Last updated on July 9, 2005
Hair loss history:
I have been losing my hair since my early twenties. My hair loss became increasingly noticeable in my late twenties and I have been steadily going downhill since then. My father is a 4 on the Norwood scale and my younger brother is a 2.
Hair Restoration #1:
I just got back from my first procedure, August 16, 2004, (virgin scalp) with Dr. Victor Hasson, Dr. Hasson planted 3759 FU?s into the first third of my scalp progressing to the bridge. The experience was unbelievable?
I decided to turn my HT into a mini vacation with my girlfriend, so I arrived in Vancouver on Thursday (my surgery was scheduled for Monday). I knew that the IHARS conference was going on and that there would be some H&W patients attending the conference, little did I know that the Grandville Island Hotel would be full of them. I had dinner with my girlfriend at the hotel Friday night while the H&W party was going on. Having read this forum as well as the other one for many months it was amazing to see all of the H&W guys all at once at the Dockside Brewery. I introduced myself to Joe Tillman and Mike Ferko and the rest was history. I had almost every H&W patient at my table throughout the night. I met almost everyone Dave (Futzy), Cam, Mr. T, UncleJim, Jupiter23, Rugger, Dart, the list goes on. These guys were some of the nicest guys I have ever met and made me feel very comfortable with my decision. Everybody answered all of my questions about the surgery and post op healing without hesitation.
Let me say that I have done extensive research on finding the best HT doctors in the world and I would only go to the best in the world, so when I made my decision to have my procedure done with Dr. Hasson I had no doubt. But to see these guys in person just made that decision even stronger? To see one after the other with undetectable work was amazing.
As for the surgery it was a breeze, no real pain or discomfort? It took Dr. Hasson about an hour to remove my strip and probably about five scalpels. Dr. Hasson described my scalp as having the same consistency as shoe leather, very tough. I think the girls who were dissecting my FU?s went through a couple of boxes of razor blades that?s how tough my scalp was.
As for the needles they were easy, I know some of the guys on the forum had complained about them, but to me they were like a little pinch. The one tough thing is being in the chair for long periods of time it is a killer on your back and neck. My technicians: Slava, Rebecca, and Farhana were great and let me take as many breaks as I wanted.
During the surgery there were two Doctors, one from Brazil and the other from Washington D.C., feverously taking down notes and observing Dr. Hasson?s technique. The Brazilian Doctor could not stop commenting on how artistic and amazing my procedure was by Dr. Hasson. I told the technicians that Dr. Hasson should start charging the Doctors to observe. I later found out that that there were numerous Doctors from the IHARS conference who had requested to be present during my surgery to observe Dr. Hasson.
To make a long story even longer, the experience was great and now I am just sitting back and waiting for the growth? Hopefully next year I will be with everyone else at the next IHARS conference showing off my great work.
HT Hair Placement Breakdown:
Singles:1160
Doubles or higher:2599
Total:3759
Strip size: 30cm X 1.5cm
Placement:
500 singles in hairline
2599 behind hairline and in midscalp
660 singles in crown
Total 3759 FU's
Hair Restoration #2:
Well I am back from HT #2, Dr. Hasson was able to harvest 2142 FU’s which went to my crown and mid-scalp area. That brings me to a total of 5901 FU’s, not quite the 7000 club but enough for me. Dr. Hasson thought that he might have gotten more FU’s from my strip, but I do not have the great density like some of you other guys.
I have to say again that the whole experience was great A++. I met Doug Kline for the first time and he handled my case throughout the whole procedure (he took all of the photos that I posted), Doug is a great guy with a great personality, I cannot thank him enough for making my procedure a smooth a possible. Dr. Hasson, Joe, Christina, all the girls that worked on me again were great as usual and made me as comfortable as possible.
As far as the procedure goes, it started around 12:00 PM and I was finished around 7:30 PM. The second time around is a lot easier then the first, you know what to expect so you are not as nervous. I was able to get up and stretch as many times as I wanted and again everyone was very attentive to my needs. Like with any surgery the strip area is sore and I think that I am experiencing swelling in the back of my head instead of the front (we shall see this is only day 3). My staples will be in for 14 days due to tightness on my left scalp area (I am not looking forward to that, but we all have to make sacrifices when we start something like this.) Dr. Hasson did not shave my head completely so I think I will be able to get away with somewhat of a normal hairstyle, which will reduce a lot of questions.
Again thank you to the whole H&W team, you guys have really changed my life now that I have hair again. Dr. Hasson is the best HT surgeon in the world… In a field where having the best is your only option, that option should be Dr. Hasson and the H&W Team.
Total 2142 FU's
Combined Total: 5901 FU's
