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I am a 53-year-old male who just underwent a first-time hair transplant surgery. Chose Dr. Berman of Palo Alto who specializes in the Artas robotic procedure. Yes, I went back and forth among several physicians and procedures, before settling on Dr. Berman. It has been three days since the operation and photos are posted below. Will try to take pictures on a monthly basis (if I remember!). Am nervous (as is everyone) of what grafts will survive and thrive.
The procedure took 2 days, each day lasting approximately 8 hours (1500 grafts per day for a total of 3000 grafts). Pain was minimal except for one anesthetic shot that radiated down my jaw for some reason. The Artas robot extracted the grafts and also made incisions for grafts on top of my head (but not the incisions for the hairline or crown which were done manually). Apparently, the FDA has very recently approved the Artas for implantation of grafts but that's still in the testing phase, according to Dr. Berman.
One thing that the technicians told me while the grafts were being implanted which I had never heard about was that they liked my scalp because it was "easy" to work with. I asked what they meant and apparently (according to them) some scalps are harder to work with than others. I got the impression it had to do with skin density or elasticity or something. Anyway, it's something I hadn't heard of before, not sure if it matters for end results, or how to tell if one's scalp is the type that is easy to work with or not.
BEFORE
3-DAYS AFTER - 3000 grafts
(small scar on back of head is from childhood injury)
The procedure took 2 days, each day lasting approximately 8 hours (1500 grafts per day for a total of 3000 grafts). Pain was minimal except for one anesthetic shot that radiated down my jaw for some reason. The Artas robot extracted the grafts and also made incisions for grafts on top of my head (but not the incisions for the hairline or crown which were done manually). Apparently, the FDA has very recently approved the Artas for implantation of grafts but that's still in the testing phase, according to Dr. Berman.
One thing that the technicians told me while the grafts were being implanted which I had never heard about was that they liked my scalp because it was "easy" to work with. I asked what they meant and apparently (according to them) some scalps are harder to work with than others. I got the impression it had to do with skin density or elasticity or something. Anyway, it's something I hadn't heard of before, not sure if it matters for end results, or how to tell if one's scalp is the type that is easy to work with or not.
BEFORE
3-DAYS AFTER - 3000 grafts
(small scar on back of head is from childhood injury)
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