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Going for repair at Shapiro Medical Group.

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thincity

Valued member
Today I finally informed the lady that cuts my hair that I was having a repair procedure. Of course she can see my plugs when she cuts my hair but it was never discussed. A differant girl cut my hair at the same place when I had my "plugs" done. She told me she has several clients who have had HT's and how she has to keep hair longer in the back. She also asked if I was going to the Michigan Doctor who did Mickey Redmond's HT (Former Redwing player and now announcer). I was just amazed at her having HT clients and her basic knowledge of HT's.
 
janna

janna

Valuable Member
I go to a salon where we worked on the owner so majority of his staff knows us and are familiar with our work. We get a lot of referrals from them.

There's a lot of poor work walking about out there and I would guess most stylists are aware of ht work. Unfortunately, that's what they end up associating with HT surgery, bad work.

That's a big step Thincity, talking about your upcoming procedure with your stylist. I would think it's a load off to talk about it. Good for you.
 
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StaggerLee

Valued member
Good move thincity to get it "out there" with the woman who cuts your hair. I had the same woman cutting my hair for about 8 years and when she moved out of town I was stressed at the prospect of finding a new person to do it. You have to explain to the person cutting your hair why you have these ugly scars in the back of your head, that you need to keep it a tad longer in the back, etc...ugh!! I am actually more self conscious about the back of my head than I am about the front and top. Two ugly stacked scars will do that I guess...

Oh well think how nice it will be after your repair to have some of that self consciousness disappear!!
 
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thincity

Valued member
Hi Janna and StaggerLee, It WAS a huge relief to get this out of the way. I had to laugh, as she said if I was having a "boob job" I'd tell you (she was joking) and said its much harder for men to discuss this kind of stuff.
 
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thincity

Valued member
Hi All, Well, one week from today, I fly to Minnesota for my surgery on the 13th. I'm nervous, but ready as I'll ever be. Very recently, I was informed of a "must attend" rushed wedding in early April. This of course has cranked up my stress to the maximum. I let Janna know of this and she is going to help me pick-out some Dermatch (that will match my hair color) while I'm at SMG. I used Dermatch about 11-12 years ago, but haven't since that time. I'd like to thank everyone here for your support and well wishes. Of course, SMG will post my pre and post op pics when they are able.

Regards,

Thincity
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
All the best thincity, i`ll look forward to hearing all about it.
 
S

StaggerLee

Valued member
thincity wrote:
Hi All, Well, one week from today, I fly to Minnesota for my surgery on the 13th. I'm nervous, but ready as I'll ever be. Very recently, I was informed of a "must attend" rushed wedding in early April. This of course has cranked up my stress to the maximum. I let Janna know of this and she is going to help me pick-out some Dermatch (that will match my hair color) while I'm at SMG. I used Dermatch about 11-12 years ago, but haven't since that time. I'd like to thank everyone here for your support and well wishes. Of course, SMG will post my pre and post op pics when they are able.

Regards,

Thincity


You should be good thincity don't let it bother you too much. Are you going to shave for the procedure? By April you should have had enough time to heal up well enough and with the dermatch you will fly way under the radar... have a few drinks at the reception and you won't care!Z:B

Good luck you are in extremely capable hands at SMG!!!











 
bullitnut

bullitnut

4 awesome repairs with SMG
All the best dude, your in safe hands and I am looking forward to hearing all about it mate;)
 
janna

janna

Valuable Member
Hi Thincity,

We're all prepared for your arrival on Monday. All products with rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers have been removed from surgery room.

We're experiencing a cold front at the moment but it should be warming back up by Sunday evening. I know you're used the cold too but it's always nicer when we get warmer than expected weather.

Safe traveling and see you Monday morning ;)
 
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thincity

Valued member
Hi Janna, Thanks, I'm glad it will be warming up Sunday, very cold here in Michigan. For those that are wondering about the rubbing alchohol..I developed an allergy to it about 6 months post bone marrow transplant. I kept getting severe rashes after blood draws, transfusions etc. The Doctors thought it was from the needle stick, but eventually determined it was from the alchohol swabs. Now Betadine is used with no problems.

StaggerLee, not shaving, but I'm sure I'll be getting a "haircut" on Monday.
 
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thincity

Valued member
Hello all, very brief as on my nook i wil,do a better write up when home. First awesome expirence...beyond my wildest expectations. Total graft count was 3435! Shocking based on prior scarring. This includes grafts punched out from plugs. Didnt finish until 730pm. Vitrase and acell used in donor and grafts. Janna drove me back Laqunita...kindness and professlonal treatment by everyone. First class. Tomorrow hair wash and home wed. Pics will be taken tomorrow due to late time.sorry to all at SMG that had to work late.
 
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StaggerLee

Valued member
3500 grafts!!! Awesome!! Phew good job thincity, you must be extremely happy with that, and I think it will make a significant difference in your appearance.

Rest up!! I look forward to seeing some pics.

Congrats!!
 
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Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Glad it all went so well and you got a good amount of grafts.

Looking forwaed to seeing your pictures.

Cheers Bm.
 
T

thincity

Valued member
Good Morning to everyone, I'm going to write an update, but it will be nowhere as detailed and EXTREMELY helpfull as Bullitnut's third detailed write up. For anyone that is deciding on a hair transplant surgery, whether it be a "virgin" scalp or a repair, I would strongly urge you to read Bullitnut's write up. I give so many of you forum members that flew from the UK to SMG, much credit. My flight in was a breeze, however the TSA security check point at Min/St Paul airport was less than stellar (Due to my hat and surgical take home items, even though I had a letter from SMG) As this was the only real negative part of the whole trip and had nothing to do with SMG, I'm not going to detail it here. If anyone is intrested, you can PM me and I will fill you in.
I will start with the hotel I stayed at, LaQunita. I stayed there overnight in May for my in-person consult and was very pleased then (I drove). I again stayed there for three days for my surgery, I can't compare it to other local hotels, but I found it to be a great place and comfortable. Since there was little if any snow when I arrived on Sunday, I walked to SMG to see how long it would take, which was about five minutes. I also located a Jimmy Johns in the same complex, and picked up subs there several times during my stay. I also used the American Pie room service that Bullitnut used. The service was fast and the food very good.
Surgery day, arrived at 8am, met with Dr. Ron, went over the goals again, checked my scalp laxity, and thought vitrase may be needed as sides were loose, back a little tight. I also confirmed that I had requested the use of Acell wound strips for the donor and Acell powder for the grafts with Janna.
Things got started pretty quickly, including a quick haircut by Dr. Ron. One thing worth mentioning, is the use of the motorized massager when applying the numbing shots, it worked wonders, excellent idea!
I do not feel the need to rehash the whole surgical experience as Bullitnut's write up is a tough act to follow! The strip was done first, and then the punchout of the plugs later. Dr. Ron was assisted in this by Tom, who was also working on a total FUE case that day. All extracted hairs from the plugs were cut and replanted.
I only know the total graft count was 3435, I'm sure Janna can provide the graft break down and post-op pics when she has time. EVERY employee at Shapiro, and I mean everyone works very hard, are professional, and very kind. Friends that know me, also know I do not give out praise unless I mean it, if something is not pleasing to me, I just say nothing.
As much as I have learned in my research, I was not aware that 3 hair grafts and 4 hair grafts are valuable, and I believe (meds made it a little cloudy) I had a large number of both. The surgery lasted until almost 730pm, and I truely felt bad as everyone has busy lives, and I hated to be the cause of someone making it home late.
At the end of the surgery, I wanted to walk back, but some snow had fallen, and SMG wanted to call for the LaQuinta shuttle, but Janna ended up driving me back to the hotel. This is just another clear example of the kindness and patient care you recieve. While I hate to add this, and I don't see it on this forum, I'm going to..For anyone that has gotten any idea that I was compensated, given free grafts, or anything other than what I paid for, move along. I have posted my experience for one reason, to hopefully help someone else who may be in need of repair. I can tell you in the course of my career, I have seen some really, really butchered heads just here in Michigan.
I'm not going to post pictures every month, but I promise to send pictures to Janna/and or Matt at landmark dates. When the 11th month date rolls around, I will decide if I need to have another pass of punchouts or not. Dr. Ron felt I may not need to. I had also made a comment to Dr. Ron at the end of the surgery day "well I guess I'm all stripped out" and was shocked when he said I had good donor and another smaller strip was possible if I needed it.
Once again, thanks to all for your information, support and well wishes!

Thincity
 
janna

janna

Valuable Member
Thincity,

Glad you are back home safe and sound.

Here is your total graft/hair count & breakdown:
Total: 3435 grafts/7301 hairs
1 hair grafts - 652
2 hair grafts - 1840
3 hair grafts - 803
4 hair grafts - 140

The numbers are excellent in terms of the total number of grafts on a repair case and graft to hair ratio.

3400 grafts should make a nice transformation.

You were a great patient and we look forward to following your progess.

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bullitnut

bullitnut

4 awesome repairs with SMG
Yeah congratulations on your procedure dude...so glad you found my write up helpful. The work looks fantastic as expected and I am so happy you got them plugs sorted.

Thanks for sharing your account, rest up and take it easy pal
 
M

mars

Valued member
Must say you didnt look that bad pre op,maybe the grey disguised the plugs,you're going to look the business in 9 months.
 
S

StaggerLee

Valued member
Way to go thincity!! I'm not on this forum much but will definitely check back from time to time on your progress. I am very happy for you after all you've been through.

I am certain that your visit to SMG will be a success and that you will have some peace of mind when things start to grow!! Good luck at that wedding!!
 
janna

janna

Valuable Member
Thincity,

I took the liberty of posting your pics and surgery info on your thread on HLH as well. We spoke about posting your pics here but not anywhere else but figured you'd want to post there too.
 
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