transplant post op options for first few months

[sapcote]

hi everyone, I'm on the verge of going for it and getting a transplant (approx 4000 grafts strip). I've got a question about the first few months post op. I've attached my pics below, you can see one where the hair is pulled apart revealing the true hairline (or complete lack of it!) and the other two pics where the hair is all brushed forward and across and sprayed down with hairspray (no concealer, never used it) show what people see when I go out.

I'm also on the verge of a major life change. Option A is to have the transplant done this jan/feb whilst i'm on vacation and then not return to my job as a foreign teacher overseas in March (there's many reasons for wanting to leave the job), i'd then essentially hibernate for 4-5 months not working whilst the hair grows in.

Option B is to return in March to my current job for the new year's contract after having got the transplant done in mid jan- feb. What do you think my hair will look like in march? Will it all have to be shaved off for the transplant or would only the middle bit of the head that is to receive the grafts have to be shaved? If the long bits of hair at the sides that I currently comb over into the middle are not shaved, I could used them to cover over the procedure I guess, but then wouldn't it look rather strange to have the very long sides and bits of stubble growing in the middle?? Alternatively, if the sides are shaved down, then I'd have to go out in public bald. I've never done that.
I'm currently a teacher in a foreign country; I don't know if I could go back to work in March 5 weeks or so after having had a transplant with a nice big bald head. And wearing a hat for 6 months every day would raise lots of eyebrows and questions.

I like the idea of not returning to my job in march, of taking 5 or 6 months off work to stay in a friend's house, read etc, and just wait in hibernation for the hair to grow. But then I think of the money i'll lose not working for those months!! I don't think i will mind telling people that i've had a transplant, although i'd really not want the whole school of kids and teachers knowing, but i'm more concerned about working and dealing with anybody whilst not looking very good. I'm very vain.

Any comments or suggestions or personal experiences people can share would be great, thanx

 

[sapcote]

and here's my head when the hair is brushed and sprayed into the middle, this is what i look like when i go out. 5 weeks or so after a transplant, would i look much much worse?

 

[Bigmac]

In the second picture your hair cover up is quite good, with this in mind i would go for a strip procedure, your donor will cover the strip scar with your hair at that length, i would state that i dont want to be shaved down, maybe just trim the existing hairs down that are in the recipient area.

Once you get the sutures/staples out at approximately 10 days all of your transplanted hairs will be permantly settled, then you can style your hair the same way and maybe use a little dermmatch or nanogen to help conceal any redness if its on show.

Hope that helps.

 

[bullitnut]

I agree with BM...looks like the donor at that length should cover the strip scar and if you don't shave down i cant envisage any problems styling in a similar way to the second picture 5 weeks post op, i would ask the doctor what his/her policy is regarding shaving down as different clinics vary.

Good luck and i look forward to hearing all about it dude

 

[anand]

Good advise above. But which part of the head will you get transplants put in. Will it be covered by your hairstyle?

 

[sapcote]

thanks for all your comments, I'm still deciding on things, but will be booking the surgery in the next few days}:BY:>?

 

[bullitnut]

sapcote wrote:

thanks for all your comments, I'm still deciding on things, but will be booking the surgery in the next few days}:BY:>?

Keep us posted dude

All the very best Bullit

 

[Bigmac]

Good luck.