Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: rfn on September 11, 2014, 10:09:37 AM
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Hi Folks
I first signed up on the forum years ago, and even now, years later, I'm still balding and utterly miserable. To cut a long story short, I have a dent in my head from a skull fracture. After years of searching, I have finally found a surgeon in my country who can repair it - but that will involve cutting through my scalp, burring down excess bone, and filling the dent with bone cement. That will fix the major issue, even though I'll still be far from having a perfect cranium. I truly wish that I can just shave it all off someday and carry on with my life like a normal person, instead of a miserable, self-conscious, and socially-withdrawn twenty-something. I believe that having my head fixed will put my closer to that goal, but I am concerned about scarring - I don't want to spend thousands of dollars only to look worse at the end of it.
Has anyone here had cranial surgery done that involved cutting through the scalp? Would you be willing to share photos of your scars? If I go for the surgery, a plastic surgeon should stitch the wound up as best as possible, but I still need to know what I'll be letting myself in for.
Many thanks.
rfn
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Hi rfn,
One pretty active member on the forum has mentioned a couple times that he has had several surgeries to his head. You may try to send him a private message if he doesn't see your post. His name is greatnessinc.
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I would expect a good plastic surgeon could close the incision to prevent scaring. They do that sort of thing all the time. Make sure they (the surgeons) understand you will likely shave your head in the future and want it to be scar free - otherwise they will assume the scar will be hidden by your hair.
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To be honest, you are who and what you are! I have some scars on my head and to be honest who cares! Is it that bad? What are the risks? Are they worth it?
We are here to help mate. Have you shaved your head first to see how you feel?
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Have you tried shaving your head despite your dent? I have major scars all over my torso due to surgeries when I was young and I still go to the public water parks, lakes, etc. Sure, people will look and occasionally ask, but you get used to it over time.
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Have researched Fillers like Juvaderm or Cosmoplast ? My dermatologist uses them to fill in laugh lines. I believe there are others used to fill out sunken cheeks on certain patients. I would think a skilled cosmetic surgeon would want to try that before surgery.
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Hi Guys
Thank you for the replies so far. I haven't been able to work up the courage to shave - the shortest that I've gone is a #2 buzz cut, and the dent was clearly visible.
I realize that plastic surgeons will try to minimize the appearance of a scar, but I don't know what a 'minimized' scar looks like. I work in a corporate environment, and I hope to move into upper-management someday - and with the way the world works, I don't foresee that an abnormal, scarred individual will ever head up a department containing a couple of hundred employees - the world likes beautiful people. At least sly guys appear to be dominant, so if I can get my head sorted out without a major scar, I still have a chance.
chgobuzzbald, I've spoken to a plastic surgeon about fillers, but that will only address the dent, not the raised bone around it. The left side of my head is a lot higher than the right, almost in-line with my sagittal suture, and then it suddenly drops into the dent. It doesn't make a nice, 'smooth' descent to from the top of my head to the side (if that makes sense).
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The scar appearance has more to do with how well you heal, I mean besides the fact that the surgeon will try to make it as clean as possible and you have all the caution not to stretch it and stuff like that.
If you are going bald, is better to have the scar in a place where your hair is thinning, where you will have no hair in the future. If you get that grey shadow when you shave your head, the scar will be a lot more noticeable in those areas, since you will have hair growing around it but no hair will grow on it.
How big will be the scar and where exactly?
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The scar appearance has more to do with how well you heal, I mean besides the fact that the surgeon will try to make it as clean as possible and you have all the caution not to stretch it and stuff like that.
If you are going bald, is better to have the scar in a place where your hair is thinning, where you will have no hair in the future. If you get that grey shadow when you shave your head, the scar will be a lot more noticeable in those areas, since you will have hair growing around it but no hair will grow on it.
How big will be the scar and where exactly?
I've reasoned about it in the same way - if there are any supplements that I can take to build up my immune system and improve my body's ability to heal itself, I'll strongly consider using them.
As for the location of my skull fracture; it's in my left parietal bone - so I figured that the best place to cut would be on top of my head, where my hair is thinning the most, rather than a cut in my 'power donut' on the side where it would be more visible. It's up to a surgeon to tell me exactly how long the scar will be, but I would imagine that it'll be somewhere in the region of 2 - 3 inches.
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I have had numerous plastic surgeries on my face and a few othe areas. The ones done by the expensive cosmetic surgeons turned out the best. They used really fine sutures an both times they gave me scar cream to rub into scar every day for at least two months after. Those scars healed up almost undetecable. I have one repair that was done on my chin
When I was a little boy. That one was dressed by our family doctor and it still very apparent.
I had one repair done on the top of my skull. It was done in an emergency room. They had intended to simply staple my scalp back together. I wouldn't let them because I didn't't want a Frankenstein scar. The e-room doctor said "What is the problem, your hair will hide it". Even then I knew that someday my scalp would be making public appearances! I made them close the wound using Super-glue. While the scar itself is not too bad, there is an obvious dent on the top of my head? Barbers always notice it but nobody else seems to stare at it
So if you are using a speciAlist plastic surgeon you should be O.K. He will use very fine and tiny sutures. If you are religious about using scar cream for several months afterward YOU will be the only one who notices the scar! I say; stop procrastinating ang get it over with. It is not going to get any better while you wait. The younger you are when you get this done the better your result will be.
I had two other procedures done just this year. The scars on my chest healed beautifully. they were closed by aplastic surgeon. .
The ones on my abdomen were done by a general surgeon they are not so good.
I will have another operation next week. They wil make 6to 10 two inch incisions into my left arm. Afterwards it will be casted and immobilized for four months. I won,t be able to rub scar cream on any of the incisions so I am guessing that these scars will be pretty bad. So what? A few scars on a guy make him look dangerous!
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I have never had surgery on my head but when I was 4 years old I had a tv fall on my head and it was not one of thoughts ultra thin ifs we have today left a good scar on my head about half a inch from my hairline and it's very visable with my sly head and unfortunately it's raised and I nic it with my ardor when I shave
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And I bet that you are the only one who has ever noticed it. Am I right?
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I have had numerous plastic surgeries on my face and a few othe areas. The ones done by the expensive cosmetic surgeons turned out the best. They used really fine sutures an both times they gave me scar cream to rub into scar every day for at least two months after. Those scars healed up almost undetecable. I have one repair that was done on my chin
When I was a little boy. That one was dressed by our family doctor and it still very apparent.
Thanks BBBA, you're starting to reinforce my trust in professional plastic surgeons. Based on what you said, it sounds like it's a reasonable bet that I'll look quite alright if a plastic surgeon closes the wound (and I do my part with the scar cream).
Much appreciated.
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My last surgery was done very cleanly, however the one from when I was 10 is a lot rougher even though it was the same surgeon. Modern medical science has advanced greatly. I'm certain that if you do indeed decide to go with the surgery that the scaring will be minimal.
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My last surgery was done very cleanly, however the one from when I was 10 is a lot rougher even though it was the same surgeon. Modern medical science has advanced greatly. I'm certain that if you do indeed decide to go with the surgery that the scaring will be minimal.
Thank you sir, much appreciated.
On that note, does anyone have a picture of their scars that they would be willing to share?
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I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.
I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.
This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.
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I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.
I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.
This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.
If no-one notices my scars (assuming I do it), and I struggle to notice them myself, I'll probably be okay with it. As for rocking big scars, I'd say it's very subjective - if you hang around extreme sports-types and bikers, you'd probably be okay. Trying to make it to the top in the corporate world, probably not so much.
For what it's worth, I've been playing with an image editor (my image editing skills are poor, to say the least). Does anyone think the sly look would work for my face? The opinions I've gotten so far ranged from something like "lol, NNNNOOOOOO!" to "very scary, I hope it's only an experiment" to "you look like a suicide bomber" - nothing that really instills confidence.
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Aw Come on; how can you even ask? Look at that photo. You have a nice face and strong masculine features. Without the scraps of hair to distract, the first thing anyone notices when they look at you is your eyes. You have good eyes and, unlike mine, they are even with eachother.
You look good clean shaven and you are going to feel even better. It is a very freeing and masculine feeling!
The comments you have received are from people who sit behind the safety of your social network and just think that it is fun to throw a few barbs at you. The comment about being a terrorist.....?...... well perhaps if you shave your face you will look more like the clean cut all-american male than the bearded terrorist!?!?
Just rmember the 30 day rule.
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I think your photo shop job looks good..and I can only imagine it would look better for real. It's my honest belief that most people, if they look reasonably attractive with hair, look equally attractive without...it's all about having a good facial structure, which I think you have.
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I'll throw in my couple of thoughts.
Regarding the scars ... it probably varies by age, but when I see a guy with a scar and he clearly is comfortable with himself I admire him. Scars are a part of life, regardless of how you get them. Being at ease with oneself is the key, and an attribute I definitely admire.
As for your proposed look. Totally fine. Those who are the naysayers often are either insecure with themselves ("what would I do if I were balding?") or people who are afraid of change, and the thought of you changing is unsettling.
The people who are important to you, who like you because of you, will still be there. Those are the ones that matter.
If you go for it, I think you will be incredibly relieved. Less stress is a great thing.
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There are more and more men in the corporate world with shaved heads now. You will look great that way. Don't give them the option to chose what hair style you wear. Just do what you want and make them adjust. Having confidence in the look you chose should go a long way in the corporate world or anywhere else.
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I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.
I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.
This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.
If no-one notices my scars (assuming I do it), and I struggle to notice them myself, I'll probably be okay with it. As for rocking big scars, I'd say it's very subjective - if you hang around extreme sports-types and bikers, you'd probably be okay. Trying to make it to the top in the corporate world, probably not so much.
For what it's worth, I've been playing with an image editor (my image editing skills are poor, to say the least). Does anyone think the sly look would work for my face? The opinions I've gotten so far ranged from something like "lol, NNNNOOOOOO!" to "very scary, I hope it's only an experiment" to "you look like a suicide bomber" - nothing that really instills confidence.
That photo looks positively badass!
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Thanks guys, I appreciate the positive feedback! O0
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I'm flying down to see the surgeon for a consultation tomorrow. In preparation, I got a #1 buzz cut today; it's shorter than my hair has ever been.
If it weren't for that dent and the big protruding lump that my injury resulted in, my head shape would've been pretty good and I probably would've gone sly already. Let's hope that medical science can sort that out and get my quality of life (mentally and emotionally) back to where it should be.
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I have to tell you; you look better already with the buzz!. Let us know what the surgeon says. But, I'm serious, even if he cannot make it look a bit better, I think that you look really good with a tight buzz. Once your head is shaved clean you won't even notice the little bump. Remember the 30 day rule!
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I don't think you have anything to worry over, RFN. I think most of us have something about our scalps we would like to change. I spent two months of anxiety when I realized I have two major creases on my backside that would be visible if I shaved. You are going to be fine.
Hope the appointment with the doc gets you the results you want, but as BBBA said so well, the buzz looks good right now with your scalp as it is. I have a feeling you are going to like the smooth look as well regardless.
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Good luck with the surgeons. I think the buzzcut looks very, very good.
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The buzz cut looks good, and I can barely notice the scar. Good luck with the visit to the surgeon!
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I was born with a raised scar over my left ear that was about 1.5 inches long. getting haircuts was difficult as a kid because i would always have to warn the barber/stylist about the scar so they wouldn't hit it with clippers.
toward the end of my college years, I started buzzing my head and knew that I wanted to shave it. I did shave it once to reveal the scar. I didn't feel like i could keep doing that. I went to a surgeon and had the scar removed. While there is a slight line in my skin where the scar used to be, it is completely flat and it can be shaved over. with a few exceptions, i have been shaving my head ever since.
My real point is very few people have a perfectly shaped head, and many guys have irregularities. good luck with the doc and keep thinking about what you want in the end. i am sure it will turn out okay.
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toward the end of my college years, I started buzzing my head and knew that I wanted to shave it. I did shave it once to reveal the scar. I didn't feel like i could keep doing that. I went to a surgeon and had the scar removed. While there is a slight line in my skin where the scar used to be, it is completely flat and it can be shaved over. with a few exceptions, i have been shaving my head ever since.
Thanks for the reassurance - if they can fix a scar on one guy, I'm sure that can do it for someone else as well.
Update: I went to see the surgeon, and he spent quite a bit of time looking at my head and talking me through all of the issues and options. He presented two key options:
1.) Mimix bone cement, which is relatively affordable, but might result in a larger scar because it has to be shaped at the time of surgery.
2.) Biomet implants, which are custom made based on 3D scans, and then fitted into the defect. This only requires a small incision to insert the implant, and it is very safe. He'll still have to burr down the excess bony lumps around the dent, but he might be able to do that via the same incision. This is substantially more expensive.
He doesn't want to risk serious scars (in fact, any visible scars), so he said that he would consult with one of his colleagues who is a plastic surgeon, to design an "optimal" incision. I'm waiting for an update from him. All in all, it seems very likely that he will be able to help.
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Duuuuuuuuude the buzzcut looks wicked!!!! O0
Good luck with all the procedures, but if you look that good with all the barely-noticeable dents, shaved slick will look awesome!
- Phil
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Excellent news, rfn. Glad it sounds so positive.
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Good luck with the surgeons. I think the buzzcut looks very, very good.
I second that. Also remember, WE ARE OUR OWN WORST CRITICS!
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That's great news frn.
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I think buzzed it is an improvement myself man. And slick just might be an improvement. Also likely any indentations in your skull would be less visible without as much shadow but if you can get a procedure done safely and it'll look even better or make you feel more comfortable with the look I totally think you should.
Nice to hear there are these options out there for people and surgeons concerned enough about the overall outcome for their clients sake that they would actually consult further to make sure minimal scarring was a distinct possibility.
Good luck!!
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Let us know which procedure you decide to go with. And keep us posted on the procedure and the healing - (post lots of photos) - I am interested to see how it is done.
And REMEMBER, no matter what it looks like immediately after the surgery, it will NOT look like that in a few months! What you are talking about having done is not going to involve cutting and re-sectioning any parts of your skull and they are not going to be cutting through any significant muscle mass, so it will produce little swelling. Also, your scalp is very vascular, so it can carry away excess fluid quite quickly. You might have a little swelling, and some bruising, but I'll bet that you will heal up in less than a month. After that, just keep up with the scar cream and you will be amazed how that little scar will fade away over a few months time!
When I was your age I had my right eye orbit moved forward and my nasal bone rehung on the front of my face. They purposely did NOT put my nose on straight. They put the top of the nose right between my eyes and hung the bottom of the nose centered over my Cupid's Bow. (I'll bet you didn't even notice that from my photo! If they had hung it straight down it would not have been centered over my mouth! That would have been noticeable!). I looked like a train wreck for about three months and it did, in fact, take a full year for every bit of the swelling to go away. But at that age, the skin retracted and healed up just great! I am so glad that I did it! It made me feel better about myself - and that is what matters!
I am really happy for you!
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Good luck to you man! I think you'll be just fine. The buzz does look good and I'm sure a shaved head would look killer. And with the beard, you have a winning combination.