mark25

I keep saying the donor area is not permanent hair like the Drs want you to believe. This area does thin out in some people and it happens long before they reach "old" age. I posted some new pictures on my profile to show what I mean.

Did they thin out slowly for you, or very quickly? Also I saw the pictures are from 2009...has it gotten worse since then?

Also, which doctor did you go to? Are they not able to check whether or not a follicle is genetically programmed not to fall out?

I once read a post on here (can't find it now, tried searching for it to no avail) where someone had paid about $20,000 over various HT's and eventually got to Dr. Wong who told him that he has some rare kind of DHT resistance and all transplanted follicles would fall out (as has happened in his case).

Anyone have more info on this? And would top-notch doctors check for this before operating? Is it possible to know before an operation?

Saw some pictures of people post-op, especially in the 1-3 month range...just curious, how did your friends and coworkers respond? Especially when those tiny hairs start to come out and are curled, etc...did they not ask questions or know? Is it possible to shave your head down and make it noticeable?

Not quite sure what you mean by hair on sides and back? Are you referring to donor region?if your worried about that hair falling out or have a family history of thinning in that region than you may not be a candidate for ht because the hair from donor won't be dht resistant...definitely a question for an experienced doctor.

Is this something a doctor will be able to tell before going through with the surgery?

I've been doing some research about the various surgeons, I was thinking Dr. Rahal after seeing his reviews, I'm balding pretty badly and there are 3 questions that I've been contemplating a lot recently.

1) After getting a surgery, I've noticed some people (especially post-op in the <3 month range) see sprouts of growth, what do people at their work/school/etc say? Does everybody simple know you have had a surgery and something, assuming I get one, have to live with? Or is there something people do to not make it as obvious, such as cut it short?

2) If you're not completely bald, what do you do when your other follicles begin to fall out? Are there any pictures of someone doing a 2nd surgery (preferably with Dr. Rahal), how exactly does that work? Wouldn't it look weird having hair in the middle of your head start to fall and the hair on the front not?

3) I've talked to some people on other forums and they suggested I use fin. to keep my current hair, what happens if my sides start to fall out later in life? Or hair on the back of my head?

Sorry for all the questions, it's just that this is a pretty big decision I'll have to be making soon.

Quick story: Been losing my hair for many, many years...and I'm 25 right now and between a bad Norwood III to a Norwood IV, and after trying everything from Rogaine, to Propecia, to even the Laser Comb I've realized it is what it is and nothing other than a transplant will help.

The only other option is a hairpiece, but with the amount of maintenance and having to constantly worry about it on my head I realize I might as well go down the transplant route.

So my question: I live in Toronto, can somebody recommend to me the best doctor who can help me, at least for now, give me a great transplant for under $10k? I don't have a lot of money, but I'm not completely bald either. I'd really love to hear some advice from someone who's been there/done that, even better if you've got one from someone in Toronto or nearby.

Thanks again, and I REALLY appreciate all your help guys! This process is very stressful and your help means so much!