htFTW

Christ, you needed that much done? Can someone also break down for me the difference between a graft and a follicle, or if there is one? Also, approximately how much did the first 5229 run you?

I do not have any pics. I would prefer to avoid posting pictures of myself. I know you are trying to be helpful , but might it be useful enough to know my hair loss stage?

First, I'd like to introduce myself. It's good to know that there's a community somewhere for people like myself. Hair loss is tough...but especially when it's premature. I started balding about 4 years ago, and it all started with a hair cut. I was just 18. The left side of my hair line had a little space that wasn't there...probably wouldn't have been noticeable to most people. I thought it was just the barber's mistake...but after a few weeks I realized it was the first signs of hair loss. I started studying up, checking out library books and scanning forums like these online to get as much information as possible. Although I know a lot about hair loss prevention, unfortunately being a college student I don't have the financial means to keep up with treatments---whether they be questionable herbal supplements like saw palmetto, or more reliable but undoubtedly controversial things like Propecia. I'm 22 sitting at about a Norwood Stage 3 (vertex) for hair loss. With Toppik, I'm still able to style my hair to make the hair loss completely undetectable, but my hairline is receding to the point where soon I won't be able to achieve even this. Over the next 3-4 years I can save about $20,000 for a hair transplant. Who knows how far my hair loss will have progressed by then, but I'll estimate that I'll be at around NW4 or NW5. It's going pretty rapidly, and I'm trying to use Rogaine to keep it at bay. The Rogaine seems to be working, but the issue I can't seem to stay on it consistently, and it seems only to help with slowing the hair loss, rather than stopping or regrowing. If I am looking at a potential NW4 or NW5 scalp to work with by the time I need a hair transplant, how many grafts and/or follicles will I need to cover that, and about how much would that cost on average? I am African-American as well, so given my hair texture will there be an techniques or surgical methods that may help me to maximize my coverage, potentially at a lower cost? Thanks.