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. 

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

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!    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. 

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