1. Recognition and Preparation

I underwent Hair Implant under care of Drs Peter PANG and LAM Man onDecember 10 2012.

Recognition of Problem

A couple of years ago, I was commented by a best friend that men inform others of their seniority with the amount of hair we lose, and we are no exception.  Being always proud of achievements being accomplished young (me being also an ordinary soul), I asked my most important person: my wife, whether my look is also so affected.  She rightly pointed out that I had developed a Mediterranean (sea in the middle of land).  Me being short in build, the situation is obvious to others.  I myself did not recognize it only because my hair line had not receeded a lot, and I looked at myself usually directly in the mirror.

On recall, it was logical that I faced this issue.  Ever since my teenage days, barbers (later they are better respected as hair stylists) commented that I had fewer hair in the front, and each hair was rather small in diameter.  So there was relative thinning of hair in the front.  Over the years, when hair fell off gradually, the front areas became balder and balder.   It was less apparent after hair washing and drying, because each hair stands out to look cosmetically acceptable.  When sweating took effect and hair stuck to each other, such as after exercise or after a long day of work, baldness in the front became obvious.

Preparation

Having the privilege of working in an hospital which operates a hair transplantation program, I discussed in detail with the plastic surgeon in-charge, Dr Peter PANG.  The skill used in his centre was acquired from Europe several years ago.

The most effective drug is Propecia, but the effect is usually temporary and there are potential side effects.  So it is best used for preparation, or for people who are scared off upon hearing the word ‘operation’.

I understand that Peter’s program moves each hair follicle at the occupital area one-by-one to the donor site.  The instrument used is small.  There will be little if any bleeding, no scar and the chance of infection is low.   Basically, although the doctor always has to disclose all potential risks up to seeing God early in case of life-threatening events like extreme allergy, a regular patient does not feel excessively worried.  The process leaves no obvious scar and constructs a very naturally looking outcome.  There were other ways of surgical management which Peter talked about to complete my information, but I would certainly not even consider them even when no treatment means certain and complete baldness.

The process was planned with the surgeons, myself and my most important person – my wife, together.  It appears that I would be the most important decision maker because the look is mine.  Actually I think my wife bears all blunt for betterment or worsening, because she has to put up with me and my look all the time.  We planned the site to harvest hair follicles – a region behind the back of the head, and where to put them back.  We discussed how much we want to push the hair line to the front, and some people are keen to do that.  It was not particularly useful to me because it will change the look of my face a bit.  I asked Peter to concentrate on filling up my ‘Mediterranean’ bald area.  Peter asked me to keep my hair relatively long so that the donor site may be covered better after the operation.

I took a month of Propecia to increase vascular flow of the scalp. There were some warnings about potential side-effects about which all doctors remember and joke.  I felt nothing on myself.  I usually take aspirin which is taken to protect my heart purely prophylactically.  I stopped it a week before operation because it may cause more bleeding (and bruises) during the hair relocation.  I continued my drug to reduce blood cholesterol level.

Life and work went on as usual.  I continued with my preparation for the Standard-Chartered Marathon 2013 – with my hair being kept long, and my friends all the time nagging me to tidy up my look!  I did not explain too much and I simply kept smiling.  A few days before operation nurses dyed my hair black so that the white hair becomes more visible to surgeons.  It is interesting that ‘white hair’ as we see it, are actually transparent under strong operating theatre type of light.  One day before the operation, I attended a 15 Km race (X-step 15 Km Challenge 2013) in Sheung Shui.  I am never a fast runner.  Anyway, I finished the race comfortably.  The night before surgery I began antibiotic cover with Zinnat.  In the morning, being worried about pain, I took pain killer (Voltaren) and protected my stomach with Zantac, after my light breakfast and before I left home.  Peter added panadol later.