Battle Against Bald | A Battle Against Hair Loss Through Hair Restoration

Mark: Looking back, marching forward

Raising a little toddler is a special experience. It’s amazing how a little girl can manipulate her dad so early on. When I brush my daughter’s hair she allows me by standing still provided that she gets to brush my hair afterwards. It’s nice that I actually have hair for her to brush. Looking at photos over a year ago (attached) one can clearly see that I was thinning significantly. I don’t think a brush would have been effective on my balding scalp! This procedure has really enabled me to get fullness back that I’ve been lacking for years. In fact, my scalp used to get burnt when I would run outside. Now it’s noticeably better as there is considerably more coverage.


I’ll visit my surgeon in the next month or two for a final evaluation. He indicated that by middle August – a full year after my procedure the results would be visible and optimized. I’d have to agree that things look much better. Is it a full head of hair? No. But in my initial consultation I was told what was realistic (based upon the balding area and the available donor sites). Like everything results may vary. My attitude in life is that something is better than nothing and I’m very pleased to have visibly more hair in front.  It makes me feel better about myself. I feel younger (especially when I’m with other Dads 15 years younger) and I suppose my outlook is brighter.

If there is added density as the hair shafts widen it will only make the end result better so I’ll view that as the gravy : )

- Mark

Turning back the clock 7 years

As I’m less than a month from my surgery anniversary I’m feeling so good about things. Kathy, the woman who cuts my hair, is so inspired by my hair. She has cut my hair for 7 years and it’s encouraging to hear her say that my scalp looks the fullest it has ever appeared since she has known me.

She says I look younger. Amazing how much older one looks when hair starts to recede. I’m glad that my hair looks so much fuller up front.

A funny note – during the Summer I’ve worn a hat more regularly and it’s funny because I now have hat hair! I’ve never had hat hair, but now I do because I have a whole lot more of it. My daughter thinks it’s funny when I take my hat off, and I happily remove my hat for her enjoyment. Hey, it means I have a lot more hair!

I’ll plan to visit my surgeon in late August for a final meeting.

- Mark B.

Mark - former balding guy

I was at the gym the other day. There’s this big mirror by the weights.  When I would catch a glimpse of myself in the past I always saw a nice looking yet balding guy. This time it was interesting to see my reflection and NOT see balding. True, my scalp isn’t entirely full, but it’s so much better than before…to the extent that even I don’t think of balding upon seeing myself. That’s an amazing transformation. I also like the notion that it’s MY hair. This is permanent and requires no maintenance. I’m excited to see the continued growth and thickening over the next months. 

Mark has a "WOW" moment at his 8-month Bosley consultation

Today marked almost 8 months since my procedure.  I went to my surgeon for my post operative consultation today. You have to understand that the results are so gradual I’ve not had the amazing WOW experience. However, I had that WOW at the office when we examined the myriad of ‘before’ photos the staff took of me prior to the procedure. It’s striking how much more coverage I have in front.  I didn’t quite realize how much younger I look and how hair truly shapes the face.

I’ve always been confident in my looks – I’ve tried to accept nature’s course.  However, I feel more confident about my appearance now that I’ve started to see this transformation. What is even more exciting is that my doctor indicates I should expect to see further thickening of the hair shafts over the next 4 months. He also showed me new peach fuzz which will get longer, darker, and thicker and provide more density. 

So there’s still a lot to look forward to.  I commended my doctor on the experience. 

Mark Starts to See Progress

As of early April I've started to hear from my parents, brothers, and my wife that it's clear I have a lot more hair.  When I look at before photos I can certainly see new density in front.  Because I'm tall people see the front and aren't studying the 'aerial shot' of my head where I still see scalp.

But I can see the progress.  Because it's so gradual I've not had any WOW before and after experience.  But I'm very appreciative of the new growth.

Two weeks ago I did have an annoying in grown hair which I know is normal.

I look forward to seeing my surgeon later this month for his assessment.

I've been told that the new hair shafts will thicken over time which causes greater density and coverage.

I welcome whatever density is on the horizon!

Take a look at my before and after shot- 6 months of progress!

Mark- Fully Healed and Excited for Spring!

Since my last blog entry I’m pleased to report there have been no in-grown hairs and zero scalp sensitivity. On damp days the body can show signs of aches & pains even from previous injuries. But no pains from this procedure! 

I’d have to say at this point that my head feels as though no surgical procedure ever occurred. And this is all good of course. I was skyping with my parents the other day and my father said how much fuller my hair looked. I asked my wife her thoughts. She said it looks a tiny bit better. I see some added fullness but certainly see my white scalp (which is white because it’s cold in the Midwest and I’ve not been able to enjoy sunshine and some added color that no doubt tans the scalp a bit). Can’t wait for the Spring and not needing a wool hat! 

I can't say that I notice any remarkable changes at this point but still recall the surgeon advising me to be patient for 8-9 months following the procedure. I view this as opening a CD at the bank. One has to wait some time before any ‘return’ is rendered. So I wait patiently with realistic expectations.

-Mark

Compliments Roll in For Mark

Something must be happening. I’ve had 2 people I know come up to me and comment that my hair looks so much fuller than before. Nice to hear of course. I don’t see it, but then again the process is very gradual. Perhaps, seeing myself each day I’m missing the impact of the growth. Based upon my surgeon’s counsel, I expect to start seeing noticeable growth in the Spring. I’ll take the compliment though. I haven’t heard anything like that before.
 
Everything related to my procedure is a distant memory. I did recently develop a large in-grown hair on the top of my head. I was told this would happen. It felt like the size of a pecan. I could feel it with my finger but asked my wife if she could see it…and it wasn’t really visible. So I applied some warm compresses, endured a bit of discomfort and it subdued in about a week.
 
Sometimes I think back about surgery day. And as I’ve blogged I did experience some discomfort following the procedure which at the time caused me to reflect upon whether the right decision had been made. But now it all seems worthwhile. I’ve completely recovered, no numbness anymore, scars are nonexistent, and I must be in or nearly on the verge of growth mode.

-Mark

Mark- Looking Forward to the Spring

My Mother-in-law recently asked me if I’m happy with the results. She said my hair looked great. I explained to her that the results won’t be visible until the Spring. Perhaps, some of the new graphs are still intact and appear to make my scalp look fuller. It doesn’t look very full to me right now, nor should it until April or May. I’m looking forward to the Spring when the new hairs start to come in, which will leave me with a considerably fuller look.

Any discomfort I experienced is long gone - with the exception of backing my head into a rafter when taking Christmas lights from the attic and hitting the donor area. Still a bit sensitive I suppose. I haven’t had an ingrown hair in 2 weeks which is nice. It’s almost as if I never had the procedure as I don’t feel or see any remnants from the procedure. As 2009 ends I’m excited to see how my hairline will change in 2010.

-Mark

Mark Starts the Waiting Game

November 24, 2009

For those in my immediate family who I’ve shared the details of my procedure with, I’m amazed how many have said, “Oh your hair is looking so much fuller.” I’m incredulous because my surgeon said there wouldn’t be any visible growth until 8 months or so.

So either this is wishful thinking on their part, support & encouragement, or perhaps they do see some of the remaining graphs from the procedure which eventually fall out and are replaced with new self-starting graphs.

The numbness is nearly gone. I notice it just a tad when I go to sleep and the back of my head rubs against my pillow. There is still a tiny bit of sensitivity along the suture line, but it’s not bothersome. I’ve had 3 in-grown hairs which appear as little lumps. I’ve applied hot water compresses and they seem to vanish quickly.  My surgeon advised this could happen.

Otherwise, the process continues as I await the Spring.

- Mark

Mark's Bosley Progress

November 5, 2009

With each week that passes my head is feeling more normal. Virtually all of the scabs are gone. There’s still a tinge of sensitivity along the donor suture line, but it’s not painful. After the procedure I did notice my scalp looked fuller. Why? Because of the small graphs that had been transplanted and perhaps the dark scabs. As my surgeon advised, these micrographs would slowly but surely fall out, then followed months later by new hair shafts 6-8 months later.  And that’s exactly what has happened. I felt my hair looked fuller for a little while. Now it looks similar to where it was BEFORE I had my procedure. Going through this procedure it’s very important to listen to the surgeon. That way you truly understand what to expect and there’s no disappointment.

The only thing I’ve noticed have been some small bumps on the top of my head. My Doctor had told me there could be some in-grown hairs which could present themselves in the form of a bump. I was told not to do anything except warm compresses and that they’d eventually go away. This has been my experience.

I suppose the hard part now is waiting for the new growth.  I recognize there may be nothing to see for another 3-4 months at least. But it will be a thrill to see the return on my investment in 2010.

-Mark