bobo

aaron & matt, thanks for your response. i am using rogaine, but i didn't realize it would be counterproductive at this stage, should i continue using it? I doubt its my native hair since i didn't have much and therefore the difference wouldn't have been that significant. I'm glad you've had the same experience at month 6 and that it eventually reversed, what i'd like to figure out is why and how common this is, in order to understand if/what i should be doing about this? I haven't found any posts talking of the subject so i suspect its not that common. If it is the transplanted hair shedding cycle, why does it seem so significant, since it doesn't seem to happen to normal hair on the back of your head? and does this occur repeatedly or just once? Again, thanks in advance

Gents, once again, i want to thank you all for your valuable advice to my previous post on how to differentiate among the top 3 surgeons. I ended up going to Dr Rahal end of October and until 3 weeks ago, which was my 6 month mark, i saw a significant amount of progress and growth, to the point that my hairline was almost filled out. Over the last 3 weeks i have seen a gradual thinning from where i was, somewhat noticeable and i am starting to get concerned. Its certainly not back to where it was and much better than pre-surgery, but it is a regression of where i was, my scalp is now showing somewhat and i'm not sure where this is going. I had thought that at this point the transplanted follicles would have anchored and that i wouldn't be seeing any kind of regression. Can someone please give me a realistic perspective on what is going on? How common is this and why does it happen? and is it temporary and will it reverse? After all the excitement of seeing that growth and filling out, i can't begin to imagine whats next. had it gone through a slower growth cycle it would not have been as alarming, but i am seeing progress reverse and i am not sure when this ends or what to do about, if i can do anything about it at all. thanks in advance,

Once again, many thanks to you all for your feedback, its certainly helped a great deal in advancing my research and reaching a decision. Quite honestly, i am still torn between Dr Hasson and Dr Rahal. On one hand, Dr H seems to have the most experience with mega sessions and 4k+ procedures in 1 sitting, he pioneered the lateral slit technique and the ability to dense pack, and seems to have longstanding experience and outstanding results. Dr Rahal seems to excel creating natural looking hairlines, has experience with 4k+ procedures, and is very well regarded as far as dense packing. Based on all the research and consultations I'm not yet able to make a definitive choice, and it falls down to choosing between the edge on the hairline and the mega session experience. I understand its a personal decision and i probably won't go wrong with either, but please help break the deadlock. A few things i noticed, which may or may not be material? Dr H's transplant area and scar seem to heal quicker, on average, but unsure whether that's down to the individual? Dr R gave me a tel consult whilst i spoke to Dr H's consultant, but that doesn't necessarily sway me significantly, since Dr H's consultant was very knowledgeable and helpful. Dr H's advocates Proscar whilst Dr R sides with Rogaine, not sure what to make of that? Dr R is more booked up than Dr H at this point, but not sure if that means anything? I'm stuck ...

Lorenzo, i appreciate your perspective and the fact that each person will have their own bias, although i am interested in hearing everyone's personal views and taking them for what they are in order to complement my research, thanks again, bobo

First of all, many thanks to you all for your feedback, its been very useful. Who, in your opinion has the edge and most experience performing 4000-5000 graft HTs (in one sitting) and providing the most density/fullest look for a Norwood 4/5? thanks again, bobo

Dear All, First of all thanks to Site Managers and ALL the Contributors for helping educate and guide the rest of us though what has been a maze. Its taken me 5 years and a recent jolt to take the leap and go for a HT. I have read a lot of posts and seen a lot of pictures and have to admit that i'm still somewhat undecided on who to go with. While choosing the right surgeon is no exact science, i'm left looking for more direction on who to go with. Can anyone shed some more light on who their top 3 surgeons are in order of preference and why? I'm leaning towards Dr hasson based on what i've seen and read, but Dr Ron Shapiro also seems to get good results, and Dr Rahal also gets a lot of praise. Its just been difficult to compare with any meaningful difference these 3 or other surgeons, maybe its just me. I'm a Norwood 5, dark hair, good laxity, still have my hairline, however thin, above average hair coarseness and am looking for the most natural hairline and the most extraction and density, which i guess is what we all look for. Any help is appreciated, especially some differentiation, beyond "all are good surgeons" would be very appreciated. many thanks in advance bobo