Howdy, fellas. This is going to be a bit long-winded, so feel free to skip the text after my summary info below, but I feel it'd be more educational to give the background best as possible.

Summary: Dr Joseph Karamikian, NYC/Long Island.
Strip, Mixed grafts; slots, minis(?), FU's.
Surgery performed 10.5 months ago.
...

Rogaine was able to get the peachfuzz on the entire top of my head to regain some color, but it was pretty much a lost cause. My pattern is too great for mere medicine.

I had an HT about a year ago with no education on the matter other than what I can find in the form of advertisements and my own judgement as to whether or not the doc I talked to could be trusted. Scary. I happened to find this place just a few days too late. I went with a mixed graft type session, because I thought it seemed to be a good compromise of density and coverage for a first session, and I am realistic enough to know from the start that it's going to be several sessions until I'm "done."

To be completely fair in one's judgement of the doctor I used, and the results, ther are a few things I must mention.

- I did not do the right thing, post-op. Most of the grafts formed large scabs. Not all. Made the immediate post-op pics look just a little bit pluggier. (Just a little). Couple bleeders too. I actually thought letting scabs form would be safer to keep the grafts in. I cannot say WTF I was thinking by not listening to the doc on that one, I had this fear of grafts blasting outta my head. Can't blame my doc for the fact that my head looked like an axe was used, 100%.

- The post-op pics(I'll find a few later) did not give an appropriate sense of how little hair I had. The photo shows the hairs better than reality. It was peachfuzz that had retained the color thanks to Rogaine. So the improvement isn't quite as noticeable as I see myself, and moreso from others. But it's there.

- Since I was a weiner and did not get a set of real "before" pics (my soon-after post-op pics give a decent impression though), I am really just posting more as an education in what I would consider one of the 'better' mixed-graft experiences; one that don't include nightmare stories that we typically associate with, say, Bosley and the like.

- I cut my hair just a bit shorter than normal, to show my visible scar in a couple pics. I'm happy with it, more or less. Only at the right angle and very short is it visible. I think you can make out the "mini graft" look with the hair shorter, up close.

- It looks fuller and covers the scalp much better longer, as you've heard around here, but I'm not interested in advertising or impressing anyone after going into a procedure blind, and I'd rather let people maybe see any visible "plugginess" at its worst (though nobody notices this) and scarring in the back.

- Some angles really aren't friendly to my monstrous forehead. :-O

- I'm happy with the results of my first HT. Again, I do not wish to advertise anything other than what's recommended, and I apologize if this goes against the grain in saying I'm happy with a mixed session, but I liked the doctor and his work, nearly a year later.

"I am going to wait a bit before the next HT's. I wanna see what kinda hair loss takes place, or if it can be stabilized well enough with Finasteride and Rogaine to make a good judgement as to where that donor hair should be going."

That is a good idea. Give the meds some time to take hold.

Speaking of meds, however...

"Sure hope this Indian stuff I been taking is legit"

Here is a recent thread on the subject of foreign-made prescription drugs that may interest you.

Thread on Generic Finasteride

Remember, it is all about consumer safety. There is no way to tell what is in those pills you get from foriegn drug manufacturers. Even if you happen to get a good batch one time, who is to say that the next will be any good?

-Robert

why is it so thin?! how many grafts did u get? ive been waiting to see some 1 year post op pics with a shaved head, so thanks for posting. i hope there is a reason why its so thin...

NA,
some people opt for a thinner look to get the best coverage possible. It all depends on the amount of area that needs coverage, vs. the amount of grafts being dispersed.

Many people prefer to have light coverage vs. a bald or badly thinned spot.

This gentlemen, has excellent coverage, though not great density.

Everyone's expectations and goals are different.

You can't get a full looking head of hair all the time from a HT.

As stated I opted for a full-coverage session over density. It's one of several HT's I plan on. Contrary to what I'd expected, it looks thicker longer, so I can get away with "less bald" looking if I let it grow out. Not really concerned with that just yet though, I have a road ahead of me. By no means to I wish to consider those pics my end result.

As for a full looking head of hair, some people can probably never get one from several HT's, much less from a single HT, unless they've got good hair for it and less balding. (I am not this fortunate :P)

Joe HT
YOur overall coverage looks good. Once you let your hair grow out, whether you style it comb back or on the side, you will be pleased with your overall coverage. I wouldnt start thinking about another HT right now until you grow you hair out and style it to determine your satifaction-- you might be surprised by the resuls with when your hair is 4-5 inches long. Best of luck-- and take the meds as well as a multi vitamin, 3,000 mg of MSM daily.

it is indeed ncie coverage. congrats and good luck in the future!