Hi ReadyForChange:

I dont want to disclose my doc just yet, as nobody has responded to the quality of work done on me. The only reason I mention the research is that I feel that by the time I need to deplete all my donor hair to keep up with the progression of my hairloss, especially after the use of propecia, minoxidil, etc., I believe that there will be a legitamate breakthrough in the techniques available for hair restoration. As for the laser comb, I have read threads on the laser comb, some positive and many stating no results. In my stage of hair loss maintainance is key, even the analysis of the studies showed by the highly esteemed doctors on the forum, and the clinical studies themselves show that hair was pretty much maintained if not gained. Lasers have been used medically to accelarate healing. So Im thinking if worse comes to worse it should help me heal from the hair transplant quicker and maybe even spur early hair growth of the transplanted hair. Nevertheless, I have a guarantee that if I dont feel that it works for me in 6 months then I can get a FULL refund. So for me there is nothing to lose.
My pre-op pics may depict the hair loss worse than it actually looks because I think I used flash for them. I have a little worse than a 3V. So 2600 grafts seemed like enough to provide pretty decent coverage (any DOCTORs on this site wanna give their insight?) and give me a hairline that is 50 grafts per cm^2. I also am pretty optimistic that the propecia/mino combo will help me improve my crown and mid top region. I wanna be able to go atleast 4 yrs before getting another procedure done. If propecia and mino dont help enough I can use concelers as well for that region. Concelers have worked well for me thus far, believe it or not its hard to tell that Im balding with it on. With the transplant I should atleast have a nice hairline.

Hi Dakota,

I guess one cannot guarantee that I will not reach a norwood 7, however, considering that I am a diffuse thinner, my balding pattern seems to be pretty evident. I dont see any miniturization in leading me to conclude that a norwood 7 would be unlikely. Let just say that i dont have 10,000 available grafts , maybe 6000-7000 (the average amount). That would atleast frame my face, give me coverage on the top and maybe an appearence of a thinning crown. Which would be somewhat ok for me when I am much older. At least I will be able to enjoy my 20's and prolly most of 30's with the donor hair I got (I will be on propecia and minox). In addition I could used BHT to help with coverage. And this is not taking into consideration that at least in 10-20 yrs we might make major breakthorughs in hair restoration.

Hi OM,

I think all of us that are higher on the NW scale are hopefull of a major breakthorugh in the next 10-20 years. From pics I thought you could've waited a few years on the HT, but realize how tough hairloss can be on a young guy. I think you'll see a really nice improvement.

Your donor looks very good, but I think donors would be difficult to evaluate at a really young age. I know the docs have told you that you'd max at NW6, but look for pics of male relatives (grandparents on both sides, father, etc.) and if you could locate pics through their ealier years on how their hairloss progressed, that would help. I found mine closely matches my maternal grandfather, and saw pics of when he was in his 30's and his pattern was exactly like mine. Grow well!

The work looks alright, but it's really impossible to make any sort of conclusive judement with the pics that show the immediate-post-ops; the clearest shot is from 2days out, and scabbing etc has already commenced.

Most if not all veteran members wouldn't have their opinion swayed either way, IMO, on the perceived quality of work regardless of doctor. If anything, a heralded doctor will get extra-honesty if the work looks unusually poor; and an "infamous" doctor/clinic will get extra-honesty if the work happens to look good.

Also, how the work looks from immediate post-ops you can sometimes get an idea if the result will be poor, IMO, but just because the work looks "good" from that vantage doesn't mean the actual result will be good.

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*A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics*

1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash.

Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician.

Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death!

OM,, Good point man. Its nice to see some positive spin. You do have one thing on your side. Its age! All of us hope that some "miricle" cure is right around the corner. Magic pill, hair cloning, etc!!!!! Until then all we can do is try to keep up with our hair loss and cross our fingers. You enjoy your 20's! They go by too fast. LOL.

I think it will be good to enjoy the time with a nice hairline.

Its too early to comment about the hair transplant. About 5 months from now I'll give you my 2 cents.

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My Hair Loss Blog - Hair Transplant with Dr. Keene