Overcoming shame of a hair transplant scar

[McLovin]

Dear Gillenator,

I really appreciate your thoughtful note, and the historic background info on the development of HT techniques. How I wish I would have waited a while longer.. but I was young and "the sky was falling on me" because of hairloss. Being out on a mining site is reason for my delayed reply.

There's a little more to my story. Slightly after the picture was taken I did go to a Dr. Jones (Oakville, Canada) who said he could reduce my scar by about 75% with FUE implants into it. His opinion was that a scar revision had a significant probability of stretching back out. They said they just happened to have an opening the next day (as opposed to a long wait) so I took it. I had 150 grafts put into the scar; that was October 23rd, 2008. I must say the scar does appear a little smaller to me now, but it certainly hasn't diminished 75%. Dr. Jones said to check in with him in March so I will give it some more time.

From what I can gather Dr. Jones seems to have a good reputation and gets a lot of publicity from talks and articles he gives. I will however research other options for additional procedures.

Do you know if having had FUE implants would complicate me from having a scar revision? I guess one good way to find out and get an opinion from another highly reputable doctor.

Lets just back up a second. Dr. Jones does not have a good reputation at all. He is best known for poor growth and excessively large scars. I had a procedure with him and the results are very poor and the scarring is awful. Jones originally dealt with me by lying to my face reassuring me that my results were normal. I bought this BS from post-op months 6 to 12. Jones originally planned a density of 100 hairs/cm^2 and told me I would have a pencil line scar. At 6 months post-op I was very concerned about the density and he assured me it was now 70 hairs/cm^2. At 1 year post-op Jones again reassured me that the density was 70 hairs/cm^2. After I did some research and realized that my results were well below par I took action. After numerous consultations my density seems to be in the range of 20 hairs/cm^2 and my scar was measured at 6mm (double the width of what is acceptable). I confronted Dr. Jones with these facts and he chose to ignore my emails. He even went to the extent of setting filters on my email (so messages sent would be returned to sender). I chose to picket outside his office. What I learned through all of this is that I WAS NOT ALONE. Dr. Jones has countless patients who have been scarred and given less then desirable results. After weeks of picketing Dr. Jones offered to fix-up the scar and add density to the front. However, all the doctors I consulted with advised me that it would be in my best interest to have a PROFESSIONAL repair the damage that had been done.

As for his opening the next day - this seems quite fitting. All the reputable doctors usually book 3- 4 months in advance.

Best of luck on your future repairs.

[PayDay]

That “just so happened to have an opening the next day” pitch is never a good sign. It sounds to me that has preyed on your emotions and went in for the quick kill. How have things worked out for you? Does your scar look any better?

[varonil]

Hi Steven,
I'm really sorry I haven't got back to you sooner. I just haven't checked this blog out for awhile, and I guess I thought I would get notifications if I had comments.
I do have stretch marks between my shoulders and biceps from the heavy working out I did in highschool (never used steroids). So perhaps I am prone to scarring. I have got pretty good results from the FUE into the scar and will post those in a few minutes.
Now what I'd like to do is remove my old hairline grafts and repair the cobblestoning and just keep my head shaved close.
I will check this blog more regularly now, but can also be reached at acmc75@gmail.com
Adam

[varonil]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for all your input; it is very very valuable to me.
I'm going to post a few pics of before and after the scar camouflage surgery I had.
McLovin I am considering going back to Dr. Jones because I am happy with the work, but your unfortunate experience with him makes me pause - I never want to go through the trauma of a bad procedure again. I am open to alternatives so Gillenator perhaps you can drop me a line or some recommendations, again everyone, my direct email is acmc75@gmail.com

so attached is my before picture, and then 2 pictures about 4.5 months later. The later picture may have a couple days more growth than the before picture, but I think the difference is pretty clear.

[caresabouthairs]

The name of the scar cream is "Scar Gel" Walgreens brand. The active ingredient is Glyceryl Polymethacrylate.

Check it out, it is worth it.!!

[McLovin]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for all your input; it is very very valuable to me.
I'm going to post a few pics of before and after the scar camouflage surgery I had.
McLovin I am considering going back to Dr. Jones because I am happy with the work, but your unfortunate experience with him makes me pause - I never want to go through the trauma of a bad procedure again. I am open to alternatives so Gillenator perhaps you can drop me a line or some recommendations, again everyone, my direct email is acmc75@gmail.com

so attached is my before picture, and then 2 pictures about 4.5 months later. The later picture may have a couple days more growth than the before picture, but I think the difference is pretty clear.

Hey Varonil, I am happy I could be of service. Suffering from a bad HT stinks.

The work Jones did on your scar looks decent. If I were you I would quit while I was ahead. Jones track record is sketchy at best. The fact that he did a not bad job on your repair guarantees nothing about the next procedure. Even the worst baseball players still bat .100.

The scar is definitely filling in and you still have 3 or 4 months for potential growth. I wish you the best on this one and I hope you are happy with your results.

The scar Jones left me with measured at 6mm. It is a huge gash on the back of my head. I have decided to get it re-sutured. I have booked a procedure with Dr. Rahal and he will cut out the scar and properly close it. Judging from my scar I got with Jones I would almost assume it was his first surgery ever. The sad part is he has been doing this for a while.

As I said in a previous post, Jones offered to do FUE into my scar at no cost. I happily denied this. After consulting with reputable surgeons it was agreed upon that my best bet was to have this repaired by a Professional Hair Transplant Surgeon. I am very confident in Dr. Rahals skills and ability.

I wish you the best with this. I know how embarrassing a huge scar on the back of your head can be. Especially when people start asking you "what is that?", "Do you know you have a huge scar on the back of your head?" , "Where did you get that from?", "It looks like a perfect line".

[McLovin]

Here is a pic of Dr. Jones' handy work.

[gillenator]

Here is a pic of Dr. Jones' handy work.

McLovin,

I really respect your transparency and straight talk. Very few patients with visible scarring would be willing to share their story for the benefit of other patients. Is there a reason why you do not wear your hair longer in the back to better hide the scar?

And if you don't mind my saying, IMO as long as you have the laxity for the scar revision, yes that's the best way to approach it because if you can get it down to 1mm, it will be a huge difference. Honestly, attempting to fill a 6mm wide scar would be a major undertaking and probably never quite get it to the point you need it. I have seen it enough times. It would take multiple passes and obviously depending on the blood flow, the yield through the scar tissue will vary. Your scar is very light; almost white. From many years of observing scars and scar repair including many FUE into scar cases, when the scar itself is that light, the blood flow is greatly compromised. That's why removing as much of it as possible only increases your chances of success. IMHO, having multiple FUE sessions would just make someone that much richer and it's not the patient. I mean I don't think we need any in depth medical training to know that.

By the way, is Dr. Rahal going to consider employing the trico-closure technique to further disquise your linear scar? Your in good hands. He does good work and he also cares about his patients. Tell him I said hello.

And lastly, IMHO, you do not look even in the least way prone to scarring. Again, I think the revision is the right way to go and should make a big difference.

Would you be willing to share your progess with pics? Thanks again McLovin.

[varonil]

Yeah, when anyone asks about the scar, it really knocks me down. For many years my greatest wish was to be able to shave my head and be one of those sleek bald guys with a babe on his arm - know what I mean? It killed me to know my own decision (with a bad doctor - Dr. Taylor from Burlington) was the architect of my own demise.

McLovin - when did Dr. Jones perform his surgery on you? And in that case it was a strip scar and not FUE obviously.

Do you have Dr. Rahal's contact info? Where is he based? Its probably worth another opinion.

thanks again!

[tbtadmin]

Rahal Hair Transplant | Contact Info

Yeah, when anyone asks about the scar, it really knocks me down. For many years my greatest wish was to be able to shave my head and be one of those sleek bald guys with a babe on his arm - know what I mean? It killed me to know my own decision (with a bad doctor - Dr. Taylor from Burlington) was the architect of my own demise.

McLovin - when did Dr. Jones perform his surgery on you? And in that case it was a strip scar and not FUE obviously.

Do you have Dr. Rahal's contact info? Where is he based? Its probably worth another opinion.

thanks again!

Rahal Hair Transplant
1883 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K1V 7Z9
Canada
Ph. 1-877-712-HAIR
613-739-3044

[varonil]

Hey guys, what is the best way to know if a doctor is reputable? Other than this blog? Do formal agencies keep track?
McLovin, you mentionned the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons for the Toronto area - do they publicly disclose information?

[varonil]

Hi McLovin, et all.
I'm looking closer at Dr. Rahal, or the Shapiro Medical Group (the two seemingly most recommended clinics on this forum), for removing my old hairline grafts and splicing them into my scar. I'm wondering have you had the procedure with Rahal yet?
cheers,
Adam
p.s. does anyone know a reputable Dr. in the Toronto area?

[Tsakalos]

that scar doesnt look bad at all. why does it bother u so much ?

Anyway although fue in scar works, the survival rate is less than it would be on normal skin becouse there is not enough blood flow for the grafts to survive since vessels are cut even if the doc performs accurate extractions and not damaging any grafts (which is also something to consider)

I think u should get a consultation from a top doc in case u want to have a good ht in the frontal, that whats i whould do if i were u.

If u still feel that the scar is more important than the frontal and middle scalp appearance try consealing it with dermatch, it works well for scars. and i repeat the scar aint bad at all especially for a surgery in 1995, just a bit low.

No matter how many grafts u FUE into the scar it will ALWAYS be visible when u buzz the head, and usually people who do this kind of scar repair they do it in order to reduce the scar with shorter hair cuts but not buzzing.

Another option is to get revised by trichophytic closure

regards

[Zao]

I agree, the scar does not look too bad, but I do think it’s a good idea to have a reputable doctor like Dr. Rahal or Dr. Shapiro take a look at you. I’m sure any doctor in the IAHRS would be honest and tell you if you can benefit from more transplants into the scar.

[Tsakalos]

McLovin,

I really respect your transparency and straight talk. Very few patients with visible scarring would be willing to share their story for the benefit of other patients. .

how come ? i dont see any reason why someone who posts his results wont say that his scar is bothering him. in fact i ve keep seeing dozens of people who do..