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29 Years Old -Hairline Lowering / Scalp Reduction Under Twilight Sedation Australia- GREAT RESULT - Adelaide, AU

UPDATED FROM yojimbojane
5 months post

5 Months post surgery

yojimbojane
WORTH IT$5,560
I forgot that I even had it done! Sorry for the delay. I guess I just moved on with life, which is wonderful. I didn't realise how much energy and thought my preoccupation with my hairline took up.
All hair has grown back from shock loss.
It returned within the 3-4month mark. The hair grew back thicker and darker but has concealed the scar line nicely. It looks like baby hair and that will take another 6months to grow out properly, but it makes the transition look natural. Sensation and flexibility returned to the scalp after 4months, skin has stretched somewhat.
I would suggest to those undergoing surgery to drop the hairline 0.5-1cm lower than you want to account for skin stretch.
Nobody has noticed anything about the hairline...just me and I am very happy with it :)

yojimbojane's provider

Dr. Mario Marzola

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I found out about Dr. Mario Marzola through a direct referral from an international colleague on real self, stating that he was one of the best in the world. He is not, however, the best at advertising himself, I had to hunt him down. He is an older generation of surgeon, meaning he has mastered the art of fine stitching but not so much virtual advertising. He did a fantastic job, so I hope my referral here represents him well. There are only 2 surgeons that I know of who perform this procedure in Australia. I had an initial consultation with both of them. Dr. Marzola didn't at the time have photos on his website, but I requested more information through their website and they sent me a highly detailed booklet which answered every question I had, alongside excellent before and after examples of his work including several close ups which looked amazing. I choose Dr. Marzola because he performed the procedure under twilight anaesthetic as opposed to general, which I felt more comfortable with and which also reduced the cost significantly by almost half the price of the other surgeon, saving almost $7000 AUD. It also meant I could receive the procedure in his private day surgery as opposed to a major hospital. Another comforting factor. Dr. Marzola's initial consultation fees were also more reasonable and he was available for consultation in person in Melbourne and Adelaide, which meant I got to see him in person. Dr. Marzola has had over 30 years of experience and had trained under the best for this procedure, plus he is known for his delicate stitching! He specialises in hair and skin, which also boosted my confidence as the other surgeon was more of a generalist. He is kind man but a little of an introvert. He is very much about his art and fine stitching...his nurses kept raving about it, I understand why, as now I have such neat, clean suture lines, which I can tell will heal well. He also doesn't use staples,which I have observed a lot of other Dr.'s use on the side of the head. For me this was another win, as I don't like the idea of my head being stapled and potentially dislodging staples in my sleep. Dr. Marzola took very good care of me, staying with me personally until my guardian could arrive to collect me. His reception staff and nurses were all very kind, warm and friendly and they took excellent care of me and answered every question I had. There were also short wait times, I got to have the procedure exactly when I wanted it at an affordable price. His reception staff were very helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend Dr. Marzola and his friendly staff at Norwood Day Surgery.

Replies (5)

November 15, 2016
Hi! It looks amazing!! Congrats :) i wanted to know about hairlos, im considering this procedure but i'm very scared about hair not growing back. How did you manage that? Was there a lot of haur loss? I have very thin hair so i'm only scared about that :(
January 4, 2017
Was your shock loss right behind your incision ?
January 29, 2017
Looks GREAT!
March 26, 2017
Thanks for your review. I am booked in to see Dr Marzola for this same procedure in two weeks. How are you feeling about the surgery now? Still positive.
October 6, 2017
Did you had hair growth tablets?
UPDATED FROM yojimbojane
2 months post

8 weeks post surgery - photo Update

yojimbojane
So a brief overview of my journey for the last 6-8 weeks.
I had my sutures removed after 1 week and I thought my hairline looked it's best then.

I did have little dots where the sutures were and when these started to heal the hairline looked red and the incision a lot more obvious due to the neovasculisation and healing.
This fluctuates with exercise, so sometimes my scar is not very obvious and other times it looks very red and noticable. I wear a headband most days.
Somedays I don't bother and just use concealer, which does a great job.

The incision line was a little bumpy due to internal sutures, it took about 6- 7 weeks for the internal sutures to dissolve and level out, be prepared for this.

The scar line is now flat, however it is still pink and I have had a little shock loss of hair ( see photo 1 & 2), which is suppose to grow back in the third and forth months. Be prepared for this... I thougth it wouldn't happen to me.

The side scars healed very quickly, but hair does not grow through to camoflage these, which is usually not a problem as it is a think line but something to be mindful of as it can be noticable with certain hair styles.

Although I have had some shock loss and the scar is more obvious than I thought it would be. I am still very happy that I had it done. I will wait another 2-4 months to see how it heals and then I may consider getting hair transplants to further conceal the scar.

I am simply being patient, wearing a cute 40's faux fringe, side parts and headbands.
I am using silicone, scar healing gel, vitamin a, c & e.

I am having my follow up with Dr. Mario Marzola today.

Replies (5)

August 2, 2016
Pics looks fab! Did you have much hair loss? I had this surgery in London 4 weeks ago. Pleased with the result but have lost a good bit of hair at the front near my fringe etc. Been wearing hairbands & hats etc. I see wee baby hairs coming through but i guess its going to take a while. I can't tie my hair back or anything and can just about wear it down without a hairband.
Using regaine at night and CE in morning.
Look forward to hearing from you x
August 2, 2016
yes, it's been 8 weeks, and I had most of my hairloss around the scarline in the first month.
My surgeon said that can happen and in 99% of cases it will regrow back completely and to expect more hairs through the scarline in the 3rd and 4th month. I will try with the regaine next week. I haven't been using anything besides scar creme. It's reassuring to hear I am not the only one with hairloss, it looks like I lost about 1cm from the pics. I will update photos in 4-6weeks with more regrowth. :)
August 2, 2016
Thanks feel much better. Is there any hairs growing through the bald patches yet? I have baby hairs at the scar line so i'm happy with that. Just the hair loss is a bit upsetting but hopefully all grows soon. I haven't put any photos up yet but have taken a lot.
November 9, 2016
Hey, pretty much all hair has grown back and more each day. It grew through the scar line and in front but the direction of hair growth is a little off. Once it gets longer it will be easier to tame. I am so glad I got it done. How are you going?
August 3, 2016
Looks great. I just had this procedure done a week ago and a bit, about to get my stitches out tomorrow. When did you first start noticing hairloss? So far so good for me but I'm still expecting it to happen soon (although hoping it won't!!)
August 3, 2016
If its any help i had this surgery 4 weeks ago. I experienced hair loss a few days after i got my stitches out... Probably about 5/6 days. Slowly growing back. Where did you get yours done?
August 3, 2016
I had mine done by Dr Nettle in Bondi Junction 10 days ago, had some stitches out at day 6 and then get my final stitches out today, so far no hairloss which I'm definitely happy about but I still expect it might happen. That's good to hear yours is already starting to grow back though. Are you happy with your results so far?
August 4, 2016
Yes really happy with the result. Can see a big difference in the size of my face/forehead now. Just a bit down about the hairloss part as i can't wear it tied back and if i wear it down i have to wear a hairband. Hopefully it will all grow back in the next few months. I've also got long dark hair which i think makes it worse as you can see the hairloss more? Are you using any serum or cream? I'm using CE furlic in the morning & regaine at night time. Also taking hair growth tablets.
I had mine done in London, heading over again in 2 weeks for my 6 week check up.
Always good to chat to someone who has gone through it too!! Did you have it lowered much?
August 5, 2016
I went from 7 1/2cm to 5cm, what about you? That's such a shame about your hairloss as you've probably been waiting so long to be able to wear your hair back before getting this done! But I guess we knew the risk, I've been lucky so far but my dr said it can happen anywhere from now to even up to 3 months later so definitely not out of the woods yet! I'm using a silicone scar cream now and have to start regaine in about a week once it's healed a bit better. It's a bit red and sore from having the sutures and staples removed yesterday but I still couldn't be happier! The difference is insane! How are you feeling after 4 weeks? Do you have any pain or tightness anymore? It is good to chat to people in the same boat! I have a few people I talk in various stages of this and it definitely helps since it's such an uncommon procedure I can't just google my questions haha
August 5, 2016
I know that is very true lol! Yeh mine was the same actually...7.5 down to roughly 5. Big difference! Yeh my head was a bit sore after i got my stitches out that day but its been fine ever since. I still can't feel my scalp but i'm sure that will take a year or 2 to come back from what i've been hearing! I've also had a few white spots on the hairline...think they are ingrown hairs, read a few people talking about them. I've only started getting them the past few days... Just waiting patiently on some hair growth now and hopefully it will all be amazing by Christmas! Keep me posted over the next few weeks how you're getting on!
August 8, 2016
no pain or tightness. My scalp feels 100% normal, sensation has improved a lot, especially in the last week or 2, but still feels numbish. I'm using vitamin e oil and silicone gel. I have just started to notice a few hairs slowly start to surface in the bald patches, so I am hopeful of a lot more growth in the next few weeks. will upload more photos in 3 weeks.
August 27, 2016
I have posted my review and pics if you would like to take a look :)
August 8, 2016
yes, there are some small hairs growing, but it's taking time and some areas are still well very bald. My scalp, however is very flexible now, to the state it was pre-surgery and the scar is starting to look more white than red. I don't feel any bumps, tension or restriction in the scalp. I have been using silicone and scar creme but will buy some regaine tomorrow. I am so eager for the hair to grow back, but trying to be patient... I lost at least 1cm around the hairline. I was reading up on shockloss and it is apparently more common in women but always grows back. My surgeon wasn't phased by the possibility of it not returning, he said to relax, forget about it and expect it to return in month 3 and 4. I read a few forums with men experiencing the same thing, however having it continue to grow and thicken over the next 12months... would love to see your pics.
August 9, 2016
Hi, I am also considering booking in to have this procedure done with Dr Marzola......based on your review! I have already had my skype consult. I just have the fear of losing my hair by having this done. Can I ask if you were aware of what was going on during the procedure? Is the hair around the sides growing back at all and is the shape of your hairline exactly the same as before, just lower? Thanks.
August 25, 2016
hi i have posted up my photos and review if you would like to take a look! :)
November 9, 2016
Hi, he lowers the hairline exactly as you want. I wanted to keep the height at the sides to balance out my profile. It was the recession of the hairline not the heigh
November 9, 2016
height that I wanted to change.
November 9, 2016
I personally drew on the hairline prior to surgery, I had no idea what was happening when I was under. All hair is growing back and more, but the direction has changed somewhat. The hairline is the shape I wanted it, but my skin has stretched a little, which Dr. Marzola warned me about. I wouldn't have minded it 0.5mm lower but I am super happy with how it is.
September 5, 2016
Why didn't he lower the full hairline like not the temples is this why it was so cheap he only lowered the top of your head
November 9, 2016
All my hair has grown back through the scar and in front of the scar and it is practically invisible. I didn't want a straight hairline, I wanted to maintain the height at the sides otherwise my profile would have looked imbalanced with my cheeks. He gave me the hairline I wanted.
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September 5, 2016
Yes, be patient about the look of the incision, it really takes several months for them to fade.
UPDATED FROM yojimbojane
2 days post

Photos pre procedure & 2 days post

yojimbojane

Replies (5)

June 4, 2016
Amazing results! I'm on day4 post op so still healing X
June 5, 2016
yes, I am really happy. I can't wait to get the stitches removed on day 10. I've been taking zinc, vit c and arnica to help with the healing. The swelling has been migrating down my face around my nose, eyes and temples which has been a little annoying but it is passing. How are you going?
June 5, 2016
I'm feeling okay. I can tell I've got swelling around my eyes mainly. Don't think it would be noticeable to other people so much but I feel it. Can't wait to be healed and see it all
Properly I'm so impatient x
June 7, 2016
Because of your post, I have made an appt...thank you SO much for your posts! He comes to Melbourne so my consult in Mrlb then will fly to Adelaide for the reduction. Did you need hair grafts?
November 19, 2020
Hi Catarama , have you had the surgery? If so how did it go? I too am from Melbourne and will be having the surgery next year. Which hotel did you stay at?
June 10, 2016
What was the total cost
June 23, 2016
Wow....barely a scar. I'm thinking of flying to Australia just to get my hairline reduced by this surgeon!! Amazing!! Wow
July 29, 2016
So far your result is looking great! :) Please keep us updated with close up photos on the scar and your hair tied back, if possible.