I started losing hair on my first year in college (almost 20 years ago). Since at that time I kept my hair longer, it was not noticed by anyone, except me, who had to deal with the "residual hair" in the shower every morning.
After a couple of years, I could no longer maintain the long hair, since the frontal hair would no longer stay in the same batch with the rest and had a mind of its own. The hairloss became more and more visible. As a result, I have kept my hair very short since. If the shape of my head and ears would allow it, I would have gone for the bald look - but no, I would've probably be mistaken for an ogre if I did that.
During my initial hairloss, I spent countless hours watching the late night Bosley and Hair Club for Men infomercials. That and certain advertisements on different magazines was pretty much all the information available about hairloss.
Here I was, in my early 20's, going through an emotional rollercoster, afraid that the hairloss would affect my social life. I was very close to deciding on a surgical procedure, but I am glad I did not. I actually contacted Bosley (whose office was on the same building where I used to work) but cancelled the appointment in the last minute.
Back to the present - information available now vs. 15 years ago is like day and night. Reviews on different sites, and the non-biased patient testimonials will allow me to make a much better decision and select a doctor that will meet my criteria. In addition, the techniques an dinstruments used have also evolved and the recreated hairlines are virtually becoming undetectable.
I am happily married to the most wonderful person, I am the father of two wonderful kids, and my career is where I want it to be. The reasons for wanting a hair transplant are not the same from fifteen years ago. I am not looking for the transplant to affect my social or professional life. I just want to restore the confidence and not worry about the angle when a picture of me is taken, or how old I look next to my very youthful looking wife :-)
I am in the process of reviewing a few surgeons, and hope the feedback from former patients will allow me to make the best decision. Most likely I will "take the plunge" towards the end of 2011.
