Hair Transplantation – Page 122

January 25, 2008

Why Was I Born with a Bald Spot? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi,
I am a 28 year old woman that was born with a bald spot in the middle of the back of my head. Do you know what may have caused this? And do you know how I may be able to fix this? I never wear my hair down because of it and it’d be nice to. Thanks!

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I really couldn’t tell you why you have a bald spot on the back of your head. The bald spot may just be a birthmark or it could have been a result of trauma when you were a baby. I do not know. If you want to address or fix the bald spot, you can consider a hair transplant.

January 24, 2008

Success Story – A Reader’s Hair Transplant Experience – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am writing this message as a way to convey my personal experience thus far with a hair transplant. I would like to offer hope to people considering this route. One caveat is that everyone is a different case-regarding donor supply, pain tolerance, how far along the Norwood scale, etc. Without naming physician-I will tell you of my experience. I researched for over 5 years who to go to and kept coming back to the surgeon I chose.

I had tremendous trepidation about whether I should do this-people would tell me I look fine but I knew I was kidding myself with my hairstylist working with me to cover my completely eroded hairline and front as well it made me a 4A on the Norwood scale. I was given 2 valium to relax me. We discussed the hairline that would be age appropriate for now and the future. Then we were ready to get started.

OK-here is the answer everyone wants to know- does it hurt?

Well I can tell you that I have a low pain tolerance and definitely dreaded the needles for the anesthesia and rightfully so-they did hurt especially the forehead-but the good news is you felt nothing after that. None of the cutting/suturing nor placement of grafts into the receptor sites. I was pleasantly surprised. Based on my personal experience the surgeon was able to place 2502 grafts. He even told me that he was sure I would be happy with the results something he refrains from saying. He knows that I am very particular and I believed him. It is all a waiting game. say 6 months to a year before you see real results at least this is what I have been told.

The surgeon used the latest technology-the tricophytic closure a double suture process-to assure a minimal scar provided you do as your told.

We are all adults and clearly must be responsible for our own welfare. Therefore if you follow exactly the direction for maintaining post op procedures I am sure it will minimize infection chances and limit scar size. You must treat these grafts as if they are fragile like glass-they can be destroyed accidentally and through not following directions. I am on day 5-one third of the way through the post op.

I myself am very sad to say that I had a violent reaction to the pain medication with Codeine. Between the antibiotics and the pain meds it really did a number on my stomach. I see that as the worst part for me. Amazing the procedure was easier than the recuperating time-I never would have guessed. I am just getting over this gas pain/vomiting caused by the medication. It was a tough couple of days.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely yes-the small/moderate pain you feel in the few days is nothing compared to a lifetime of happiness. The bottom line is I was unhappy with my appearance-depressed, self-conscious, lack of confidence you name it. Being a 46 year old male who has been told he looks like he is in his late thirties is Great-but for how long can I pull that off what with the way my hair was going south.

My advice is simple-do your research. check out hair transplant on youtube-they show actual surgeries-do not let that put you off. do not shop around for cheap. this is your future. my cost was $10,000 for 2500 grafts from a surgeon rated the top 100 in Manhattan. Do not go cheap-you will pay for it in the end.

Good Luck!

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The above letter is a response I received after posting Reader Encourages Others to Send In Their Success Stories.

The experiences outlined above are common and even the response to codeine is not atypical and can easily be managed. Codeine has an impact on the stomach as an irritant. I appreciate that you took the time to write this eloquent history to share with our readers!

Note to everyone out there, please keep sending in those success stories!

January 24, 2008

When Will My Donor Scar Not Be Visible? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have had a recent HT in Nov 2007 and now having problems with haircuts. I have tried a number 2 shear and number 3 shear haircut with both showing the donor area scar for weeks. I was told that a number 2 was fine but obviously not. How long will this donor scar be visible for males that like to wear their hair shorter.

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I do not know how wide your scar is or where your donor scar is. You may have a wider than average scar. You may or may not be a candidate for a scar revision surgery if the scar is wide. You may have temporary telogen effluvium on your donor area that may make the scar more visible and if that is the case, it should reverse in 4-6 months. There are many variables that I cannot readily answer without examining you. You can send me photos of your scar with a ruler next to it so that I can appreciate the degree of scar widening (please reference this post when sending). You should see your surgeon who performed the hair transplant surgery and discuss your concerns with him/her.

January 23, 2008

Do All Transplanted Hairs Grow At the Same Time? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,
what is the maximum time that it takes for hair to grow after a hair transplant surgery? 6-14 months? please give me a range.

do all the transplanted hair grow the same time?

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It generally take 6-8 months for 80-90% of the hair to grow. About 95% of the growth should be seen in 12 (rarely 18) months.

The transplanted hair do not grow at the same time. They grow out in waves. I have personally seen complete hair growth as early as 2 months (in less than 5% of patients) and as late as 18 months for complete growth. Most fall within the 6 to 12 month range. This variability has to do with the individual and not the surgeon or technique itself.

January 22, 2008

Charging for Transplants Per Graft vs Per Hair – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi i am quite confused about charging by graft and by per hair.I recently met up with a doctor and he told me that i would need about 1700 hair for the transplant.The transplant will cost me around $4500.The doctor told me that there will not be any side effect and that the new hair will look very natural but i was told by a friend that transplant might cost swelling face and that the new hair will look different.Is theis true.Overall is FUE method effective?Thanks

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In the United States, surgeons generally charge per graft (follicular unit). One graft contains anywhere from one, two, three, and sometimes 4 hairs. In general, one graft averages 2.2 hairs. Some doctors add to the confusion about pricing by switching to a charge per hair, to make it appear less expensive. So if 1700 hairs were placed at surgery, it would be like a 773 graft surgery. At our NHI standby rate of $5/graft, the surgery would cost $5 x 773 = $3,865.

Hair transplantation has many risks along with the many benefits, and they should be discussed in detail between the doctor and the patient. Some of the risks include (as you stated) post-operative swelling and shock hair loss, just to name a few. FUE is a great method when done correctly (with an experienced doctor and experienced team, as it is very labor intensive).

For more on ethics and hair transplantation, see How Do I Know I Am Getting the Number of Grafts I Am Paying For? — and be sure to check out the links at the bottom of the post for even more reading.

January 22, 2008

Does FUE Destroy Follicles? Does FUT Traumatize the Scalp? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i wonder what size instrument you use and do you do FUE and not FUT as a preference. i am over 50, auburn curly hair, very fine, i think miniaturized; loss on top and front. i read one article which tells me FUE is not reliable and destroys follicles; then i read another which says FUT traumatizes the scalp; i am stuck! which is safest and produces good results? can cortisone injections cure pattern loss in women? thanks

Actually, you are correct about the follicular unit extraction (FUE). Please see the post titled, What Doctors Don’t Want You to Know About FUE. As you see, there are always the pros and cons of any type of surgery, but you must weigh these out before making a decision.

I do not agree that FUT (strip procedure) traumatizes the scalp, though. FUT is considered a minor outpatient surgery.

Cortisone injections are sometimes used by doctors for female hair loss, but in my opinion it generally does little to help hair loss.

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January 21, 2008

24 Year Old Using Propecia and Minoxidil for Years is Still Balding! – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi doc! I’ve been on propecia for about 4 and a half years now and i’ve also been using minoxidil 5% for about 3 years but I’m still balding! I’m only 24 and I’ve been balding since the age of maybe 16-17. I always see you answering to young people that they should try Propecia or Rogaine, but that stuff doesn’t work for me. What should I do?

I would love to have a hair transplant so that I can at least enjoy a “normal” haircut for the next 5 years, instead of waiting for my hair loss to stabilize (going completely bald) and THEN have a transplant and still look pretty bald.

While Propecia and topical minoxidil are great medications for male pattern baldness, they have their limitations. Your genetic predisposition will always win. Nevertheless, while you are still losing hair, I am sure the rate of your hair loss is slower than if you are not taking the medication at all. In short, these medications are likely working for you, but your genetic fate is winning the battle.

If you were to stop taking these medications, I am fairly certain you will accelerate your hair loss.

It seems your next step might be a hair transplant surgery. Of course, I couldn’t say for sure as I haven’t examined you, but options are limited if your loss isn’t stopping with medications. If you would like a private consultation with me either directly or by phone, please call our office at (800) NEW-HAIR (800-639-4247) and my staff will be happy to arrange it.

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January 21, 2008

My Hair Grows Extremely Fast — Will New Transplants Grow as Quickly? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am thinking seriously about getting a hair transplant. My question is,my hair grows fast.I can cut my hair short and 4-6 mos later my hair is almost at my shoulders When I get my transplant, will the transplanted hair grow as quickly?

Transplanted hair will usually behave like the hair from the area it was taken. It is likely that your transplanted hair will grow as fast as it originally did.

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January 18, 2008

100% True Sterile Aseptic Hair Transplant Surgery? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Greetings;

We all understand and trainned under sterile surgical technique. We know the importance of asepsis in every surgical procedure. We also have great understanding why the we can do our Hair Transplantation procedures under “Clean Technique”. EX. Vascularity of the head, local immunity, ect.

MY QUESTION IS THIS:

COULD WE ACTUALLY DO 100% TRUE STERILE ASEPTIC HAIR TRANSPLANATION SURGERY?

Thank you for your inquires and your advice.

More power to all the world of Hair Transplant! Give it up to the Hair Transplant Technichians.

Since we are working with hair, one can never really create the type of sterile field one does in an operating room. The presence of hair suggests that bacteria are present. The key is to get the bacterial count down to a very low, acceptable level. The use of hair washes with either Betadine or Hibiclens the night before and morning of surgery is the best way to reduce bacterial count to manageable levels. Even in the operating room, bacterial counts are never zero, as it would require autoclaving, something that would kill living tissue.

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January 18, 2008

Burned Area on My Face Doesn’t Grow Facial Hair – Balding Blog

Hey Doc,

My question is not to complex. I have a facial scar from a burn on my right cheek. When i grow facial hair it grows everywhere but the burn on my cheek. Looks kinda dumb! My question to you is can i have hair transplanted into the burn so that hair will grow and cover the scar? Have yo done this before with sucess? Thanks for your time in answering my question…. Happy New Year!

My answer is simple — yes. Hair transplantation to burned areas work and can disguise the burn on prior hair-bearing skin. The texture and the growth rate may be slightly different than the facial hair, but it should be better than a bald spot.

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