Am I ok

[Frdtrtnfx4]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am exactly 18 days post op, 1500 grafts strip. I have followed the doctors post op instructions to a T. I had my sutures removed on Thursday and was told I could start rubbing the recipient area to get rid of the crust/scabs. I have been using warm water with conditioner. Since Thursday just a couple scabs had fallen off, though as the days went on they seeem to get looser. Well last night, using the pads of my fingers, i gently rubbed the scabs as i have been doing, and handfuls of scabs/crust came off. Didnt force anything off. Most of the scabs had hairs in them, some did not. Some the scabs were at the bottom of the hairs and some were in the middle. Some had a little piece of something at the end, didnt look like a graft or anything. Is what happened to me last night normal, I am ok? Is it possible to lose a graft at 18 days and if i did would i know it?

[mattj]

At 18 days you're well past the point where grafts will be dislodged. You're just seeing some of the transplanted hairs shedding which is normal. You'll almost certainly lose more, so be aware of that too.

[gillenator]

Not only are your grafts secure at this point in time, I would recommend that you remove all of the remaining crusts. You may even see some existing surrounding hair lost to shock. Bottom line, always follow your doc's post-op instructions.