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 Picture Gallery
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Before Pics
last updated on March 13, 2007
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HT#1 Surgery
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 11
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 13
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 15
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 18
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 21
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 22
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 Week 26 -- 6 months
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 8.5 months
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#1 One year!!!
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#2 The night before
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#2 Pre-op
last updated on May 17, 2006
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HT#2 Surgery
last updated on August 13, 2006
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HT#2 Day 13
last updated on May 27, 2006
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HT#1 Day 13
last updated on May 27, 2006
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HT#2 Month 1
last updated on June 19, 2006
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HT#2 Month 2
last updated on August 13, 2006
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HT#2 Month 3
last updated on August 13, 2006
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HT#2 Month 4
last updated on September 13, 2006
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HT#2 Month 5
last updated on October 25, 2006
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HT#2 Month 6
last updated on November 20, 2006
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HT#2 Month 7
last updated on December 19, 2006
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HT#2 Month 8
last updated on January 18, 2007
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HT#2 Month 9
last updated on May 11, 2007
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HT#2 One Year!!!!!
last updated on May 12, 2007
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HT#2 Month 18
last updated on November 23, 2007
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HT#2 Two Years!!!
last updated on July 22, 2008
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 My Current Regimen
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Last updated on July 22, 2008
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1 Propecia daily |
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Sleep, whenever possible. |
 Occasionally
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Wear pink shirts. *Very* occasionally. |
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 My Hair Loss History
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Last updated on November 21, 2007
HOW IT ALL STARTED
On July 16, 2003, I was only one hour away from hair transplant surgery with Bosley Medical when I found an online forum which saved the day and possibly my future. The day prior, I told the folks at Bosley that I wanted to see an actual patient of the surgeon slated to do my work. Upon meeting the person, who happens to be one of their counselors and thus presumably a "star" patient, I was shocked. The guy looked like he was wearing a bad hairpiece. His hairline was straight (no rescission on the sides) and too low on the forehead. I realized I was in the wrong place -- thank heavens! That drove me right to the internet for research.
HT #1
After long and thorough research, I decided on having my surgery with Dr. Victor Hasson of H&W in Vancouver, BC (http://www.hassonandwong.com). I flew out from New York the day before surgery. From start to finish, the experience was superb. The staff was professional, warm and courteous. Most of all, Dr. Hasson is a terrific guy! Now this is more or less a bonus point, because a surgeon's demeanor means absolutely nothing to me if the results shine. But he turns out to be friendly, charming and positively hysterical, like when they were about to take my frontal before-picture and he chimes in "OK, now look sad." I can hardly imagine feeling more comfortable with a doc upon first meeting.
During that meeting the evening before surgery, I was introduced to Dwayne, whose 6-month results blew me through the ceiling! Any lingering fears or concerns were gone before I could say "holy s--t!" I almost went through the roof of Dr. Hasson's office!
Tuesday was a long day. The surgery was relatively painless, except for the big, bad anesthetic needles into my forehead -- 4 times 3 seconds of major ouches. I took in About Schmidt and Monsters, Inc, a bunch of CNN and some silly cartoons, and was treated to lunch and dinner. My day that began at 7:40 AM ended at 7:30 PM. It could simply not have asked for anything more, except for having my girlfriend from New York be there with me, but she was busy professoring.
The night after was pain-free, with slight discomfort in the donor area. The next 13 days were a bit uncomfortable, primarily because of the staples. Once they were removed, everything pretty much went back to normal. I experienced numbness for the next three months. The pictures below track the progress.
My surgery has changed my life. My self-confidence has skyrocketed. I am once again comfortable in my own skin. It is hardly possible to overpraise Dr. Hasson and his entire staff. I recommend them without reservation.
HT #2
Well, after nearly two and a half years, I finally had my second installment ordered, installed and delivered with perfection. It's hard to overestimate the thoroughness, professionalism and, of course, quality H&W deliver. Round two brought not only unexpectedly high graft numbers, but a whole new insight into the process, viewed against a backdrop of so much more research, knowledge and information on the subject.
My intention in round two was twofold: 1) Refine the hairline and some of the temple angles, and 2) fill in behind the frontal third covered by HT #1. At first, Dr. Hasson predicted he'd get only about 2,500 grafts. Accordingly, he delineated an area on top that would not quite reach back as far as the crown, leaving some area uncovered. I was a bit disappointed, but Dr. Hasson said he wants me to start on Dutastride anyhow, and was very confident that it would fortify the area not covered by surgery.
The surgery began at around 7:45 AM. Dr. Hasson first consumed about 400 grafts refining the hairline. We did not shave down the existing frontal hair, as it was my intention to have a small hairpiece designed for the recipient area and, thus, appear at work as if nothing had changed. As soon as the hair grew back, I'd remove the piece and get a short haircut.
Dr. Hasson then started the top area, behind the existing hairs from HT #1. Late in the afternoon, as he progressed with the incisions and the techs inserted the grafts, Dr. Hasson finally came back with the great news: We got over 3,500 grafts! So he covered the entire area on the top, and then came back and told me he had another 500 grafts left. He now wanted to shave me down up front and implant the extras up front to increase the density there. Well, I gave him a hard time about shaving down the front, considering the problems this would cause me. But my voice was quited as he pulled out the clipper and started cutting away. :) We both laughed and I was, of course, happy about it in the end.
In all, I received another 3,537 grafts and the process ended at 8:15 PM. Dr, Hasson's incredibly talented and friendly staff helped make the experience so successful and relatively enjoyable. Particularly noteworthy were Slava, Anna, Rebbecca and Farah. And the ever-delightful Christina, of course.
Above all, Dr, Hasson is the consummate professional. He is charming, funny, honest, ethical and, of course, supremely skilled. |
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There's no journal entry written on May 19, 2013 |
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