southbeacharchi

I still can't tell if the finasteride is helping at all. Any opinions?

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. And back at you, as I have been following your progress. You are around that point at which I was probably the most excited during the process. Best of luck with the continued growth for you.

Your native hair grows SO fast. The amount it grew from 2-3 months, looks like an inch or more is crazy. The results look really good also. It's unreal how fast you are progressing - I thought I had growth early, but yours blows mine away. Happy for you.

So, it's been 9 months since my first procedure and 1 month since my second small one. These are the first pics I have posted since the second procedure. I know I am going to be happy. Just more of a waiting game, again. It is going to be so great having that old scar (car wreck at age 18) on the side covered up. I think you can see it now on the right side pic because the transplanted hairs fell out. But once they come back, NO MORE scar from that car wreck ...so happy! I can't believe how much effect the first surgery had on my self-esteem and overall mood. No more having to comb my hair just right, or looking in the mirror every five minutes to make sure it didn't move and show my receding hairline. No more panics going out in the wind. I cannot voice enough for anyone out there contemplating a HT, you don't have to live like that. I think there is so much old, outdated notions about HT. If you do your research, you'll see what work is currently being done. I speak for myself as far as the financial aspect of it, when I say that at the time, could I really have financially afforded it? No. Could I have emotionally afforded to go without it? No. In my mind, I would do whatever it took to make the finances work and I have. Whatever the financial stress was, it was so worth it to know that I will forEVER have hair in the front and NEVER recede again. Again, I can only speak for myself. I really needed this at the point in my life where I was at. I would do it all over, exactly the same way if I had the chance to go back in time....well, I actually would have done it maybe a few years earlier. Anyway, take a look. Wish everyone the best.

Thanks orlhair1 !

That is how much I paid however many months ago. And I got over 2000. I don't believe the price changes for less than 2000, but I may be wrong. And no, I was not given any discount.

$3.80 x 1400 = $5320

According to my calculations, the doctor I went with, recommended on this site, would be right under the 5500 amount, and as you said in the quote, there are ones that are a tiny bit cheaper, which i chose against. There should be no problem getting an FUT with a good doctor, for under $5500. Without discounts, etc.

Update: So, I actually had a small additional HT a couple of weeks ago but just haven't had time to even really sit down and write about it. Since I was so happy with the results of my first HT, I went back to have a scar covered up from a teenage accident. I had a really bad car accident when I was 18, and actually had a large cut on my head and then they had to actually open up my head as well. I've had a scar on the side of my head ever since and I was always self-conscious of it - secondarily of course compared to when I started losing my hair. So, since the top was fixed, I thought I would ask about getting the scar covered. You can see it in most of my pics probably from pre-op to 7 months, depending on how long I had my hair. It is on the right side of my head going vertically from the front of my ear up kind of towards my temple. I went back to Dr. Keller and asked what he thought and asked about how many grafts it would take. He said it would definitely not be a problem, and that usually grafts can take well in scar tissue of course with variable factors. He also estimated around 200-300 grafts. Since I had relatively unnoticeable scarring from my first, I opted for FUT. When Dr. Keller harvested the strip, he actually got about 600 (I’ll get the exact numbers) grafts. He is such a nice person. On such a small procedure, he gave me 300-400 extra grafts and asked where I wanted them. I was happy with the first HT, but I would say that most people that have had thinning/lost hair can agree, I think we always want more! So I said on the top, of course. He went through and strategically placed the remaining grafts. So, the healing process starts again but on a much smaller scale this time. I could NOT be HAPPIER with the results! The ugly scar that I have been aware of for half my life is completely gone and all the grafts seem to have taken in the scar tissue.....AND I got a free 300-400 for my "triangles" on top of my head. Life is good.

I appreciate you sharing. Can you be any more specific on the improvement you have shown in past few weeks, being even more than the past 3 months? I definitely have felt pretty much the same for the past 3-4 months. I'm sure it's just because I see it every day, and now that I have it - many times a day. lol.

Thanks a lot man! I checked out your pics/website and right back at you! So, you had yours about a month and a half prior to me. Have you noticed your hairs thickening? Were yours whispy and wirey? Mine are getting better....just curious. I'm thinking as it thickens not only will it even look better, but also hoping it helps with that curl. Best of luck.

I said I wasn't going to be able to take 8 month pics, but I did manage to snap a few the week after. They aren't the best quality - just took them real quick with my phone after I woke up. Next month will be better, and more of them.

Yes, I don't have to even worry about considering it because I would never be able to afford it. lol

I'm just curious.... Why would you choose any other doctor than one that specialized in HT? For me it was such a HUGE experience in my life and it was VITAL that I chose the right surgeon........it was my head, after all. Was it pricing? Did you receive it at some very large discount? Just trying to figure it out. Again, I do wish you the best of luck with it.

Wow. You are very passionate about this area. To be honest I don't remember what exactly was said of Propecia and Rogaine when they came out or their promises, so I can't comment on that. I also haven't read, other than that article, much about stem cell hair.....I was just saying it looked promising. I also said that it probably wasn't anywhere close to being a reality for humans. Maybe we'll have a cure for cancer before the hair cloning is perfected.....wouldn't that be great?

I would say it is impossible to tell. I would lean towards growth of the transplanted hairs just because I am not sure you would see new growth from rogaine that quickly. Also, I am pretty sure sure that the odds of rogaine regrowing hair in the front receding area are not great. I had a different type of HT, but my transplants fell out and were growing back by 2 months. All that said, I vote for transplanted hair growth. Best of luck.

It is my understanding that as long as you are following the cleaning regimen set by your doctor, the sweat isn't going to do any damage.....if you are concerned with dislodging them. The main problem or concern doctors have with exercise post-op is raising your blood pressure too much, which could cause problems.

I read about this the other day at work. I don't know what there is to question. It is science and they have done it. I would say the better question or debate would be as to how long until it is readily available and/or reasonably priced. I think the article I read said they were hoping to have it ready and available in 10 years? or maybe my mind is making that up. That sounds reasonable though.

I would ask first if you have any concern of the slight possibility of side effects from finasteride, or questioning the time/responsibility of applying the foam regularly or is it solely cost keeping you from doing either or both? If it is only cost, I would say that I would definitely do both. They can only help. You definitely can still lose more and thin. These treatments, if nothing else could give you stronger/more donor hair possibilities. I'm not sure about the post that said "you'll definitely have shock loss" and that those would prevent it. I didn't have any noticeable shock loss. I'm assuming that you are aware of the possibility of temporarily losing some more hair after starting either of these non-surgical solutions? Just my two cents. Best of luck with everything.