ARTAS Hair restoration My Experience - BaldTruthTalk.com
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  1. #1
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    Default ARTAS Hair restoration My Experience

    Hello all;

    I felt compelled to contribute my recent experience with the ARTAS hair restoration system as I had found this forum extremely helpful in making my personal decision in undergoing this process.

    I'm 58 and live in NJ. I had enjoyed a full and thick head of hair for most of my life and really never thought much about hair loss. When I turned 40, I noticed a bit of thinning around the crown area, but I am tall so no one ever noticed and my hairline was still thick and full, so I ignored it. As grew older the thinning continued and started to get a bit larger. During this time, I had noticed that I would go through heavy shedding, almost like in clumps, and then it would stop. This went on and off for several years, but I still had enough hair that it didn't really show. I tried Monoxidil and Proprecia for a bit, but it didn't seem to do anything so I stopped about after 6 months. But the hair continued to fall out slowly, moving from the crown forward. Even at 50, it wasn't really bad, the bald spot on the crown grew, but the top of my head was still thick with good coverage. I went for a consult with Bosely at this time and went through the pitch. Something about slicing a section off the back of your head just didn't appeal to me, and to be honest, it really hadn't started to look that bad yet. Plus I started to research the process, and there were a number of horror stories from post op recovery to having no results at all after the procedure. Plus the numerous lawsuits filed against Bosely didn't help either. Then about 55, I started to notice considerable thinning on the top where faint signs of skin was showing through. And as time progressed, it started to get worse, with more skin showing and having only fine hairs growing in and around my crown. At the end, the part I had was getting wider and more skin showing. When my son picked my up from the airport having not seen me for 4 months, he remarked that it was easy to pick me out in the crowd because of my bald spot. Well that made my mind up that I had to start to do something.

    So I started to research hair loss remedies again. Well technology had moved forward and I found the ARTAS robotic system. As I researched further, including experiences on this forum, I became very impressed with the technology, the fast recovery time, and the relatively painless procedure. And more importantly, nobody was going to slice a chunk out of your head. I understood that the process was relatively new, but could not find any negatives posted anywhere about the procedure and only positive results. Now I have to admit, I have a low threshold to pain and I hate needles. But from what I had read, the injections was the worst of it and the procedure was relatively painless, time consuming, but painless.

    Now I needed to find someone in my area to perform the procedure. In searching the various doctors and clinics, I stumbled across a Dr. Tony Sparano in Wall NJ. Yeah, I thought that was funny as well, although spelt differently. His website indicated that he used the ARTAS to harvest the hair, but inserts it by hand to ensure a better appearance. So I scheduled a consult the next day. Appears that he only does one procedure a day and was pretty well booked. I like the fact that he didn't have a revolving door practice and that he devoted the entire day for my procedure. I asked all the normal questions, but was more concerned on how much pain should I expect. He told me that I should not feel anything during the procedure, and any post surgery pain, if any, can be easily managed with Alieve or Advil. But there was the pre surgery injections, and there was a number of them. But the needles were thin and the pain momentary. We also discussed that with the ARTAS system and his manually placing the hairs, he was limited in doing about 1,300 - 1,700 hair follicles a day so we had to choose between the crown or the top and then do the remaining area at a later date. I told him that there will be no second time, as I am willing only to go through this once. So we decided on the top as the crown was less noticeable. With a deep breath, or maybe it was a whimper, I said schedule me in your next available.

    Three weeks flew by and it was pre procedure day and I needed to shave my head in the back to 1 millimeter. Never in my life had I had my hair that short, and now was thinning badly on top, I couldn't imagine what a short hair cut will look on me. So I went down to the stylist and said I needed the back and sides cut "High and Tight" and try to see what you can do with the top to make it look presentable. And if all else fails, shave the whole thing. It turned out ok, the thinning on top was now very noticeable, but the cut was not as bad as I thought it could had been.

    I was scheduled to be at the office at 6:25AM and expected to be there to 5:00PM. I was told to take a pill before I left home for the 45 minute ride to the office, but had to be driven and picked up. After 10 minutes, I realized why. It was a great pill, started to feel very relaxed. Upon arrival, I was given 4 more pills, some kind of long lasting valium, which relaxed me even more. Then the needles, I did mention I hated needles didn't I. So the first shot was in the eyebrow, and boy did it burn, but for some reason, I didn't care lol. Then the temples, and then the back of the neck. So after 6 or 8 shots, I was ready and moved into the ARTAS room. Sat in a forward leaning massage type chair and Dr. Sparano started to score the top of my head where the transplanted hair will be inserted. The robotic arm was positioned over my head and with Dr, Sparano at the controls, it started harvesting The machine made a thump thump noise, and I did feel it, but not painful at all. As the minutes ticked by, I heard the thumping noise of the machine, but felt nothing. Almost like it was missing my head completely. It was so painless and uneventful, that I had actually fell asleep several times during the 4 hours of harvesting. After lunch, I was still feeling good and we started the insertions. Three young female lab technicians surrounded me and with Dr, Sparano standing over me, the transplanting started. Just as painless as the harvesting, the hairs were placed one by one. By 4:00PM it was done, 1,948 follicles, a new record. And he was able to not only fully fill in the top, but a goodly amount on the crown as well. Bandaged the back of my head up and went home.

    That evening, I was waiting for the meds to wear off and expecting a lot of pain, but it never came. A bit of soreness, and a little bleeding, but that was about it. Didn't think I could lay on my back to fall asleep, but a towel on the pillow and it was fine. Fell asleep like it was just another day. The next day was the same, but had my follow up visit. Slight swelling but less than normal, removed the bandages, checked the implants, showed me how to clean my hair for the next few days, spray on some moisturizing liquid to promote healing, and scheduled another follow up in 10 days. Quick, simple, and painless.

    Today is day 4 and I'm almost back to normal. A little annoying not to be able to wash my hair normally, but my normal hair is growing back. Kind of getting used to the short haircut. Scabs fell of the harvest area yesterday with application of Neosporin and as I was wiping it off for bedtime. I was surprised that the harvest and implant area did not itch as much as I thought it would. Actually, it was barely itchy at all. Not sure if I want to go through this again, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined.

    I hope this will be of benefit to others looking to do this procedure, and while the results will not be known to me for another 3 months to a year, I am hopeful and optimistic from the results of others on this forum. But if you have any reservations regarding pain, it's not that bad. I could honestly say getting a dental filling would be about the same if not worse. Post procedure is a drag as you have to baby your new implants for a few days to a week, but I am told it will be back to normal shampooing and combing in 10 days. So definitely worth while. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have and hope my experience will help those who are still on the fence. Thanks for reading, Allan

  2. #2
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    Quick update, it's been about over two months now and the new transplanted hairs are still there and growing. I was told that the hairs will shed, almost all of them by month three and regrow in with a noticeable difference by month 6. I still have a mild sun burned sensation when I press on the donor area, but it has been going away and it really isn't noticeable, even at it's worst. The new hairs are about 4mm now and started at 1mm, and the area of my crown that all I felt was skin before, now has a stubbly feel of all the new transplanted hairs. Even with the new short haircut, the balding areas have lessened considerably from looking in a mirror. Not 100% covered, but getting there. So far I am happy with the decision and can't wait until it fully grows in. I have been taking Proprecia daily and applying Monoxidil twice a day at my doctor's suggestion in attempts to give it the best shot we can. Only time will tell, but looking good so far.

  3. #3
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    It has now been over a year since I had the procedure. Overall, I am happy with the results. I had over 1,800 transplants and honestly it has turned the clock back about 10 years when I first started to notice. Not perfect, but much better than before. I would say it covered about 80%. The crown was not my main objective, rather the part line forward of the crown. But we did plant some in the crown area. The crown is better, but you can still see skin. The most improved area was the part line and again, about 80% coverage. You can still see hints of skin from the top, but being tall and looking straight ahead, it looks well covered and so much better than before. I promised myself that I would undergo this only once no matter what the outcome and while I don't think I will need another procedure in the near future, the specter of having 100% coverage is appealing. During the year, I was religiously using Minoxidil and Proprecia. I don't believe they grew new hair, but reduced the shedding. I am still using the Monoxidil but weaned off of the Proprecia. And it is true, it does affect your sex life. Not that it gives you ED but just the desire to have sex. Once off, that came back fairly quickly. Like I have mentioned above, the procedure itself was not so bad, but the recovery was a bit annoying. Not the pain so much, but growing out the buzz cut and the special care you need to do for about 6 weeks after. All in all, well worth the money and effort and I still may be going back for a second go. Thanks and good luck.

  4. #4
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    Good read! could you post some before and after photos?

  5. #5
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    The view from the top is the most telling. This is the before shot. Not only was it visible from the top, but very apparent from all angles. The hair diameter was very thin at the top and clumps of hair would shed daily.

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    This shot was just taken. As you can see, there is thinning still in the crown area and just a slight amount on the part line (click on picture to enlarge) but from the front as if you were looking into a mirror, it looks fully covered. The lighting doesn't help it either.

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    Honestly, most people don't even notice the thinning anymore, unless they are standing right on top of you. Needless to say, I am sure no two people will have the same results and I was not expecting the results you see in ads of 100% coverage. But overall I am very happy with the outcome. For someone as cynical as me, not to mention pain adverse, I may just have another go at it to clean up some of the thin spots and cover up the crown. And to be fair, I was told from the onset that the procedure was to address the part line with a secondary objective of the crown if we had enough follicles to go around. I'm still using Monoxidil, albeit once a day, but rarely see more than one or two strands shedding off and now the hair on the top is as thick as I remembered it. I hope this helps you and others in making this decision, but for me, I am very happy I did it. Good luck Allan.

  6. #6
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    Default Looking to get artas front hairline

    How long after surgery can you be out in public, without a hat, where No one can tell you had work done,, no redness or scabs or missing hair in donor area?? I'm getting front hairline, which is assume is most noticeable during healing process.

    Trying to figure when the hbest time of year to do it. I have a wedding in May, is that too close if I did this in feb?

    Any info would be appreciated

  7. #7
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    Fantastic results! You make a great point about expectations. Often how successful or unsuccessful one's HT is perceived is dependent on how realistic or unrealistic their expectations were going into it.
    __________________
    I am a patient advocate for Dr. Parsa Mohebi in Los Angeles, CA. My views/opinions are my own and don't necessarily reflect the opinions of Dr. Mohebi and his staff.

  8. #8
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    I'm glad to see this result and I'm glad for the patient, but I want to point something out. The ARTAS is a tool and, as with any tool, it is only as good as the hand that wields it. The recovery from ARTAS being so fast wasn't because it is an ARTAS. It is because you had small holes in the donor zone that closed up quickly, as they do with any FUE procedure. The healing had nothing to do with ARTAS itself.

    Again, congratulations!
    Joe Tillman
    The original Hair Transplant Mentor

    Interested to know which doctors I recommend?
    See the full list at HairTransplantMentor.com/hair-transplant-doctors

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nj1221 View Post
    How long after surgery can you be out in public, without a hat, where No one can tell you had work done,, no redness or scabs or missing hair in donor area?? I'm getting front hairline, which is assume is most noticeable during healing process.

    Trying to figure when the hbest time of year to do it. I have a wedding in May, is that too close if I did this in feb?

    Any info would be appreciated
    The haircut you have to get is very short, about 1mm short, on the back of your head. You can leave the top a bit longer and I had a local stylist cut my hair to a quasi presentable look the day before. So that is working against you from the get go if you are used to a longer hair cut. The first 2 days you can't wash your hair and you are constantly wetting your hair and covering the harvest area with neosporin, so a bit messy as the holes heal and a bit of blood continues to ooze out. By day 3 all the scabs starts to fall off with just wiping the back of your head with a towel (but not the top where the implants were put in). Your hair will start to grow out, but still not enough to cover up all the little red dots. By this time you can wash your hair by pouring water on your head and using a special shampoo they give you. At about a month, you couldn't tell I had the procedure and i was washing my hair normally. My hair cut was still shorter than I normally style my hair and the thinning spots were still visible, but growing. The 1mm implants were now about 4mm. So even if you are doing the hairline and depending on how you wear your hair, i.e. combed in front of the hairline, I don't think it will be noticeable and at worst you will see a crop of 8mm hairs filling in the front after 2 months. While I did only the top, I did look very closely at the scalp and there was no deformations, red spots or scaring. Just new hairs happily growing where none were before.

    I see that you have NJ in your user name, I assume you live in NJ and if so, I highly recommend Dr Soprano. He will give you an honest assessment even if you do not use him. And I never had to wear a hat, the implanted areas healed very quickly but the donor area looked like it was hit with sand paper for about 2 weeks lol. Happy new year and Good luck, Allan

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the response. It's good to hear from someone who has been through it. I am going to see dr sparano before I make any decisions.

    So you would say the redness and bumps are gone after about 2 weeks?

    Also, do the new hairs initially fall out? I've heard that they fall out 2 times, before the start growing for good.

    Let me know
    Thanks

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