Senior Member youngsuccess Posted September 25, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted September 25, 2008 Ok, I would have a near-perfect scar courtesy of Dr. Dorin, only I made one huge mistake: I didn't go back to their office and instead had the local medical center remove my stitches. So, 6 months after they were taken out, I discover that stitches were LEFT IN MY HEAD. In these spots, the donor area did not heal as well. I have read that this can affect scar tissue. Overall, the scar is still very good. The little spots where you can see more scalp is where the stitches were left in. Most people have tiny imperfections when shaved down, so I think most people would see this as the average 27 year old's head. I took these shots while I was in the process of giving myself a haircut. The donor area is shaved down to a #3, 2 and 1 guard although I stopped there and just used some of my girfriend's makeup to color in the area afterwords since I didn't want to commit to a #1 shave. It's not noticeable at all with the #3 buzz, but as I start to go down further you can detect a little spot above and a little past the back of the ear and end of the scar near my neck. If you move your cursor over these areas to block them out, the scar otherwise looks very acceptable IMO. But just as a warning, have the HT surgeon remove your staples/stitches; it's worth it. ------- All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my My Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member youngsuccess Posted September 25, 2008 Author Senior Member Share Posted September 25, 2008 Ok, I would have a near-perfect scar courtesy of Dr. Dorin, only I made one huge mistake: I didn't go back to their office and instead had the local medical center remove my stitches. So, 6 months after they were taken out, I discover that stitches were LEFT IN MY HEAD. In these spots, the donor area did not heal as well. I have read that this can affect scar tissue. Overall, the scar is still very good. The little spots where you can see more scalp is where the stitches were left in. Most people have tiny imperfections when shaved down, so I think most people would see this as the average 27 year old's head. I took these shots while I was in the process of giving myself a haircut. The donor area is shaved down to a #3, 2 and 1 guard although I stopped there and just used some of my girfriend's makeup to color in the area afterwords since I didn't want to commit to a #1 shave. It's not noticeable at all with the #3 buzz, but as I start to go down further you can detect a little spot above and a little past the back of the ear and end of the scar near my neck. If you move your cursor over these areas to block them out, the scar otherwise looks very acceptable IMO. But just as a warning, have the HT surgeon remove your staples/stitches; it's worth it. ------- All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my My Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member thanatopsis_awry Posted September 25, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted September 25, 2008 Great post! And your scar really has turned out well, even w/ the minor imperfections as a result of the staple-removal. ----------- *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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Dr. William Lindsey Posted September 25, 2008 Regular Member Share Posted September 25, 2008 That scar is well covered by your hair. So don't worry too much. But, it is important to let the doctor who put in the sutures take them out. It give one more chance to make sure there aren't problems. Plus I encourage patients to come in at a month so see if their scar is on schedule. Occasionally we find an extruding deep suture, or place a small amount of steroid to help with any hypertrophy. The person we are doing right now is flying back up here from Texas next week for suture removal. He is a bit more worried than most, having had 2 previous transplants by a large chain company and wants to avoid any widening if possible. The keys to a good scar are: Go to a doctor who can sew/staple well. Keep the sutures clean in the postop period. Gentle massage as I have blogged elsewhere after suture removal. Nip small problems in the bud, don't wait for a big problem. Dr. Lindsey McLean VA William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS McLean, VA Dr. William Lindsey is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 youngsuccess, I remember you mentioning that the practioner who removed your sutures apparently left one in. Quite clearly, they didn't do a thorough job. But kudos to Dr. Dorin for producing a pencil line scar that's barely visible even at a 3 clip. I hope you don't let the minor imperfections that nobody will notice disappoint you. Your scar looks terrific! Best wishes, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Rick055 Posted October 9, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted October 9, 2008 Call me crazy, I really can't see anything that looks like a scar. 1.25 mg finasteride EOD Rogaine Foam 5% QD am Kirkland minoxidil 5% QD pm Nizoral Q2W American Crew Revitalize Shampoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Dr. William Lindsey Posted October 9, 2008 Regular Member Share Posted October 9, 2008 Bill, Before you hang the practitioner, it could be that no suture was left in, but rather a deep suture extruded. Extrusion is a statistical issue, and in my experience about 1 person in 30 extrudes a deep suture--whether it is hair surgery, facelifts, or skin cancer reconstruction. I have had patients that I myself took out there sutures, call me and say that I left one in; only to find that upon return to the office, that all they had was a bit of dry skin along the scar line. Either way, this man appears to have a nice result. Dr. Lindsey McLean VA William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS McLean, VA Dr. William Lindsey is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good points Dr. Lindsey. I'll keep the noose ready just in case :-). Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member dakota3 Posted October 9, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted October 9, 2008 But, it is important to let the doctor who put in the sutures take them out. It give one more chance to make sure there aren't problems. Plus I encourage patients to come in at a month so see if their scar is on schedule Dr. Lindsey, For alot of people it is not possible to go back to the doc whom performed thier surgery due to the fact they are traveling for these procedures. What I do feel is important though is to have a game plan and find a qualified doctor/nurse ahead of time in thier area who can do the removal of sutures/staples . That way you are not rushing around to find someone when you need to have them out. In a perfect world however we could all go back to the person whom performed the surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member wantego Posted October 9, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted October 9, 2008 How did you find out sutures were left in months later? How did you get them out? 4374 grafts-7/2/2008-Dr Rahal 485 singles 2336 doubles 1526 triples 16 quads 9809 total hairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member youngsuccess Posted October 9, 2008 Author Senior Member Share Posted October 9, 2008 I was wearing my hair much longer at the time, and tried not to aggravate the area at all during the healing phase, so I wasn't touching it too often. Months later, I started feeling around, and felt two stiff things jutting out. I yanked with tweezers and out came two small, black pieces of stitching. ------- All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my My Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member youngsuccess Posted October 10, 2008 Author Senior Member Share Posted October 10, 2008 Also, thanks for the comments. Bill, I do believe that the practitioner rushed the job, although I mainly blame myself for choosing to go there. Dr. Lindsey makes a good point, but I'm positive these were stitches... it looked like black wire. If you can't see your HT surgeon to follow up with the suture removal, I would suggest going to a doctor you have a certain comfort level with. It was embarrassing explaining where the stitches came from; they looked at me like I was nuts. ------- All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice. View my My Hair Loss Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member wantego Posted October 11, 2008 Senior Member Share Posted October 11, 2008 Depending on your hair color the black may have made the sutures hard to see. For people not worried about being seen with sutures maybe red or yellow sutures would make more sense so they can easily be seen for removal or easily seen in a mirror if they are left in. Just an idea. I'm glad you found yours. Originally posted by youngsuccess:Also, thanks for the comments. Bill, I do believe that the practitioner rushed the job, although I mainly blame myself for choosing to go there. Dr. Lindsey makes a good point, but I'm positive these were stitches... it looked like black wire. If you can't see your HT surgeon to follow up with the suture removal, I would suggest going to a doctor you have a certain comfort level with. It was embarrassing explaining where the stitches came from; they looked at me like I was nuts. 4374 grafts-7/2/2008-Dr Rahal 485 singles 2336 doubles 1526 triples 16 quads 9809 total hairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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