Scar Grafting with Dr Cole

[hairlosskills]

Thanks for uyour reply NEguy. Your scars truly do look like theres been a significant improvement. I have to agree with topcat about smp, but you knoww whats best for you. NEguy have you ever thought about going for a recell treatment? The results seem superior to any other scar treatment. I plan on recelling my scar. As of yesterday recell is moving along in the fda to be approved in the states

[randomnolo]

Hello to all. Been following this thread and thought I'd share my experience. I'm 38. I first had a HT at age 23, after a bad break up made me totally self conscious about losing hair in my right temple area. I felt it looked like a dog took a chunk right out of my hair. At that age, I should have never done one. I did my "research" on my webTV, since the internet still wasn't what it was today. As you can imagine, I went into it with probably not the greatest knowledge of what I was getting into. At that age, price was a big factor as well. So I found a place down in Tampa Florida that I'm pretty sure was called Hair and Scalp Laser Clinic. I went down there believing the whole thing was done via laser only to find out they only cortirized the incision and graft sites with a laser. They did the initial incision "too low" closer the nape of the neck. Inititally I was satisfied. He established a hairline that wasn't too low for future hair loss but as we all know (now) that hairloss is a progressive thing and eventually I needed a second HT which I got done at age 29/30. That yielded a fine, natural look and was performed by a local Dr. who was very forthcoming in expected results, scarring etc. Didn't make promises as too scarring because everyone heals differently. Again, hairloss is progressive and I was left with what seemed like horseshoe of hair on the front of transplanted hair, with receding hair behind it. The right temple again was the biggest culprit (hair always seemed to thin out on that side first).

Of course at 23 and 30 years of age I was single without kids, so by now my biggest factor in not taking corrective action was financial, as I am now married with a 4 and 3 year old, and all I kept thinking about how that is money that could go toward them. I went to the second dr. a couple of times. Initially when he did my second surgery he was part of medical hair restoration group. Since then he had gone solo and is ISHRS accredited. I met with him about a year and a half ago, and because he was honest in relation to my goal which was to buzz down and the cost I put it off. Anyways because of threads like this one and experiences shared here, I opted to have FUE into the scar two days ago. Wish I knew how to post pics. My goal is to get down to a four guard all over. I don't plan on going on the same journey as Northeast guy as his was one extra ordinary journey. If I'm not totally happy with the results of the FUE I will consider tatooing for the 3D effect with someone who has done it. My Dr. had a couple of numbers but he insisted I let it heal as he feels pretty confident I will get close to what I told him my goal was. The lastest (and last) procedure was 1000 grafts FUE with 260 going into the scar. My scar had stretched 7mm at the corners. We discussed scar revision with a tricophytic closure but he was sure I would get some stretching due to looseness/elasticity of my scar. I have a scar on my elbow that was very telltale for him.

I hope that wasn't too over the place, just wanted to introduce myself and thank everyone who participated in this thread especially northeastguy, stevie r, the Dr. and others. Like many here I just wanted some normalcy and I hope this provides it. If I could turn back the clock I would have definitely not had the first one done, but what is done is done and then you have to decide what you are going to do. I was blessed to have a supportive wife who encouraged me to shave despite the scar, but I just couldn't go that route. She supported me every step of the way. Once again, thanks to all of you.

[northeastguy]

thanks Randomnolo for the great post and sharing your story. Far too many of us out there in this situation. Sucks but in the end your going to find It'll all work out. One thing that sticks out is the support your getting from your wife. As shallow as some people are, I have noticed that women seem to be pretty supportive of this. Actually doesn't factor one way or another to be honest. We are our own worse critics. Be patient with the scar grafting. You may even want to do another pass after 8 months to a year. 4 guard is very doable and a reachable goal. even a 3 guard is...

once the photo's are on your computer, you can upload them using the attachment button above the box your typing in. Looks like a paperclip.

@ hairlosskills .... I do research Acell but there are simply not enough before and after photos for me to be convinced yet. If I get good results with my laser treatments, I basically get the same outcome. I do understand the SMP debate.... I follow it closely. Keep in mind, I am not talking about permanent ink SMP done at places like HIS. I would only use the temporary version. I would also only use what is necessary to blend the scar areas. I am not interested at all in doing my entire head. Thanks again!

[randomnolo]

Thanks, I have a google chrome book and an android phone. If you or anyone has any idea how to do the picture thing with my devices I'll give it a shot. I've always sucked at transfering pictures etc. The Dr. I used is Dr. Scott Boden, I use his name because searching the site I saw that he is listed here.

As for my wife, I told her I had a HT while we were dating. The only thing she made me promise was that I would never get a comb over. As it got thinner recently and she knew I was unhappy with the appearance she would encourage me to "just shave it", "who cares about the scar I don't". Problem is if you have ever dealt with this, you know you kind of become a prisoner to the scar. I literally became more self conscious about the scar than the thinning front. Dr. Boden suggested we could get a lot more density with another strip surgery, but I recently wasn't interested in that. I really just want to conceal/camouflage the scar so I can buzz down evenly. If I get to a three I would be ecstatic. I try to be realistic about this.

So I'm learning here SMP is not permanent? Are there cancer risks associated with this as I stumbled upon on another thread on this site. If the FUE grafting is close to what I want, I would consider a permanent tattoo that would blend in for that 3D look of no scar, but I'm nowhere near that stage. Again this thread was wealth of information from so many contributors. Thanks a bunch to all.

[Somitsa]

Your scar area is healing well and looks fine for the first week post-op. We are glad that you had a pleasant experience here.

[chicago99]

Hey northeast, hope you're doing well. Any updated photos? How did laser turn out?

[northeastguy]

I have to say the laser has worked out great. Even with just one pass. scar is smoother and redness is all but gone. Oh, and no hair loss from it. So anyone concern about that can put that to rest. Going to make one more good pass on Oct 23rd. After the holidays, it'll be 1 guard and trico. by then I should have almost full growth from the beard grafting. it's been slow but with every cut it looks fuller.

[chicago99]

Great to hear! Thanks for the update

[northeastguy]

Had my 2nd, and most likely final pass with the Pulse dye laser Oct 23. Every day that passes the lower scar looks better and better. Only thing I am going to have to except is the horses tail and angulation of the hair below the scar from being pulled up and improperly closed over the course of 3 strip procedures. I'm hoping at a 1 guard or .5 guard in that area, it won't matter. Most likely will but should be ok. It'll look more like a skin fold.
I will say this, beard hair takes a long time to grow. It does not abide by the 3 month dormant rule.
Currently going to put together a date in January to visit Shapiro Medical Group and blend things using Trico pigmentation.

I will post a few updated photo's in a couple weeks. After which, the next photo's will be before and after Trico using a .5-1 guard.

[chicago99]

Great to hear you are doing well NE! Looking forward to seeing the updated pics. How did the donor area heal in beard area? Can you see any evidence of extraction from that area? Thanks in advance.