# Ask the guy who's had hair restoration surgery...twice **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 5, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313 "2012-07-05T14:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sandra\_Battye](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sandra_battye/32/552_2.png) [@Sandra\_Battye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sandra_Battye)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/21 "2012-07-05T18:28:07Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Tarwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@Tarwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarwater)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/22 "2012-07-05T18:32:30Z")
Did your perception of yourself improve? How long had you been unhappy with the state of your hair? Did you try any other hair-loss treatments before your surgery? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/23 "2012-07-05T18:45:14Z")
> [@Tarwater](#): > > Did your perception of yourself improve? I’ve always been quite a confident person, but yes, my self perception improved when my hair began to grow again. > [@Tarwater](#): > > How long had you been unhappy with the state of your hair? Since my late 20s, so for a little over 20 years. > [@Tarwater](#): > > Did you try any other hair-loss treatments before your surgery? Yes, I tried Propecia and Rogaine. I still use Propecia, although I can’t attest to either’s efficacy. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/24 "2012-07-05T20:49:47Z")
Another thing the doctor will tell you is that it takes 4 to 9 months before you begin to see any hair growth, depending on various factors. As stated upthread, I had my latest procedure in November. I began to notice new hair growth in late April. So you shouldn’t expect anything for months after the procedure. In fact, any noticeable hair connected to follicles in the implant sites after the procedure will initially fall out. It does grow back. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/25 "2012-07-05T21:03:47Z")
Is there a chance that you’ll go bald again (ie the transplanted hair quits growing)? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/26 "2012-07-05T22:09:16Z")
> [@Red\_Stilettos](#): > > Is there a chance that you’ll go bald again (ie the transplanted hair quits growing)? Nope. According to my doctor, my transplanted hair, which was taken from an area of my head that is typically not affected by hair loss, will continue to grow until I kick. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/27 "2012-07-05T22:19:03Z")
Did you consider non-surgical options? Or were you advised that surgery was the way to go? A slightly personal one: any regrets, either financial or otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/28 "2012-07-05T22:37:23Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > Did you consider non-surgical options? Or were you advised that surgery was the way to go? I considered Hair Club For Men, if you’ve ever heard of it. But the care, fittings, and the maintenance I would have had to go through turned me right off. I also would have been self conscious every time I left my house. And it wouldn’t have been my own, growing hair. > [@Dervorin](#): > > A slightly personal one: any regrets, either financial or otherwise? Please don’t hesitate to ask any relavent personal questions. The only regret I have is going back to Bosley for my second procedure. There are other hair restoration clinics that have a much better track record, better results, newer procedures, and technicians who are veritable artists, such as Sword Clinic in Torrence, California, to name just one. I don’t have any regrets about the cost. I wanted my hair back and was willing to pay whatever it cost to achieve that end. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/29 "2012-07-05T22:56:35Z")
I just thought of another benefit of the surgical procedure. Because it takes months for your hair to begin growing in, then another number of months until the new hair reaches its maximum rate of growth, the change in your appearance is so gradual that your work colleagues may not notice you’ve had anything done. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/30 "2012-07-05T23:28:34Z")
Mods: It’s a little thing, I know, but it’s bothering me. Can you please fix the typo in my thread title. Thanks a bunch. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/31 "2012-07-06T00:11:21Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Mods: It’s a little thing, I know, but it’s bothering me. Can you please fix the typo in my thread title. Thanks a bunch. Use the “report this post” button to make these requests – we don’t read every post in every forum. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/32 "2012-07-06T00:30:11Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Use the “report this post” button to make these requests – we don’t read every post in every forum. Thanks, **twicksie**. I learn something new every day. Reported as advised. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/33 "2012-07-06T23:14:00Z")
Do you notice if your donor sites seem thin or patchy, or does everything seem normal? ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/34 "2012-07-07T00:40:08Z")
Is it common for a second procedure to be required? A friend’s son has just had a transplant - he’s 29 and I wondered (but didn’t ask, of course) if it was going to last the distance for him. It cost him $AU18,000 and I don’t think it’s crossed his mind he may need to fork out this sum again. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/35 "2012-07-07T00:48:33Z")
I know the price was worth it for you, but do you feel there was a huge mark up? Was the procedure complicated or inherently costly enough to warrant the price, or do you think they can charge whatever they want because the problem can seem desperate for many clients? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/36 "2012-07-07T03:38:46Z")
Mr. Vice President, shouldn’t you be presiding over the Senate, or campaigning, or something…? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/37 "2012-07-07T08:29:13Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > Is it common for a second procedure to be required? A friend’s son has just had a transplant - he’s 29 and I wondered (but didn’t ask, of course) if it was going to last the distance for him. It cost him $AU18,000 and I don’t think it’s crossed his mind he may need to fork out this sum again. From my discussions with a few transplant patients, yes, I believe it is quite common to have a second procedure. Of course this depends on the severity and speed of hair loss. Some may not need more than one but, for me, a second procedure was absolutely necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/38 "2012-07-07T08:48:25Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I know the price was worth it for you, but do you feel there was a huge mark up? Was the procedure complicated or inherently costly enough to warrant the price, or do you think they can charge whatever they want because the problem can seem desperate for many clients? It’s possible, I guess. Other hair restoration outfits do charge less than Bosley, and some report better results. Had I done better research prior to my second procedure, I more than likely would not have chosen Bosley again. As far as complication of the procedure itself, although my experience is limited to Bosley, I believe the process would generally be the same wherever one chooses to have it done. It seems pretty straightforward to me: Extract hair from donor site, sew up donor site, implant extracted hair at location of hair loss. I think the main differentiating factors between hair restoration facilities would be the experience, expertise, and artistry of the technicians they employ. Being under the knife for over eight hours was a bit much, but I don’t know if it would have taken less time had I gone somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/39 "2012-07-07T09:02:41Z")
> [@medstar](#): > > Do you notice if your donor sites seem thin or patchy, or does everything seem normal? Please correct me if I’ve misunderstood, but I believe you meant the implant sites, not the donor site. The hair at the implant sites is still growing in and remains a little thin, though less so than last month. As I mentioned upthread, I began to notice the new hair growth late April. When it first began, it was very fine and not at all the texture of my non-implant hair. Over the next month or so, the rate of growth began to increase very slightly, but noticeably. Currently, it seems to be growing at a slightly slower rate than in areas where I’ve had no hair loss. The doctor said this is normal and that my rate of growth will continue to increase until it ‘catches up’ with my other growth. As far as coverage, it seems to be quite uniform. There is no patchiness that I can detect. All that stated, my post-op review is scheduled for the 20th of this month, at which point I’ll have a proper assessment of the results of my procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313/40 "2012-07-07T09:12:39Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Mr. Vice President, shouldn’t you be presiding over the Senate, or campaigning, or something…? Umm… something… I guess. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-whos-had-hair-restoration-surgery-twice/627313.md?page=3)