Overcoming shame of a hair transplant scar

[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.

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

varonil,

The initial use of PRP therapy was intended to advance and faciltate wound healing both in the interior and exterior. There are other new treatments on the horizon Acell that are demonstrating advances in wound and scar healing.

Try to contact Dr. Cooley in North Carolina for more info and his opinion of your case. I think you will find it enlightening.

[marcello]

Thankyou

When i ready your post i see exactly myself, i had the exact same experience, had a transplant done in 1998, i must say the scar has been bothering me since. I was only 22 years then and i believe the doctor lied to me by saying the scar will be very small, he never showed me pictures of donor site, and had i known the permanent scar size i would never have done the surgery. I am like you, have been wanting to wear my hair short but not able since the surgery. Having looked at your FUE i am a little encouraged but more careful now that i will do my research first.
I still hate the fact that doctors like yours and mien pray on the insecurities of young guys just to gain more money.
I have had friends that wanted to do the procedure and after showing them my scar all of them changed their mind.

[gillenator]

Have you been physically examined by a proven HT sugeon with a good reputation in repair? I am referring to both a possible scar revision and/or FUE.

[chop]

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".

What do you tell them?

1. Brain surgery?
2. Boat accident?
3. Hairstyle?

[t-bone]

I know it sucks! There are treatments to make less noticeable.I have tried cortizone shots,prp and had transdermal hair replication.

[mattg3]

As a newcomer but not to hair transplants let me say nothing screwed up my life more than my awful transplants.I got them about 34 years ago and they always looked awful.Ended up giving up and joining hair club and then just regular local wig seller for 25 years.
At 64 i would love to shave my head but my scars are the old style circles and not the tiny ones they do today.Wish i had one of those line scars for i feel that can easily be shrugged off as old accident scar but what the hell can you do with neckline full of white round circles.Resigned my self to just keeping on with my wig wearing.

[varonil]

Matt G,
I feel for you man. All I can say is that when I feel bad about my line scar I should realize its not so bad. But even though you've got something worse than me brother, they do wonders with corrective repairs these days. Its never too late to make a change. I've also found that we are our own worst enemy: I'm sure you can make up a story like the commies tortured you in Nam!
Best of luck dealing with this life issue. There are worse things out there.
Varonil

[varonil]

I've used various explanations:

2. Boat accident works
I also used that I got skated over the head while playing ice hockey.
I've also told people the truth (depending who it is); my girlfriend didn't make a big deal about it at all actually.

[mattg3]

Thanks Varonil.Sorry but the nam thing made me laugh my ass off.What torture would they do to leave a man with those awful white holes all over my head?For me i just cant see outlaying a bunch of cash and going through more surgery to end up the bald guy i was back in my late 20s.Im used to the wig but there are times whan I want to just rip it off and say to hell with it.Ive had so many one night stands mainly because you dont have to explain anything.Long term girl friend liked the wig but that was a while ago.
Wish the hell i was a young guy now since almost everyone has shaved heads.In the 60s and 70s hair was a major issue.Cant remember any young people who were bald,especially celebrities or sports figures.Your so right.WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY

[gillenator]

I've used various explanations:

2. Boat accident works
I also used that I got skated over the head while playing ice hockey.
I've also told people the truth (depending who it is); my girlfriend didn't make a big deal about it at all actually.

I truly believe that HTs are more socially accepted as a cosmetic improvement vs the stigma it used to have. Obviously world class results speak for themselves.