After 30 Years the Scars Are Gone - Los Angeles, CA

I've researched SMP for some time and decided that now was the right time, both financially and psychologically, for me to get this done. I decided on NHI due to a couple of key factors, first being that NHI has an excellent reputation for professionalism, quality, and special attention to detail that's shows in the end result. Second, I had a heart episode a few years back and I am taking medication for that. I wanted assurance that there were no issues with the meds and if there were an MD (Dr's Pak and Rassman) was there and had me covered. In the phone and email consultation I had with NHI all of my questions were answered fully and I was confident that I made the right decision to have SMP done with NHI.

I traveled to LA from out-of-state so I scheduled all 3 sessions in advance; session 1 followed by session 2 6 days later, then the final session 3 weeks after that. Why the break between sessions 2 and 3? First was to give the SMP a chance to "settle" (my term not theirs) and more important was I couldn't stay away from home for 2 weeks at a stretch. This schedule worked out well in my case.

I had SMP done to the scar area in the back of my head from ~4 transplants that were done in the early 80's. The scars were prominent from the large (by today's standards) plugs that was the state of the art 30+ years ago. I emailed some photos to NHI prior to the consultation so they could have some idea of the scaring. Once I arrived Dr Pak examined me in person and he came up with a final game plan to get those scars covered up. He put me at ease while we talked about my expectations and, since I was just getting the scar covered, options I have for other SMP work should I choose to do so.

Session 1 started at 0700 and ended around 1430. I chose not to get anesthesia since I had to drive back to the hotel. However, I always had the option of asking for anesthesia if need be. I found the "pain" to be like someone pinching me and after awhile I got used to it. Christine always checked on how I was doing, if I was comfortable, and if I needed anything to just let her know. I appreciated that. She applied the layer that was to be the basis for the blending that was to come in the following sessions. I expected to have my head shaved however she said that she could work with my hair either long or short so I opted to keep it as it was for this session. The next session, however, they would clip my hair very short. The rest of the session was uneventful from my perspective since all I had to do was lie there. Dr Pak was in and out several times to check on progress and give guidance to Christine. After the session ended, I got to look at my scars in the mirror and could not believe my eyes. After 30+ years the scars were GONE! And this was just the FIRST session. Unbelievable. This was a good day.

Session 2 also started at 0700 and ended around 1300. I arrived early so after parking in the parking structure (where NHI validates parking) I walked a couple of blocks down Wilshire Blvd. to IHOP for some food. The session started on time. Christine took my BP and pulse. Dr. Pak came in and, like the previous session, we talked a bit about today's "goals." I was given a buzz haircut. The last time my hair
was this short was when I went into boot camp but I am committed to going with the buzz look from now on. Now that they had a clean canvas to work with Christine started and that continued up through lunch. Towards the end of the day Christine had me sit upright. I'd feel a "touch" here, and a "touch" there, and this went on for several minutes. She has such attention to detail she was going over the back of my head and doing touch-up and blending to make it look up to NHI standards. Before I left NHI I looked in the mirror and once again I was amazed at the improvement. Even more unbelievable and another great day.

Session 3, the final session, started at 0630 and ended around 1300. Dr Pak was there and we briefly reviewed what Len was going to do this session which consisted of blending and putting on the finishing touches. For some reason my scalp seemed more sensitive and I felt it more then I remembered from the last sessions. Still very tolerable, I just felt it more, especially the closer to the ear Len got. Dr Pak was in and out a few times checking on progress and pointing out areas that needed this or that done. After lunch, which is included and NHI orders from a local restaurant, Len finished up with the session. Dr Rassman came in to give it a final "look over" and soon I was on my way. I knew what to expect from the previous sessions and there were no surprises, which is a good thing. Overall another successful SMP session.

Post procedure is simple: For the next 3 days just use water (no soap, shampoo, etc) and sprinkle over the SMP area and dab or air dry. Also no strenuous exercise for at least 3 days. Finally a reason to be a couch potato for a couple of days. They gave me a tube of bacitracin to use which I put on when I went to bed. They will go over all of these instructions before you leave at the end of the session.

That is pretty much it. SMP exceeded all my expectations. For the first time in years I'm comfortable and confident enough to walk around without a hat. I am also comfortable with my look now that I don't have those obvious scars following me around. Maybe someday I will get more SMP done but I can't imagine being any happier with my look then I am today. This was the best "hair related" decision I've made.

Thank you Dr Pak, Christine, Len, and the whole NHI staff for a wonderful experience.