Description of my first proceedure with Dr Rogers of Rogers Medical in Stratford. Bit of a long post but might be helpful?:
Well I travelled down the 5 hour journey to Stratford on Thursday and was ready for my Friday 9.30am appointment with Dr Rogers. My procedure was a 2000 graft strip surgery.
I took his advice and had a good breakfast prior to arrival which settled my nerves. I was offered a cup of tea/coffee on entrance and completed the disclaimer confirming I understood the methodology of the procedure. Dr R then sat with me in his consultation room to answer any concerns I might have. As previously mentioned Dr R only sees one patient a day so that he gives his full attention to that individual.
I was nervous however I found both Dr R and his team very friendly and certainly put me at ease. I explained to him one of my key concerns was that the end result would look natural. He showed me where he would place the hairline, in my case there was still sufficient hairs in place to give the outline of the hairline which he used as guidance. He recommended the placing of the hairline just in front of the existing line which I was happy with. I had also asked for reassurance that grafts would be placed in the direction of my existing hair. Dr R reassued me that would be carried out. I also asked what graft potential I had and Dr R reckoned in my case if need be, potentially 7000 grafts at outset.
After my initial chat with Dr R one of his team led me to my private waiting area where my blood pressure was checked. Dr R then took photos of my existing hairline from all angles to compare with the post op photos six months from now.
My main concern was the idea of the strip surgery. As I was sat in the chair Dr R put me totally at ease as he carried out the procedure. The only sensation I felt was the local anasthetic needles being applied at outset. I don't think I could have stomached actually seeing the strip procedure but I will say it was pain free.
After removal of the strip Dr R then proceeded with the closure and I could feel a tightening of my skin at that point but nothing severe.
After that initial phase I then was given half an hour for lunch back in the private waiting area. Some sandwiches had been provided. In the room there was a book filled with various hand written comments from previous patients. There's some unusual but interesting comments in the book such as one patient who tied his hands before he went to bed so he wouldn't scratch his head!
Overall the comments reflected the experience I had. It's a relaxed atmosphere with a very professional but also friendly approach.
I then returned for the graft procedure and Dr R applied the local anathetic once more which was the only sensation I felt before he started on the micro incisions. As described by someone else I just heard those little "snick" noises as each pin prick insertion was made, there was no pain. I believe normally one application of the anasthetic is required but an hour later I felt some sensations as grafts were applied - Dr R then immediately applied more anasthetic.
Throughout the whole procedure I was checked to see I was ok.
Following Dr R completing the first set of micrograft incisions his staff then started placing the grafts. Dr R keeping an eye on progress. This whole second phase took about 4.5 to 5 hours to make the incisions and place place the grafts.
I was then led back to the waiting area, given a cup of tea and biscuits to raise my blood sugar level and instructions to follow. One of which was to keep the graft area moist on the day following surgery. I believe this may help the healing process but it certainly removed any itchy sensation so it's been great for that reason alone.
Perhaps the only thing I would have liked to have known is that it was necessary to trim the hair a bit to allow for grafts to be placed, it may well have been mentioned but I possibly missed that. As you'd expect I'm a bit sensitive of looking a little balder on top initially. I realised it would be tough to place grafts without a little trimming from the diffuse nature of my balding.
I guess I'm a bit concerned I'm going to look a little more obviously thin on top when I return to the office which may well attract comment as people "pull my leg". Still I'm happy to accept this on the basis of the gradual improvement.
I was helped place on a baseball cap before departure to conceal and protect the surgery and given swabs and paracetamol as well as the water spray and instructions to follow.
It took me about almost 6 hours, an extra hour on top to get home because I left about the rush hour, my travelling distance being about 329 miles back up to Glasgow. The good thing is that it's all motorway fortunately.
I preferred getting back home rather than staying at a hotel for the evening I thought this would minimise any potential damage to my grafts.
The last 100 miles were the toughest, the journey back seemed twice as long as the journey down.
This is now Day 3 (Day 1 being the procedure itself) and tommorow I will take my first shower allowing water to gently run through the grafts. I'm planning going back to the office on Friday but it depends on how I look by then. If there's no signs of the surgery then I will go back otherwise I'll leave it to the following Monday.
I haven't told anyone I know about my decision to go through the procedure. My reason being they would only worry not understanding the process and try and talk me out of it. I think thats what I would have done a year ago knowing nothing of hair transplant procedures.
So I'm living like a hermit for the next week, I'm stocked up with food so it feels like I'm in my bunker at the moment.
As I'm single at present it's been easy to hide away and my work colleagues seem to accept I'm being dedicated to completing annual exams at home.
So far then I'm pleased with my surgery with Dr R but clearly it's early days and Dr R explained to me the full results would not be evident for around 12 months.
So I'll see how the results show at the end of the year and see if I should take any further action. Certainly my next meeting will be to see Dr R at about the 6 month point when I will have the next photos taken.
Finally just to say I've had no itching because the water spray seems to negate that and I'd slept very well. I've had no forehead swelling. My only concern at the moment is possible shock loss or thermal loss but I'm keeping my fingers crossed
I hope my description of the day may help in some ways anyone else thinking of taking surgery with Dr R.
