Extremely Painful - Long Recovery - Tampa, FL

I had the Hair Restoration done in June after doing research about options for African American women with frontal hair loss. I found a doctor who has over 20 years of experience. The Doctor and her staff were extremely professional and GUARANTEED I'd see results in 1 year. I decided to go ahead with the procedure after speaking to another patient who has had the procedure done three times (she suffers from alopIicia) and was happy with her results.

Pre Surgery: I informed the Doctor that I was leaving for vaca in July and question how much time I would need to recover. She said two weeks so I had plenty of time before my surgery and my vacation. As I know now that is totally not true. Yes, I was able to go on vacation; however the front of my hairline was completely covered in scabs and flaky. I wish I had waited, or was told to wait until I returned. The area was (and still is) extremely sensitive and I was not able to do much with my hair as far as styling goes.

The Surgery: Personally, I found the procedure almost unbearable- and I have a high tolerance for pain. At one point, as they neared the edge of my hairline, I wanted to walk out because I couldn't take it anymore. All I could do is cry. The staff was comforting and tried their best to ease the pain. Nothing worked. Yes, I was given a valium and they constantly numbed all the areas they worked in- but I felt everything. I hated hearing my scalping being cut- it was totally unsettling to say the least.

Post Surgery: Things went down hill after I got home. My face was completely swollen from the saline they injected in the hairline. I was warned there was going to be some swelling- but I looked like an alien for two whole weeks! The saline shifted from the top of my head, to the left side then to the bottom. I looked like a had a severe allergic reaction for two weeks- I didn't want to leave the house or even be seen by my fiancee. Secondly, I was in sooo much pain in both the front and back of my head. What made matters worse is that I couldn't keep any of the medication down. I called the doctor because I thought I needed to be rushed to the ER. She was comforting and talked my fiancee through what he could do. I don't remember, but somehow I managed to sleep for two hours-in pain. The next morning I was able to take the pain medication which helped slightly. I didn't sleep for two weeks. The back of my head where the hair was removed was so tight, it throbbed every night until the stitches were removed.

Two Months Post Surgery:
I'm not in any pain and all the scabs/wounds/flaking has ceased. It's difficult to style my hair as the hair has not grown in as yet. I wear a head scarf every day to cover the area which is almost completely bald.There is a bit of numbness in the area that the implants were placed- just dosnt' feel right. I've decided and was advised not to relax my hair which poses another major styling dilemma. I've had to cut my hair because the drainage around the scares matted my hair in the back. Also, the second line of my scalp that was removed to harness the hair graphs seems to have left a wide visible scare- I want it restitched because it's way too obvious. So now I have two problem areas instead of one...

I have a post op with my doctor today and I'll be able to ask her if my hair line looks as it should and ask about the large scare left in the back of my head.

I wish I had a smaller "test" area done before doing my whole frontal hairline. Anyhow, from what I have read there will not any hair growth for three months. I'll update my progress in the fall-hopefully I'll see some results for the pain I endured for this procedure because right now I'm wishing I hadn't done it!