bigT

Hi All Sorry I've not been back to update since the surgery. I am now approaching 10.5 months post op from 760 fue grafts and have an appointment to see Dr Bisanga for a follow up in London in the morning. My growth/yield has been mixed, it has grown in adequately well in the upper half of the area worked on but the area right at the front of my hairline is quite sparse and requires touching up in my opinion to look natural. The experience in Brussels with Dr B & team was great and Steve has been supportive pre & post op in communication. I realise you guys will want to see pictures and although I have sent Steve some and kept him informed of my progress I don't feel it's correct to post pictures until I've followed up with Dr Bisanga in person. I am hoping Dr B will agree to add a very small number of grafts to the area of concern in the new year and have discussed this with Steve. I will update after tomorrow's consult and I promise to post pictures eventually! bigT

Thanks ej fingers crossed. Hi Spence good to hear from you and thanks for the good wishes. It's strange being back on the forums! Have had my preop consult all went well and will update 2moro post op

I leave in the morning for Brussels and have a pre-op consult booked in for the afternoon, then the big day is Friday. I have quite specific areas of the donor region I don't want to be harvested from in order not to thin it out too much and/or so that I could get max yield from a strip surgery at some point in the future. I discussed this with Dr Bisanga at our consult a few years back and I believe Stingray had a similar approach. I'll get some pictures of the donor areas used and avoided during the surgery for you guys too. I'm hoping that if this relatively conservative session goes well and my yield is good, I could go back into the chair for another pass to address the left hand side of my hairline. With the hair pulled back it is as recessed as the right side but due to my cows lick/natural part my forelock covers up the left hand side much better. I'm well aware my hair loss is not nearly as bad as some and taking a cautious approach is sensible I think where possible. Again Stingray took a similar approach and I hope my hair line turns out as well as his and I can go back in for round 2 with Dr Bisanga at some point. Will update post HT Cheers

Hi all It's been a long time since I've posted on the forums but as I am going back into the chair for a second FUE procedure this Friday the 21st December with Dr Bisanga, I thought I would start a new thread. I had a small FUE surgery in 2006 with Dr Feller on the right hand side of my hairline of about 400 grafts. I've been on propecia since 2004 and have been fortunate not to lose too much hair. I am now 32 years old and feel it is the right time to go for a second pass in the same area to hopefully improve the density, reduce the recession at the widows peak and lower the hairline. Whilst satisfied with my first procedure I decided to go to Dr Bisanga and BHR for my second pass after seeing a lot of their work online. I had a good consultation in person with Dr Bisanga a few years ago and I met up with Stingray, who posts online, to view his results. The location/cost factor of the clinic was also important as I live in London. I will upload some current pre-op pictures. I wear my hair short on the back and sides and would like the option of shaving my head all over so density and well angled grafts are my priority. I'd like to thank Steve the clinic rep who has been very helpful. Will keep you all updated

As the title states really: I am planning to drop my daily dose of finasteride from 1.25mg daily to 0.5mg and then possibly 0.25mg to combat moderate sides (gyno/low libido) and because it's healthier (ideally id like to get off it completely but reducing in the first instances). Been on fin at the full dose for over 7 years and have only ever used Nizoral Shampoo 2% 1 or 2 times a week topically. Had a small FUE 5 years back and may go back for more. Considering a cropped/shaved hair cut long-term. Other than Nizoral I've never used any topicals so would appreciate some candid advice on a good regimen. I am thinking Minoxidil 5% but would like to try and fight DHT topically too, is Spiro the best choice here, if so which product(s)? Are there 2 or more different ways androgens can be fought topically? All the talk of antagonist and receptors left me dizzy after reading the forum for a bit! I am not going to go as far as some do with RU etc and making up solutions from powders from research labs as too much trouble for me personally. So it's Nizoral 2%, Minoxidil 5% (or stronger/with other active ingredients?), Spiro....... And what else/instead....... All input much appreciated

As the title states really: I am planning to drop my daily dose of finasteride from 1.25mg daily to 0.5mg and then possibly 0.25mg to combat moderate sides (gyno/low libido) and because it's healthier (ideally id like to get off it completely but reducing in the first instances). Been on fin at the full dose for over 7 years and have only ever used Nizoral Shampoo 2% 1 or 2 times a week topically. Had a small FUE 5 years back and may go back for more. Considering a cropped/shaved hair cut long-term. Other than Nizoral I've never used any topicals so would appreciate some candid advice on a good regimen. I am thinking Minoxidil 5% but would like to try and fight DHT topically too, is Spiro the best choice here, if so which product(s)? Are there 2 or more different ways androgens can be fought topically? All the talk of antagonist and receptors left me dizzy after reading the forum for a bit! I am not going to go as far as some do with RU etc and making up solutions from powders from research labs as too much trouble for me personally. So it's Nizoral 2%, Minoxidil 5% (or stronger/with other active ingredients?), Spiro....... And what else/instead....... All input much appreciated

As the title states really: I am planning to drop my daily dose of finasteride from 1.25mg daily to 0.5mg and then possibly 0.25mg to combat moderate sides (gyno/low libido) and because it's healthier (ideally id like to get off it completely but reducing in the first instances). Been on fin at the full dose for over 7 years and have only ever used Nizoral Shampoo 2% 1 or 2 times a week topically. Had a small FUE 5 years back and may go back for more. Considering a cropped/shaved hair cut long-term. Other than Nizoral I've never used any topicals so would appreciate some candid advice on a good regimen. I am thinking Minoxidil 5% but would like to try and fight DHT topically too, is Spiro the best choice here, if so which product(s)? Are there 2 or more different ways androgens can be fought topically? All the talk of antagonist and receptors left me dizzy after reading the forum for a bit! I am not going to go as far as some do with RU etc and making up solutions from powders from research labs as too much trouble for me personally. So it's Nizoral 2%, Minoxidil 5% (or stronger/with other active ingredients?), Spiro....... And what else/instead....... All input much appreciated

SOLD

Hi guys, I have never posted in this section before so please be patient with a newbie! I would really appreciate it if someone could give me a quick run down of the dos and dont's when researching, consulting, purchasing, and maintaining a hair system. The reason i ask is because i'm setting up a hair loss consultancy business and this is the one major area i am lacking in any great knowledge. Obviously if a client is interested in wearing a system i need to be able to give them the best, most ethical advice possible regarding their options. Having had a transplant and used finasteride and other treatments/supplements i have a strong knowledge of these areas. However my sum research into systems was nearly four years ago when i consulted with Advanced Hair Studio in the UK, who were keen to shave my head and stick a system on top, or offer me laser therapy at extortionate rates. I think i had a lucky escape (especially given their persistent sales calls for months after). From searching this forum it seems many advise purchasing on-line and doing self-maintenance, if anyone could list all the 'top' places to buy from and their pros/cons/differences it would be great. Im particulary in need of info on the best suppliers to UK as this is where im based. Also im sure many men at first atleast will prefer to go to a 'salon' like AHS or Hair club in the US, however is there a list of 'reputable/top salons' like in HT with Hasson&Wong/Shapiro/Armani/Feller, and ones to avoid like in HT we have the Bosley/MHR/Norton (UK) etc. Also if someone could break down types of system and their differences would be great ie lace etc as my knowlede is very sketchy. Sorry for the long post but any help is much appreciated and will help many others get the right advice if they are considering a system when i see them. Thanks, bigT.

Anyone know why Dr.Feller does not seem to be included in the Coalition list of recommended docs? Thought he is one of the best in the business ie ultra refined FUs, new tools, FUE results etc.....Pat/Robert/Spex??

Robert, Thanks for reply. I am definitely maintaining, but don't think there has been any cosmeticly noticeable regrowth. Still im happy....realistic expectations and all that!....also no side effects I think zinc may indeed have boosted my libido so it does something usefull atleast! Do you think it worthwhile to add seperate B6 supplement to the zinc? never been too clear what the B6 did/added? prob get enogh from my muti anyway.... why do you think saw palmetto is waste of time? it is a different substance to fin...anyone else? Cheers

Hi all haven't posted for ages but recently cancelled/'postponed' my scheduled HT, as for now want to give the meds a further chance. I am 25, with moderate recession at hairline/temples, but not too unhappy with look. Having decided against HT i want to hang on to all ive got at mo and had four Qs regarding my current medication regimen, which is: Daily-1mg finasteride(17mths), saw palmetto 320mg standardized(2mths), zinc 50+mg(2mths), EFAs, multi-vit/min, sometimes nizoral. I do not intend to use minoxidll. Avodart would replace fin if efficacy dropped. I am holding my hair quite well i think but my four Qs were: 1)is there anything peeps think i should add that would be clearly beneficial? 2)is there any danger of losing hair due to too much zinc? (blocking copper?) 3) am i wasting time/money on saw palmetto (does it act any differently to finasteride)? 4) is Nizoral like minoxidll ie if i use it consistently and then stop will i lose hair it has helped retained? (will hair become dependent on it?). Thank you for everyones help/advice/input. This forum is a god send. if anyone has any Qs regarding my reigmen feel free....Cheers.

Thanks to all who have replied to my questions so far, it really is appreciated and needed! The reason for Dr.Rogers suggesting strip over FUE was primarily because he has only recently started FUE and so doesn't want to push it too strongly before he has personal experience of its positive results(he did also mention the extra cost) - fair enough i thought. This doesn't mean i have dicounted the idea of FUE by a more experienced doctor in the US. This brings me back to my second point in my previous post ie who should i consider in america - sparky speaks of a good experience with ron shapiro but he would still perform the strip surgery and not FUE as far as i know. Can anyone guide me on this - those who have travelled to receive surgery, strip or FUE in US, how to practically contact/consult with the best in US, and a shortlist of the best doctors for my type of proposed surgery??? Once again every reply is read and appreciated

I am considering surgery with one of these doctors and would appreciate anyway feedback (petef, londonguygraftking?!?!) from people who have had their surgery performed by them. I am having a receded hairline restored with 800-900 strip grafts to be used. All replies much appreciated. Cheers.

I am considering surgery with one of these doctors and would appreciate anyway feedback (petef, londonguygraftking?!?!) from people who have had their surgery performed by them. I am having a receded hairline restored with 800-900 strip grafts to be used. All replies much appreciated. Cheers.