5 Days Post-Op Questions

Spinner

Hello,

I received about 1,100 grafts 5 days ago to re-create my hairline and fill in the recessions. A quick observasion first: the recovery so far has been a breeze. There was literally no swelling, no pain, and no itching whatsoever. I was pleasently surprised to say the least. It has been so easy in fact that I'm afraid that something isn't right. When I run my hand gently on the recipient site however I feel tons of tiny little hairs that seem to match perfectly with the permanent hair...pretty crazy actually!!

Couple questions though because I'm a little paranoid about doing something stupid and screwing the whole thing up:

1. I did bang my had slightly (twice) on what I believe to be recipient sites. I probably haven't banged my head in years and now that I'm intentionally trying not to, I do it twice. Anyhow, I didn't notice any bleeding in the recipient sites and there is no bruising, but I'm still afraid that I may have done something to damage one or more grafts. Am I to assume that if there was no bleeding to the receipient site then everything is OK?

2. Today I started to gently massage the recipient site with my finger tips in the shower. Is it too soon for that?

3. I have been applying the Biotin spray like a mad man for 5 days. Should I keep going? Same question for the sav that goes on the back of my head.

4. Can I go to the gym and do a light cardio workout at this point? I was going to lay off of the weights until after the New Year, but I'm dying to get some exercise.

And just a quick note to Dr. Cole and his entire staff...thank you for your patience and professionalism and enduring, what I thought, was a long grueling day. Just so the forum understands, the entire team stayed with me until almost 9pm in order to finish the job. They are a meticulous and well-oiled machine. They take turns performing each task of the procedure and really demonstrate a great deal of team work. It's obvious that they have been working together for some time.

I was initially planning on spending a few days in Atlanta in order to heal but was ready to leave the very next morning...I've had more difficult recoveries from going to the dentist!!!

Thanks,
Spinner

CITness

Spinner,

I am esstatic to hear that your visit to our Atlanta clinic went smoothly and that your travels were trouble-free. I am even more esstatic to know that your impression of our office met your expectations.

I would like to take this time to help shed some light on your queries about post operative "dos and don'ts".

You should be fine in the isolated incident of banging your head twice if there was no swelling or bleeding after the event. You should have no worry there but you should be fine whether the incident occured 24hrs. post-op or 5 days post-op. Application of the post-op biotin spray is highly beneficial up to a month and massaging all of your scalp is suggested for optimal healing which removes scabs and crusts. You may perform light cardio workouts after just three days post-op and only light weight lifting after 5 days post-op. I would give it about 10 days before you start assuming all previous workout activities and up to two weeks before you start lifting heavy weight.

You are correct about our staff being meticulous in regard to performance of our surgery. Each of them enable us to deliver consistent results with a cutting edge procedure and I am happy that you witnessed it first hand.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and I hope to see some photos very soon.

FITness

My advice is not medical advice

Spinner

Hello,

It's been 12 days since my surgery...and I have to say...this whole experience has been truly remarkable. I didn't quite know what to expect when I committed to the procedure. I've always kept my hair pretty short and most people didn't even consider me a "balding man". Most people don't realize the changes in someone's hairline because for some people it happens very, very slowly. My point is that my hair wasn't too bad and some thought that I was taking an unnecessary risk. It was something that I felt that I needed to do though.

Anyway, I went back to my office exactly 9 days after my procedure. There were a few small scabs left but nothing too bothersome. I had told all of my friends at work that I was having the procedure done so they were highly anticipating my return. One by one people starting coming to my desk to check out my head. People were absolutely shocked. They didn't think I had anything done....it looks that natural. They were literally standing over my head and inspecting it 2 inches away...and couldn't believe that it was even humanly possible to place hairs one by one in someone's head and have it look completely natural and undetectable. The donor site was virtually healed...only noticeable when you REALLY stare hard at it. At this point there is not a sign of anything whatsoever.

On Christmas day my entire extended family got together. I had NOT told them anything about it. The entire day went on without anyone saying anything. About an hour before they left, my mom spilled the beans...and nobody could believe it. Again...they had to inspect my head close up to see what was done. It was crazy.

And last night I'm out with a bunch of my friends who haven't seen me yet since the procedure. They couldn't stop talking about how amazing it looks. I think we toasted to my new hairline a hundred times last night. And this is less than two weeks since the procedure!!!

Now the small hairs that were implanted are still there. I don't know how long they will stay there before falling out. I guess I still have hope that they won't fall out...that they'll just start growing...but I don't know if that's even possible. And I have taken some photos and plan on taking more at the two week mark. I'll definitely post them once I edit my face from the shots. I think people will actually enjoy my case because there aren't too many examples on the website of guys like me...guys that had minimal hair loss...and who wear there hair short. I never found an example of anyone that seemed really comparable to me.

So I'm obviously pleased with the procedure and encourage anyone who is "on the fence" to go for it. Everything everyone says on this forum is 100% correct. The procedure is long and tedious but virtually pain-free, scar-free...and the recovery is really quite easy.

That's all for now....thanks for listening. Surprised

Spinner

CReds1

Have you both started to scrub away the newly sprouted hairs as well as the scabs, 2 weeks post-op? I was informed by Dr. Cole it was preferred so as to avoid any complications as the follicle re-arms itself for full growth. In addition, he did point out that the growing stubble in the transplanted follicle would fall out either way and that in doing a full scrub, it could not damage the transplanted follicles.

Spinner

I started rubbing my scabs off 4 or 5 days after the surgery. At the two week mark I am washing and scrubbing my head normally. I think some of the new hairs have begun to fall out but not dramatically. I assume that they will fall out on their own without my having to be too aggressive.

jrjr

My experience has been the same. I'm at 2 weeks now. I had my surgery just before Christmas.

By the 4th day, the scabs were itching & they were easy to rub off gently. But I actually scratched & pulled out a graft by accident on my 5th day. So, to others out there, be very careful.

After the 1st week, I've also had some shedding as well.
My scalp is still a little pink & one can tell where the recipient outline area is.
I was hoping that wouldn't be the case.