Here is the Pic with my partial front system...JERRY

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Jerry,

I think your hairsystem looks very good. Most of us here have chosen the surgical or medicinal routes for restoring our hair but that does not mean that wearing a system has not crossed my mind over the years. Each of the approaches has it's benefits and limitations.

Care to share with us "who you went to", which attachment method, what the maintenence regimen is like, etc.

With that said I also felt like you did not look bad at all in the before picture. Your balding does not seem severe for a man your age, at least from the front view. For that reason you would probably be a good candidate for hair transplantation if you so decide in the future. No matter what you do it would be wise to start on Propecia to stave off additional loss, especially thinning of the crown and recession of the sides.

Phil

I just saw your previous posts. I guess you had a HT proceedure scheduled this summer but eventually decided against it.

I think you made a decision that was right for you. Congratulations on your new look. I'm happy for you and I hope you continue to be happy with it.

Phil

Phil: Thanks for the comments. Yes-i must say I a very pleased with going with the hairsystem. I did opt out of a HT, only because I felt it was not for me right now.

I purchased my hairsystem at GAYERHAIR in Philadelphia. They do have a website under that name also. It is a frontal system that attaches with bonding tape. I return to them every 3 weeks where they take it off, clean it, and trim my own hair. I paid $1,000 for the measuring and making of 2 systems, and I now pay $120.00 per month which includes maintenance, bonding tape, 2 sessions a month that includes cleaning, reattachment, and a haircut. Also, every 6 months I receive a new unit....so I'm really pleased with it.

Not one person I know suspects that it is a wig---I get tons of positive compliments all the time on my new "haircut", as they say, and I couldnt be happier.

no offense--and I feel bad doing this--but you really don't know. People are polite not to say anything or compliment even if they suspect or know. I have done that.

On another site, I was reading about another guy who went from a Norwood 7 to having a 16 year old's hair (system) and said that not even his close friends suspect. Yeah OK.

John:
I must disagree with you. First, I did not solicit most of the responses I received. I simply had people that know me say things like-Nice Haircut, or I really like your hair like that.

The other people were my close friends and family who knew I was getting a system, and they were brutally honest with me.

Glad it is working for you Jerry.

I will say that most people can spot a piece almost immediately.

IF you are good with this then great, but weigh the costs of your system over the next 20 years versus the cost of a HT or two, just to see.

I think for those who cannot be helped by a HT a system is a good backup plan.

Good Luck and let us know if anything changes!

__________________
Go Cubs!

6721 transplanted grafts
13,906 hairs
Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

well, we can't really debate this since it's mostly opinions, biases come in and so on.

At your age you have plenty of donor hair (I saw your picture on the other thread) and very little to cover; go for an HT and then it will truly be natural. In a few years it would pay for itself B Spot mentioned. Plus, after a week or so you could put the system back on till the hair starts to grow.

as I said before, to each his own, and maybe you are the one with an udetectable system. We don't really know.

As John_in_NC said, tough debate..............I'll post my thoughts. I side with John & Bspot, I don't think there's a hairpiece that I couldn't spot. At the same time, I think men who are balding are sensitive to this. For instance, I'll point someone with a piece out to my wife and she won't have noticed it.........but when I point it out then she can. Hope this makes sense.

If you're comfortable with the hairpiece that's what matters but, as has been said, I have yet to see one that I couldn't spot. The pics you posted look decent, but to me I could still tell it was a hairpiece. Maybe it looks better in person, I don't know, I'm just trying to give you honest feedback.

From your pic without the hairpiece, you do appear to have great donor hair and could likely be a very successful HT patient. Bspot has a very valid point about cost...........in the end, it may likely be more cost effective to go the HT route.

It's your call and you need to do what your comfortable with. Best of luck to you.

__________________
Hairbank

1st HT 1-18-05 - 1200 FUT's
2nd HT 2-15-06 - 3886 FUT's Dr. Wong
3rd HT 4-24-08 - 2415 FUT's Dr. Wong

GRAND TOTAL: 7501 GRAFTS

current regimen: 1.25mg finasteride every other day

My Hair Loss Weblog

Disclaimer: I'm not a Doctor (and have never played one on TV ) and have no medical training. Any information I share here is in an effort to help those who don't like hair loss.

I agree with the others. Instant hair at first is great, but over the years youll realize what a pain in the ass it is to maintain, not to mention the cost. People will always tell, because it cant look perfect 100% of the time. What happens if you cut your head? Stay in the hospital? All these reasons that could( i hope not) happen that might cause the piece to be removed, which you dont want.
Ive been through this and listen to the others...a ht is the only way to go. I would have never appreciated the freedom of a ht unless I went through wearing a system for 5 years. But this is just my opinion. It looks good but over time the novelty wears off and its frustrating, worrysome and pricey.