Post Op Blues

[Spex]

Post op blues:


This is a topic which patients need to be aware of as its very common to get down and anxious immediate post op.

The post op blues! This is nothing to be worried about and not everyone experiences it but be aware that in my personal experience it can happen and its not nice.

It is very common indeed after your HT to feel very down and anxious about the entire thing - remember you are exhausted!. You are full of mixed emotions post op and this is often fuelled by the tiredness that you will underestimate. - Under going surgery is a huge step mentally as well as physically. The lead up to is mentally gruelling and shouldn't be under estimated. Be aware that post op the wheels will well and truly fall off at some point - you are only human!

You will turn up to your session shattered as most do - due to a few restless nights sleep on the lead up to the big day and very little sleep the night before - - combined with the anxiety and adrenaline is a crazy combo - Trust me - been there!

The surgery itself Strip or FUE is like running a marathon for you even though you are sat in a chair all day - Sitting in a chair ALL day doing nothing is tiring. Combine this mental and physical exhaustion with the duration of the surgery - It can be very tough on you!

On top of these factors are also the drugs taken to help calm you down and the various pain killer needed post op - Your body is getting hit from all angles and is just running on adrenaline for some time post op so remember the mind is exhausted as well as your body.Combine all this also as many do with several hours of flying and the jet lag and you have got a messy combo and these blues can strike at any time ! Do not underestimate it!

After all this you return home and then the sheer exhaustion hits you like a sledge hammer - Boosh! Due to your new level of complete exhaustion this is when the blues are well known to creep in - You are tired like nothing before and then thoughts start to get amplified - you will start questioning the surgery and your Doctor and how it went and was it a success - you become VERY paranoid and sketchy - obsessive!!!! Its the come down of all come downs so again be prepared for the post of blues and be aware that for a few days pre op and a few days post op you need to respect the surgery and what you are about to and have put your body through mentally and physically. - Get some rest - your body needs it.


Tips for the post op blues - Rest up, drink LOTS of water, eat well, chill out (24, Lost, Prison Break box sets) and try not focus on the surgery and the various specifics surrounding it - leave that up to the Docs - that's what you are paying them for and that's why your several months intensive research has lead you to them - Your radar will click back in within a few days and everything will become a lot clearer and you will start to feel much more upbeat about it all and the experience in general - and the new chapter of your life will start in a very positive state of mind - along with the post op regime and the questions associated with that! - But that's another topic all together!


It all good guy - so heal up and grow well!!!
Spex

[barry77]

I sure am suffering post-op blues but it's more to do with the long long wait before I can see any results. Counting the days and hours. I didn't find the procedure itself particularly arduous. I couldn't feel a thing and slept though a lot of it.

[Dr. Lindsey]

Post op blues is common. Having done lots of cosmetic work for both men and women over the past 15 years, I can say for certain that postop blues are real and they are unpredictable. Meaning that there doesn't seem to be a pattern of predicting who is going to get the blues based upon the things you might expect...divorce, age, financial situation.

I will say that it seems like it occurs in females more than males but relation to times of hormonal fluctuation (monthly or menopause) doesn't seem to have been seen.

Extrapolated to another population, it can be similar to the "let down" that occurs in many kids after opening all of the Christmas presents. They get excited for a while with huge anticipation, and then when the packages are unwrapped, even if they got exactly what they wanted, the increased excitement chemicals in the body decrease, and there is a let down.

That is my best guess as to what is going on for some folks.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Spex]

Hey Barry77, How far along are you mate? Be patience mate it takes time!

[barry77]

Hey Barry77, How far along are you mate? Be patience mate it takes time!

Hi Spex. Nice of you to ask. Just over two weeks. It's going to be a long 8-10 months. I keep obsessively checking my head in the mirror. It's surely not a good thing to be wishing one's time away.

I must say, I personally don't recognise a lot of that post op blues description. It's really only now that I'm feeling kind of bummed. During the op and immediately afterwords I was kind of euphoric with excitement. Maybe that might be encouraging for people about to go under the knife?

[Spex]

All good - we are all different. You are now in the eye of the storm mate - its a long waiting game from here on in so be patient.

Remember the more you look at it the longer it will take to growth

Grow well!

[barry77]

All good - we are all different. You are now in the eye of the storm mate - its a long waiting game from here on in so be patient.

Remember the more you look at it the longer it will take to growth

Grow well!

Thanks mate. Definitely 'a watched pot' situation. Just to amend my earlier comment: there was pain - having those staples removed was no stroll in a bed of roses I can tell you.

[Spex]

All good Barry 77, have a read of the topic on patience as it will hopefully help.


Patience!!


Patience is the toughest part of the HT procedure but one of the most important ones.

Trust me i truly know how tough the waiting game is - I have been there many, many times before!! Looking constantly in the mirror, inspecting it every opportunity, driving along staring in the rear view mirror(how i never crashed i don't know) Wondering why at exactly 3/4 months there is still no growth!! Frustrated why the redness hasn't clamed down when forum member X was back to work at 10 days with no worries.

The trick here is to understand that everyone is different in terms of recovery times, growth times, expectations, realisation period etc.

Patience is an essential part of the HT journey and i think it needs more exposure - When embarking down the HT road - "Be Patient!!!"

Just because "Joe Bloggs" had great growth at month 3/4 doesn't necessarily mean you are going to - So being aware of this prior to your HT.
The growth will come in its own time and you will have your realisation in your own time. - Be patient!! Could be 6 could be 10 months.

It's a fact 3/4 months post HT is the toughest time in the entire process but you are only prolonging the agony by expecting to wake up one day around month 3/4 and see it all taking place. It doesn't happen like this!!! It is soooooooooooo slow and gradual that you actually do not see it happen. You will only see the transformation when you compare your pictures along side each other at monthly intervals. A great example was Ian who i spoke with at month 9 post op and he said "well i haven't really seen much difference since month 4" - I showed him his pictures and well you do the maths.



Be patient - I know its tough, really tough!!! By inspecting your hair though 24/7 its actually NOT going to make things happen any quicker - In fact it will make things happen slower - "A watch kettle never boils"

Be prepared post op to really make a conscious effort to put it all on the back burner for 6 months as a bench mark as other wise you will only drive yourself MAD! - Trust me - i speak from personal experience!!

[ColdSkull]

hey

I'm 7 weeks out and starting to get antsy myself...when you pay a lot of money for a car, you want to drive it immed. I'm still stuck riding the train.

I'm not obsessive with the mirror, but at this point, the only thing different about my head is the scar, a fact that is annoying.

Not much else to do but hurry up and wait.

[postvb]

Hair loss after hair transplant

Hi,

I recently had a hair transplant with a very reputable doctor. I am about 3 months into the process post ops and have noticed some hair loss in the frontal area and sides. Surgery was easy, recovery excellent, but loss of frontal area is noticeable. The doctor did seem surprised, but said both grafts and original permanent hair should grow back. Should I be concerned? And, what else can I do? - Vb

[Plum]

It sounds like you are right on track. I am not far behind you as I had my surgery in April and have had pretty extensive shock loss in the recipient area, and donor area as well actually. Did the doctor refer to your situation as "shock loss"?

I wouldn't panic just yet; give it another 3-4 months before you even start thinking about worrying. And as you probably already know, even then, it is still too early to determine final results. I know it is tough, but hang in there.

[Spex]

Postv,
no real need for concern as you are only at 3 months. Sounds like classic shockloss. Things will pick up over the next couple of months now!

[postvb]

Hair loss after hair transplant

Thanks Plum and Spex,

The doctor mentioned about the shock-loss and was noticeable in the recipient and donor area but didn’t know it’ll even affect the original permanent hair . Moreover I also have dry scalp /dandruff and was wondering that could be a reason. As you guys told, I’ll hang in there and will keep you updated. Is there any ways to prevent to avoid the dry scalp /dandruff?? I mean any special recommendations for shampoo or special care?

Appreciate your help guys

[gillenator]

Thanks Plum and Spex,

The doctor mentioned about the shock-loss and was noticeable in the recipient and donor area but didn’t know it’ll even affect the original permanent hair . Moreover I also have dry scalp /dandruff and was wondering that could be a reason. As you guys told, I’ll hang in there and will keep you updated. Is there any ways to prevent to avoid the dry scalp /dandruff?? I mean any special recommendations for shampoo or special care?

Appreciate your help guys

postvb,

Shockloss almost always refers to the existing natural hair in the scalp. The transplanted hair usually falls out 2-3 weeks post-op which is related to the cycling of the transplated follicles entering the dormant/resting phase. It is the hair stubbles within the grafts that falls out and usually comes out with the crusts.

I would advise you to simply speak with your local pharmacist concerning any over-the-counter products for you dry scalp/dandrruff. If those products are not effective enough to address your dry scalp, you can talk with a dermatologist or just about any reputable HT surgeon for their ideas.

Best wishes to you!

[postvb]

Thanks Gillenator. I will talk to the pharmacist adn see if they can help me out.