So, does shock loss recover, or doesn't it?

[win200]

I've gotten lots of contradictory info about whether shock loss in the recipient area recovers. I'm 15 weeks post-op with what feels, to me, like a lot of thinning in my forelock. I had 1,500 grafts placed along the hairline, and I'm not happy at all with how thin the middle looks now--I'd be crushed if it stayed that way, as it's no longer a solid hairline like I had before surgery. My surgeon looked at it and just said, "Oh, that'll recover." That's nice, but I'm still nervous. Rassman simply says that most shock loss is permanent or semi-permanent.

So, which is it?

[Tracy C]

My shock loss largely recovered, so Dr. Rassman is wrong about that. Shock loss isn't always permanent - and it does not always recover. That is why you cannot find a consistent answer. You will know if you have recovered when you are between 12 and 18 months post op.

[VictimOfDHT]

My own experience : I've had several HTs over the years (in the frontal area) and I don't think I even had shock loss from any of them, at least not that I could notice especially immediately after. The site might look thin after an HT but give it some time and hopefully it'll look like it did before the HT. From what they always say, those hairs that are thin (miniaturized) will likely be lost permanently. Those that are not, are likely to grow back, that's IF they're shed after the surgery.

[Spex]

I have experienced quite a bit of shockloss over the years in both recipient and donor area. I wouldnt worry too much - I can honestly say even in my most extreme cases of shockloss it all grew back - Took 5months approx.

Try not worry and keep busy - A watch kettle never boils.

Regards
SPEX

[win200]

Originally Posted by Spex

I have experienced quite a bit of shockloss over the years in both recipient and donor area. I wouldnt worry too much - I can honestly say even in my most extreme cases of shockloss it all grew back - Took 5months approx.

Try not worry and keep busy - A watch kettle never boils.

Regards
SPEX

Thanks for the reply, Spex. When you say it took 5 months, do you mean that it took that long for the loss to begin regrowing, or that it was more or less grown in by that time? Because I'm at 15 weeks post-op and there's no sign of improvement. I just checked my 7-week pictures (available on this thread: http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9370), and I've lost some group at the hairline since then; there's been a retreat of a few millimeters. Love to hear if you have any thoughts about my situation. Thanks!

[Spex]

Win,

I would say at 5 months it had started to all regrow and i was 50-70% back on track. Subsequent months only made the situ better and better.

Try not worry. Its a matter of time

Best
Spex

[Jeffrey Epstein, MD]

Win,

In most cases, shock loss does in fact recover, as there has not been permanent damage to the hair follicles. In these situations, I usually recommend some combination of minoxidil and/or laser light therapy.

[win200]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Epstein, MD

Win,

In most cases, shock loss does in fact recover, as there has not been permanent damage to the hair follicles. In these situations, I usually recommend some combination of minoxidil and/or laser light therapy.

Thanks very much, Dr. Epstein. I'd been avoiding minoxidil out of insecurity about the shed, but I need to just bite the bullet and do it.

Spex, I've seen you advise a taper onto Rogaine. Assuming I'm going to use the foam, how would you suggest structuring a taper?

[Dr. Lindsey]

If the roots weren't hit during slit placement, then yes, it should come back. On the other hand, if those hairs were "on their last leg" due to MPB anyway, that could seal their fate.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[win200]

Originally Posted by Dr. Lindsey

If the roots weren't hit during slit placement, then yes, it should come back. On the other hand, if those hairs were "on their last leg" due to MPB anyway, that could seal their fate.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

Thanks, Dr. Lindsey. The thing that's particularly worrying me is that I'm seeing highly increased shedding all over the scalp since the procedure, including in areas that had never thinned before, including the anterior and the crown. Is this at all common, or am I just unlucky? This shedding is still continuing 5 months after the procedure, and shows no sign of abating.