N
Nat
Valued member
[align=center]Nat-Dr Ron SHAPIRO SMG-3027 FUT
SUMMARY
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[align=center]1) My first procedure in France
2) Choice of Doc / My 2[suP]nd[/suP] Surgery
3) Organization / Travel
4) Consultation Pre op
5) Operation (the famous)
6) Post op
7) Post op [/align]
1) My first surgery in France!
Post op 1[suP]st[/suP] Surgery
2) Choosing the doc![/b]
Ironically I discovered the French forum 2 days after my first operation! Unfortunately, I realized my possible mistake that turned into a genuine error .. Since October 2007 I had the time to research, understand and inform myself on tops doc and their different techniques and the management strategy of the limited donor. I think research is essential before considering surgery. Having considered all this information I sent photos to all potential docs - Rahal, H & W, Dr. A's. I also received advice to consult with Dr. Shapiro but I knew very little about his work because it is not available on the French forums. I was guided to HLE and other forums where I found many examples.
My expectations: Make a conservative frontal hair line, hide my plugs from first surgery and add density to the frontal 1 / 3. My first donor scar is 4mm to 5mm in certain sections so this may hinder what can be achieved for my second surgery.
The responses were random:
- Rahal believed the operation to 2000 grafts
- Dr Wong approx. 3500 grafts
- Dr. Ron Shapiro 2500 grafts.
- The Doc A's was busy
After a great hesitation between Wong / Shapiro I finally chose SMG (SHAPIRO MEDICAL GROUP) for his reputation with the creation of hair lines, his cautious approach, the fact that he can produce great results without shaving and professionalism. ...
In addition, Janna Shafer is always available for patients (reply to mails very fast), Matt Zupan is also available, they remain very close to the concerns of their patients. For my part I had spoken only with Janna, but I saw on several occasions Matt Zupan asked if everything was ok, if I was satisfied during surgery. I admit their commitment to patient care is very reassuring and gives serenity about ones choice ...
3) Organization / Travel[/b]
SMG is in Bloomington (Minnesota) MSP Airport (Minneapolis)
You need a current passport to the United States, or you must have a Visa!
All information here are the passport price ¬ 88 if I remember correctly:
http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/ vos_demarches / passport / visa-usa
In addition, a new rule needs to declare in advance (minimum 72 hours) see here:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs_909/ pays_12191/etats-unis_12311/index.html
The main hotel used by SMG patients is Country Inn and Suite, West Bloomington. SMG will send out a pre-op packet with all necessary information to choose a hotel of your choice from their recommended list. Majority of the hotels on the list come with a free shuttle service. The country inn and suites hotel comes to pick you up at the airport which is really convenient. This is the same minibus shuttle that will take to the clinic. The drivers are familiar with SMG and they knows the patients of Dr. Shapiro.
The hotel is very comfortable! $ 99 per night, huge bed, TV (50 channels), WiFi and breakfast is free!
Flight:
Paris-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-MSP reserved by Air France Airbus A330 in comfort!
all for 398 ¬.
4) Consultation Pre op[/b]
I flew in the day before my surgery so Janna arranged a pre-op consult with Doc soon after I landed. Since I have limited English, a translator was scheduled to assist. Plus, Dr. Shapiro spoke a few words in
French so it is very comprehensive.
We therefore exchanged for approximately 1 hour on the opportunities available to me.
My old scar was so large that initially it was not safe to be able to resume firing a maximum of grafts for the operation, but after close examination and evaluation of my donor, he told me that my laxity was so good that he d be able to excise the old donor and achieve the number grafts needed for my goal. Thank you scalps exercises and nature!
Then he asked me again, my expectations and in relation to them he designed a proposal, after two or three changes we agreed! The exchange was very constructive, we understood each other perfectly.
He was very attentive to my expectations, very quickly understood what I wanted, told me on several occasions the "plan" for the surgery. And told me that my case was quite standard that he had treated many similar cases.
5) Surgery[/b]
Review of the operation:
Surgery Date: 5/5/09
Strip Size: 1.5 cm x 10cm +1.7cm x 21.5cm = 31.5cm
Number of FU s
1's - 594
2's -1665
3's - 704
4's - 64
A total of 6266 hair
Two _layer_ closure with trichophytic. Staples (agraphia) used on the outside.
Arrived 8 am for Surgery with Dr. Shapiro.
Again, we went over my expectations and Dr. Shapiro drew the plan hairline. After the pictures taken the day before, details of the sequence of events, small slap on the shoulder and "do not worry." More seriously the context was very reassuring and Ron Shapiro immediately reassured me on everything.
8:40 presentation about the team of technicians (hello it s Pierre, he does not speak a word of English J). Shaving and taping of the donor area and anesthesia.
Anesthesia: two or three needle pricks in the front, without any pain! Same in the donor area, and back massage for total relaxation!
Then donor harvesting = 50 min approx.
Once donor was closed up, Doc told me he would make approx 80% of incisions, then 20% after planting for more aesthetic purpose, and (if I understood correctly), each incision was recorded by an assistant and correlated with the cutting of the strip.
During the incisions technicians worked in the cutting of the strip and recorded in detail of all grafts.
It was time to break for lunch. And I selected a movie. After lunch, they started to plant with technicians all around me. After a short while they announced that I had a total of 3027 grafts cut. Dr. Shapiro made the last 20% incisions when the 80% incisions were filled. He chose the location carefully ... And the result was so clean!
Of course throughout the operation, the technicians were kind and ensured my level of pain.
The operation ended about 18:30.
Doc asked my impression of my surgery and explained that my donor area was still able to provide about 5000 grafts.
PURPLE DYE IS USED TO COLOR THE RECIPIENT SITE FOR TECHNICIANS TO DISTINGUISH EACH INCISION.
6) Post op[/b]
To my surprise, I really slept well, with 2 Vicodin for the pain soon after I arrived at the hotel. I was able to sleep 9pm to 3am , then 4am at 8am without too much difficulty! Sitting with a collar travel pillow to avoid the scar to be in contact with the cushions. Fortunately the hotel puts at disposal 6 pillows per bed so I was able to build a cozy nest! I drank a lot of water and I applied as soon as I could the little bag of freezable gel. Obviously, the tightness of the scar area and the recipient was there, but nothing compared to the pain of my first operation!
7) post-op care[/b]
The next day and two days after I returned to the clinic for my shampoo! with cleaning of the recipient area of the scar, verification of the grafts and advice.
Effective follow-up to Doc to me again my view on the operation to check the result and again if I had any questions ...
My general impression, PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS, PATIENT CARE.
My Pictures
Photo - Apprx 1000 grafts from a French doctor