Dr. Rassman Had a Hair Transplant Last Week

A week ago today, I (Dr. Rassman) had a hair transplant done in my crown by Dr. Pak in our Los Angeles office. The experience was very positive and I wanted to share how things went.

For those curious about pain, well, let me tell you… I was given a sedative at the time of surgery (Versed / midazolam) that produces a twilight sleep, which my surgical patients have told me was the best feeling in the world. I now know first hand just how absolutely wonderful the drug is. Whoo! If I was addictively inclined, I could live on that drug. I felt no pain whatsoever and slept for about 2 heavenly hours of the 3 1/2 hour procedure.

I received 640 grafts. My crown was actually thinning in only one area slightly smaller than a silver dollar. My wife pushed me to deal with it because she said, “What type of hair surgeon lives with a bald spot on the back of their head?” I had dealt with this spot like many men by styling it with a comb-back. No one who came to the office ever noticed it until I mentioned it.

I elected to have a strip procedure because:

1. I had opera tickets for the next night and I did not want any part of my head shaved.
2. I do not foresee ever shaving my head or buzzing my hair in the future where the scar might be an issue.
3. I generally do not scar and heal well, as I realized with my 2 previous hair transplants in 1994 (total 1600 grafts back then).
4. I wanted the most bulk for each graft without any issue of transection from FUE. Of note, Dr. Pak did transplant about 10 to 20 grafts using FUE (FOX test) prior to taking the strip out, but I decided I wanted the strip anyway. He told me that I was strongly FOX positive (which means I would make an excellent FUE case).
5. It was faster and I walked out without any sign of surgery in less time than I thought FUE might have taken.

My before and after pictures from the day of surgery and four days from the surgery are included below. I will go on record to show everyone the full results in 6-8 months when all of the hair should have grown in.

Before surgery (left) // Immediately after surgery (center) // 4 days after surgery (right). Click to enlarge:

As for activities following the surgery, I went on a 15 mile bike ride at the beach the next day (Saturday) and had brunch with my daughter. Then I went back to work on Monday (3rd day). Of course, talk to your doctor about their recommended aftercare and activities following surgery.