Regular Member ravchase Posted August 13, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted August 13, 2013 Had my first hair transplant 5 days ago with Dr. Pistone in Galloway, NJ. Hair Restoration Site for Rav Chase Won't bore you by re-typing all the details, but I've been losing my hair (first receding, then full-on MPB) since about 24, Rogaine-assisted since 26, and Toppik-concealed since 30 (I am now 33). After alot of research (actually had my first consultation 3 years ago, which led me to use Toppik in the interim), had my surgery on Thursday 8/8. Feel free to check out my website in my signature. Appreciate any (constructive) feedback/suggestions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted August 23, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 23, 2013 Site has been updated. First two weeks went off without a hitch and I am feeling good so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TakingThePlunge Posted August 23, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted August 23, 2013 ravchase, Congratulations! Please keep us updated on your progress. Happy growing! 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...
Regular Member kokosam Posted August 23, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted August 23, 2013 Best of luck man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted August 30, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 30, 2013 Thanks guys. Just updated my blog for Week 3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted September 13, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 13, 2013 Blog updated 5 weeks out! Pretty much back to normal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted October 13, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 13, 2013 Just updated my blog...two months out. Next couple months should be interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member kokosam Posted October 13, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted October 13, 2013 Looking good so far. More interesting things to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted November 12, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 12, 2013 Just updated for 3 months out. Alot of progress this month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted December 13, 2013 Author Regular Member Share Posted December 13, 2013 Another update now that I'm four months post-HT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted January 18, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted January 18, 2014 Updated once again (a little late, but the pics are a week old) for 5 months out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted February 17, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted February 17, 2014 Updated once again for 6 months out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted April 6, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted April 6, 2014 Updated - now 8 months out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member ravchase Posted August 9, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 9, 2014 See blog below for updates. Also FYI - Dr. Pistone informed me that he is moving to Marlton NJ in the fall (closer to Philly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member 1978matt Posted August 10, 2014 Senior Member Share Posted August 10, 2014 Thanks for sharing your pictures although they are so bad I really can't see much of a change the last 12 months. This could be due to: 1)The quality of the photos 2)Further hair loss 3)The small amount of grafts 4)Poor growth of the grafts 5)The quality of your donor hair I was concerned to read that the doctor wishes to give you another strip scar rather than excise the old one. That sort of practice went out years ago and is not good. I really think you should consider a different doctor next time. 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 ravchase Posted August 11, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 11, 2014 Matt, Thanks for your feedback. I added some additional photos that show the hairline (you can't really tell from the others since my hair is combed straight forward). Unfortunately, as you see, I am still using Toppik. I think the fact that I'd be using it on the crown regardless has more or less let me accept this fact, and the fact that I now "look good" with Toppik, as opposed to before, when there was nothing in the temples, has been huge. At this point, if my crown were not nearly bald, I would be comfortable going out of the house without Toppik. I was pretty happy with my results, but I had what I'll call "reasonable" expectations. Your results seem exceptional! You are probably correct that I've had further hair loss in the recipient area. The doctor told me as much when I saw him a few months back. He had said that the majority of the hair on the front half of my head was transplanted hair. I don't THINK it's an issue with the donor hair...he told me it was a great donor area (although I'm sure they usually say that), but God knows the hair on the back and sides of my head grows quickly and is always thick, so it doesn't seem like that should be an issue. I am alarmed at the statement about the second strip scar. Someone mentioned that on another board as well. It's enough to at least make me consult another doctor. I always knew that one surgery would not be enough - however, I don't intend to have more than two, and I want to emerge from the second surgery not reliant on Toppik anymore. It would be nice to not have to worry about going out in the rain, having to wipe down my bathroom counters and floors constantly, or sleeping at a girl's place and having to dust off the pillow without waking her up. I will consult with Dr. Feller in NY for my next operation. The scar resulting from the second surgery was a concern to me (whether it be the size of the "combined" scar or a second scar in and of itself). I'm curious to get others' opinions as well. Thanks everyone for your feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member 1978matt Posted August 11, 2014 Senior Member Share Posted August 11, 2014 Matt, Thanks for your feedback. I added some additional photos that show the hairline (you can't really tell from the others since my hair is combed straight forward). Unfortunately, as you see, I am still using Toppik. I think the fact that I'd be using it on the crown regardless has more or less let me accept this fact, and the fact that I now "look good" with Toppik, as opposed to before, when there was nothing in the temples, has been huge. At this point, if my crown were not nearly bald, I would be comfortable going out of the house without Toppik. I was pretty happy with my results, but I had what I'll call "reasonable" expectations. Your results seem exceptional! You are probably correct that I've had further hair loss in the recipient area. The doctor told me as much when I saw him a few months back. He had said that the majority of the hair on the front half of my head was transplanted hair. I don't THINK it's an issue with the donor hair...he told me it was a great donor area (although I'm sure they usually say that), but God knows the hair on the back and sides of my head grows quickly and is always thick, so it doesn't seem like that should be an issue. I am alarmed at the statement about the second strip scar. Someone mentioned that on another board as well. It's enough to at least make me consult another doctor. I always knew that one surgery would not be enough - however, I don't intend to have more than two, and I want to emerge from the second surgery not reliant on Toppik anymore. It would be nice to not have to worry about going out in the rain, having to wipe down my bathroom counters and floors constantly, or sleeping at a girl's place and having to dust off the pillow without waking her up. I will consult with Dr. Feller in NY for my next operation. The scar resulting from the second surgery was a concern to me (whether it be the size of the "combined" scar or a second scar in and of itself). I'm curious to get others' opinions as well. Thanks everyone for your feedback! No problem mate, and I hope my message didn't come across too bad. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to wording messages on this board and could be a bit more tactful at times. Feller would be a good choice and I'd aim to get the front hairline sorted next time around as that's what you see in the mirror and what girls look at! Another guy I like in your general area is Dr Beehner - a very ethical kind of guy. I noticed Pistone isn't part of the IAHRS anymore (he used to be). Not sure why that is. Hopefully your current scar is in the right place so it can be taken out with the next strip. With a bit of luck you can get more hair and more grafts than last time. The crown might be harder to sort out but the front could be diffused into it so you at least look natural for the rest of your life (if you don't bother with more transplants). Best of luck. 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 ravchase Posted August 11, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 11, 2014 Not offended in the least. I appreciate any frank feedback. Most of what I've read as responses is along the lines of "Looks great!" and you can never if they're being honest or just cheerleading. I did want to focus on the crown - obviously that's in the worst shape. I'm okay with the hairline for now, but mostly because I wasn't expecting full density in the first surgery, especially considering how barren it was to begin with. He could have packed the hairline more densely, but then I'd get less coverage than I did across the front half of my head. He also only got 2200 grafts (compared to your 4300). However, I had been expecting the second surgery to increase density of the hairline regardless of doctor. Dr. Pistone had told me (in a prior appointment) that he would not need the entire second strip to fill in the crown, so then he'd return to the hairline and work his way backward. Picture of my donor area (from 5 days post-surgery) attached. I will definitely consult with some other doctors to get some feedback on my best path forward. There are several in the New York City area Thanks for the recommendation of Dr. Beehner - Saratoga Springs is actually pretty far relative to me. New York City is only about 2 hours away, and in addition to Feller, I know Drs. Bernstein, Dorin & True are there, so there shouldn't be a need for me to travel further than that. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member 1978matt Posted August 11, 2014 Senior Member Share Posted August 11, 2014 I guess you have considered and decided against Propecia for the crown... Certainly the advantage of someone like Feller is adept at larger sessions, i.e. 4000+. I'm not sure Pistone is capable of that many grafts in one sitting. That sounds like a reasonable approach you describe: get some hair in the crown and then work back from the hairline. 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 ravchase Posted August 11, 2014 Author Regular Member Share Posted August 11, 2014 I've been using Rogaine for years. It's probably the only reason I'm hanging on to what I have (I also take Biotin & use Nizoral shampoo). To be honest, Propecia scares me. I really don't want to rely on pills for the rest of my life...especially since the results are far from a guarantee. I'll discuss the plan of attack with some of the doctor(s) before my next surgery. That is what Dr. Pistone had recommended, and it had been what I anticipated anyway, but some doctors may feel differently. Obviously, getting a session like yours that had nearly DOUBLE the number of grafts I received would be do much more as far as ensuring as close to full coverage as possible. Thanks again Matt...while I had been accepting of what might was, in my opinion a "good" result, your message convinced me that I should make sure the next time I get a "great" result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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