M
martinvain
Valued member
Looks good to me Topccat.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.
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sl
BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Hi Topcat, thanks again for your posts and pictures, they are very educational and add a touch of reality as to how fortunate many are in hairloss compared to all that you've been through thus far. Keep positive and look forward to seeing you hopefully soon.
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Stephen, thanks for the encouragement. I have been posting for such a long time hoping to make others aware of just how critical choosing the right clinic is when deciding to have a hair transplant. I have also made observations along the way that didn t seem quite right to me and I refer to them as red flags. In each and every case my suspicions of something not being quite right with a particular doctor or clinic were confirmed. A case of once bitten twice shy.
Since I am not much of a traveler going to a faraway place that I have never been before was not easy. But I also knew that for me to ever get back into the chair and attempt a repair it would have to be with who I thought was the best clinic in the world. It feels good knowing that my wait these last 10+ years has not been in vain. I absolutely made the right decision without a doubt.
Others should know that I post for only one reason and that reason has been the same for the last 12 years. It s to help others make a better decision by giving them something to think about. This is just my nature and it not exclusive to hair transplants. Over the years I have done an extensive amount of reading in the area of health and nutrition and my philosophy is the same. It s to try and help others make better decisions in that area by giving them something to think about.
During my last weightlifting competition I set a world record in my weight class and when I am in the gym people are always asking me questions on how to increase their performance. What I have learned over the years is although you are giving them the best advice possible. Sometimes they are just not willing to listen. They are drawn into the hype of what they read and easily fall prey to the marketing of pills, potions, and the next great exercise machine. It reminds me so much of the HT industry and this is why I bring it up. Sometimes people can t be helped they are hypnotized by the marketing Svengalli s.
Something that I am grateful for is that I am a fairly optimistic person and what was done to me in the past I have not let destroy my life like so many others I have had the opportunity to speak with over the years. I am a real person, with real experiences just hoping to help others. Anyone can speak to me on the phone or are welcome in my home anytime to discuss the hair transplant industry. I have gotten beyond the shame and the need for anonymity and would hope that every other patient would do the same. It s only by enlightening others that the industry can ever change for the better.
Since I am not much of a traveler going to a faraway place that I have never been before was not easy. But I also knew that for me to ever get back into the chair and attempt a repair it would have to be with who I thought was the best clinic in the world. It feels good knowing that my wait these last 10+ years has not been in vain. I absolutely made the right decision without a doubt.
Others should know that I post for only one reason and that reason has been the same for the last 12 years. It s to help others make a better decision by giving them something to think about. This is just my nature and it not exclusive to hair transplants. Over the years I have done an extensive amount of reading in the area of health and nutrition and my philosophy is the same. It s to try and help others make better decisions in that area by giving them something to think about.
During my last weightlifting competition I set a world record in my weight class and when I am in the gym people are always asking me questions on how to increase their performance. What I have learned over the years is although you are giving them the best advice possible. Sometimes they are just not willing to listen. They are drawn into the hype of what they read and easily fall prey to the marketing of pills, potions, and the next great exercise machine. It reminds me so much of the HT industry and this is why I bring it up. Sometimes people can t be helped they are hypnotized by the marketing Svengalli s.
Something that I am grateful for is that I am a fairly optimistic person and what was done to me in the past I have not let destroy my life like so many others I have had the opportunity to speak with over the years. I am a real person, with real experiences just hoping to help others. Anyone can speak to me on the phone or are welcome in my home anytime to discuss the hair transplant industry. I have gotten beyond the shame and the need for anonymity and would hope that every other patient would do the same. It s only by enlightening others that the industry can ever change for the better.
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Levrais
Valued member
Topcat,
Thank you for your posts and for you taking the time to private message with me regarding HT. In reading your recent post I see that you are a weightlifter. This was quite obvious from photos by the way. They say its ok to start excersising 14 days after fue but I'm wondering how long you waited before heavy lifting. Also, I would love to know what your record lift was and what weight class you were in (if appropriate to post that here).
Thank you!!!
Levrais
Thank you for your posts and for you taking the time to private message with me regarding HT. In reading your recent post I see that you are a weightlifter. This was quite obvious from photos by the way. They say its ok to start excersising 14 days after fue but I'm wondering how long you waited before heavy lifting. Also, I would love to know what your record lift was and what weight class you were in (if appropriate to post that here).
Thank you!!!
Levrais
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Levrais, I believe I waited about 4 weeks to go really heavy. I was completely healed up in about a week, but still even though it was hard I waited and just lifted with lighter weights. But I would recommend that everyone follow the clinics suggestion.
I don't mind you asking as I love talking about anything health related and being able to help people. I have been a member of a local public speaking group for about the last 7 years. Recently my sister asked me why do I spend so much time and effort doing something like that, it's not like I get compensated. I told her it's because I enjoy trying to help people and maybe making a difference in their life, but she just shook her head. I don't think she gets it. So far I have given 9 speeches, but I am still an amateur. It does feel good when someone approaches me after a speech and thanks me for the insight.
My best lift is the deadlift and in my last meet I lifted 611 lbs at a bodyweight of 178lbs. Of course this was a drug free competition and I also do not use any equipment such as wraps or a belt.
I don't mind you asking as I love talking about anything health related and being able to help people. I have been a member of a local public speaking group for about the last 7 years. Recently my sister asked me why do I spend so much time and effort doing something like that, it's not like I get compensated. I told her it's because I enjoy trying to help people and maybe making a difference in their life, but she just shook her head. I don't think she gets it. So far I have given 9 speeches, but I am still an amateur. It does feel good when someone approaches me after a speech and thanks me for the insight.
My best lift is the deadlift and in my last meet I lifted 611 lbs at a bodyweight of 178lbs. Of course this was a drug free competition and I also do not use any equipment such as wraps or a belt.
Nervousnelly
The Coolest Member
"My best lift is the deadlift and in my last meet I lifted 611 lbs at a bodyweight of 178lbs. Of course this was a drug free competition and I also do not use any equipment such as wraps or a belt."
Holy shit! I once held a beer in both hands.( well-more than once):::C
NN
Holy shit! I once held a beer in both hands.( well-more than once):::C
NN
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Holy shit! I once held a beer in both hands.( well-more than once)
LOL )(_::
LOL )(_::
L
Levrais
Valued member
Topcat,
That would be an awesome lift for someone over 200lbs. Not sure what to call it for someone 178lbs. Good job!
That would be an awesome lift for someone over 200lbs. Not sure what to call it for someone 178lbs. Good job!
Bigmac
Administrator
Staff member
Thanks for the updates Topcat,the new hair is making a nice difference now and helping the concealer a lot.
Looking forward to following your next step.
Cheers bm.
Looking forward to following your next step.
Cheers bm.
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Here is a picture at 11 months post op and a pre op picture. My next procedure is scheduled for January 14, 2011. Since I am a repair patient the numbers are unknown at this point. The clinic will only attempt to extract fue s is a safe and sensible manner. The areas may include the scalp, beard and chest. I have absolute complete confidence that I am in the best of hands and no doubt this is the best clinic in the world. It s not about awards, associations, published articles, published books, buzz or hype. It s about an ethical clinic that educates and really cares about the patient and the work is hands down the best to be found, in my opinion. I will keep everyone updated on my progress upon my return. As I have stated before I am a repair patient. The clinic is not working with a blank canvas. I appreciate any improvement but only so much can be expected. I say this because if I were in the clinic's shoes I would hope the patient would have enough courtesy, respect and gratefulness to do the same. Regardless of the cost, I don't expect miracles to be performed.
Pre op.
11 months post op
Pre op.
11 months post op
Attachments
sl
BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Thanks for posting updates and look forward to having you with us for sure, and I know I speak on behalf of the whole team.
Bigmac
Administrator
Staff member
Looking forward to seeing your next surgery pictures, the first surgery with BHR resulted in great growth so it looks like you are well on your way to achieving your goals.
All the best to you.
bm.
All the best to you.
bm.
Nervousnelly
The Coolest Member
This is great to follow your case. So far things really look great. BHR has done an excellent job. Things are only going to improve from the first surgery still and once the second is performed I am sure that you will notice a remarkable cosmetic difference. We all know that you are not going to have a head of hair like Elvis but it is going to be a very nice change. Its great that there are clinics skilled enough to do what they do. Keep us all posted.
NN
NN
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mars
Valued member
Topcat
Looks like you had full growth congratulations..
Few questions for you if you dont mind..how many chest and beard grafts do you think you have available?
Your lateral seem very dense..have you many grafts available there?if that hair on your laterals is outside the safe zone but shows no signs of miniturisation would it be worth using them even if they may thin in the future?i think it would give things a more even look if the density was reduced in those areas and place in the centre area where it is needed,
Looks like you had full growth congratulations..
Few questions for you if you dont mind..how many chest and beard grafts do you think you have available?
Your lateral seem very dense..have you many grafts available there?if that hair on your laterals is outside the safe zone but shows no signs of miniturisation would it be worth using them even if they may thin in the future?i think it would give things a more even look if the density was reduced in those areas and place in the centre area where it is needed,
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Mars, I wish I could give you a number but I really don t know. I would not consider myself as having a very strong beard and maybe just mediocre on the chest hair. But combined together I m sure it will have an effect. I m okay with having absolutely no beard and chest hair, but if this were to be done it would take many procedures over a few years. I know from my own experience in other areas of my life that slow and steady seems to be the best approach for the best long term results.
The hair you see on the sides has been pulled up from a couple of hairlift procedures I had long ago. Some of it can be harvested but then I also have scars that it helps conceal so it has to be done carefully. I would also like to use some of that hair exactly for the reason you stated. It would help to give better balance to my hair.
I would also agree with your point on growth. I would say the yield was 100%, thank you for asking.
The hair you see on the sides has been pulled up from a couple of hairlift procedures I had long ago. Some of it can be harvested but then I also have scars that it helps conceal so it has to be done carefully. I would also like to use some of that hair exactly for the reason you stated. It would help to give better balance to my hair.
I would also agree with your point on growth. I would say the yield was 100%, thank you for asking.
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martinvain
Valued member
Topccat,
You said you want to redistribute some of the hair from your thick lateral humps across the rest of your head. Have you thought at all about when to tap into this? I.e. which resource to use first, beard, body, laterals, traditional donor if any left.
I ask because you use concealer and therefore rely on the hair on the lateral humps for coverage. Would it be best to use more beard and chest first and allow them to grow before tapping into the laterals?
My personal concern would be that once the lateral hair is removed and transplanted throughout your head it will take months before it grows in again leaving you with less hair to style and camouflage your loss in the meantime.
You probably have already thought about this but it was just something that sprung to my mind.
All the best.
You said you want to redistribute some of the hair from your thick lateral humps across the rest of your head. Have you thought at all about when to tap into this? I.e. which resource to use first, beard, body, laterals, traditional donor if any left.
I ask because you use concealer and therefore rely on the hair on the lateral humps for coverage. Would it be best to use more beard and chest first and allow them to grow before tapping into the laterals?
My personal concern would be that once the lateral hair is removed and transplanted throughout your head it will take months before it grows in again leaving you with less hair to style and camouflage your loss in the meantime.
You probably have already thought about this but it was just something that sprung to my mind.
All the best.
M
mars
Valued member
Topcat thanks for the reponse..you mention the laterals are helping to hide scars,are these strip scars?if so would revising these scrs with tri closure be an option,this might enable more harvesting from the laterals..the down time would be really long this way id imagine
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Martinvain, what you stated about using only beard and chest hair next was my original thinking. Some of my work requires me to be in front of hundreds of different people on a regular basis, interacting closely. Wearing a hat was not an option. My situation has temporarily changed and I am now able to wear a hat for the next 3-4 months if I choose. This gives me the option of harvesting what I can from the sides and not having to worry about shaving my head. Since I will be shaving most of my head, I guess it wouldn t matter to shave it completely. I m not sure I even want to see what it really looks like underneath the hair that I do have. I m almost afraid to look.
Mars, you would have to read my blog and some of my history to have a better understanding of my current situation. My scalp has been pulled in just about every direction and is extremely tight. There is zero laxity for revising any scars. Even if I had the laxity, I m sure I would not want to go through that again. Having had numerous strips and knowing very well what the procedure entails, I would opt for fue into the scar.
Mars, you would have to read my blog and some of my history to have a better understanding of my current situation. My scalp has been pulled in just about every direction and is extremely tight. There is zero laxity for revising any scars. Even if I had the laxity, I m sure I would not want to go through that again. Having had numerous strips and knowing very well what the procedure entails, I would opt for fue into the scar.
topccat29
29 year HT veteran
Looking forward to my second procedure with BHR. I'm not quite sure of the numbers as I am a repair patient. It will be a combination of any available scalp donor which is not much, along with chest and beard hair. I am scheduled for Jan. 14 and will keep everyone updated.
sl
BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Hi TC
We all look forward to seeing you again and a warm welcome awaits you for sure.
Have a safe flight.
We all look forward to seeing you again and a warm welcome awaits you for sure.
Have a safe flight.
