A patient's light hearted commentary on his decision to have a hair transplant and the experience itself.

Dr. Gillespie: 

These are the memories of my transplant procedure, and as I have nothing 
else to do but relax for a few days I thought I'd write them down.

I have had information from your office for over 2 years and it has taken me that long to even make the phone call to find out more about it. Permanently changing ones appearance, even when it's for the best, takes an awful lot of thought and consideration. How good is this guy? What will I look like? What if it doesn't turn out right? Do I even have the guts to go through with it? Everyone has heard about and seen bad plastic surgery and hair transplants and I did not want to be one of those casualties. For me it was a "Major Decision". So it takes me over 2 years to get enough nerve to even make the phone call because I'm not sure I can do it .... but my hair is going fast and soon it will be too obvious and too late if I don't do something. So I phoned and talked to Kathryn.... she was very pleasant, which put me at ease, she explained everything and answered all the questions I had including prices. She didn't rush me or push me for an appointment, which I really appreciated considering how much of her time I took.

Two days later I called back for a consultation appointment ... after all there's no cost and I can find out more about it ... and, I’m hoping I can get away with the cheaper 700 follicle job.... 700 hairs should do a lot, I’m not completely bald. I'm a little anxious when I get to the Clinic to say the least, but the nice easy un-doctor like waiting room puts me at ease.... then Dr. John Gillespie appears.... quickly.... check out his hair, I know he's had it done. Not bad, I'm tempted to ask who did it. A nice casual conversation about the procedure and then the bad news.... I need the big one, the 1400- 1500 job, guess I didn't realize how bad off I was. Double the hairs and double the price.... there goes my transplant and soon the rest of my hair. I tell my lovely wife the bad news and she says how about if I give you that for your 60th birthday, your worth it, she says.... what a sweetheart. Yea.... she's right again ... I'm worth it!!! Alright !!!I've got the OK.... but do I have the nerve, it's still a major decision. 

Two weeks later, I can hardly believe I'm booking an appointment. June 2.... a little nervous but confident.... it's a Monday, they will all be fresh after the weekend and will do a great job.... YES.... Monday is a good day. I call the Clinic on the way in.... Marcy answers and I tell her I would like to cancel today and re-book for next Monday.... silence.... I quickly tell her I'm just kidding.... no use getting anyone upset that may be working on me.... it's just a joke, I'm already on my way. 

Arrived a little early.... perfect.... no one will be rushed. Dawn gives me pre-op instructions and prep.... Dr. G. arrives and has a look at me to determine the hair line etc.... yes, he looks refreshed.... Monday is a good day.... but why is he wearing those big glasses? Down the hall and into "The Room".... the operating room, introduction to the assistants and then face down on the doughnut.... and now the painful part, Dr. G. says .... he's kidding right? Ha.... just a little price.... I knew he was kidding.... thank goodness. Cut, cut, snip, clamp.... what's that noise? .... it sounds like he's ripping a strip of Velcro off the back of my neck.... WOW.... this is going to hurt later I just know it is. Cut, snip.... "Opps", he say.... he's kidding.... right? "The Guess Who" ... that really takes you back doesn't it.... huh.... he know all the words.... must be from his hippy days.... not a bad singer actually ... but should he be singing while he's ripping a strip of my scalp off.... concentrate !!! Five months before I can wear a motorcycle helmet again ... this guy’s funny.... he's kidding again .... right? Dawn told me he would say something like that ... just doesn't like bikes.... guess he never rode a Harley.

OK, the back is done, just a little prick in the forehead now. Little prick.... my head is starting to feel like a pin cushion.... how come so many needles.... WOW, you got to be kidding.... you bent that needle pushing it through my scalp.... Oh.... this is really going to hurt later. OK now the holes for planting.... all 1400.... I can hear it but I can't feel it, thank goodness. Holes done, Dr.'s gone, better check the girls out, cutting up my scalp.... WOW.... what a thick piece of skin.... I don't want to see any more. Salmon sandwich for lunch.... good choice, haven't had that in a long time.... I wonder if it is free range or farmed.... probably free range, it's from that healthy little store ... sure, it's probably free range. Planting time.... I wonder how many girls are working on me.... I know there is one on each side and I'm thinking there's at least one at the back some of the time.... hard to tell.... hope they had a good weekend.... this is important stuff. All done, squirt, squirt, wipe, wipe ... down the hall to get changed.... where's the mirror.... WHERE IS THAT MIRROR.... WOW.... I look like a pin cushion, this is really going to hurt when it thaws out ... but it looks good already 
.... Hey!!! I got hair.... MONDAY IS A GOOD DAY! 

Bill Greig, Calgary / AB

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