2nd procedure with Dr Cole

[dfwguy]

Well I haven't visited there forums in a while, but now that I'm stuck in a hotel room healing I thought maybe sharing could help some people.

I just had my 2nd Fue procedure with Dr Cole yesterday. My first procedure in March 2009 was for 900+ grafts in the temple and front hairline. I lost all of the pre-op photos from back then. I'll post my pre-op photos for this year's procedure. I had my hair cut prior to the procedure to the shortest I've ever had it cut. I have overall happy that I had the first procedure done with Dr Cole, even though there was an area on my front right side that yielded very poorly. There is one photo that shows this well where there is a bare space right behind the front hairline. Although it wasn't perfect, I was able to cut my hair shorter and had to hide the loss less than before I had anything done. From the pictures you can tell my temples were still not all that great so that's why I decided to get a 2nd procedure.

I didn't care too much about pulling down the front hairline any further. I just wanted the temples down a bit and have everything filled in for more density.

On my first procedure I checked in at 8:00am in the morning and things weren't done until 7 or 8pm that night. This time around I checked in at 10:30am and was done at 4:30pm, but had 1045 grafts placed. So, I thought I'd go over what was different this time as opposed to last year.

This time around, PRP was available so I had my blood drawn for it. After the prepping Dr. Cole came in to greet me and go over the game plan. I showed him the area where the growth didn't seem so great and he agreed. He felt it was unusual how that one area didn't yield so well and felt there might some some scarring involved but said he'd get some Acell in there and try to fill it in for free, with me asking or complaining. When things were done the bill showed 100 free grafts and free Acell. I also told him I was more concerned about the temples than anything else.

Last year there were always to different techs working on each side of my head. This time there was only 1 doing all of the insertions. The extractions were also done differently this time around by Dr. Cole. Last year I could fill a quick series of plucks or dabs over and over. This time around Dr. Cole was using some other method that sounded like a rotating mechanism swooshing around. It felt more like a minor scalp massage. I commented how much faster this year's procedure was compared to the last and one tech said they have a more powerful machine now. The only other difference this time was the Acell in the recipient area by Dr. Cole and the PRP in the donor area by the nurse.

A few side notes, last year I just left the tv on any random channel because I really didn't care and just wanted to let everyone do their jobs. I chose some DVDs this time around to pass the time by better. They also asked me if I was hungry yet a few times to take a lunch break, but I opted to just let them keep working to get things over with and I took my lunch home with me.

What from the staff was telling me, several patients choosing the PRP have been saying they were healing quite a bit faster than their first procedure without PRP. Also, the tech that was doing the insertions this year was also doing them last year so I guess I'd glad it was someone who has been doing ti for a while.

I also brought everyone chocolates this time and Dr. Cole kept bringing up chocolates to everyone for a good 15 minutes; I thought that was amusing.

So, here are the photos pre and post op same day. I took off the head bandage this morning to take the donor area. I didn't see what all had been done until I got back to the hotel. It seems that the front hairline wasn't really brought down and just had density added. The temples were brought down some and was also added for density, which was everything I asked. There seems to be more density added to the front hairline than I was considering at first, but that can only be a good thing. I gave Dr. Cole my input but I kept telling him to do what he thought was best. The donor area looks gross because I haven't washed it yet. Unlike last time, PRP patients should not wash the area for 48 hours. I've never cut my donor area without a guard so I never noticed any white spotting, even though I do cut it down with a small guard. I think you can see some of the spotting in the donor areas now that its been shaved down. Totally not a big deal to me because I never shave it that low. I'm just ready for things to heal and to get back to life! Oh, and again I am happy I got the procedure done again with Dr. Cole; just have to see how the results will be later on.


pre:

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0912.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0913.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0919.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0920.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0922.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0923.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0924.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0925.jpg

post:
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0935.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0933.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0934.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0929.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0927.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0928.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0938.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0944.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0939.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0941.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0942.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0943.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0936.jpg
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/dfwguy80/hair transplant/IMG_0926.jpg

 

[dfwguy]

I meant i didn't ask or complain about the poor yield in that one area. Sorry, didn't proof. i wrote too much

 

[helloworld]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am considering Dr. Cole myself. Please keep us up to date on how things progress.

 

[dfwguy]

I thought I'd take images of the same angles for a fair comparison without the bandage. This time around I'm going to document things a little better to be sure of the progress. I'm also doing everything recommended post op by the clinic just to be sure I did my part. Last year I only used the biotin spray and used baby shampoo to wash the hair. This time around I bought the $50 travel package with the post op gel , biotin spray, shampoo and conditioner. After spending all that money on the procedure itself, I really don't care what else I have to spend post operatively. Doing the biotin every hour immediately post op until it runs out. Before the procedure I bought baby shampoo and neosporin assuming I would need it, but will be using the Hair Cycle shampoo and conditioner and the post op gel on the donor once I start washing my head.
I'm just staying in the hotel for the first 3 days; no loose fitting hats, sun, etc.

 

[KP211]

yea I am three weeks out on my operation with dr cole, I chose acell not prp on donor and recipient area. Donor area healed up nicely, just have to wait to see how the grafts come out. I was very happy with cole and staff also. How long did you have to wait after first procedure before the grafts started to grow?

 

[dfwguy]

KP, i didn't know there was a decision to make. Dr Cole just asked or told me what he thought should be done and I said ok concerning the PRP/Acell. I really still haven't read up on Acell at all. I wish I kept better track of how things went last year. I don't remember having to wait more than the usual 3 month mark to see some growth. I basically have my hair styled partly down in a way before and after my first procedure so no1 knew I had anything done. I followed the advice of many on the forums and basically just didn't think about it any and went on with my life. This time around I will track and photodocument everything.

Would you mind going into detail everything that you did to the donor area immediately post op until it healed? For me its much easier hiding the recipient area than the donor area a few weeks out. Thanks for your time and good luck to both of us.

 

[KP211]

yea I did my own research and I personally was more impressed with acell, and it is also cheaper I paid 250 for donor area and the same for recipient area had 1443 fue grafts done.I think the only way to know for sure that prp is better is to have both done but from what I read on acell I thought I couldnt go wrong especially for the price. Yea during the day I would use neosporin and at night I would use the post surgical gel on donor area I got from cole ,its leaves a film on your head and I thought that would be good at night because your laying on your head. also im gonna purchase mederma tomorrow and going to use that at night for a week or two just as a extra measure I just cut my donor area with a one gaurd and my girlfriend said its not noticeable. Also the new tool he was using is suppose to be better for scarring also, but you should know better than me because you had work done with him before. Yea i hope, i start seeing results at month 3. good luck keep us updated as will I, because I know how hard it is to make a decision like this. There are plenty of hair transplant docs here in town but I was willing to fly out of town for what I think is the best Doctor on the research I have done ,there were a couple of other docs I was considering umar and shapiro.But if all goes good and I need work done in the future I would definitely use him again, thought he was very personable, funny and also professional.

 

[Hiker]

Go to the website of the Georgia Medical Board and check the record of Dr. John Cole and see if you like what you see.

 

[KP211]

This is the only thing I could find on that website, looks like hes been practicing a long time thats good to know not many docs been doing this type of work that long.
Licensee Name John Peter Cole
License Status Active,
License Number 29158
License Type Physician
Address 1070 POWERS PLACE
City State Zip ALPHARETTA GA 30004
License Issue Date 12/4/1986
License Expire Date 12/31/2011
Specialty InternalMedicin
Public Order Date 04/02/2010

 

[dfwguy]

yea i was going to say the same thing. could you link us to the specific site with more record info?

 

[Hiker]

Go to the web page of the Georgia Composite Medical Board and look up a licensed provider.

I found this paragraph interesting under the title findings of fact:

"On or about about March 17, 2008, Board investigative agents and agents from the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency ("GDNA") interviewed Respondent and his employees at Respondent's office, a hair transplant clinic in Alpharetta, GA. During the visit, the GDNA agents conducted an inspection of Respondent's dispensing office and found violations of O.C.G.A. section 26-4-60(j) for unlawful dispensing of drugs; Board of Pharmacy Rule 480-28-.08 for administering expired drugs; and O.C.G.A. section 16-13-30(g) for unlawful distribution of drugs."

 

[KP211]

Hiker, were does this mention dr. cole, he is not the only hair transplant surgeon in Alpharetta,GA. here are listing of all the hair transplant clinics in Alpharetta, Ga. If this was dr. cole don't you think his medical license would be revoked. Atlanta Hair Restoration 11785 Northfall Ln, Alpharetta, GA 30009,Avantas Hair Restoration 11180 State Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30022,International Hair Transplant Institute 1070 Powers Pl, Alpharetta, GA 30009,New Horizon's Hair Replacement 5755 N Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022

 

[Hiker]

Because the title of the case is In The Matter Of: John Cole, M.D., License No. 29158, Respondent. The docket number is 201 00071. Please verify it by going to the board's website.

 

[KP211]

I did verify it , he paid a fine and his license is still in good standing , it looks that he hired someone whos license was expired, dont know if he was the one selling expired pharmaceutical's or not.But im sure he knows he is under a watch full eye.I had work done by him and was happy with everybody, this is concerning though and as long as his license is in good standing I would use him again in the future. He has been in this business a long time and that is one of the main things I look at ,is experience you cant put a price tag on that, im sure he is going to be more careful with the people he hires in the future. I wanted to have fue done and I still think he is one of the top docs performing fue. Thanks anyway for the info

 

[Hiker]

"Respondent employed one individual who had surrendered his medical license in 2005 and another who was not licensed to practice medicine in Georgia and allowed these individuals to dispense medications, and administer anesthetic to patients. Respondent also employed a physician assistant without an approved job description as required under the Medical Practice Act."

 

[s.a.f]

:agree: Thats true, you have to go by reputation and recommendations and the best place for that is on forums such as this one.

 

[KP211]

Dudemon I know your not talking about cole and I would agree do your homework,I personally seen the work of someone cole did in 1993 via strip surgery. He had excellent results from cole. Cole has alot of happy customers out there, im not saying there is no one out there who wasnt happy with him. Im sure every surgeon out there if you look deep enough your going to find someone who wasnt happy. My experience with him was a good one, his license is in good standing as long as that is the case I would use him again i think he used bad judgement on few people he hired.There are plenty of companies here in town that do hairtransplants, nuhart, bosely, new image, hair club, dr brandy, after doing my homework on them there were to many people out there complaining of there work, thats why I flew to atlanta to see cole, i read a lot of happy customers reviews on cole and personally talked to some of them. If someone comes on here complaining about a certain Doctor make sure they can back there claims up because anybody can come on here and bash a Doctor without never having had work done by them.

 

[KP211]

yea I couldnt imagine going thru that, I would probably go kick his *** seriously. Did you try and sue him? and is he still practicing? if so you should say his name so no one else would go thru that, if someone did that to me I would make it my life work to ruin him.Like I said i was happy with cole my donor area looks great just got to wait now and see how the grafts turn out. But I know for sure if if I didnt do any research and used the people here in town i probably would be telling a similar story.

 

[KP211]

Thats good you was able settle at least, i'm sure what ever it was, it wasn't enough considering what you went thru. Did the Doctor that did the repair work do a good job? also it seems that you have a lot of experience when it comes to transplants what doctors would you recommend at this time? There were only three i was considering umar cole and shapiro, I chose cole because i didnt want to do stip I wanted to do fue, and it seems he was just getting better results with fewer grafts, my donor looks great just got to wait and see how grafts grow out at this point not even a month out after surgery.

 

[dfwguy]

Well I'm on day 8 post op with my 2nd procedure with Cole and so far I'm happy. It just all depends on yield from this point on. I will update when things start sprouting. Now its time to get back to normal life.