1st HT 1973FU's w/Dr.Mcclellan 6-28-2007

I am a norwood 5A,I was scheduled for 1800 but they were able to get 1973.I know it is a small amt of graphs but I want to access my 1st HT and see how happy I will be with the initial results,then see about a possible 2nd HT if I choose.I also think the propecia is working well for me.After just 2 months,so far,so good.I know not to expect too much after only 2 months,however my wife,hairstylist and I are seeing some good things happening on top.

Congratulations! It appears to be good work off hand; where did you hear of this Doc? How do you feel about the surgery and the doc/staff/etc?

Looks good

Now , jump on the waiting train .. Makw sure you keep the donor area clean..

Your going to want to add 1500-2500 grafts to your 2000 grafts.

It looks as if the work is clean, but this is just from your pics, which do not tell the true tale.

The work will most likely be thin in appearance, so do not get your hopes up too high as to the density.

I would settle back as the others suggested and relax!!!!!

I hope you can hang around a while so we can follow your progress buddy!!!!!!!!

Take Care,
J

Thank you for the replies.Well,I belong to the Hair Club for Men,[not for much longer]Just a few years ago,they started to incorporate HT's as another alternative.I didnt really think too much about getting one done myself as I thought that the transition would would be too drastic.I owe it to my stylist,who I trust because I have been going there for almost 9 yrs.Well she told me that I would be an excellent candidate for one of their Dr.s who is doing the latest in the HT technology.Appently I have nice and thick donor area,and still enough hair on my crown to take propecia.She also told me of about 12 members have alredy done it with awesome results nice growth and vertually no visible scar.After seeing the pics and also meeting a few of his patience,I was sold.I set an appt.to meet Dr.Robert Mcclellan himself and bombard him with questiions,of course.He was also a HT patient about 4 yrs ago and he didnt hesitate to show me his head.I felt that right away he was going to good for me because since he had the precedure done,he woulds also be sensitive to my cosmetic needs.
Speaking of Dr.Bob,I went back to the surgery center the day after my HT he and his lead tech,checked on me and cleaned my head up.Today he even called me to check up on my progress and make sure I got home ok.To me,I think that is pretty cool.They were very professional,kind curtious.They made me and my wife feel relaxed from the entire time we were there.We talked and laughed some during the procedure everything was fine they wuld ask me the entire time how I was feeling,or if I felt any kind of pain.WE laughed when I told them,I would feel great if they would stop poking my head with needles,lol.
Only time will tell as do anyones HT's,the results,but I am confident they did their jobs well as he told me,and I confirmed in my research that he has done over 10,000 Ht's and over 3,000 FUT's.Now it is up my "boys"to do their thing,set,shed,and sprout hopefully in about 4-6 months.As far as I know and what I have learned here on this forum,Dr.Bob and his staff did everything just like they should have,and I know I wil be back to him for my next proceddure and I will tell everyone that I recommend him.I have noticed that noone has been to him before but I think I am the first and I am sure in the coming months,members here will know his name because of my successful HT.
But in the meantime,I will stick with you guys here and pass the time reading about others who have been through this and those who are about to go through it.I have only been a member for a few weeks but IM VERY GLAD TO FIND THIS FORUM.
You all take care and thanks for the responses and I am sure to keep everyone updated,

Scooter

Scooter, thanks for the info. It will be very, very interesting to follow your progress; I really hope you can hang with us here in the forum long term to see the outcome of your procedure. As you may know from lurking here, the "chain restaurant" hair transplant companies have a tremendously poor reputation and it is discussed here from time to time. They are often VERY experienced in the hair transplant BUSINESS, but that seldom translates into them having experienced and talented surgeons using the most current methods. Your situation will assuredly be an interesting thread to follow over the next few months for that and many other reasons. Again, I really hope you can tough it out and hang here with us. Welcome and hope to see you here often.

Here's your first question: You said your donor hair was very good; why were you guys only shooting for 1800? That is a relatively smaller amount of grafts for a N5.

Hey pushing 40,thanks for the reply.To answer your question,it was mostly a $ thing.1800 was what I can afford now,but they were able to give me 1973 in the end for no extra charge.BY next year I know I shoot for the same # again to thicken things up more and hopefully the propecia I have been taking for 1 month now can kick in by then.

Hey Scooter

I was simliar to you in some regard. Look at my history and I had 1400 plus x 2 and then 2124.. This was due to a couple circumstances

1 - Did not want excessive shock loss as I had to return to work. Nobody knows about my surgery
2 - could not shave my head
3 - Scalp Laxity
4 - Money might have been a slight issue but I can't remember
5 - My doc takes a more conservative approach as I don't think he has ever done 3000 plus or so

In the end , if time is not a factor, it can be very successful .. I'm post op 3 months into my 3rd and final HT.. everything is super natural and I am HAPPY with the results

Generally speaking, I could have done it in 2 rather than 3 but at this point who cares.

As far as the "chain restaurant"thing,I know what you mean because most of the time with HCM,they seemed all about the $.However,like i said before i was a member for for almost 9 yrs.and understood that.They were good for me during those years of dealing with my hair loss.There were some times they would let me slide on things,payments,products,free services etc..But in the end it is also a business.They made an offer I couldnt refuse when they told me I can skip my June payment,end my membership with them,and switch to paying a finance company and start paying them in July,no $ down and no interest for 18 months.My payments would be the same as i was paying for the system/service haircuts each month.It is set up to pay them off before the interest starts,which i will pay off earlier.So I figured this is the best time to do it.When I seen the results from others and did my research,I knew what I was going to do.I wouldnt be throwing my $ away anymore.Similar to owning or renting a home,to me getting my HT it is an investment,and a start.I do know that I will be getting another HT done next year,so for now propecia,and soon rogain foam,nixoral and Dermatch and toppiks will become my new best friends to help me out.
Though Dr.Bob isnt a coalition Dr.here,to me doesnt mean he isnt good and experienced at what he does.I am sure HCM would not have shitty Dr.s to represent them.Also like i said before I have known the people at the center here for a long time and I know they wouldnt have even suggested surgery to me,if he wasnt good.In my search I also found that he trained and worked with some of the best in this field,Dr.Bernstein and Dr.Rassman from NHI.I also seen one his his entire corrective hair transplant precedure of a guy named Dean who had horrible old style plugs,and his results were awesome.He and his team know what they are doing,I am absolutely sure of it or I wouldnt have gone to him.When we went to the surgery center in Houston,the only thing that seemed like it was HCM were the signs.The place was an operating room,clean and nice,and they never mentioned $,even when I was going in for 1800FU's they were able to get 1973FU's and just put them in anyway saving me hundreds of dollars.Dr.Bob also gave me another 30 day supply of propecia.
Today is day 4 and never had much swelling so far and the pain has only been minimun.The redness is turning pink,and the small scabs are starting to wash off each time I pat them,not rub,in the shower.it is still hard to see my donor line through my hair but i can feel it especially when I apply the ointment they gave me,but I know it is going to be just fine.No bleeding at all and the Dr. says the dissolvable sutures will dissappear soon.Oh yes my new hairs are all growing and they look pretty cool already but I know this will only last for another week or 2 then the dreaded shedding begins so I will say goodbye to them for a few months,with the hopes that they will return and then I know for sure this HT was a success.But now it is all up to my own natural ability to grow,which my donor area hair has always grown very fast,so heres hoping.
Thanks for reading,take care and lets grow some hair,lol
Scooter

Scooter, I think the work looks good. I know most will say that 1973 grafts will not be enough, however as MRJB has said he is very happy after having two small procedures & one medium/large procedure.

You know a lot of us warn against going to "chain clinics".
That doesn't mean you wont have a great experience.

Our problem with the chain clinics" is that we haven't seen consistant results. Mainly because sometimes you don't know who you will get for a doctor.
Independent coaltion doctors have a proven track record/patient history.

Also, most people who go to these chains don't do any research at all & don't ask the doctor the right questions.

I know of a person who did just that.

So put a not so great doctor together with an uneducated patient & you have a recipe for disaster!

Having said that it appears that you have a good doctor, you did your research & asked the right questions because you came to this forum & got educated, Bravo!

Looking foward to seeing your updates on your procedure,

Happy growing!

scooter,

Sorry I'm a little late on this thread.

Congratulations on your recent surgery with Dr. McClellan.

I agree that the work looks clean, however, for a NW5A, and only 2000 grafts, don't expect a lot of density.

Have you discussed your future goals with your doctor? What would you like to accomplish and what has your doctor suggested about subsequent procedures?

I am not familiar with your doctor and I do hope he is using solid FUT.

I'd consider going to one of our coaltion doctors for future surgeries since they have a proven track record of being the best of the best: http://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/hair-loss-content...s/our_physicians.asp.

I hope you'll keep us posted with your progress.

Falc

Folica,
You are right,I did get educated here in this great forum.I am very happy to be able to openly discuss our hairloss problems and learn from others and get encouragement and advice.Hopefully I will be able to help others someday once I learn more.

Falc,
Thanks for the reply.I was reading some of your threads from your 1st experience with HT's so I can learn more about having a smaller procedure for my 1st time.I am so new to this that 3 months ago I would never have thought I would be able to get a HT,because or the lack of knowledge,the cost and the transition phase.Just like you did,I also got a smaller session for my 1st one.I looked at your pics and your posts and got very encouraged.Even your 1600 Fu's you got and Dr.Katz spread them around from the frontal to your crown area,by your 6 month pics,your results were amazing.Especially when I look at your latest results,your hair looks awesome.Your successful Ht's are very encouraging to me.I figure if my 2000 FU's in he front mid section can look as good as your 1600 spread out,I would consider my 1st one a success,and a great start.I figure to use Dermatch and Topiks together with propecia and rogain to help me with my crown area and the thin areas that my HT didnt cover.

Just like some of the members here,I will wait and see how everything looks my donor scar,and recipient area heals and grows.If I am happy which I should be,I will discuss my next procedure with Dr.Bob and perhaps a few others and pick whoever I feel will do the best job for me.

I know it is early but I was very impressed with Dr.Bob and his staff.I know the proof is in the final results but time will tell and then I know I will keep you all posted.

Scooter

@ MRJB -- just wanted to note that Dr. True has done 4000+ FU sessions, but I agree w/ you that his approach is more conservative and incremental. Good luck, scooter, and looking forward to watching your progress.

Thanks L

I remember speaking with him during my last surgery and I thought he told me otherwise. Regardless, he is a great surgeon ( I'm living proof) and tends to be a bit more conservative..

Scooter,

It sounds like you are strategizing nicely for your future...

Yes, you are correct...Dr. Katz did an excellent job with 1600 grafts and I must say that he gave me the BEST scar out of any other doctor. Even with a 2 clip, there was no sign of a scar period.

I actually just posted something similar about this on another thread...but...I chose Dr. Katz from this community because he was and still is recommended. This was BEFORE the coalition existed. I believe I got LUCKY more than anything else...especially since there really was no information to be found on him other than this site. A few other threads indicated that he does quality work and a few thread indicated that he didn't. I chose to take the risk (which is funny because I always tell people now do NOT take the risk). Back then, I was like you...never really thought about hair transplantation and then found this site. For some reason, I just trusted it...oddly enough, being here as long as I have been...I have learned to rightfully trust what this site stands for. But back then, I did jump the gun without knowing what should be known before hair transplantation. So we'll just say I got lucky that I didn't end up going to Bosley or MHR, since those are the two advertised all over the place.

But I recognize that I got lucky...Dr. Katz did a fine job for 1600 grafts, though obviously, I needed more to meet my goals, but that's ok. He was very upfront and honest and told me that I'd need to keep my goals realistic and that this would only be the first step in restoring my hair. He is a very ethical physician IMO and I still hold him in high regard. BUT, as far as I know, to date, he does not do larger sessions of more than 2000 grafts (maybe less).

Long story short...this approach has merit...though knowing what I know today, I would have taken a different approach, especially since hair transplantation has advanced so much even in the last couple years.

That being said...I hope you get lucky like I did, since you sort of jumped in without a lot of research ahead of time. Either way though...I HOPE you'll take your time now and research and learn all there is to know so when you go for surgery number 2, you can make an educated decision instead of jumping out on that hope rope .

Cheers,

Falc

Hey Falc,

Thank you for the reply.I am strategizing for my future well I think because of the info that I am getting from you and other informative members.

Yes indeed our starts are very similar.I took a risk on advice of others at my clinic,after meeting him and seeing results,I took the plung so soon after finding this site.It has been hard to do,I had to dig way back about 5 or 6 yrs into the archives,but I found posts made by Dr.McClellan himself.He was or is[not sure yet]a member of this community.I also feel very lucky that I didnt go to Bosley or MHR.

He answered lots of questions from forum members.I also seen before that the forum creater,Pat fully endorses Dr.McClellan and has recommended him before.So I dont know why he is not on the coalition list,perhaps his patients dont know of this site yet.

So what is the different approach you are talking about?Maybe a mega session?How would you handle a 2nd surgery?

I was told I am a NW5A,but that was the day after I took off my system after 9 yrs.now it seems like my crown hairs [nontransplanted]going toward the front are already starting to grow and fill in after 1 week only.I was thinking that it is too early to think that is from the propecia but rather the fact that I dont have a system in the way constricting airflow and it can finally breathe again.I have only been on propecia a little over 1 month now.I can only hope.

Take care,

Scooter

this is what I found

http://hair-restoration-info.com/eve/personal?x_myspace...6015661&u=9586090861

Scooter,

Keep in mind, being a registered member of this community is not the same as being on the recommended list or the coalition.

Dr. McMellan is not on the recommended list nor the coalition.

To learn what it means to be recommended verses part of the coalition, click here: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Consult-a-Physicia...ation-physicians.asp

I honestly don't know much about Dr. McMellan...maybe other members here do?

From the looks of your photos, things look good immediately post op. All you can do now is wait to see how the results turn out.

Yes, I would have tackeled my situation differently if I was to do it all again. No offense intended to the other docs I went to, because I do feel they did a good job, but both Katz and True are a bit more conservative...but I would have gone to Hasson from the start and gotten 2 larger sessions rather than starting small and gradually increasing.

HOWEVER....

I believe all 3 doctors contributed to my final result and I'm very pleased with the work that I've had done...so there is no knocking this approach.

But I do believe now, why do in 3 sessions what can be done in 2? And why do in 2 sessions what can be done in 1?

Just my thoughts.

Falc

Hello everyone.I have decided to post an update with pics of my slow as to be expected progress in which I am happy with so far.I hope these pics come out ok.Thanks for viewing.

Take care,
Scott

Scott:
From a former HC member..congrats on the HT. Looking good thus far...if you look at my blog..I didn't really notice any considerable thickening until the 9th-10th month. At the 5th-6th month it was downright depressingly thin. I started using Rogaine foam (7th month)in addition to the Propecia and which seems to be helping.

Hang on for the ride.
Glock08