pictures up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Cartesian Posted March 31, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted March 31, 2013 Happy Growing ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member StaggerLee123 Posted March 31, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted March 31, 2013 Great that they were able to combine the two scars into one. Look forward to seeing the work... Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 Here is my before the latest procedure pic. The total hair count out of the 2115 grafts came to just over 4000. I'll have after pictures soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Spanker Posted April 8, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 You picked a great doctor. Are you on finasteride. I have to say that I am surprised that you lost that much hair after 39 when you initially only needed minor hairline work. Also, you seem to have gotten pretty nice HT for 15 years ago. Do you mind sharing who did it? I am an online representative for Dr. Raymond Konior who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. View Dr. Konior's Website View Spanker's Website I am not a medical professional and my opinions should not be taken as medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 I was on rogaine for some years before I got my first transplant, but at that time, the loss was mainly in the front and front corners. After the first session, I had a lot of shock loss, so while it rebuilt the hairline, it didn't get to the fullness I thought I might get, but I was happy with it. A couple years later I needed more so I got the second treatment and was happy with it for another 12 yrs or so. I never used rogaine again, and propecia didn't come out til later but I was thinking that by the time I needed more work, a cure or cloning or something would come along and I didn't need to do anything else. My father, and both my brothers lost their hair. My one brother at the early age of 21. Yes I thought I was the lucky one when my hair stayed all the way into my late 30's, but it turns out it just lasted a little longer. I'm thinking of using the rogaine again maybe to help keep the hair at the crown from falling out. I don't want to say who did my previous work because I did consult them again before this session with Dr. Paul Shapiro. I was very happy with their work all those years ago but for my own reasons, nothing against them, I didn't go with them this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member 1978matt Posted April 8, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks for posting. I wish a few more older guys would post to show that HTs are a long term commitment. That said, your hair doesnt look abnormal, just a bit thin....but not for much longer! 4,312 FUT grafts (7,676 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - August 2013 1,145 FUE grafts (3,152 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - August 2018 763 FUE grafts (2,094 hairs) with Ray Konior, MD - January 2020 Proscar 1.25mg every 3rd day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks, I can say that no one ever knew that I ever had a hair transplant. Not even family. I'd get compliments all the time about how my hair was never going to fall out after all these years. Now that it thinned out so much, the built up hairline kind of stuck out a bit since they didn't use many ones back then, maybe giving away my secret. lol I've been wearing hats a lot so I decided I had to do something about it or wear a hat forever! Almost all the grafts were in the front area so as to take good pictures which is what was bothering me the most. I can get more work done later on the crown when I decide to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 (edited) Here is a suture pic after shampooing on day 3 or 4 post op. Edited April 8, 2013 by bmajor98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks to Janna, I have these three pics taken right after the surgery showing the graft placement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member SADbutTRUE Posted April 9, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted April 9, 2013 looks good , heal well and great growth to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member orlhair1 Posted April 13, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted April 13, 2013 Heal and grow well......you chose a great clinic! 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 HairFunk Posted April 17, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted April 17, 2013 Congrats on your recent HT! Thank you. I forgot to mention that I had about 1800 grafts in total after the two sessions years ago.I was just starting to lose the hairline at that point. Then about two or three yrs later I needed a little more. Then after about 12 happy years, I needed some more. That brings me to roughly 4000 all together. I had the first one at 39yrs, second at 42, and now this last one at 54. I like many here I'm sure was hoping that some form of cloning or some other cure would have come along in the 15 yrs since my first session but I say never give up. I hope to have some pictures up. Can I please clarify something You say you had 1800 grafts over two sessions years ago - can I ask what Norwood scale you were on first HT? Were the grafts placed all over your scalp on your 2nd HT? Basically are the hairs in the red dots the transplanted hairs? Or did you just have work done in roughly the green area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted May 9, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 9, 2013 My very first transplant was only in the green area. Just the very middle of the front hairline was breaking down with a little receding on the corners. I had some shock losses and within a couple years I had the second one done. If I remember correctly, they placed the grafts from the middle to the front. I don't know what scale my head was officially, but it was no more than a 2 or 2A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member bmajor98 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted May 15, 2013 If you need any questions answered please feel free to ask. I am very happy with my procedures from way back. To this day, nobody, not even family know that I had the work done. So far this latest transplant is going good of course we'll have to wait a full year to know for sure but I'm very optimistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member SADbutTRUE Posted May 15, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted May 15, 2013 its cool that they can plant between existing hairs, this way you dont look that different after surgery, and the growth comes in gradually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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