I had 3139 graphs by Dr. Cooley on 4-18-08. Everything went great. He said to sleep normal and gave me a few surgical caps. I wore just the cap the first night while sleeping on my stomach making sure not to let my graphs touch the pillow. When I awoke, I noticed a few of the graphs bled a little. I also noticed that I lost at least two graphs. From what I have read, losing a few is expected. Anyone else have the same issue as me? Do I need to sleep in a recliner?
Thanks,
Jabba

I was told to sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights to control swelling. I try to sleep so my graphs dont hit the pillow.

from what i've heard and read sleeping slightly reclined for the 1st few nights is recommended. Im not sure losing a couple of grafts is normal!

Maybe it was just a hair, but it had a bulb at the bottom. I read somewhere on some doctors website that a few graphs lost is expected. I think I'll sleep reclined tonight.

For what it's worth
This is an excerpt from BernsteinMedical.com on after care.


Lost or Dislodged Grafts
It is not uncommon to loose a few grafts after the hair restoration procedure. Do not be concerned, this is expected.

Good to know

It’s best for you to sleep on your back with 3 or 4 pillows under your head. You will want to cover the pillows with a towel because your donor may bleed a little. This is normal. If the back of your head is tender you may want to try an airplane pillow/collar. This can help with taking the pressure off the suture line. Congratulations and happy growing……

BTW: I also had a procedure on Friday with Dr Epstein.

Jabba,

I would use the saran wrap under the surgical cap. I wore both for the first six nights. Again, I took a valuim every night so I don't think I moved much....

dewayne,
Watch it! you dont want to become a junkie... with a full head of hair. LOL

Dewayne,
I did use saran wrap on the 2nd night with no problems. Maybe I should have did it the first night as well. You live and learn. If I only lost 2 graphs out of 3139, that's not too bad.

Thanks,
Jabba

quote:

Originally posted by jabba:
Dewayne,
I did use saran wrap on the 2nd night with no problems. Maybe I should have did it the first night as well. You live and learn. If I only lost 2 graphs out of 3139, that's not too bad.

Thanks,
Jabba

So, that means you only got 637 'extra' grafts, instead of 639.....

Dewayne,

Should I call him and demand those two graphs refunded-he!he! Fyi, I was scheduled for 2500 and he gave me 3139, so I got 639 at no charge or as Dewayne would say 637!!

Jabba

quote:

Originally posted by dakota3:
dewayne,
Watch it! you dont want to become a junkie... with a full head of hair. LOL

Yea, I could join my 15 year old's "rock" band and be their addict....

Unfortunately, Dr. Cooley only prescribed a weeks worth. (j/k)

i wore 72 staples in my donor strip for 10 days, then 1/2 of that for the remaining 10 days of Dr. Bernstein's recommended 20 days of staple hell!!

I needed the damn vicodine and valium, and thinking that i didn't want to form a habit, i tried switching to extra strength tylenol. FORGET IT! i was a wreck for 2 nights and had to go back to Dr.B to get refills of the vicodine and valium.

for my next surgery, i know that i will maintain the valium/vicodine stack as long as the staples are in my head. after 20 days, the scar should me pretty stable and i think mine was okay. i only had one scare while i still had the staples during a rough night of sex, (just being honest), but i went to see Dr. B right away thinking i had screwed up and it was fine.