the B spot

I'm not sure why anyone would approach a HT looking for a specific density---the general theory is that the AVERAGE HT patient can achieve a non-balding, illusion of density with 50% density of the balding area. The few lucky patients who have all the best characteristics are able to exceed this figure and for those truly unlucky patients who possess lower characteristics, they may achieve 30-40%. You have no idea what 55 fu's cm/2 will look or 35- or 65 for that matter. You have to look at the big picture and use the numbers as a starting point, then move forward....I can tell you if you have all 1+2 hair grafts your density of 60 fu's cm2 will similar to a person with a different distribution of 45 fu's that include 1-2-3-4 hair grafts. 30 (1 hair) + 30 (2-hair) = 90 hair density 20 (1 hair) + 15 (2-hair) = 10 (3-hair) = 80 hair density....so one guy gets 60 grafts and the other 45 grafts....no real appreciable difference in the density overall. Take Care, Jason

To follow up on what Janna said, hair characteristics play such an important role regarding coverage. Aside from the raw numbers, which are certainly a nice indicator, assessing the hair characteristics of a patient as just as important. Hair to scalp contrast plays a role as well. This patient has very nice hair, good donor and laxity so he should achieve an excellent result. Of course, once the hair greed bug bites.....well, we all know where that leads ;-) Jason

All doctors are able to post their results on this site, without paying a dime. However, those who are asked to join this organization are required to pay a fee. Now, on to your situation. At 45, you are a CLEAR candidate do target your frontal zone a bit more aggressively and add 500-600 grafts to your thin crown to boost that as well. I would estimate 2000 grafts initially to the frontal zone, but would do so knowing 2200-2300 is probably the right number, add the 500-600 to crown and you are looking at 2700-3000K grafts. I say this knowing that even if you did 3000K in the manner I described, you would still be back a year later for 1000-1200 grafts to refine/add selective density to the hairline. I think the approach with Dr. Pak is fine if you 100% understand that your 100% going to be back a year later to another 1700 or so, and your going to be back a year after than to do the final touch-up. My suggestion is to do the larger first session then one final touch-up. Take Care, Jason

I think you may have to consider removing your dreads...from the photos it looks like some traction alopecia may have occurred in tandem with your natural loss. I would be hesitant to recommend a HT based on your current hairstyle...perhaps if you shaved it off or cut your hair short, a nice appropriate hairline and frontal half can be rebuilt. Again, if you plan on putting your transplanted hair into dreads, you may just experience loss again. As far as grafts go, anything 2500-3500 would seem to be fine, absent the factors I detailed above. Take Care, Jason

Why don't you just ask Dr. Cooley to work with you? Ask to take a stand-by date with 2 weeks notice or something of that ilk. Your paying 12-13K for 3K grafts---see if they will work with you. Never hurts to ask mate. Jason

Hey Ray...glad your going in to get your situation resolved mate. Your going to achieve your results with Dr. Bisanga. You did your research and I believe chose a top FUE clinic to get the results you want. I hope your able to continue to counsel others as they go through their journey and continue to share yours with us. Can't wait! Jason

Looks like a graft to me....a really big graft...who did your surgery? Your recipient sites look odd.... Either way, its one graft...so just be more careful mate. Take Care, Jason

Based on your statement, your not even a hair transplant candidate. A perfect result is perfect to each individual....of which there are plenty of such patients on this site. Why would you want a 19 year old hairline at 35, 45, 55, etc..? Your off to a good start by looking around the site...continue to do some research and ask questions and you'll find yourself much better off. Take Care, Jason

The "average" result should meet the patients expectations. That would be natural, undetectable, and proper density, with a patient who understands what result can be achieved, and how successive procedures (if needed) will be required. A poor result does not meet realistic or doctor provided patient expectations. As John Malloy points out....a hairline can be thick, low, etc...but if it fails to look natural, it is a failure...regardless of whether every graft grew. However, I want to point out that if a patient is happy with his or her results, then that is marker of a positive result. There is no "one size fits all" marker for a successful HT other than naturalness and patient happiness. Take Care, Jason

I think one could argue that hairloss is not actually "cosmetic"....rather, a repair of a defect....like a person who is born without a finder or a cleft palate....we are born with a genetic predisposition to baldness. Interesting.

I'd recommend waiting a tad....of course that depends on how aggressively you masturbate. I know a lot of the guys here will be pulling for you

Tell him to keep the shorter hair.....the Mel Kuiper Jr look only works for, well....Mel =) Nice work Dr. Simmons. Take Care, Jason

I think you should wait. No one should be under this much pressure to do, or not to do a cosmetic procedure. Another point is you almost 100% going to need another...if your wife is rather unsupportive now, going back and saying I need to drop another 8-10K is going to be a problem in all likelihood. I have spoken to several wives/significant others who just do not get it....they are under the impression that because they are happy with their balding partners, he or she should be happy as well. Getting a HT is personal, much like education...it is for your personal benefit, and yours alone. Others may reap the benefits, certainly, but at the end of the day, it is yours...just like your hair. Most of the time after hearing another personal explanation of this, most partners look at this from a better perspective. One of the factors to a positive HT is support...If you do not have it, it makes for a tough recovery period....and God forbid something goes wrong. I have stated many times, Waiting to get a HT is NEVER the wrong decision. Your sound as if your under too much stress mate...I think you should hold off a bit. Take Care, Jason

Hey Guys and Gals, Just wanted to say Happy Turkey Day to all...Give someone an extra hug and make sure you let those around you know how special they are. Take Care, Jason

Hey TDS!!! Glad you had such a wonderful experience with Dr. Ron, Matt, Janna and the gang =) Your going to feel like a million bucks in the coming months =) I'll hit you up after the holidays to talk about everything and see how your doing, cool? Take Care, Jason

Lorne, do a search on FUE and Strip and you will have many hours of reading available to you!! Good luck on your research!!! Jason

Hey aazark... I think I heard Dr. Wolf is taking some time off of his practice, so you might double check that. I'm not sure Dr. Haber does up to 4000 grafts, so you might want to check that as well. If he does, I would consult with him. Dr. Lindsay is doing and sharing some excellent work on a regular basis...I know he is not a Coalition doctor, but I think you should feel comfortable consulting with him as well. As far as us at SMG, we would be happy to have you, but we're most happy your making some solid doctor choices before proceeding. Take Care, Jason

I'm not saying you can't do 3000 grafts in 4 hours....but I doubt you would get a good result. Sounds like BS to me....more like 1200 grafts 3000 HAIRS. Even that in 4 hours is a stretch..more like 6. I think you might want to re-evaluate going forward right now. Take Care, Jason

Thanks Wind. I'll have to check out the Matrix and report back to you =)I'm trying to get my wife to accept me with some blond highlights...she has an issue with it..I might just do it anyway. BTW---On a funny note..she wants a wedding ring "upgrade" said she expected me to spend what I have spent on my hair....I laughed. Einstein... once you get to 10 months, just about everything should have broken through the skin...that doesn't mean you can "see" it or that the hair will provide any cosmetic benefit...that could take several more months to occur. Also, it seems most people experience a slower growth period for each successive HT....something to keep in mind as well.

Hey Wind....what do think are the best thickening/density products to put on wet hair? Thanks, J

I would not classify this procedure as a failure. If abedogg is satisfied, even after acknowledging less than optimal growth, then all of us should be satisfied. After all, his opinion is the most important. Additionally, this thread does not paint a rosy outlook or a poor outlook...it details the journey quite well and will allow any potential reader to grasp the positive and negatives of this approach. Myself personally, I am not a big fan of the nape hair (except and as an alternative source)...if I had to guess, I would say that there is a possibility that the nape hair is what did not grow or is cycling differently than expected. Time will tell. The important thing here is that abe is happy and has a commitment "option" from his doctor that he will take care of him at no charge should he choose to exercise it. Notice he did not blame the patient or declare this to be an expected result or tell him there are no guarantee's. All in all, very informative thread. Take Care, Jason

You have all of 5 posts, 2 of which you have used to 1. attempt to screw with a guy who is having a rough time. 2. Offer me a "recommendation" based on your what????? Years of experience??? Just because you went to the same doctor as Balboa doesn't qualify you as more capable to comment on a persons HT. That is one of the most illogical and shortsighted comments I have ever read on any forum. Again, you display your lack of knowledge by thinking I work for a "competitor" SMG is not a competitor with Armani. We do not do mega-session FUE cases and in all likelihood never will. We hope every Armani patient has a great experience and result. Let me give you a recommendation: I suggest you develop some empathy and consideration for your fellow balding brothers, regardless of choice of doctor. I think you will find it easier going and much easier to share your experiences with others. My opinion, of course. Take Care, Jason

Come on Sonic, posting this type of garbage is just a barely veiled attempt to discredit Balboa. The guy is sharing his experience, just like yourself...he just happens to be unhappy with his results. FUE is not major surgery, in fact, I believe there are some clinics who bill this procedure as "Non-Surgical" No one here is going to bash you because you had a great experience...I can speak for every bald man when I say that ANY HT patient who has a great experience and result is GREAT news. What you will find here is very little tolerance for personal attacks and ignorant remarks...especially those remarks that have no place, such as your 1-2 years of healing comment and mental diagnosis. Take Care, Jason

Hi Steve, I think at 22 with your level of loss and such deep temple recession, your not a candidate for a HT at this time. I think you probably have the perfect look for yourself with the short buzz cut. You should wait until your 27-28 and see if you loss progresses. Should you stay relatively the same, I would say 2000-2500 grafts, FUE, to rebuild the frontal forelock only and then go back with some density (ala Phil Collins forelock like you have now) I think it is wise to get some recommendations, but overall, you should try propecia and minox and see what happens there first. Good Luck!!! Jason

Joe, when did you turn 40? Thought you were 38-39 these days?