Patient: Andrew, male, age 37 Background: Hair loss is hereditary in my family. My Grandfather was totally bald at an early age and many of the male members in my immediate family are either bald or have had a strong level of hair loss. The picture on the right is me before I started treatment with Dr Marzola several years ago.

Before

I initially took Propecia/Finasteride tablets to slow down my hair loss.  My male pattern baldness was in two areas: the front of my head which gave an appearance of a receding hair line (commonly referred to as a "widows peak") and in my crown region, where a large bald patch emerged. 

In April 2003 Dr Marzola performed a micrograft operation of 1,500 grafts which covered the front part of my head where the receding hairline was showing. I had no hair in this region apart from a small area in the centre.  The results were great. It took about 6-9 months before there was major hair regrowth. There is a 3 month "resting phase" after an operation which allows the new grafts to settle.  Family and friends all commented on how they could notice a big difference in my hair density. I was delighted.

Hairdressers who have cut my hair are surprised when I tell them I have had a surgical micrograft operation.  They have even asked for the details of Dr Marzola to refer other patients to him.

At present I am still taking Propecia tablets which is used to retain my own hair.  As I had focussed more on the front, my crown region now needed some attention. I felt it was an appropriate time to have a further 500 grafts to replace the bald patch.

Here is an outline of my experience of the process with Dr Marzola.

5 September, Tuesday: Pre-Operation (one day before operation)

Jackie (Dr Marzola's staff) sent me a letter a week before outlining what I should and should not do before the operation. 

Jackie phoned me to make sure I had adhered to the list of requests. She reminded me not to take any medication prior to the operation. I was also required to fast the morning of the operation.  I was asked to wear a loose shirt to avoid any potential of disturbing my grafts or causing aggravation.

7 September: Day of my Operation

The operation was to take place at 7.30am in the morning.  I was asked to arrive at the Clinic at 7.15am.  I was slightly nervous as any one would be for an operation just prior but Tania the nurse was very reassuring and made me feel relaxed.  As this was the second operation, I knew what to expect, and was calmed quite easily.

Tania asked me to change into a medical gown prior to the Operation.  Dr Marzola then came in and talked to me in a friendly manner once again reassuring me that everything will be OK.  I looked in a mirror to see where the grafts will be placed on my head. We discussed what was best for me.  We agreed that I would have a few grafts at the front of my receding hairline to make it more dense and at the top crown area of the head to give it a more natural look.   Dr Marzola took a few pictures to compare them to Post Operative pictures for future reference.

We then proceeded to have the operation.  I was given a local anaesthetic just prior to the operation . Dr Marzola started by preparing a small strip from the back of my scalp containing the permanent hairs that will be placed.  I did not feel any pain at all during this period.

After this Tania and Jemma the two nurses separated the hair follicles which were to be placed into the areas of my scalp as discussed earlier with Dr Marzola.  Everything was explained to me clearly whilst this was happening.  The hair grafts are placed into single, double and triple pieces of hair grafts prior to being micrografted.

Dr Marzola planting my grafts	The team preparing my grafts

During the procedure Dr Marzola and the nurses had a friendly conversation with me and we listened to a bit of music. After about an hour we had a short break and I had some breakfast and a coffee. I had no pain or discomfort at all.  After about 15 minutes I went back to the operating table and Dr Marzola continued.  Whilst placing the grafts there was minimal feeling in my scalp.  Dr Marzola asked me to tell him if I felt any sharp pain at any point. Through the whole operation there were only two small occasions where I felt anything and it was like a mosquito bite. I told Dr Marzola this and he adjusted the level of anaesthetic. 

A close-up of me immediately after the procedure.	My grafts from behind.

The operation finished at about 12.30pm and the time went by so quickly.  I can honestly say that after the operation I had no reason to worry.  The staff were friendly and professional at all times.

After the operation I was given some lunch (thanks to Jackie for the nice sandwiches).  Tania then explained the Post Operative instructions which included not to put anything on my scalp on the first night to let the grafts settle and heal.  A list of tablets were provided for pain relief, sleeping and anti-inflammation.  For the first two days post op I was advised to keep my head elevated on three pillows to prevent swelling.  I needed to be extra careful to protect my head from bumps and to reduce physical activity and avoid contact sports for three weeks.

I am ready to go home.

I was given a special phone number which I could use 24 hours/day if any problems occured. I didn't need to use it but it was good to know it was there.  I had organised a lift home as it is not advisable to drive home.

4.45pm: I felt a slight pain in the donor site region and took 2 tablets of Myrsyndol Forte for pain relief.

9.00pm: I took one tablet of Prednisolone which helps as an anti-inflammatory. I took this twice a day evening and morning with food.

9.30pm: I took another 2 tablets of Myrsyndol Forte to manage my comfort.

11.00pm: I went to bed and took my sleeping tablet.

1.00am next day: I had some more pain and discomfort so I took some standard Panadol. This managed the pain and helped me sleep.

8 September 05

9.00am: The swelling in the donor site decreased and I took the anti-inflammatory tablet as was requested in the instructions. 

5.30pm: I took it easy today and rested, watched a bit of TV and read books etc.  I followed the instructions and took the required pain relief when required.

9.00pm: I used the Nemdyn lotion which I rubbed gently onto my scabs and donor site. I needed to keep applying it until the next morning.  I used the lotion every night prior to going to bed.

9 September

8.30am:  I woke up after having a good night sleep. I had a shower and washed my hair gently using the special shampoo and conditioner provided by Dr Marzola. I also took the appropriate medication as supplied.

9.30am-12.30pm: I went to work for a few hours and started to feel back to normal.

10 September

9.00am: I washed my hair with the special shampoo and conditioner.  I now had no pain at all and I felt good.  I worked all day and then went to the football in the evening.

11 September

10.00am.  I woke up with a small headache and took some Panadol.  After my shower I looked at the scabs which are gradually coming off.  I felt better once I had a shower and washed my hair.   I went to work at 11.30am.

12 September

8.30am: I finished my last anti-inflammatory tablet.  I worked again today.  The scabs gradually disappeared. 

13 September

8.30am:  I had a good night sleep with no discomfort or pain.  During my shower I slowly rubbed of the few remaining scabs in the grafted area as advised.  My hair was looking more dense and I felt good.

14 September

9.30pm: I continued to use Nemdyn cream at night on donor site.  I washed it off using the shampoo and conditioner the next morning.  I did not need to do anything more until 16 September when I had a follow up appointment with Dr Marzola.

16 September

8.30am: I visited Dr Marzola for a final check up.  Grafted hairs looked good and I couldn't tell that operation has been performed. It looked very natural.  He was very pleased with the result. I could hardly feel the dissolving stitches at the donor site.  I will visit Dr Marzola next in 9 months time.

Here I am at 2 months after the procedure waiting to see some growth from my new grafts. I will be back here in May 2006 with a picture of me with my new hair line.