zenmunk

Levrais, Do you think most docs would honor the request to venture outside of the safe zone in order to spread out the extraction pattern as much as possible for the reasons we've discussed?

That's great! Are you referring to Dr. Paul Shapiro? That's awesome! That's what I hope my doc will do. I really want him to use the entire safe zone, including the sides of the head, and even venture outside of the safe zone when necessary. I want him to do this for the reason you mentioned, but also because I think that kind of extraction pattern will minimize scar coalescence and the patchy look as much as possible, especially when buzzed to a #1 or less on the clippers. I've noticed that even in relatively small FUE cases, that docs often extract only from the back of the head and leave the sides alone. The extractions seem grouped unnecessarily close together. I always wonder why that is...

Oh, that's great news, Levrais! Thanks for asking her to check.

Levrais, Do you think the differences you mentioned are a result of the trauma the grafts receive during the transplant? It's reassuring to know the differences are so minimal, and an untrained eye would probably not detect them. aaron1234, If only 1's are used in the hair line, as a opposed to multi-hair grafts, do you think that might minimize differences between the transplanted and native hairs where they leave the skin? My recipient sites are fairly small, and I have fine, straight hair, so I expect the doc won't use anything greater than single hairs in order to match the surrounding native hair. Perhaps the fineness of my hair will work to my advantage in that respect, even though it works against me in terms of density. Thanks guys.

Thank you both for your replies. How willing do you think HT docs are about extracting outside of the universal safe zone if a patient requests it? I know that's a strange question, but if I go forward with a relatively small FUE procedure to restore my hairline (1200-1300 grafts), and, if necessary, a follow-up procedure to touch-up what doesn't grow from the first procedure, I don't want to chase my future hair loss with additional surgeries. If it were possible, I'd have non-DHT resistant hairs cloned and used exclusively as the hairs to restore my hair line, and if/when the meds quit working, just let nature take its course and allow the transplanted hair to fall out with the rest. Alas, that's not possible, and I'll be left with two transplanted "triangles" of hair at my temples, but with FUE I'd at least have the option to shave down providing the scarring is not too noticeable. That's why I'd prefer my doc to extract from the ENTIRE safe zone, spreading them out as much as possible, to minimize the appearance of scarring. Of course, a lot will depend on how I heal, but that's outside of anyone's control. I realize the doc with be extracting from the safe zone no matter what, but if I were explain the above, do you think a doc would venture outside of the safe zone somewhat in order to spread out the extractions as much as possible? Thanks.

Levrais, Happy to hear it doesn't look pluggy, but have you noticed any differences between the transplanted and native hair, especially when cut short? If so, what kinds of differences? And, were you an FUE patient? Thanks.

Good to know. Thanks.

Thank you for your reply, Thehairupthere. I've read a few posts where people claim that transplanted hair in the recipient site appears somewhat unnatural when buzzing one's hair down. In other words, any differences in appearance between the transplanted hair and the native hair are more apparent. Are you familiar with this viewpoint?

I'm considering having my hairline restored via FUE. I'll need around 1,300 grafts to do the job, perhaps less if I go a little more conservative. I have fine, straight, medium-brown hair. I understand that docs typically use 1's at the front, and as they move backward toward existing native hair they use 2's, 3's and even 4's. I'm concerned that when buzzed to a #1 or less on the clippers that multi-hair grafts will take on an unnatural appearance. Is that a valid concern? Given my hair characteristics, do you think it's possible for docs to use only 1's to restore the hairline? Or, perhaps 2's as well very close to the existing native hair, but mostly 1's? Even if the grafts were densely packed, do you think the hairline would appear very see-through? Thanks.

Do any of you have an opinion about one day FUE procedures vs. two day procedures? What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks.

In some small FUE cases, I've noticed pics where it doesn't appear as if the entire safe zone was utilized; instead, only the back was used, and the extractions seem to be grouped unnecessarily close together. Take a look at the donor extraction pattern in this thread: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/142984-fue-patient-1-year-post-op-also-**update**-2-year-post-ops-dr-feller-patient.html Couldn't the doc have utilized the safe zone on the sides of the patient's head as well? Theoretically, wouldn't a better cosmetic result be achieved in the donor area by spreading out the extractions as much as possible, even in small cases? Are there any valid reasons for keeping the extractions grouped together in such a way? I'm not suggesting this patient's donor result is bad at all (and, the overall results of the HT are obviously amazing); just wondering if spreading the extractions out more may have been even better (particularly if the patient chooses to wear his hair buzzed down to a #1 or less on the clippers). Thanks.