Just wanted to say thanks for all the amazing info on this site. I hung around for a while 3 years ago, learned a lot, and I decided to get on fin/rogaine/niz. I'm back with close to 30 mo on the big 3 and I think they saved a good chunk of my hair. Check out my blog thingy below to see how the medications worked. I haven't really compared before and after much until now, but have to say I'm pretty thrilled.
So where am I now? I'm considering going for the surgical transplant. Been reading some posts and really want your opinions. I saw Dr. Charles in Boca Raton, FL towards the end of 2009 for a consult. He reccommended ~2100 grafts and wanted to pencil me in the day after. I felt like it was moving too fast and I didn't have enough research behind me and pulled out. I wanted to really give the meds a good amount of time to try to stabilize things and learn more.
I'm 26 now which seems like a controversial age around here to be going for the surgery. My mom's 2 brothers and father didn't have good luck with hair (90% bald at 24). My dad, his bros, and father all have similar hair too mine (got thinner and the hairline went back pretty good). I've only seen positive change since the meds and the hair seems to be holding. I also have very dense hair on the sides, so probably a good donor.
I want to get the hairline evened out and reenforced. Mainly 1) this stupid notch in the middle and 2) evening the L and R sides out (L goes back noticably further). I don't need it to straight across like when I was 10, I just want some symmetry. To be honest, I really want that notch part fixed as it's impossible to cover up unless I come my hair straight forward which doesn't work for me. I cringe everytime I see an outside pic of myself.
Questions
-So what do you guys think looking at the pics?
-Estimated # of grafts considering I'm okay with a little receding?
-FUT vs FUE?
Concerns
-Initial recovery. Don't want to walk around school with everyone staring. Can probably do 1-2 wks hidden away which may be enough to just look like some sunburn.
-The scar. If I ever want to buzz it down or shave my head, how much will this thing show?
-Messing up what I have. Thinking maybe just a small number in the notch part and quit. I can live with the receding if that notch is fixed.
I'll be sending out info to a few docs to get some opinions, but want to hear from all you experts too. The Shapiros in Minnesota seems like the way to go, but would like more opinions on where to go (I'm from FL, but willing to travel).
I recently just got engaged and will probably be doing the wedding next summer 2012, so that's something I really want to be looking awesome for. That's what kind of got me thinking again. This summer would be a good time for it!
Thanks guys
Hair Restoration Site for Alvarez13