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The pain of waiting


hairshare

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  • Regular Member

Hi guys,

 

For any guys out there who are thinking of getting a transplant or have just had one recently, I thought I might chime in and let you know what you might be in for in terms of waiting. I had 5800 grafts placed by Dr. Wong last December so I know all about what it's like waiting for the results to come in.........

 

Now I know everyone is different. For me, waiting was excruciatingly difficult. The procedure was a breeze and the easiest part of the whole process. When I say waiting for the results was difficult, I mean it was DIFFICULT. There were times when I would look in the mirror at every moment I could, feel the top of my head to see if there was any new stubble, etc. Even though there was no indication from any of the folks I spoke to at H&W who are as nice as can be, I'm sure I drove a few of them a little crazy (Joe if you are reading this, you know what I mean icon_smile.gif). But they kept assuring me to give it time. I remember being 7 months post op and looking in the mirror and thinking to myself that my results are ok but I wasn't thrilled. I wasn't questioning the skills of Dr. Wong by any means but I just thought I was one of those unlucky saps who wouldn't have the same level of success that others have had. I felt a bit dejected and a bit uneasy but I couldn't do anything about it but wait, but my hopes weren't high. It wasn't until month 9 when it actually started to look good. I remember just looking at the mirror and thinking to myself "holy crap, it worked!" The process was so slow and gradual for me that I just didn't realize until almost the very end that the operation was a success.

 

Now I am close to month 11 post op and am very happy with the results and I think it keeps getting better! So guys, if you are thinking about a transplant or have just had one, unless you have nerves of steel or are a quick grower, I don't envy the wait you will be going through. But once its over, oh man is it sweet icon_smile.gif Moral of the story, if you picked a great surgeon, after the procedure just keep the faith and everything will turn out well (at least hair wise lol). Cheers!

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  • Senior Member

Good post.

 

I had my procedure done Oct. 12th and I don't mind waiting.

 

Think of it this way. It's much more painful ticking off the months knowing that you are slowly losing your hair instead of slowly gaining it. I'm going to thrown on a cap and go about my business. In 9 months or so I'll start looking closer to see if there's anything up there.

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  • Senior Member

Indeed, good post; and I'm very happy for you. Early-growing-SOBs like myself can paint an unrealistic portrayal of how delicate and gradual the process of a HT truly is in most cases. icon_smile.gif

 

Like Sev, I also don't mind the wait of growth, so much as I'm consumed by fear of the "recovery" and being able to disguise my work over the backdrop of not bludgeoning social/work contacts.

-----------

*A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics*

1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash.

Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician.

Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death!

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Hairshare,

 

Good post , we all need reminding that it really is a marathon and not a sprint.It is easy to be downhearted around the 4-7 month mark but when that magic growth spurt kicks in;it is all smiles again.

 

Mick

Patient coordinator for Dr. Bessam Farjo who is an esteemed member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

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hair care,

Man, I'm hoping that your a guardian angel keeping me sane. I believe you responded to one of my posts before, "how long until I'm hatless". If that was you, I'd swear that you were following me for the last couple of months. Anyway, once again, I feel like you.

While I know I've been knocking my results for the last couple of months (keep in mind that I've had a horrible experience with my first Ht) At 7 months, while I'm not happy, I definitly notice a result. Thus, if I follow in your footsteps--WOW! I just can't imagine walking outside without being self conscious.

Pray for me brother. And thanks for the post, it will give me some hope for the next 2 months atleast.

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  • Senior Member

John, especially with one failed HT in your past, I can certainly understand the sheer anxiety and feer that your 2nd HT will not be the "salvation" you had invested in. And not being a quick-grower -- let alone being a slow-grower -- is a recipe for a lot of psychological duress.

 

BUT, in my opinion, you are truly just reaching *the* mark where your true growth boom will occur. The result you have now likely will be nowhere close to as nice as the *actual* result you will get, and be able to enjoy for the rest of your life.

-----------

*A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics*

1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash.

Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician.

Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death!

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  • Regular Member

I'd also like to thank you for a GREAT post. It's just what I needed today. I'm only 5 weeks post-op, but most of my transplanted hairs have fallen out, along with some good shock loss. It sucks to be me at the moment, and it's the one thing I didn't think much about before the surgery. Probably for the better, I worry enough as it is. Here's hoping that in another couple months I'll be at least back to where I was pre-op, and then the fun part really starts.

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  • Regular Member

Thanks everyone for the compliments, I truly appreciate it!

 

Hey John M, another thing I would suggest to you at this point in the game is (and this is if you haven't already) is to grow your hair out a bit. Joe from H&W posted a great article about hair transplants which I can definitely say applies to me. The thing about hair transplants is that there is a "sweet spot" in terms of length. For me if I cut my hair to a certain length, my hair looks pretty thin compared to when I had a full head of hear at the same length. But when grown out to a certain length, my hair looks much thicker. Check it out:

http://hairtransplantmentor.co...cles/the-sweet-spot/

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