johnyboy9

Hey Sean, yes I have decided to switch to 1mg propecia and then switch to the generic version in 2013 when it's available in the US. Also, the theory on why cut up proscar isn't as effective as intact propecia/finpecia is due to the following: the coating protects the pill's active ingredient (finasteride) from being degraded/inactivated in the stomach by acids. This allows the drug to reach the small intestine (where the majority of the absorption occurs) in its active form. Of course the film coating has more than just this function (i.e. decreases absorption through skin via handling the drug; remember it's teratogenic to pregnant women!). This is my basis for making the switch. If any docs would like chime in feel free. And spex, yes I agree that finpecia is a solid choice for ease and cost.

Thank you Dr. Lindsey and Shadow for your responses. So I went to see Dr. Didocha for another opinion and he said that a major flaw w/my hair loss strategy was the fact that when I cut up proscar into 5 pieces (and take 1 a day) I am destroying the protective outer coating of the pill. This, he said, ultimately results in significantly less absorption of the drug. Therefore, he advised me to switch over to 1mg propecia (or 1 mg finpecia). By doing so, he said that I will likely see a "noticeable difference" in 6 months and should try this before considering surgery. Has anyone heard this before? I guess I'll try it and reassess my situation in 6 months. Why not?

Good point rhof625933. Thankfully I don't have any noticeable thinning in my crown at this point but yes, the hairline is what everybody sees the most. I'm scheduled to get a transplant in 1.5 months but I haven't paid anything yet bc honestly I'm nervous about shock loss (since a good portion of the transplanted grafts would be placed in frontal and temporal regions where hair still exists). Also, I do have some miniaturized hairs in the temple region (and some in the front) that would most certainly be lost due to shock (or so I think). Anyways, I seem to go back and forth on whether or not to go through with this hair transplant based on my good and bad hair days. As of now The idea of getting a fuller looking hairline is SO tempting! I think I'm driving myself crazy lol. Any more advise would be greatly appreciated.

How's everything coming along steve0580? When did the scabbing go away? Any numbness in the donor site? How about shock loss?

Thanks for the quick response. The doctor I would likely go to is Dr. Aronovitz, who I believe is one of the doctors supported by this forum. When I consulted with him he emphasized that as long as my hair transplant is conservative I am not too young, especially because my hair loss isn't very severe and I've been on finasteride for 2 years. As of now, I think I am going to take the plunge and get a transplant. Anyone else have any comments/words of advise?

Hi, I am a 23 year old male seriously considering a hair transplant. I am a norwood class 2 w/a naturally high hair line and diffuse thinning and recession in the temples about an inch back and slight thinning and recession in the front (minor). I have been on finasteride for 2 years and rogaine foam (on the hairline) for 2 years. I also use 2% nizoral 2x/wk. I have a few uncles on my mom’s side who are norwood 5’s and some uncles on my dad’s side who are norwood 2’s and 3’s. My dad is a norwood 2a. I have been to two hair transplant surgeons who both said I was a good canidiate because I have good donor hair and I’ve halted/slowed my hair loss with finasteride. The surgery would be a conservative approach to establish a mature hairline. I’m not trying to get my adolescent hairline back. They each recommended btw 800 and 1000 grafts via the strip technique. I know I am young but what do you guys think? Will I regret this in 10-20 years? Is shock loss a major concern in my case? Anyone with a similar experience? Thanks.

Hi, Thanks.