Journey to Jane Shannon

[Kirsten]

9 hours ago, Janeshannon said:

Thanks Kirsten, 

I really loved your story, and found it inspiring. It showed you can transition, while balancing family and career.  

Take care, 

Jane Shannon 

Thank you so much!??

 

[Janeshannon]

Yesterday, Dec 18, I had hair transplant surgery.  They ended up doing just over 2600 grafts, but they charged me nothing after 2300. 

The place I went, Advanced Hair Restoration, in Bellevue, WA. Right now I have a HUGE undercut, but it also makes a really cute top bun.  I was facing the window at home tonight.  It was dark so the window was reflecting my face.  Since it is all red from blood and ointment, you can really see what my hair line is going to look like.  It is so nice to think that those nasty bald spots will soon be gone.  The ONLY real bummer about this that soon will be 4 to 8 months until I actually see the results.

[Jani]

I hope it works out and your hair looks the way you envision.  The time will pass soon enough! 

[Susan R]

Wow, great news @Janeshannon. I’m sure youll look great with the new hair. I know that 8 months sounds like a long a long time to wait but its nice knowing you have something wonderful to look forward to on your journey. I’m very happy for you.

 

Be sure to take Biotin (Vitamin B7) supplements daily.  You’ll be surprised how effective it is in helping you grow healthy hair and nails faster. I just resupplied at our local grocer who had my brand ”Buy One, Get One Free”.  Needless to say, I cleaned them out.

 

My Best,

Susan R?

[Janeshannon]

I had my follow-up yesterday afternoon.  The nurse said things were looking good, and starting to heal.  This morning I washed my hair myself for the first time since surgery.  I was surprised how many little hairs were on what used to be bald patches.  The donor site looks cleaner, but it is still mostly the same as yesterday.  Now that I know there are hairs there it is SO tempting to touch it.

They did give me a spray bottle with some antiseptic "stuff" in it.  It does help to keep the area moist--thanks for the suggestion.  It does feel nice when it is sprayed on the grafted areas.

It still looks red and nasty, but those red, nasty areas hint at that things will look like in the near future. 

Take Care All!!!
Jane

[Susan R]

@Janeshannon Sounds like all good news.  Hope you aren’t experiencing much, if any, pain.  I’m sure things will be back to normal soon.

Warm Regards,

Susan R?

[Janeshannon]

@Susan R not a lot of pain, but occasionally itchy.  So far I have caught myself reaching to scratch my head several times today.  

 

In other news, I got my eyebrows shaped today.  I also got them tinted for the first time ever.  Right now they seem really dark, but I understand they will tone down in a few days.

 

[Jani]

3 hours ago, Janeshannon said:

I also got them tinted for the first time ever. 

Cool.  I've never done that but I have had my lashes tinted a number of times.  It seems to make a big difference.

 

[Janeshannon]

5 hours ago, Jani said:

It seems to make a big difference.

 

It really did make a big difference.  Between the "appearance" of a different hairline (not really different, really it is scabs in the pattern of a hairline) and the eyebrows shaped and tinted my face appeared much more feminine.  

 

I am surprised how much I liked the look.  

[Janeshannon]

I think things are healing well, but it feels like I have a super tight headband on.  I was expecting a lot of discomfort in the front, grafted area, but the back, donor area, is much more painful.  Today I was feeling pretty good, and I worked a little too hard decorating for Christmas, and my body reminded it I had close to 6000 little cuts all over my head.  

[Janeshannon]

A few thoughts today.  First, an update on my hair transplant surgery.  I had my two week follow-up yesterday. Everything is healing well.  The general dull ache all over my head is gone. Now I am getting occasional sharp pain in very specific spots, mostly at the top of the donor area.  The next thing to expect is for all the little hairs in the grafted area to fall out. Then more waiting for things to fully heal, and then the real waiting begins as things grow.  I plan on going full time in July, so my hope is for summer bangs.  

 

Second, I was thinking about breast forms.  I have a very nice set, thank you Veteran’s Administration, but I have not used them in about a week.  They were very important to me for a time. They helped me go from nothing to something immediately, and when I wanted/needed it.  My own breast are growing, but they are TINY. Much less than an A-cup. But with just a little padding my chest definitely looks like it has breasts.  I don’t really enjoy wearing the forms--they are hot and sticky. My wife thinks they look unnaturally perfect. So I am thinking about just going with a bralette and a little padding for a spell while my own breasts grow in.  

 

Some days I wish transition was faster.  I ALWAYS wish it was less painful. Today I am glad it goes slow.  There is plenty of time to consider how I am changing and where I am going.

[Jani]

Thank you for the update Jane.  It sounds like your scalp is healing well.  I've heard that the replanted hairs fall out and new hair grows in its place.  I'm sure it might be disconcerting but I understand there is a high success rate so this is good news.  I never wore forms so using a bralette sounds like a good idea.  There are lots of women that are less than endowed.

 

We all wish things would happen yesterday but as the old adage goes, all good things in due time!  

 

Best, Jani