Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've had three surgeries in my life, all transition related.  So, yes, I did volunteer.  And I have since avoided any further such "volunteering".

But when I had FFS a small patch of hair went into shock and didn't grow back.  I can hide it pretty easily but I know it's there.  So, while I'm waiting for the next job (employment) I figured I'd call the doc and see if he could take care of it.  (He's also a highly rated hair transplant doctor.)  There's no charge so it hasn't been money, I just didn't want to "volunteer" again.

I emailed him yesterday and he got right back and told me to make a consult appointment so he could determine how long and then we'd set up an appointment to have the work done.  No problem.  I was okay because I still had some time to mentally prepare.

I called today and set up an appointment for the consultation.  So I was okay but still a bit nervous.

Five minutes later I get a call back.  "I talked to Dr. Konior and he said why not just come in Monday morning and we'll do it then."

Me: Okay.  (thinking it was just for the consult)

"It will be the same as before.  Just show up at 6:30AM and we'll do everything then."

Me: You mean do all the work Monday?  :icon_yikes:  (Julie instantly goes into panic mode)

"Yeah, he can do the consult first then go right into doing the work."

:icon_nervious:  Acting calm I said, "Ok, sure.  I'll be there first thing Monday morning."  :eusa_pray:

Now my heart's pounding and my head is spinning.  I know it's "just" hair transplants but....  Oh, I don't know...  I'm just freaking out! 

Julie  O0  :icon_evil_laugh:

But ... But ... But, isn't that what you wanted, was to have the problem taken care of?  And it is free? 

I can understand the panic mode, but you were looking to have it taken care of.   Just try to relax, Sis.  Enjoy the weekend, panic Sunday night.


Janet

Do Pat and I need to come over and help Julie provide some post op support?  We're veterans at this with you...

Actually that is a serious question. 

-Sandy

Congratulation on the appointment.

but what does "volunteering" mean and how is related with being free?

Quote from: yabby on October 30, 2009, 03:36:20 PM
but what does "volunteering" mean and how is related with being free?

In her case it means that having this procedure (and all the others she had) was voluntary and not associated with illness or injury.

(Sorry if I spoke out of turn, Julie)

-Sandy

Quote from: Sandy on October 30, 2009, 02:41:43 PM
Do Pat and I need to come over and help Julie provide some post op support?  We're veterans at this with you...

Actually that is a serious question. 

-Sandy

Don't worry Sandy, I'll take good care of nervous Nelly. This time, we're not planning on packing my office up and flying out to Montreal in a week!

This go around, she'll probably request a couple of stiff gin and tonics in place
of the Vicodin!  :icon_drunk:

She better be careful, though, I might want to steal a few of those hair grafts for myself and my problem areas!  :icon_suspicious:

Julie will be fine, she'll be our hair apparent :laugh:

ps. It's free because this same doctor did Julie's FFS, and the hair loss was potentially tied to the procedure that he did for her. Nice to see him handle this without any hassles or pleading.

HE HE, I was going to mention something about wild hairs.  Julie you are getting so High maintenance LOL,   Don't worry Hon,  It will be a walk in the park after everything else.

Beni

Take good care of our girl, Julie!  Like I have to say anything!

Pat and I wish her the best, and hope she has a quick recovery!

-Sandy

Don't, Worry Sandy. Julie will use her head on Monday!  :D

You two are having a little too much fun with this!  :icon_poke:

We are all giggling at your wigging out about a little trip to the hair dressers.

Sorry, hon.  I could not resist.  ;) :) :D ;D


Janet

Quote from: Janet Lynn on November 01, 2009, 10:15:19 AM
We are all giggling at your wigging out about a little trip to the hair dressers.

Sorry, hon.  I could not resist.  ;) :) :D ;D


Janet

I can't top that one!!!

-Sandy

I hope it goes well for you tomorrow and is quick, effective and painless...and I envy the potential vicodins, yummy!

Well I hope it's a hair raising good time......Ok Ok I am soo done.  Relax Julie  Have fun.

Beni

Really best wishes, Julie.  We look forward to your return, in top form. :icon_redface: Sorry.  Could not resist.  It was just off the top of my head. ^{Damn, did I type that in my outside voice.}

:icon_hug: :icon_bunch:


Janet

Hi Julie!
I was just combing through all the comments here.  Saturday Night Live doesn't have anything on these girls!  Hope all goes well today... :icon_hug:

Well, at least we're not saying:

"All's well that ends well"!

Or:

"It'll all turn out right in the end."

Or the WC Fields line:

"The time has come to grab the bull by the tail and face the situation!"

I could go on, but I think I bottomed out.  ;D :D

-Sandy(This is really the end)

Well, I'm back.  The surgery is over but it looks grim.  I probably have only a few days to live.  The doctor said it was terminal.  My funeral is already scheduled.  I'm barely able to type.  I'll have Juliekins fill everyone in on the funeral arrangements.  We knew this was a risky operation.  :P

Really, it was a breeze.  I think he did about 500 grafts.  I was given some Valium during the short consultation.  It kicked in during the procedure and I fell asleep.  I was probably out for an hour.

The first step was taking the donor hair.  I put my head face down on the donut.  They numbed my scalp first using a vibrator to mask the needle pain.  When he started taking the donor section I had no sensation at all, no idea what he was doing.

They told me to flip over so I guessed it was all stitched up back there.  Then they took some pics and covered my eyes.  And the work began.  I didn't even know I dozed off until I woke up.  I immediately hoped I didn't move around too much.  It was probably less than an hour from there until they were done.  The only sensation I felt was itching once in a while.  The worst part was my head was turned to one side the whole time and my neck started to stiffen up.

If anyone is interested I'll post pics and the information about pre and post op care.  At this stage I'd say anyone considering hair grafts should not be afraid of the surgery part of it.  And this comes from a big baby.  Going to the dentist for a cavity is worse.

Thanks for caring.   :icon_bunch:

Julie

I am glad you are not feeling bad or in pain.  You have more guts than I.  And you are so good about the ribbing.  And yes we want to see pics.

Ok Everyone, let start the chant.  Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics


Janet

Yeah, pictures!!!

I'm glad everything went OK, Julie.

And really, hon, with everything you've been through, I would never call you a wimp!

-Sandy(no joking this time!)

The top pic was taken right before I left

The middle  is what the donor site looks like

The bottom was taken about an hour after the procedure

The incision line shown was from FFS done on 6-11-08.  The hair shock, in my opinion, was probably due to the stress of what was happening at work (losing my job) and some other things.  My doctor had never seen this before but he took care of it w/o charge.

Julie

BTW, my avatar pic was taken on Halloween of '08.  The hair loss then was worse than what it was when I went in this morning.  Since I could hide it so well, procrastinating was easy.  :eusa_doh:

Let me report to everyone that Julie Marie was very brave today. I only had to block the door to the consult room twice!  :laugh:

Just kidding, she was a trooper and came through things just fine. I didn't quite believe her analogy that going for a cavity filling is worse, though!   ;D I think it's more akin to oral surgery.

She's going to actually look even more stunning when this is over than even now. I know, hard to believe! I'll just have to remember to cuddle only one side of her head for a couple of weeks!

ps. she tried to convince me that she needed to go in for halo repairs!

Congrats Julie for taking the bull by the horns as it were.  Gee you had to mention the dentist.  I for one have been procrastinating on that myself.  Love dentists.....Not.

Beni

24 (almost) hour report...

Sleep was poor.  Since I couldn't lie on my back or my left side, I had to sleep on my right side all night and worry I might turn over and disturb the graft area.  My left shoulder is now four inches into my neck.  :D

Any pain comes from the donor area.  It's like someone pushing a comb into your head.  Eventually it begins to annoy then hurt.

There's no sign of swelling or scabbing in the graft area.  There's no unusual sensations at all there, not even itching.

As far as the donor site, it's bugging me.  I'm dying to wash my hair and then I'll reapply some polysporin.  Maybe that will calm it down.

The biggest problem I had yesterday was keeping my hands, and everything else, away from the graft site.  Since I had no reminder (like itching or throbbing) there I would go to run my fingers through my hair or lean my head into my hand and as soon as I felt the stubble I'd quickly stop.  And now, I'm dying to wash my hair but I'm worried I'll mess something up.  The doctor said it takes a good four days for the grafts to take hold.  Until then I can run water over it gently.

At this point I will say it's a very good chance I'll go back to create a female hairline once I have the money.  I never thought I'd say that.  I'm now seeing hair grafting an important part of FFS and completing the female face.

Julie

Congrats J -

We all knoew you could do it! - but the elective 4th surgery???

Hugs  - S

So glad to hear things went well, Julie! I'm jealous though. At least you'll have your own hair. Not enugh left of mine to even donate.


Dawn

Day 2:  The donor site continues to be the only area that creates any discomfort.  It's mostly itching but last night there was some pain.  The graft area has been no problem at all except for the fact I have to be very careful not to disturb it.  Sleeping in my side ain't no fun either.

Julie

Day 2 Photos

I'm glad it went well Julie.  Hopefully a good nights sleep isn't too far off.  More of that?  You are tough!

Thanks, Katherine.  But this is really nothing.  I thought it would be a lot worse based on what I've read.  Compared to some of the other stuff we go through, this is a cakewalk.

I saw the doctor yesterday.  He said it looks like every graft has taken.  He verified my belief that the hair is growing.  And he said when he was doing the implants the tissue was healthy so I should have very good results.

I took my first "unprotected" shower yesterday, no shower cap.  The doctor told me there was little concern about direct water flow harming the grafts at this point.  He said I can gently shampoo the area too.  As soon as there is no sign of scabbing (right now I can't even see it but he could under magnification) it means the grafts have taken hold completely and the scalp has healed.

Unless requested, I won't be posting anymore pics until there's really noticeable change.

Julie

YEAH! Another surgery, I can't keep up with your surgeries anymore Julie :) Just kidding! I'm glad you got this done because you could tell you had a thing about it. Even though you can cover it up, it still sits there bothering you. Congrats, smile :) Meghan