Fantastic work Dr. Paul. I've always presumed that transplanting a female hairline would be far more difficult than a mature hairline on a male. Looks very natural and full.
Yeah, most HT patient's will need at least two surgeries to get the desired density. Dr. Alexander is a great doc - stay in touch with him and relay your concerns to him directly.... just like Takingtheplunge did.
I would wait at least a full year post-op before you do anything else. See what happens with your results, you might be happy with how things turn out with the graft yield. I would look into scar revisions before SMP.
It's hard to tell from the pics but you may have some folliculitis going on. Definitely check in with your doctor to determine if it is or not. The sooner you get on that the better.
But it might also be the minox causing the irritation. I know we discussed this in another thread but after about 30 days on the foam my skin couldn't take it any more. My ears even got chapped. So it could be a couple things. Check in with your doc!
Dr. Cam Simmons had a great post on this awhile ago. He consistently produces great scars and never uses trich. It works great for some patients but some doctors prefer other types of closures. Trich can be great but it is not the only way.
It's a big scar... though the redness is not out of the ordinary. Mine would sometimes get red even 12 months post-op... usually just out of the shower tho and I'm pretty fair skinned.
Grow out your hair to cover it and maybe get some dermmatch.
Hell yes it is worth traveling. There are some great docs in NYC but it is in your best interest to consult with the best in the world not just the city or state you happen to live in.
That's the most advanced balding I've seen in an 18 year old. Sorry bro that really sucks I know.
I like the advice given to you so far. Shave it down. Take propecia. Maybe Rogaine Foam too. No transplants. Pray for a cloning cure.
TC and RC are correct that donor characteristics can change with age and could affect a transplant years down the road. This is one reason why I preach propecia to be taken not only for the remaining hair on top but also for the "permanent" zone as well.
To be honest your hair looks really good Jesse. Perfect? No. But it really doesn't need more work at this time. Give it a few years and see if your loss progreses.... Get on fin if you aren't on it already. But be patient and save some grafts for the future if you need them because right now you don't. All the best!
Awesome result. Totally natural and undetectable. Don't be in a hurry to address the tiny bald spot in your crown. A stroke of dermmatch should do the trick.