Hi All...

I have been reading through the articles here since about a fortnight and got have quite an insight into the world of hair and hair transplants. I am thinking of an HT for myself and would need a few expert comments from you before I head (sic!) for a transplant...Here's my story, my questions follow the story...

Age and Family History - <span class="ev_code_BLUE">I am 27 </span> and started losing hair since about close to 3 years. Initially, the loss was gradual and I ignored it assuming it was normal to lose some hair around the temple due to what I assumed to be Androgenic Alopecia. Also, both my paternal and maternal granddads are bald, so I thought my starting to lose some hair was normal

Hair loss and Category - Things became alarmingly serious since last year and a half during which period I lost almost 85% of all hair that I have currently lost till date. I am entirely clueless about the trigger behind this sudden loss. I am from India and the only change in routine over the 'loss' period was a short 1.5 month trip to the U.S on work during the start of the 'loss' period. Strangely, after my return from the U.S, I noticed the loss accelerate and before I could do anything about it I had already lost a considerable portion of my hair. At present, I would rate myself at somewhere around <span class="ev_code_BLUE">NW 3A ??“ 4</span>

Medication - Alarmed, I consulted a few local docs and on close examination found that I had lots of visible white colored flakes which the docs identified as some fungal infection. I was prescribed <span class="ev_code_BLUE"> some shampoos </span>. I used them for a few months and could see all the flakes disappear. <span class="ev_code_BLUE">I haven't used any other medication</span> for my hair loss. Also, I see less the scale of hair loss has reduced too. However, I think the damage has already been done

Expectations ??“ I understand, given my family history of baldness, that the balding process was inevitable. But, I think I have lost too much of hair too soon. Not so long ago, I was known for my good hair and reaching this stage so soon is way too depressing

My primary goal is to <span class="ev_code_BLUE">cover the visible scalp areas on the top of my head</span> to make it appear normal. Also, add some hair to the sides to make them normally balding and achieve a more appealing rounded M shape than the haphazard shape presently visible

Pictures/Images ??“ I have uploaded a few pictures of my hair and have highlighted areas that I want to be filled
http://img638.imageshack.us/g/img1p.jpg/

Now, to my questions,
1. Am I a good candidate for a HT to achieve my goals? Are there non surgical medications powerful enough available to help in achieving my goals? If yes, which ones?
Assuming that I am indeed a good HT candidate,
2. How many grafts would I need to achieve my goals? I tried using the graft calculator in this site and a choice of around 25 grafts per Sq Cm gave a number of around 2400 grafts/5400 hairs. Is this a reasonable number?
3. How do I determine the suitability of my donor area to provide enough grafts for my procedure?
4. Given my hair pattern, is it possible to undergo an HT without shaving my head? This question is just out of curiosity!
5. Does the location of the receiving area determine the speed of hair growth after a procedure? For example, is the growth on the crown slower than the one on the sides for any reason?
6. What would be the best medication to stabilize and control my hair loss so that I don't loss lots till the time I undergo an HT, if at all I undergo one?
7. Does indulging in strenuous physical activities such as fitness exercises and the like accelerate hair loss? I had plans to enroll myself in a fitness center but the thought of losing more hair in the process confused me! Also, would I lose more hair if I sweat more? Does one have to choose only one of hair and fitness?!

PS ??“ This post is a repeat of the post on the new upcoming forum plus some additional questions. Posting it in this forum before the other forum is fully active as per Bill's instruction??¦

Thanks for any valuable comments/help!