The newest episode of the “Follicular Follies of Balding Bob and Fleckie the Follicle” is now available for viewing at our hair restoration network.
The Follicular Follies of Balding Bob and Fleckie the Follicle is a hilarious cartoon series that follows “Balding Bob” and his one remaining hair follicle “Fleckie” as they transverse the world of hair loss, baldness, and hair restoration.
In the newest episode, Balding Bob finds himself at a “disco,” ready to confidently display his new “Bio-Fusion Matrix” hair replacement system for the lovely ladies, but unfortunately for Bob, this doesn’t quite goes as planned.
Will Balding Bob’s new Bio-Fusion Matrix hair replacement system impress “thick hair loving” patrons, or will he crash and burn and depend, once again, on Fleckie the Follicle to be the voice of reason?
While you’re there, feel free to catch up on misadventures of Balding Bob and Fleckie by also watching Episode 1 and Episode 2.
We’ve also added each episode on YouTube with a comical musical interlude. To watch these hilarious episodes to music, visit http://www.youtube.com/baldingbobhtn. You can also view Episode 3 by clicking below.
Why does hair shedding sometimes occur after hair transplant surgery?
The hair loss that people experience 10-20 days after hair restoration surgery is not a telogen shed. It is more of an anagen arrest and shedding of hair as a direct result of the inflammation/trauma caused by the creation of hair transplant recipient sites. While we currently try to minimize this by making sites that are 6-9 mm in size coupled with oral prednisone, shedding can still occur.
My father, Dr. Bobby Limmer, has seen some promising results (diminishing this shed) by using very dilute kenalog (cortisone) within the anesthesia we inject into the recipient zone to numb the area. While promising, we have not fully changed over our solution at this time.
Recently, several entities began re-evaluating the theoretical long term sexual “side effects” associated with Propecia (finasteride) for hair loss. Because Propecia is traditionally a safe, proven hair restoration medication, some hair loss experts are looking for ways to reap the benefits of finasteride, while avoiding some of the hypothetical unwanted effects.
One of those individuals is Spex, a consultant to Coalition hair transplant surgeons Dr. Alan Feller and Dr. William Lindsey and senior member at our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, who recently proposed a “transition theory” for gradually adapting the body to finasteride and, in doing so, avoiding some of the potential side effects. According to Spex:
Propecia (Finasteride) “Transition” Theory
Disclaimer : I am not a Doctor. This is only my opinion based on experience:
However, here is a potential tip to help avoid initial side effects from taking Propecia/finasteride. I’ve suggested this to several hair loss sufferers and it seems to have really helped them.
I made this “transition” suggestion to several gentlemen who originally experienced side effects and decided to stop the drug. They started up again on their own accord and used this simple idea and it worked, with no unwanted side effects experienced.
(Note: Side effects can occur initially anyway due to the body getting used to the new drug you are introducing to the system and these often calm down naturally over time.)
Dr. Michael Meshkin of the Cosmetic Hair Replacement Surgery Institute of Newport Beach, California (CA) discusses his approach to working with a new hair transplant patient.
Although hair transplantation is not an exact science (in fact, most physicians state that medicine, in general, is as much an art as a science), when it comes to hair transplant surgery many patients desire an accurate, objective outline of the procedure.
One of the areas hair restoration patients desire precise data is in graft count verification. Specifically, patients desire a way to verify that they receive (roughly) the number of follicular unit grafts estimated during the hair transplant consultation and paid for during the time of the operation.
However, in various cases, hair transplant procedures can range from 3,000 – 5,000 grafts, and it’s difficult to keep track of each follicular unit as it’s harvested, prepared, and implanted. So, how are hair loss patients supposed to “keep track” of the number of implanted grafts, and ensure that they receive the correct, quoted number of follicular units?
In a recent thread on our Hair Loss Discussion Forums, a group of patients asked themselves the exact same question and came to some innovative and creative conclusions.
Several patients stated that a final count was provided at the end of the procedure, and since they visited a trusted hair transplant surgeon, they safely assumed the graft count was accurate. Another member explained how he used a “clicker” to keep track of the incisions made in the scalp; a different member used a similar method, but simply counted the number of incisions instead of keeping track with a clicker device.
One week ago, I underwent hair transplant surgery and was told the scabs from the implanted follicular unit grafts would start falling off after 2-3 weeks. However, it’s only been a week since the procedure, and I’m already starting to see scabs with small, fine hairs inside fall out. I’m worried that I’m losing grafts because it’s only been a little over a week and it seems like I’m losing scabs too early and that implanted grafts are following with them?
Shedding of scabs that have little hairs in them at 1-1.5 weeks is normal. It is very unlikely that what you’re seeing are actual hair follicles.
In most cases, if a graft is dislodged in the immediate post operative period there would be bleeding from the site.
Hang in there, the new hairs will start growing in 3-5 months!
I have been balding for 10 years and most of the hair loss has been in the crown. I just recently started losing a bit of my hairline, getting tiny widows peaks. I have longer hair and use concealers but dislike the stress of hiding my hair loss. If surgery on the crown isn’t a good idea, I’m not sure I would even bother. I’m in my mid 30′s. So is coverage of the crown just not done?
The answer to your question about hair transplants in the crown does not have one answer for all men in their mid-30′s. There are some men with only moderate donor stores and an already fairly wide crown/vertex which you know is going to enlarge more over the next 20 years. In these cases it is probably a better idea to stay out of that area and concentrate on filling in the top because there is enough donor hair to do a good job. Such an approach frames the face and, from most angles, looks to people like a “full head of hair.”
Then there are other men who have very ample donor hair height and the back of the vertex is way up high, almost at the transition between the horizontal and the vertical. For a man of 35 the whole thing is a “slam dunk.” Thirty-five is a whole lot better for making this decision than 25. I would never commit to going down the back hill with grafts in a 25 year old,
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former hair loss sufferers and not medical
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rely solely on any such information or advice.
The Follicular Follies of Balding Bob and Fleckie the Follicle is a hilarious cartoon series that follows “Balding Bob” and his one remaining hair follicle “Fleckie” as they transverse the world of hair loss, baldness, and hair restoration.
