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OK so allow me to explain because this title is probably confusing.  FUTA versus FUE is one of the most discussed topics however, what people don’t realize, is that FUE IS FUT.   FUT stands for follicular unit hair transplantation And was named that way because instead of using the old mini-graft  technique which contains approximately 4 to 8 hairs -  surgeon was began using hair groupings as they appear naturally in the scout, called follicular units. They follicular unit can be anywhere from 1 to 4 hairs.  A follicular unit transplant  procedure involves both  harvesting hair from the donut area and implanting them into tiny recipient incisions in the scalp.    However, when we talk about FUSS and FUE,  our strictly talking about the toner harvesting technique portion of the FUT procedure.   FUE stands for follicular unit excision, recently renamed by the ISHRS from follicular unit extraction.   This donor harvesting technique involves using one of many various excision devices to harvest follicular units one by one  from the side and back of the scalp or other areas of the body.  FUSS stands for follicular unit strip surgery and  involves harvesting a strip of tissue containing hair follicles, suturing or steepling the wound, typical using the tricophytic closure technique, slivering the tissue and dissecting follicular units  from the strip using microscopes.    So what about the implantation part of the procedure?   Why is there so much focus on the donor harvesting technique?  Well there are some names for the implantation part of the procedure, such as stick and place  but the focus is on the donor harvesting because that’s what ultimately determines the viability of the graft. If a graft is damaged, it’s typically during the dinner harvesting portion of the procedure. However, grafts can be damaged during the implantation part of the procedure if the technicians or surgeon is not careful and crushes it during implantation.   That’s why implanter pans were developed for example.   They assist with implantation  while minimizing damage to the follicles.     For more detailed information about all of the above, I suggest reading the content below that we’ve written on our website.  https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Hair-Loss-Treatments/follicular-unit-extraction.asp  https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Hair-Loss-Treatments/FUE-vs-FUT.asp  https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Hair-Loss-Treatments/FUE-hair-transplant-implantation-devices.asp  now, there are many more link so I can post, but if you follow the above link and then follow the links in the article 2 other parts of the site, you will see  or about specific extraction devices, sharp versus blunt punches, a history of FUE, etc.  I’d love to hear everyone’s input on this.  Bill      

And now Phil is even more confused between FUT, FUSS and FUE  Dr Wong asked me to do a simple laxity test, and seemed quite confident he could take 2000 +/-400 grafts without any issues. That surprised me given my obvious donor depletion from the FUE, but it also gave me hope that I might have enough donor supply to tackle things (I've had 4 doctors tell me I wouldn't have enough grafts to cover my hairline properly via FUE). Different doctors seem to have vastly different approaches and philosophies to surgery, so it ultimately seems dependant on the doctor you end up choosing, which is what I find a little troubling. Do you guys know any threads here that tackle the results of such surgeries (is it given a technical name when you switch between FUT (FUSS) and FUE back to FUT for example?  

Remember also that I’m providing you with general information. There are always exceptions to every rule. Perhaps Hasson And Wong know something about your specific case that I don’t and therefore, maybe they’re recommending strip for a reason.  That said, since we are being overly technical, FUT is actually the overshadowing procedure where as strip and if you we are actually both FUT procedures, they are both just different toner harvesting techniques. That may be confusing because everybody is so used to discussing FUT versus FUE.    The reality is, it’s FUSS versus FUE. If you SS stands for follicular unit strip surgery. 

I don’t think it means having less surgeries if you go strip. In fact, I think the potential of having more strips when you actually need them will be reduced. With that said, both techniques are good and produce good results, so either way whatever you choose should meet your goals right now.

Well if it means potentially less surgery in the long term and greater results sooner, actually I'd say yes. I have really good skin elasticity so why put off an FUT in the future if I can have it now, and then I would still have an FUE procedure left in my arsenal for the end where I can cherry pick my best hairs for touch ups (if need be).  You don't agree? We are going to go in a loop soon huh :...)