htownballa

Very interesting case thank you for posting... How much are you paying for your surgeries?

Jake, The definition of HM is to produce an infinite donor supply. However, traditional hair transplant techniques will still need to be used to implant the multiplied follicles on the patient's head. I think your quote is referring to the limitations of dense packing by the surgeon- no matter how much donor the surgeon has to work with, he won't be able to replicate natural densities of those without any hairloss.

Thx for the replies... Want to bump for any more opinions...

Jake, I'm starting to have more faith in the coming of HM within the next 10 years. It hasn't been posted on this site, but the UK government provided Intercytex with a 1.85 million pound grant just recently. This made mainstream news! If HM goes to plan, it should increase our donor area infinitely. Then we can all head off to Armani for dense packing/low hairlines lol.

Nikki, Just out of curiosity, do you think there is a high risk of shock loss when transplanting a young man (25-27) who has been on propecia for a few years with stabilized hair loss?

Dr. Feller, Do you forsee any significant advances in the hair transplant industry within 5 years? I was thinking of getting a hair transplant (am only 24), but there are so many limitations especially with my limited donor.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it was not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping I would have a greater donor density, he said my donor density was the average for my race as I am Indian. I am also 24 years old. I am definitely not planning on rushing into surgery, but I was hoping that the combination of Propecia and transplants could stave off me ever having to go bald in my early years. I will try to post some pictures for you guys to judge

I just got back from my consult with Dr. Rassman and I must say I am disappointed. I was hoping to build a master plan with him if my hairloss progressed, but he seemed content to not have one and just see what Propecia does. The following are the answers to my questions 1) Hair Mapping: He basically stated that my hair has over 50% miniturization in the frontal zone, with extensive thinning (greater than 50% miniturization) the frontal corners especially. He stated that Propecia would probably maintain hair in the region but not regrow any. He also told me Rogaine would be useless here. 2) Diffuse Alopecia? He told me that the thinning around my ears was probably genetic and not an indicator of DUPA 3) Hair characteristics: Ok this is where I was really disappointed. He said my hair has a slight wave, with medium thickness. He said I had decent contrast with medium brown skin and black hair. However, he said my donor denisty was only 1.5 units/mm squared while the average caucasian was 2.0 units/mm squared. This translated into roughly 4-6000 grafts for surgical use. Bummer! 4)Estimated future pattern of baldness? He would not care to make a guess 5) Master plan? This is where I wanted more input from him...he told me to stick to the propecia and wait a while, but if I wanted to, I could have an 800 graft transplant to the front...this really confuses me because I can't imagine much cosmetic benefit from 800 grafts on an early NW3...He also added that anyone who gives me an estimate of more grafts is probably ripping me off 6) What is my NW? NW2.75 7) Risk of shockloss? He basically told me that if I came back to him in a couple of years while still taking Propecia I would not have a high risk of shockloss after a transplant 8 ) What density would I need for a non-see thru front? He said I would not need a very high density due to my color contrast, but I am skeptical about this... His definition of see-thru is probably different than mine 9) Session size with strip? Did not ask him this 10) Should I pack in dense up in the front while having a sparse crown? He told me since I only had 4-6000 grafts I would need to put ALL my grafts in the front leaving the crown bare. DAMN! Ok guys, these are the results of my Q and A session with Dr. Rassman. I will try and get a second opinion soon from the other top docs and see what they tell me. Only problem is that I am in Texas and I dont know any other good docs besides the Limmers. I might just settle for an email from H&W and Armani, as I'm not sure if I should travel just for an opinion. Please give me your thoughts and opinions on my situation. Thanks

Hey guys, I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rassman in LA this coming Tuesday, September 12. My goal is basically to understand my hairloss situation better and get it "mapped for miniturization". If you dont know what that is he explains what he does in www.baldingblog.com. Anyways, the following is a list of questions I will ask him during my consult. Let me know if there is anything I should add or edit. You guys are a big support. 1. Get my hair mapped for miniturization (so I know exactly how much hair is thinned and can quantify my progress with Propecia) 2. Is thinning on sides indicator of DUPA? (the hair above and around my ears seems to be thinning...if i have diffuse alopecia I am screwed in terms of a transplant, as I have no stable donor hair) 3. Hair characteristics- thickness, waviness, donor density? approx how many grafts would you estimate I have for surgical use? 4. Estimated future pattern of baldness (based on mapping and family history) 5. Formulate a master plan (what he will suggest I do and when he thinks surgery would be appropriate in terms of potential risks) 6. Is my hairline considered mature right now or receded? IF I got surgery would it be wise to lower it? (not sure what NW I am) 7. Significant risk of shockloss for me? What can I do to reduce it? 8. Do you use custom-cut blades, according to my FU size? 9. What density do you think I need for a non-see thru front 10. If I go strip route, is it better to do larger or smaller session in terms of results and shock loss? 11. What do you think of this plan: pack it dense in front with sparse crown if it does eventuall go? would this look foolish in the future? 12. Lastly, based on his experience, how effective does he think fin will be in keeping my hair? (this is just so maybe he will give me some piece of mind)

Hey guys, I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rassman in LA this coming Tuesday, September 12. My goal is basically to understand my hairloss situation better and get it "mapped for miniturization". If you dont know what that is he explains what he does in www.baldingblog.com. Anyways, the following is a list of questions I will ask him during my consult. Let me know if there is anything I should add or edit. You guys are a big support. 1. Get my hair mapped for miniturization (so I know exactly how much hair is thinned and can quantify my progress with Propecia) 2. Is thinning on sides indicator of DUPA? (the hair above and around my ears seems to be thinning...if i have diffuse alopecia I am screwed in terms of a transplant, as I have no stable donor hair) 3. Hair characteristics- thickness, waviness, donor density? approx how many grafts would you estimate I have for surgical use? 4. Estimated future pattern of baldness (based on mapping and family history) 5. Formulate a master plan (what he will suggest I do and when he thinks surgery would be appropriate in terms of potential risks) 6. Is my hairline considered mature right now or receded? IF I got surgery would it be wise to lower it? (not sure what NW I am) 7. Significant risk of shockloss for me? What can I do to reduce it? 8. Do you use custom-cut blades, according to my FU size? 9. What density do you think I need for a non-see thru front 10. If I go strip route, is it better to do larger or smaller session in terms of results and shock loss? 11. What do you think of this plan: pack it dense in front with sparse crown if it does eventuall go? would this look foolish in the future? 12. Lastly, based on his experience, how effective does he think fin will be in keeping my hair? (this is just so maybe he will give me some piece of mind)

Lookin good How old are you and how many grafts did you get?

I've noticed on the H&W site that a lot of the patients' hair in the after pictures are dyed to a lighter color. Is this to reduce contrast between hair and scalp? I wish we could see the pictures with the same color hair in the before and afters.

If an HT surgeon packs a high density of hairs, say 60-70 Fu/cm squared in the frontal zones and hairline, would the transplant in the front still have a "see thru" look when dry in harsh light? Of course this is assuming minimal shock loss and high yield? I know it is unrealistic to expect thick hair when gelled or wet, but is it too much too expect non-see thru hair when dry also??? I'm asking this because i've heard ppl. say that all transplants give you a see thru thinning look. If this is true then a transplant is worthless to me as that is what I currently have. No totally bald spots yet.

What is your story? Did you run out of donor hair? Who did your transplants?

Well I think my plan is to get the hair transplant with a good hairline/density and have it thinner on the crown area in the future I just hope my donor is good which will allow me to do this...i mean look at bobman, a previous norwood 6 who probably has better hair now than i do at 24

You know its funny...I hear ppl all the time advising young people such as myself to get a mature hairline, save grafts, sacrifice density etc...but i havent really heard many transplant horror stories that involve somone having used up all their donor hair...sure ive heard of ppl having pluggy transplants/scars but not much of the "oh i used too much donor now im screwed"

bump

correct

Thanks for the reply jakevig Is it possible to have a dense hairline/midscalp and just have a thinning crown, not necessarily totally bald. I was thinking to place a lot of grafts in the front, and less on the crown so i can cover it up with concealers. Is this a common practice? PS My crown as of now isnt noticeably thinning and I just started propecia. Maybe the propecia will stave off crown baldness forever lol?

Hey veterans, I know it is wise to have a long term plan when transplanting. I was wondering how common it is or whether it is a good idea to decide and transplant donor hair to give a good, low hairline with high density + temples and skimp out on crown coverage. I was thinking in terms of looks it is more important to have the front framed as good as possible since nobody really looks at the back of your head anyways. Maybe it is possible to save 2000 grafts for the crown just in case and add a concealer when/if the crown eventually goes. What do you guys think?

Hey veterans, I know it is wise to have a long term plan when transplanting. I was wondering how common it is or whether it is a good idea to decide and transplant donor hair to give a good, low hairline with high density + temples and skimp out on crown coverage. I was thinking in terms of looks it is more important to have the front framed as good as possible since nobody really looks at the back of your head anyways. Maybe it is possible to save 2000 grafts for the crown just in case and add a concealer when/if the crown eventually goes. What do you guys think?

what prevents the pill from passing straight outta the gut and becoming expensive feces

I was wondering if there was anyway to guarantee that the Propecia we take each morning is actually being absorbed into our bloodstream and having an effect on DHT? Would chewing the pills be better than swallowing? Would taking it with food possibly be better? I know Merck states that it can be taken whenever/however, but what is your personal experience

Since there is no guarantee in what NW level I will become how are you suppose to plan an HT? Does this mean I will have to wait until I'm pretty much bald or is it too risky to get a HT while I'm still young and my hairloss future is still up in the air

How is ur hair transplant looking