runwithscissors

Looks a bit like early stage MPB at the crown. But it could just be the concentrated whiteness of your scalp in the flash. I'd recommend sending your photos to a hair doc that does free consultations online. If they concur it is MPB then you might want to try using finasteride and minoxidil for 6 months + (they can both be purchased fairly cheaply online) and then you can see if the area thickens up. Bear in mind that if it does thicken up you will then have to keep using them both to maintain the thickness.

A tangentially related post. I see that you are taking 1 proscar tablet daily, is that 5mg of finasteride or a 1/4 tablet like many others here? If it is the 5mg, that's probably overkill for preventing mpb. Sorry I have no advice about the shedding though.

Actually, just looking again at the photos you posted, it appears that you're being set a low, square hairline - which is risky for someone aged 24. This, to me at least, is a red flag - especially if you are going for strip surgery.

The short answer is yes, having a HT at early age does deplete the donor area, especially if you have your hairline set very low and then you continue to lose more hair (which given you are likely to live for another 60+ years, is not unlikely). You don't want to end up chasing your hairline to the back of your head, which is highly likely given your early stage of hair loss. Without seeing pictures from the clinic (or more importantly the doctor that is performing the surgery) it's hard for anyone on these boards to comment on whether your chosen clinic is any good or not. If you do decide to cancel, I would recommend getting a consultation (even the online variety) with a recommended surgeon. Feller in New York is only a short plane ride from Toronto. Also, be careful to choose the right method. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is likely the best option for such a small number of grafts, as it means you can still shave your head if you choose not to go with future surgeries. Strip surgery will leave a linear scar which is harder to hide and thus ties you in to future surgeries. Good luck though, either way.

Bill - I agree. Level-headedness and honesty is what is called for.

Oh, and yes - regretht's words would carry more weight with pictures and the name of the doc.

I don't think that this post is particularly destructive - in fact I think it makes a good point. People in their twenties (like myself), considering their first transplant are making a decision based entirely upon emotions. I personally see myself as a mature and (well at least moderately) intelligent person, but my desire for an HT is entirely emotional - nothing particularly rational about it at all. I'm going through the process of taking the emotions out of it, getting on meds, waiting to see if hair loss stabilises (it has), and choosing carefully by researching docs and weighing up the pro's and cons, saving money, discussing it with loved ones, and yes I buzzed my head to see what it looked like first. I feel like I'm going into the process with my eyes open and with an awareness of the risks and long-term implications. But many people don't! Personally I think that the more warning markers and naysayers there are, the more it forces people to rationalise their decisions. Regretht thinks that we're all drinking the pro-ht cool-aid so to speak, by overemphasising the positives. I don't think that's true - as this forum is more balanced than that. But it's helpful to have this perspective.

This has nothing to do with Armani or Eric's response, but I'm just interested why the testicular part of the post bothers you? (For what it's worth, my brother was diagnosed and successfully treated for testicular cancer, so the way people talk about it is something that interests me). Though I agree the sharing of a patient's medical information as a scapegoat for bad transplant work is both uncalled for and transparently bad practice, I just wondered why the testicular bit was so objectionable to some posters. Frankly, I wish more men were less squeamish about talking about testicles, it may save their lives one day!

...actually I just found a previous thread on the benefits/drawbacks of prohair. I should have checked that first...

Sorry for hijacking the thread...but... nw4 - you say you haven't been to the pro-hair clinic but also say that their results are much better. Can you clarify that a bit more please? I've looked at the results from their clinic and they do seem to be pretty good, but I'd be worried about the 'hair mill' problem - how do you know you'll get a good surgeon on the day? Are there any other forumites who have experience of the prohair clinic? I only ask because their FUE prices are lower than Feriduni and Devroye, which seems an attractive option (but as we all know, cost should not be the top priority when choosing an HT surgeon).

Thank you all for your responses, it's good to hear some feedback from people who have been in a similar situation. As for the wedding situation, I think if the only reason for delaying the wedding turns out to be financial (rather than emotional) then that'll be less of a problem for her. Both our parents will either understand about the delay (especially in these economic times) or if they are feeling really generous, cough up some cash to help pay. Either way, I will try to pluck up the courage to bring the subject into conversation in the next few days and then see where I am from there. Thanks again

Thanks all for the responses. I can see that approaching the subject from a nervous and slightly humble angle helps. I just wish I had an ace up my sleeve - something that really justifies wanting one without appearing either vain or insecure (normally I wouldn't consider myself to be either of these things - but hair is the exception to the rule in my case). As for it being something rooted in childhood - perhaps you are right, I do remember being told as a small child how I would lose my hair like my father. I suppose I've always had a sense of anxiety about that. A few practical things. As for putting the wedding back - no date has been set, no budget fixed (hell we are still trying to decide what year). Realistically no transplant means we can get married next summer, with a transplant probably the year after. I have a good job and we have no other major expenses, but still, transplants aren't cheap. As for the pschoanalysis. One of the things that made me bring this up is that I spoke to an older female friend the other day that had recently had a tummy tuck. She was talking about how her partner had looked after her so well after the operation. It seemed strange that she should be so open about surgery but I would be horrified to tell someone that I was considering a hair transplant. Almost like a sign of weakness. I know this has been covered elsewhere on the forums but the taboo about the subject I still find extremely strange. I (like I imagine most people on these forums) would love to just get it done in secret and hide away until it grows in. Blerg. My ambivalence about the surgery is stressing me out. Anyway, sorry for the ramble. Thanks again for the help.

Hi, this is a first time post from a long-time lurker. Firstly thanks for this site, it's a fantastic resource! Basically I want some advice on broaching the idea of a hair transplant to my fiance. I'm 28, a NW3, been on propecia for 6 months and have decided to go ahead with a FUE procedure in the next few months. I've had a few consultations and have saved the cash. I'm in the UK and am currently choosing between Feriduni, Bisanga, DeVroye (or perhaps H&W or Feller if I decide to go across the pond). The question of which doctor to choose I will save for another thread however. My biggest worry is bringing up the subject and what to say that will win her over to the idea. It also doesn't help that we are saving for a wedding and I keep harping on about how we need to save for that and keep costs low. A hair transplant may seem like an expensive luxury right now, and although it is selfish, I would rather put the wedding back and get a procedure well before the ceremony. The issue of being immortalised with a thinned hairline in wedding photos is one particular concern I have. We have a trusting relationship but something in me doesn't want her to think less of me, or think I'm vain for wanting this. I also imagine it may be difficult for a woman that is after all attracted to me, to see why I would want the surgery if she is happy with me the way I am. I don't want to appear neurotic. Can anyone give me some advice on how to bring this up without panicking? Thanks a lot in advance

Hi Newton, just a quick question. You say that the cost of the procedure was 7500 Euro: was that for 1974 grafts? I was checking the Devroye website and it says the pricing is 2.5 euros per graft (lowering to 2 euros per graft over 2000 grafts). My sums don't add up... shouldn't it have cost 5000 Euros (or 4000 Euros at the lower price)? Basically, could you please give a more detailed break down of the costs if at all possible. Thanks