Experience with Hasson & Wong, Dr. Wong

[aceman]

Hello,

 

I am in my mid fifties and had had a bad transplant in the 1980s (fortunately only one) which consisted of plug removal (FUE) of very large plugs and then inserting same in the frontal region. I had most of my hair then so it wasn't too bad--however, once I lost the hair in the front became very noticeable. I was lucky because I had a pretty good hair on the side pretty far up (my pattern in loss in the middle to the crown as well, but very good hair still pretty far up the sides. Because of that, I was able to have some hairs removed from the plugs and using the hair on the side, combing it over was a fairly reasonable solution for many years although became less and less so as I lost more hair.

 

In any event, being happily married all those years, it wasn't as big a deal for me as it would have been for some men who were single. But I got tired of the comb over (which was a necessity) and decided to either remove the plugs or get a transplant--I chose the latter and so far pretty happy with the choice.

 

I had a procedure with Dr. Wong on in August, 2012 (FUT--that's all they do) where by he removed the lines of plugs in the front and set my hair line back some--originally he suggested leaving it, but we mutually agreed it would be better to remove some grafts and move it back. Unfortunately, I do not have great laxity and we could only get 2,228 grafts on the first procedure (although I didn't do the exercises as I should have). The second procedure was April 25, 2013--again I tried to do the scalp exercises but just can't seem to do it religiously--got 1,704 grafts--total with two procedures of 3932 (4000 or more was my goal) grafts and at least 7,269 hairs total (counting the 3/4s as 3s). I was very surprised that he did not have to shave my already existing hair which will make this second procedure undetectable in about two weeks post op.

 

Any way, I was VERY PLEASED with the doctor and the results. Its not thick of course, but it looks so much better than it did and I finally--about a week before the 2nd procedure, cut off the last of the comb-over.

 

Several questions:

 

1. I will definitely wait at least a year but if I were to have another procedure, is there any way to get a good hair count--like at least 2500 the next time? Will diligent laxity exercises work if done for many months prior?

 

2. He wants me to use proscar (finisteride) but am concerned about the potential side effects--especially sexual--get into your 50s and it becomes hard enough with libido without adding problems! LOL!!!

[aceman]

Anyone? Joetronic--we share a common root to our hair?

[Cant decide]

Finasteride sides are overblown IMO. Definitely consider it. Congrats on your procedure. 2500 next time in the hands of H&W should not be an issue assuming your laxity is ok. If anyone can pull 2500 out it is H&W.

[Shampoo]

I had a procedure with Dr. Wong on in August, 2012. The second procedure was April 25, 2013.

 

Welcome aceman.

 

I too had a procedure done with Dr. Wong in August 2012. Like you I was very pleased with the entire Hasson/Wong experience.

 

I am a bit surprised they would allow you to have another procedure 8 months after the first one. I was under the impression it is best to wait at least a year to see full growth so the 2nd procedure gameplan can be made after a full result is seen.....and to let the donor area have a year's rest before cutting into it again.

 

I too am at 8 months and I am thrilled with the front and middle, but unless I get more growth in the crown my gut is telling me I am going to need a second procedure to add about 2000-3000 grafts to my crown.

 

aceman was it discussed that you were possibly having a 2nd procedure too soon?

 

Or is it not out of the norm these days to have back to back procedures 8 months apart?

[aceman]

Welcome aceman.

 

I too had a procedure done with Dr. Wong in August 2012. Like you I was very pleased with the entire Hasson/Wong experience.

 

I am a bit surprised they would allow you to have another procedure 8 months after the first one. I was under the impression it is best to wait at least a year to see full growth so the 2nd procedure gameplan can be made after a full result is seen.....and to let the donor area have a year's rest before cutting into it again.

 

I too am at 8 months and I am thrilled with the front and middle, but unless I get more growth in the crown my gut is telling me I am going to need a second procedure to add about 2000-3000 grafts to my crown.

 

aceman was it discussed that you were possibly having a 2nd procedure too soon?

 

Or is it not out of the norm these days to have back to back procedures 8 months apart?

 

I was told that you should wait 8 months minimu--mine was actually 8 months two weeks. I supposed I could have waited longer and probably would have gotten more laxity--although I got 2300 first time and 1700 second time so not sure how much more I could have gotten. And honestly, I would have waited longer if I had known that they could do the second transplant without shaving my head (although you don't know that until you start usually). I didn't want to go to a year's growth and have it shaved again. But yes--if you have no burning desire to get it over with and you don't care of they shave off a year or longer's growth (if they have to do that) then obviously you can never wait too long--you can certainly go in too quickly.