HT Scalp Numbness Survey

[Sparse]

Hi All,

 

As a clinical researcher, I'm all about addressing questions with data whenever possible, and I'm hoping several of you might be willing to help me explore a question I've been pondering: How common is post-HT scalp numbness, and how long does it typically take to resolve? (I'm motivated by the fact that I'm nearly 4 months post-HT, and I still have considerable numbness.)

 

If you have a few seconds to spare, please pass along the following data about your HT:

 

1) Using a 10-point scale (where 0 = no numbness at all and 10 = the entire affected scalp is completely numb), please rate the degree of your post-HT scalp numbness immediately after your procedure.

 

2) Using the same scale, please rate your numbness at 3-months post-HT.

 

3) Using the same scale, please rate your numbness at 6-months post-HT.

 

4) Using the same scale, please rate your numbness at 12-months post-HT.

 

5) How many months did it take for your scalp sensation to completely return to pre-HT levels?

 

6) Please give details of your procedure (FUT/FUE, #grafts, graft placement, etc.)

 

Also, if you've had more than 1 HT, please feel free to supply the above data for each one.

 

Many thanks in advance!

[Sparse]

My own reply:

 

1) immediate numbness = 9

2) 3-months = 6.5

3) n/a

4) n/a

5) n/a

6) 5566 grafts strip (Hasson 7/28/09), 3600 placed in frontal third, ~2000 in crown and middle third.

[Nicky]

hi

 

i'm just a bit over a month and im getting almost all my sensations back..

[Goldilocks]

1) immediately after your procedure = 9

2) 3-months post-HT = 7

3) 6-months post-HT = 5

4) 12-months post-HT = 0

5) scalp sensation to completely return to pre-HT levels?

 

approximately 10 months

 

6) Please give details of your procedure (FUT/FUE, #grafts, graft placement, etc.)

 

Strip surgery, 2460 grafts along the hairline and temple regions.

 

(By the way, I'm female. Just thought I would let you know so I don't throw off your results. )

[Sparse]

Originally posted by Nicky:

hi

 

i'm just a bit over a month and im getting almost all my sensations back..

 

Excellent. And how would you rate your numbness (0-10) immediately post-HT?

[HTInitiate]

1) Immediately after your procedure = 10

2) 3-months post-HT = 8

3) 4-months post-HT = 5

 

Strip Surgery - 2500 grafts in the front 1/3 section.

[jmg544]

1. Immediate numbess = 10

2. 3-months = 3

 

I'm almost at 4 months and the only numbness I have now is in my donor area all along the scar.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Sparse,

 

I'll be happy to take your survey. Since scalp numbness lasted the longest after my third procedure (even longer than my fourth one), my answers will be about number three.

 

1. 8

 

2. 7

 

3. 6

 

4. 2

 

5. I always felt that my scalp never turned 100% back to normal after the third procedure, but I'd give it 95%. Ironically, I'm 8 months after the 4th procedure and I'd say the feeling in my scalp has already returned to 95%.

 

6. 3700 grafts via FUT spread throughout the entire scalp

 

Since you are only 4 months out from your procedure, it's perfectly normal to be experiencing some numbness. More than likely, feeling will slowly come back over the next 6 months.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Sparse]

Thanks Bill, HTI, Nicky, jmg, and Goldilocks!

 

Anyone else care to weigh in?

[Sparse]

Bump: any other takers?

[chantal]

1.immediately post op : 10

2. 3 months :7

3. 6 months :5

4. 12 months: 2 (surgery on Dec. 17th, 2008)

5. scalp sensations have not come back to pre HT levels (recipeint AND donor areas)

 

female strip surgery 1925 grafts - top of head

Dr Rahal

[Sparse]

Thanks, chantal: very helpful.

[Al - Moderator]

1) post-HT scalp numbness immediately after your procedure. 10

 

2) 3-months post-HT. 10

 

3) 6-months post-HT. 10

 

4) 12-months post-HT. 10

 

5) How many months did it take for your scalp sensation to completely return to pre-HT levels? 20 years and counting. Still nearly completely numb over entire recipient area and some numbness in parts of donor area. I would rate it an 8 now.

 

6) Please give details of your procedure (FUT/FUE, #grafts, graft placement, etc.) Graft sizes from 2 to 3 hairs up to 2.75 mm. I believe around 1400 grafts total.

[Sparse]

BeHappy: I'm sorry to hear you have so much residual numbness - even 20 years after your procedure. I had no idea that sort of outcome was even possible!

[Topcat611]

I would say that it took at least 10 years to get the sensation back in the area where the strips were taken.

 

Just a constant numb sensation. Sometimes it would itch and it was almost impossible to relieve it by scratching.

 

I would say I now have about 90% sensation back

[Sparky]

My scar definatly didnt feel like normal scalp. I've just had 600 odd fue into the scar (6 weeks post op), once those are through I'll update again.

[Hair28]

1) immediately after your procedure = 8

 

2) at 3-months post-HT = 0

 

3) at 6-months post-HT = 0

 

4) at 12-months post-HT = 0

 

5) return to pre-HT levels = 3 weeks

 

6) 1st HT: Strip: 2,050 gfts // 2nd HT: Strip: 2,100 gfts (same scale for both HT procedures)

[Sparse]

Thanks, Topcat, Sparky, and Hair28.