Journal Archive

September, 2004

Before The Hair Transplants

September 19, 2004

The nerves certainly started to kick in during my 2 hour drive to Luton but to be honest the thought of what I was doing had not kicked in fully.
Got on the flight OK and the journey was pretty uneventful.

Was met by the clinic's driver at the airport and taken to my apartment.
I had a quick shower the went out to the local restaurant for a light meal.

Take this time to try and relax, not think about the procedure and one word of advice, do not drink alcohol!!

Back at the apartment, I must have had only a couple of hours sleep - the most worrying thing going through my head was that I wish that I had grown my hair a little before the procedure. It was advised I do so but I ignored the advice and now realise it's going to be very visible I've had something done (the donor strip will be very visible for a few weeks) due to my hair being so short.

Day Of Procedure

September 20, 2004

Now, I'm not normally a nervous person but I cannot begin to tell you about the apprehension I woke up with on the morning.

A driver arrived to pick me up and after a light breakfast we were in the car on the way to the surgery.

The clinic was very welcoming and the surgeon and colleagues were very warm and friendly.
I had a brief chat with the surgeon who drew on my new hairline and asked me some standard questions regarding health and wellbeing.
I was obviously very nervous so he gave me a vallium which kicked in surprisingly fast.

Into the gown and onto the bed face down...
I've been asked a few times "what was it like'"
Well the short of it is I've never experienced anything quite like it.
The only pain (of sorts) happens now with the local anesthetic injections - a short sharp scratch just about sums it up.
The surgeon then begins to cut around the donor area and then removes the flap for dissection. What a weird sensation! No pain, just very strange - I have to say that I chuckled during this bit as I couldn't get the thought of the final scene of "Hannibal" out of my head!
Stitched up and onto my back.

The surgeon then puts more anesthetic in the front of my head - a little bit uncomfortable but very short lived. Onto puncturing the holes ready for the grafts and after he'd done the front, break time for a cup of tea and a 10 minute relaxation.

Be prepared for a long day - the next few hours are long and go slow. They have CNN on so the first 20 minutes pass quite fast. You'll probably sleep for an hour or so but for the rest of the time you'll need a good book.
I actually phoned my mother in the UK and chatted for a while whilst they were putting the hairs in!
So 6 hours pass and after many breaks I can't believe it's all over - no pain, no discomfort.

The surgeon explains the post op procedures and gives me my antibiotics and pain killers and also some special shampoo. He explains what to expect and then he and his colleagues say goodbye and wish me all the best.

Traveling back to the apartment, the driver took me on a whistle-stop tour of Athens to see the Parthenon, Zeus's columns and the old part of town - I didn't really take that much in as I was still in shock that everything went so smoothly.
I slept for an hour or so at the apartment and then went out for a bite to eat on the night...and listen to this...I wore no headgear and didn't feel self-conscious at all.

You can actually see where your new hairline is going to be and in the light of dusk, you look as if you have all your hair back....what a feeling!!

Very rough night's sleep unfortunately - I guess the stresses of the day and the unusual sensations on my head didn't help but I did manage to drop off around 4am and got at least 5 hours.

Day 1

September 21, 2004

I was pretty tired still in the morning but decided to get myself up and about and took a 20 minute walk into the town to pick up my medication from the pharmacy.

I'd advise you to do the same if you can - you can get a year's supply of Proscar plus any other medications you are on for a fraction of the cost in the UK. I also picked up some Fucicort cream in case any little spots appear during my healing.

Back to the apartment (after a little retail therapy of course) and off to the beach for some lunch.
This day I like to call the Klingon day as you can see from the photo's, my forehead is so swollen and ridged. Definitely time to wear the hat!

Just time to pack and then the driver whisks me away to the airport.
Athens airport is great - if you don't have time to pick up medication in the afternoon, the pharmacy is well stocked here.

An easy flight (excuse the pun) and an easy drive home - got back in just past midnight with (as a good friend pointed out) a very swollen head...not for the faint hearted.

They say no sex for 2 days after the Op but come on, I'd been away for 2 nights!!!

Another very bad night's sleep that night as I had insatiable itching around my stitches and a few stabbing pains in the same region - the anesthetic was wearing off. The pain killers kicked in eventually and I fell asleep around 5am.

Day 2

September 22, 2004

Woke up briefly for a drink and went back to bed until around 2pm.
Most of the swelling had disappeared from my forehead and traveled south into my eye sockets - talk about looking like I'd gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!
The swelling had also gone Purple so an early return to work was really out of the question.

Washed my hair for the first time since my Op - now there's a good feeling. Go gently but savour the experience.

Sorted my tablets out, what to take and when:

• 1/2 Proscar (Finasteride) every other day (3 times a week)


• 1 multivitamin in the morning (I use Centrum)


• 1 Vitamin E capsule (1000 UI)


• 1 antibiotic (normally penicillin based) 3 times a day

The swelling in my eyes was quite bad in the evening - I was lucky that a good friend was around to help me out with anything I needed.

Another rough night's sleep but certainly a marked improvement on the night before. Managed to fall asleep around 2am and woke up at 7am.

Day 3

September 23, 2004

Still very swollen around the eyes but the swelling is heading south onto my cheeks.

Used the Lasercomb for the first time today - it's so easy and quite relaxing. You simply hold the comb on areas of your head for around 5 seconds and move onto the next area - my whole head takes around 10-15mins. I only have to do this 3 times a week - how easy is that!

I took 2 Solpadol around an hour before bedtime and had a great night's sleep - slept like a log and woke up feeling pretty refreshed.

Day 4

September 24, 2004

My first day out of the house!

My eyes are have a very slight yellow bruising and any swelling has moved into my cheeks - I now look like a hamster!

Spend the day with my mother doing some retail therapy wearing a hat and dark glasses - it did look a bit strange as the shopping centre was all indoors.

Feel pretty comfortable and the mini scabs are starting to fall off from my scalp.
Bought some Witch Hazel today for later tonight which will speed the recovery process up - only 3 days until I go back to work so it's a bit of a race against the clock.

Another good night's sleep although still taking a couple of Solpodol to stop the discomfort around my stitches - it just feels very tight and slightly irritating.

Day 5

September 25, 2004

Certainly on the up now - a good friend said I was getting back to normal!

Used the Lasercomb for the second time to speed up the healing process and start the preventative treatment of the existing hair.

Starting to get a little bit rougher when I wash my hair now as advised to try and remove the dead skin cells - some of the scabs are falling away as well which is actually disappointing as you can see my bare scalp underneath, hey ho, in 3 months time, that will be replaced with hair.

Feel OK in myself although a little bit irritable as I want to be back to normal - it's a good friend's birthday tomorrow and all the plans of going out tonight (being Saturday night) have been put on hold.

Got tired quite quickly during the night and had a very rough night's sleep - probably unrelated to the surgery but unsure.

Day 6

September 26, 2004

A very quiet and subdued day - felt quite unwell to be honest but probably down to having a couple of pints last night mixed with my antibiotics - bad news!

Tiny little scabs are now falling from my head - around the size of pin heads. For the first time really, you can start to see my scalp through the hairs and scabs. Kind of wish the scabs would stay as it looks from a distance that I have a full head of hair. Hey ho, all part of the healing process.

Slept like a log and have not taken Solpadol for 2 days now so the pain really must have gone completely.

Very nervous about work in the morning and hope no one notices anything.

Day 7

September 27, 2004

Well all the swelling has gone and only a tiny bit of bruising left.

Work didn't seem to notice too much although said I looked tired. It's a bit weird wearing a cap at work but I've explained to everyone that it's because of an op I've had and having to keep my stitches covered up. Not a lie but not exactly the truth.

Came back lunchtime to use the Lasercomb and check on the progress.
Scabs still falling out - quite rapidly now that I am being much rougher with the hair washing.

Day 8

September 28, 2004

Had a fantastic "scrub" in the shower this morning to get rid of more dead skin.

Stitches coming out in 2 days so all is on the move. I'm really surprised I have hair on my scalp although I know it will fall out eventually for the new hair to replace it. Quite nice to see though!

My first scab with hair on it fell out today....What a shock that was. I know it's completely natural and expected but what a surprise it was to me!

Went out on the night and almost took my hat off (almost) but just not ready quite yet. Finished the antibiotics now - not sure if it could be those that are making me have a rough nights sleep but we'll see tomorrow night.

Day 9

September 29, 2004

After a pretty groggy night's sleep, hat goes on and off to work I go. Looking forward to getting back to normal.

Phoned my local doctor's to see if they could get me in to get my stitches removed - today at 10.30!!!

The doctor's surgery was hilarious - the nurse called the doctor and other nurses in to have a look at my implants as they've never seen it before. I felt a real star and the confidence boost was incredible when they all said it looked great. Stitches were fine coming out although there were 24. Each individual one needs cutting as a mattress stitch is used - be sure to tell the nurse this as it'll avoid confusion and any unnecessary pain.

Hat's back on and I really think it might be off for good in the morning. We'll see :)

Day 10

September 30, 2004

The grand unveiling!

At work and no hat - some people have commented and says it looks really good but most people have just ignored the fact that I have hair. To be honest, most people probably knew so it's no big surprise!

I know all the hair will fall out but I really think this is the start of the new me!

All the scabs have now gone yet I have a few appearing where my stitches were removed.

Still using the Iodine shampoo but going to change to a baby shampoo and conditioner over the weekend as my hair looks very dull and yucky.

Feel OK in myself and really looking forward to a few months down the line.

Journal Archive Menu