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
