Regular Member mm Posted September 17, 2007 Regular Member Share Posted September 17, 2007 OK, I think I figured out how to get my photos properly placed on here......so here we go. I received a 2200 HT in February 2006. This was my 2nd HT (previously had 2200 in Nov 04). I need some advise. Based on these pics, I really am not happy with my HT. My temple areas look worse that before.....and before you say it, it is NOT from further hair loss. I take propecia and I know that my hair losses in my temple areas stabilized (I was thin there before the HT). I think my doc concentrated too much on top instead of distributing more evenly. I think you can see the greater density on top. To be honest, my hair is shorter in the AFTER pics, but that is because the increased density on top forces me to keep it shorter. However , you "cut it", I think I look worse now. My doc says the pics look fine and and the difference is more a result of the angle of the pics. I don't believe there is any merit to that. I would appreciate your comments on this. These pics are 18 months post op.....I waited as long as possible before finally deciding to post pics and get additional advice. I really wanted to be as fair as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 17, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 17, 2007 OK, I think I figured out how to get my photos properly placed on here......so here we go. I received a 2200 HT in February 2006. This was my 2nd HT (previously had 2200 in Nov 04). I need some advise. Based on these pics, I really am not happy with my HT. My temple areas look worse that before.....and before you say it, it is NOT from further hair loss. I take propecia and I know that my hair losses in my temple areas stabilized (I was thin there before the HT). I think my doc concentrated too much on top instead of distributing more evenly. I think you can see the greater density on top. To be honest, my hair is shorter in the AFTER pics, but that is because the increased density on top forces me to keep it shorter. However , you "cut it", I think I look worse now. My doc says the pics look fine and and the difference is more a result of the angle of the pics. I don't believe there is any merit to that. I would appreciate your comments on this. These pics are 18 months post op.....I waited as long as possible before finally deciding to post pics and get additional advice. I really wanted to be as fair as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 17, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 17, 2007 I think it is important to also note that my main goal was to "fill in some of the patchy areas from my first HT". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member MrJobi Posted September 17, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 17, 2007 MM It's touch to say how the result is because there are no before pics. Also , since you had it done in Feb you still have more growth / maturity ahead of you.. Who was your doc? Any pre pics? You may also look worse if you did not stabilize your hairloss prior to having work done ( kind of like filling a barrel with water and it has a hole in it ) Answer these questions and we can provide feedback JOBI 1417 FUT - Dr. True 1476 FUT - Dr. True 2124 FUT - Dr. True 604 FUE - Dr. True My views are based on my personal experiences, research and objective observations. I am not a doctor. Total - 5621 FU's uncut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 17, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 17, 2007 Mrjb, please not in my comments that my HT was in Feb 2006.....19 months ago. Also, there are BEFORE pics as well as after pics there. Also, my comments included that I am on propecia and I know that I have not lost additional hair in the temple areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackD Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 Definitely looks worse to me. Who was your Doc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 MM, I can see both your before/after pictures now. I think when you first posted your pictures there was only one picture. In all honesty, it is still difficult to judge by the photos whether or not there is a difference. I wouldn't call your after result "worse" than your before pictures, but based on what I am seeing, there isn't much difference at all - though maybe some added density in the front. But obviously you are dissatisfied with your experience. Have you talked with your doctor of your level of dissatisfaction? what has he/she recommended for you? Who was your doctor? In order for us to get a proper view of your result, can you post an "after" picture similar to your first before picture like the slightly dipped down frontal shot? If you can provide a before/after picture from a complete top down angle as well, this would help. Best wishes, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 22, 2007 Bill, how do I add a pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 mm, You can add pictures by going back to your gallery and in the bottom right hand corner there is an "Edit Album" icon. Click it and follow the wizard for upload. If you need help, feel free to PM me with your picture and I can upload it for you. Best wishes, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member MrJobi Posted September 23, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 23, 2007 Ok, Hmm, tough to say it is worse. It seems almost the same which is quite baffling.. I would certainly talk to your doctor.. This is a rare case , but I know the results sometimes can be very marginal but 2200 is not chump change. Pay a visit to the doc if you can. JOBI 1417 FUT - Dr. True 1476 FUT - Dr. True 2124 FUT - Dr. True 604 FUE - Dr. True My views are based on my personal experiences, research and objective observations. I am not a doctor. Total - 5621 FU's uncut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 23, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 23, 2007 Thanks Bill. I will provide the additional pics soon...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member NervousNelly Posted September 23, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 23, 2007 MM, This is tough for us to comment. I personally don't believe that it looks any worse, but agree with Bill that it certainly doesn't look like much of an improvement. We will benefit from more photos, but this case is somewhat baffling. It is possible that you did lose more hair and that propecia doesn't work for you and therefore this is the result. Possibly without the HT you would be a NW 5? Hard to say exactly. NN NN Dr.Cole,1989. ??graftcount Dr. Ron Shapiro. Aug., 2007 Total graft count 2862 Total hairs 5495 1hairs--916 2hairs--1349 3hairs--507 4hairs--90 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 24, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 24, 2007 Bill, I have added the photo you requested (after-top/front). Take a look. To be fair, my hair is much shorter here, which effects the density "look" comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 24, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 24, 2007 Nelly, here is the deal. I can't let my hair grow out as long as before because I do have more density on top. Unfortunately, this density was not provided in my temple areas also. So if I keep it short, it looks fine from the front and top, but the temple areas are weak looking. If I let it grow to how I use to keep my hair length, my frontal and top area bulk up and it looks like sh#t, while the temples look better. My doc thinks "it looks great". While he is a nice and honest guy, I think his ego gets in the way. After a 2nd HT of 2200 grafts, I was hoping to be able to take a break and not worry about anymore surgeries for a while. I do not believe my 3 goals or this HT; add density to my right side to equal out my left side, "fill in" sparse areas from my first surgery, and improve my hairlines, were actually met. At this point, I have lost confidence in the process altogether. The bottom line is that I should never have gone for a 2nd HT. While my first one was not perfect, more grafts do not necessarily mean a better look. Actually, more grafts have only increased my risk of separation and given me a worse look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member EmuSteve Posted September 24, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 24, 2007 MM, who was your doc? -Steve I don't work for a doctor. Got 2700 fu from Ron Shapiro, 11-30-7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 MM, Thanks for adding additional photos. Based on the picture it is definitely difficult to evaluate whther or not you've lost additional native hair or didn't have any growth yield with the second HT. But visually, it does not appear that there has been any improvement from your before/after condition. Who was your doctor and have you consulted with him/her about your disappointment? Best wishes, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 24, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 24, 2007 Bill, my doc was Dr Paul Rose. He did my first HT and everything went well. I really believe I have had new growth, but the placement has been the problem as I previously discussed. Not sure what else to do at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 mm, Unfortunately, it's possible that you may have had more native hair loss that may be contributing to your thin look. Regarding placement, I would hope this would have been discussed beforehand since it is critical to your hair restoration goals. Personally, I would speak with Dr. Rose about your disappointment and see what he has to say about the situation. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member the B spot Posted September 24, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 24, 2007 mm--- I would pm hairlosscure who is employed by Dr. Rose. I still stand by my assessment that Dr. Rose is one of the best, but even the best docs have a poor result here and there--- sometimes it just happens. However, what separates the best clinics from the poor ones is how they handle these situations. I believe that Dr. Rose is an honorable, caring doctor that will make sure you are taken care of if you are justifiably unsatisfied. I feel for you bro'----but I believe that this is going to work out for you in the end.... keep your chin up!!!!!! Please continue to update and share your experiences with us and let us know how things are progressing. Take Care, Jason Go Cubs! 6721 transplanted grafts 13,906 hairs Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 26, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 26, 2007 Like I said in my initial comment, my doc thinks the before and after discrepancy is a result of the "angle" of my my pics.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 mm, Whether or not the pictures are accurate (which I can certainly understand his comments), you and he will have to make the determination as to whether or not the procedure was a success. If you haven't let him look at your hair in person, I recommend an in person consult or follow up. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member EmuSteve Posted September 26, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 26, 2007 The purpose of this forum is to make sure there is a place where patients can come and share their honest experience. On that note, thank you MM. I'd encourage you to share exactly what you think about your experience and I'd also encourage Dr. Rose to do the same. I've met Dr. Rose in person, and he seems like a stand up guy who wants his patients to be happy. MM obviously isn't. If new pictures need to be taken, I'd encourage MM to have an in-person visit with Dr. Rose so Dr. Rose can address his concerns directly, and take some pictures that are at an angle he deems acceptable. No one should feel nervous about sharing the honest, unmitigated truth about their experience. Without that, there is no reason for any of us to post here. I'd also encourage Dr. Rose to post as well. -Steve I don't work for a doctor. Got 2700 fu from Ron Shapiro, 11-30-7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wanthairs Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 oh well.... cancelling my consult with Dr. Rose.... Sticking with Epstein or maybe defecting to Hasson and Wong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member nobuzz4me Posted September 26, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted September 26, 2007 MM, Did Dr Rose take before and afters for both HT's? Most docs will with the same angles and lighting to give a true comparison. I assume the pics you put up were yours. You have been given good advise here and we are pulling for you. Your case makes me wonder how graft yields in the future can be accounted for. You know we hear all the time that strip HT yields boast high 90 percent yields......... Who is verifying this?? What about that tool (small camera)they use to look at your donor for density? Why couldn't some small camera like that scan your head closely before and after to verify a reasonable yield. Seems like the technology exsists, why are we not demanding it????? As patients who spend large amounts of money on this we deserve better verification of yields. JMO. MM, good luck on finding a resolution. NoBuzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mm Posted September 27, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted September 27, 2007 Nobuzz, I requested the pics that they took before my surgery. The assistant sent me two polariod photos that they took. Needles to say, I can't do much with two polariod pictures. I am not aware of any "small camera" used to analyze density. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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