Hello Doctor

After scheduling the procedure; 6/30 does not arrive soon enough. I am excited!

I have a few preparation questions for my procedure and others may come to mind in the next week or so.

1. I reviewed your restrictions on E, ginko, multi’s etc. Do I need to stop taking Biotin, COQ10, Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Ginseng, & Selenium, beta carotene?
2. My scalp seems to get tight; would it be helpful if I started to massage the scalp in an attempt to create some looseness? After our consultation, I reviewed my notes from 1994 and the scar at the very center of my scalp had the most difficulty healing. I now recall that is why they took the second donor site lower.
3. I use a laser brush 2-3 times/ week; and Rogaine 5-7 times/ week. Rogain 5% and 7%. Can this be continued right up to procedure?

We discussed in general terms, our plan for the procedure. I have considered our consultation more fully and my priority is on the temporal area; softening the current hairline while transitioning to the temples, the lateral hair line (mounds, humps??) which has thinned out over the years, and some crown coverage. I have an interest on achieving relative overall balance of my hair; front to back, side to side; rather than focusing extensively on any one specific area of my head. I can discuss more fully and also assume we will have time to cover this at the time of the procedure. I would not think my prioritization changes any aspect of procedure planning, however you are my advisor on this matter. I have a high confidence with you and your technicians; and fully defer to your expertise on what will work best for my goals and appearance.

MY RESPONSES ARE IN ALL CAPS:

I have a few preparation questions for my procedure and others may come to mind in the next week or so.

1 – I reviewed your restrictions on E, ginko, multi’s etc. Do I need to stop taking Biotin, COQ10, Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Ginseng, & Selenium, beta carotene? ALL ARE FINE

2 – My scalp seems to get tight; would it be helpful if I started to massage the scalp in an attempt to create some looseness? After our consultation, I reviewed my notes from 1994 and the scar at the very center of my scalp had the most difficulty healing. I now recall that is why they took the second donor site lower. YES, DOING THE SCALP MASSAGES CAN ONLY HELP. APPLY UPWARD PRESSURE FROM BELOW THE SCARRNG, AND DOWNWARD PRESSURE FROM ABOVE- 20 MINUTES 3 TIMES A DAY WOULD BE GREAT

3 – I use a laser brush 2-3 times/ week; and Rogaine 5-7 times/ week. Rogain 5% and 7%. Can this be continued right up to procedure? THE LASER IS FINE- STOP THE ROGAINE 3 DAYS PRIOR.

We discussed in general terms, our plan for the procedure. I have considered our consultation more fully and my priority is on the temporal area; softening the current hairline while transitioning to the temples, the lateral hair line (mounds, humps??) which has thinned out over the years, and some crown coverage. I have an interest on achieving relative overall balance of my hair; front to back, side to side; rather than focusing extensively on any one specific area of my head. I can discuss more fully and also assume we will have time to cover this at the time of the procedure. I would not think my prioritization changes any aspect of procedure planning, however you are my advisor on this matter. I have a high confidence with you and your technicians; and fully defer to your expertise on what will work best for my goals and appearance.

YES, WE WILL GO OVER EXACTLY WHAT THE PLAN WILL BE ON THE MORNING OF YOUR PROCEDURE. IN ADDITION TO HAVING THIS EMAIL, I SUGGEST YOU MAKE SOME NOTES SO NOTHING GETS FORGOTTEN.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS