Overcoming shame of a hair transplant scar

[varonil]

PRP Therapy

Hi Gillenator,

I have not looked into PRP therapy. I just peaked now and saw that some doctors are using it at the time of transplant surgery. I'm not sure if it would help me as my scar is long set. Any thoughts?

[gillenator]

varonil,

You sure have come a long way. I wonder if PRP therapy would improve the coloration any further. Have you looked into that at all?

[varonil]

My scar repair with Dr. Robert Jones

Hi Everyone,

I just want to share with you the results of the scar repair procedures I had with Dr. Robert Jones. These were to repair a bad hair transplant done by a different doctor (Dr. Taylor) in 1995. As I've said, the original transplant was the worst decision of my life, it left me with an ugly and apparent surgical scar as well as wiry unnatural looking transplanted hair along my hairline. My goal was to be able to shave my head again with confidence. This album shows how with Dr. Jones help, we've made great progress.

PLEASE CLICK ON MY PROFILE TO REVIEW ALBUM AND STEP BY STEP PROGRESS

I've also included before and after pics here
pic 1 - prior to Oct08 procedure with Dr. Jones
pic 2 - June09, result of first procedure
pic 3 - Dec09, after a couple more small procedures (mainly as an afterthought to remove hairline grafts)

ALSO IN MY PROFILE FIND PICS OF MY HAIRLINE WHERE I HAD THE OLD GRAFTS REMOVED

[gillenator]

Hi guys, thanks for your comments. I think the scar has improved remarkably with the FUE inserts and I'm less bothered about it now. I went with Dr. Jones' advice for the FUE vs the trichophytic as he felt there was a risk that I'm prone to scar stretching.

I'm confident in buzzing my hair much shorter now to a #1 shaver setting, so the FUE has made a difference even to that length (making the scar more faded).

My purpose in getting one more revision surgery is to
A) remove the old hairline plugs (which I now bic as they grow in as thicker hairs than the thin ones I have remaining). and
B) to see if I can't use those to camouflage my scar even more - every bit helps, and maybe I can buzz to a zero!

I may do a another hr transplant in the future, but because my balding is very extensive I understand I would need a hell of a lot of surgery, and well I think I can look pretty sharp with a shaved head for now.

If you're happy, that's the bottom line.

[varonil]

Hi guys, thanks for your comments. I think the scar has improved remarkably with the FUE inserts and I'm less bothered about it now. I went with Dr. Jones' advice for the FUE vs the trichophytic as he felt there was a risk that I'm prone to scar stretching.

I'm confident in buzzing my hair much shorter now to a #1 shaver setting, so the FUE has made a difference even to that length (making the scar more faded).

My purpose in getting one more revision surgery is to
A) remove the old hairline plugs (which I now bic as they grow in as thicker hairs than the thin ones I have remaining). and
B) to see if I can't use those to camouflage my scar even more - every bit helps, and maybe I can buzz to a zero!

I may do a another hr transplant in the future, but because my balding is very extensive I understand I would need a hell of a lot of surgery, and well I think I can look pretty sharp with a shaved head for now.

[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..

[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]

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

[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?

[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?

[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]

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!

[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.

[McLovin]

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

[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".