I think a little common sense goes a long way. If you had your head cut open & sewn I don't think heavy squats are a good idea anytime soon.

If it hurts or you feel pressure, I would'nt do it

I waited for about 2 weeks, then started training. I started at about 40% and have gradually been working upto heavy weights, its been basically 2 months.

4 weeks - 6 weeks HUH ?

I was back @ the gym in 10 days. I had 1250 grafts placed and have no discomfort.

I think you "can" start back within a couple of weeks and the grafts aren't a concern, but the scar may be. I'm going in for my 2nd HT next week and plan to take off a month, then start working out again and see how I feel. I guess you just have to do what you're comfortable with.

Slow and easy wins the race. Like Hairbank said, you can start back after a couple of weeks when the grafts are no longer a concern, but the scar will be something to think about for at least a few months. Anything that forces your chin to your chest is a definite no-no for at least a couple of months (in my conservative opinion) and anything that forces your chin to your chest while you are really exherting yourself should be avoided for even longer.

My plan the last time around was that I started running and did push-ups at around 2 weeks post-op. I started lifting at around 1 month, but took it fairly easy. At around 3 months, I went back to normal, but was still conscious of the area.

This may be a bit conservative to the more "die hard" guys out there, but I don't want to take the risk of stretching that scar.

-Robert

Conservative hell.....I'm going to stare up at the sky for 6 months if it keeps me from having a worse scar. It'll finally give me a reason to stare down my nose at people....

wow, there seems to be some serious differences in time-frames. When is it ok to lift some heavy weights( squats) etc ?I would think a month would be enought time off for the donor area. I did read that some places tell you to refrain from weights for 4 and 5 months.

4 to 5 months is a stretch and I tend to stick to the conservative side just to be safe. For squats, deadlifts, etc. I wait three months. I will, however use the sled after about of month, being absolutely mindful of my form, though.

-Robert

starting workout is based on how fast one can heal. Healinig varies from person to person and it also depends on Age factor. One should take more time to start workout if width of the skin removed is high.

I started brisk walking at 3rd week, light weights at 4th week and started lifting heavy weights at 5th week(Deadlifts and squat). Now I am 6 weeks post-op and I don't feel any numbness or any discomfort at the scar. Atleast my doctor did something better at the scar.

Reading these comments makes me want to just give up on the idea of ever getting a hair transplant even though I really need it. I lift hard and heavy every week. It is one of the only things that makes me feel good. Taking time off to heal the scar would be a major league bummer.

quote:

Originally posted by HL_Sufferer:
Reading these comments makes me want to just give up on the idea of ever getting a hair transplant even though I really need it. I lift hard and heavy every week. It is one of the only things that makes me feel good. Taking time off to heal the scar would be a major league bummer.

Plan to have your HT around the time that you should be taking a week off. You're not supposed to lift continuously without rest for more than 8-10 weeks. You should go 8 or so weeks, take a week off, change your regimen, and then get back to it.

Bodies need time to heal and they also need time to adapt and "soften." Without giving it time to do that, and changing your workout plan, you'll limit your potential gains.

quote:

Originally posted by HL_Sufferer:
Reading these comments makes me want to just give up on the idea of ever getting a hair transplant even though I really need it. I lift hard and heavy every week. It is one of the only things that makes me feel good. Taking time off to heal the scar would be a major league bummer.

I started working out on the same day I had my stitches out (day 9) without any problems (and I mean REALLY working out - not light exercise...).

As far as the grafts are concerned you can excercise as normal after about 5 days. But you have a major wound running along the back of your head which potentially could be very ugly if widened. You've just spent thousands of $ trying to make your head look better. Why risk it?
Normal healing phases for a wound such as a HT donor strip are:
Inflamatory response 0-4 days
Fibroblastic repair (where the flesh is joining together) 4 days-6 weeks.
Remodelling 6 weeks-2 years.
Most of the strength (of the scar) is established after 4 months.
I would recommend normal weights at 4 months.
Before this your scar could widen.

Maybe I'm lazy, but I welcomed the break.

Of course, I'm not a "hardcore lifter" by any means. ANY means.

I'm more of a "if I have a six-pack and definition, that's good enough for me" kind of guy.

But seriously, guys. Like brianf warned, you don't want to stretch that scar. You'll kick yourself for it. Talk it over with your physician and see what they recommend. You'll find that a majority of them say that my recommendations are waaaay conservative and you can hit the gym much sooner. I just want to play it safe (and lazy ).

-Robert

I had my second HT on 11/7 and have been deer hunting 3x since then carrying a tree stand on my back. I don't feel like I screwed anything up -- at least hope not!

quote:

Originally posted by psychojr:
I had my second HT on 11/7 and have been deer hunting 3x since then carrying a tree stand on my back. I don't feel like I screwed anything up -- at least hope not!

I hope for your sake you didn't. Like I said before, I tend to be a bit more safe than sorry. But to lug a deer stand on your back (how much does it weigh) 3 times within 4 days of your procedure is a bit much. I ope you aren't exerting too much pressure on your donor area sutures.

At any rate, congratulations on your procedure.

-Robert

It's only 23 lbs. I did bag a doe yesterday and had to haul it out though -- weighed about 100lbs. Donor site is doing great. No swelling, pain or redness.

23 lbs? Oh ok. That's nothing more than carrying a few bags of groceries in from the car.

My advice (and every physician I've ever heard speak on the subject) is to ensure you don't put an inordinate amount of strain on that area, making it pull apart. I'm sure you would know when you were doing that, though.

Best of luck,

-Robert

psychojr-

Sounds like you'll be okay but I'd go with Robert..............error on the side of caution!! I hope you had a 4-wheeler or something for the doe.......100lbs isn't a huge doe by any means (at least not in Illinois) but enough you could be straining if you didn't have some help.

I'm with you...........I don't bow-hunt but did put a tree-stand and blind out yesterday for 1st gun season this weekend in Illinois (we have to use shotgun here, not rifle). Have seen tons of activity this year so far................glad I didn't have either of my HT's during this time as I'd hate to miss it!!

Oh well.............back to HT discussion!! 'course ya never see any bucks with a receeding furline or thinning crown..

I had to take my appt with Dr. Cooley when I could get it. I hated that it was during deer season, but oh well. My 1 week followup is in the morning and I'm flying out Wed to MN for goose hunting.

BTW - I dragged the deer out. Didn't throw it on my back or anything. ha ha...