realdeal777

Thanks for the reply. My forelock and crown also have underwent some but not extensive thinning. It still looks not too bad though I guess, since my original hair density was quite thicker than average (my hair used to curl up due to being thick, now it stands straight due to thinning). If I muster some courage, I might take finasteride probably for 3 months around FUE to minimize potential shock loss, but stop using it after that... And continue the religious Rogaine regimen.... My balding has been quite gradual I think (started early 20's, I'm early 30's now, and am at NW3 as you mentioned). Any idea how effective Rogaine regimen would be in long term? Will it at least help maintain some defense against losing existing natural hair?

Thanks for the advice. Just a bit more detail of myself: I think I am NW 2 or just a bit more. I am considering bringing the hairline down - here are some pictures of my current hairline. I would be transplanting hair into space where there is mostly no hair... Hair Restoration Social Network ? Community for and by Hair Loss Patients I am simply scared of the finasteride's sexual side effect (a wiki page says it could be permanent side effect even after stopping to use it). I guess I might be over-reacting, but this is also one thing that I can't take a risk or compromise at any cost... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride In this case, if I do FUE without using finasteride peri-operatively, what is the worst-case-scenario? Do I tend to lose more of the transplanted hair if I don't use finasteride or not? Also, does FUE related shock loss specifically make me lose existing hair? Or are you referring to the gradual natural process of losing hair over time regardless of FUE related shock loss? I plan to religiously keep using Rogaine on existing hair...

Hey thanks for the advice spanker. Can you advise about shock loss: whether only the transplanted hair will fall of, or even my currently naturally existing hair will partly fall off too? If yes to the latter part, roughly how much? I need to be mentally prepared for this as that would mean I might look worse off for a few months... If I don't use finasteride, what could happen? What am I losing here?

Thanks for the advice, guys. Any consensus on side effect of erectile dysfunction caused by finasteride? Esp if taken only for 3 months peri-operatively?

I am considering FUE and want advice. It looks like after FUE, there is shock loss of existing hair both on recipient and donor area, and that some or most of it might be permanent. I heard that I can use Propecia a few weeks before the surgery and for two months after the surgery to prevent shock loss, and then discontinue it. Although the source mentioned that 3 months of Propecia intake will not have side effects, I am still concerned and want to avoid, especially given the widely reported erectile dysfunction symptoms. I am using Rogaine foam right now, and wonder whether I can use Rogaine to prevent shock loss to some extent or not? Or will I not be able to use Rogaine foam at all for some weeks/months after surgery probably due to irritation? Is there anything whatsoever I can do to prevent/minimize shock loss? Would highly appreciate if someone with the experience and know how advise on this please.

Early 30's, gradual recession started since early 20's. Considering FUE with Dr Hakan in Turkey. Pictures in below link: Hair Restoration Social Network ? Community for and by Hair Loss Patients So far looks like Dr Hakan is a good surgeon for FUE. I would appreciate if someone recommends Dr Hakan or tells me of any potential minuses before I decide to go through this. Would like to hear especially from actual patients of Dr Hakan. Also, are there any things that I need to consider/research/prepare before I take the plunge? - I am thinking of taking a 5 day leave, so that I have a 9 day in a stretch including weekends - need to go back to work after that and can't wear a cap... I looked at some pictures in the forum and looks like a week later, it doesn't look that bad. How did you guys cope with going back to work with some redness/scars left...? - One thing that bothers me of course is the fact that I am in US and I need to go to Turkey and come back... Complications if any might be tougher to handle... Has anyone been in this situation? Would appreciate advice.

Thanks for the advice, Mickey85. I am still in information gathering mode, but am tilting towards Dr Hakan...

Thanks for the excellent and detailed advice, agenteye.

Thanks for the advice, hairthere. I would appreciate if some of you guys reply to some questions I had, as some answers would be such that only a patient who has gone thru the thing can answer, and such answers would carry the most weight as well I think. Thanks.

Thanks for the reply, guys. This forum looks quite helpful! A bit more details about myself: I'm on early 30s. My hairline started receding although sort of gradually from early 20s. Right now, I have some recession esp at temple area. I have included my pictures in album, link below. First 3 pictures are in natural state, last 3 pictures are from a recent consultation I had with True & Dorin (hence the pencil marks). http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/realdeal777/albums/2628 I feel that every year the hairline is going back, so I started using Rogaine foam since last year. Although I have been bit inconsistent lately as I had unrealistic expectation of getting some regrowth, but I plan to continue using it as a defense going forward. I want to go thru FUE surgery to restore my hairline. I have had two consultations so far: one with Bosley and one with True & Dorin. Bosley suggested that I do about 800 grafts, while Dr Dorin suggested I do somewhere between 1500 - 2000 grafts. Both suggested $10/graft as cost. (As a reference: I was told that I had thick donor area, so could do up to 8,000 grafts in total, although I guess by that he meant additional surgeries in future if needed). Would be great if you guys can advise me on: 1) Any idea why graft number suggested by Bosley vs Dorin is so different? Not sure if it has anything to do with density proposed. Dr Dorin suggested density would be somewhere less than 1/2 but more than 1/3rd of my normal hair density. Bosley didn't suggest anything per se about density. Area-wise, Dr Dorin put a pencil mark (last 3 pics on my album). Can you suggest me number of grafts needed (a) to cover area penciled, (b) to bring the hairline a bit further down. 2) The hairline suggested by Dr Dorin (with theh pencil mark on last 3 pics on my album) is better than my current hairline, but I was expecting a bit better/lower hairline. Otherwise, the result didn't look attractive enough to justify $15-20k, in my personal opinion... Am I being unrealistic? 3) My budget really is $10k, and I want ideally a slightly lower hairline than what Dr Dorin has penciled on last 3 pics on my album. Is this impossible to do with FUE? Any suggestions? I can consider going overseas if costs are let's say half... (after all looks like I'd need to take 1-2 weeks off work anyways due to shaving/scarring) 4) I was told that usually there aren't many complications with FUE as it's a surficial surgery. I would like to know if any of you guys know if I should worry or be aware of something...? 5) If I do the procedure overseas, obviously I guess there is the risk that shall there be any complication I won't be able to see the doctor straight away... How substantial is this risk? Are complications frequent? Or is this something manageable shall I be in that country for a week doing sightseeing after surgery? Also, some follow-up questions please:- > canuhairme, Can you tell me why you suggest against going for Bosley? Also looks like you went to Canada to Dr Rahal. They seem to have offices in NY as well. Was the reason you went to Canada because you wanted to get it done by Dr Rahal himself? > Mickey85, Can you give me some idea about what Dr Hakan would charge for FUE? Also, any advice to patients from US, esp shall any complication/after-care needs arise?

I am located in New York City, looking to do FUE, probably for somewhere around 500-800 follicles. I went for a quick consultation with Bosley, they are asking for $10/follicle. Not sure what the market rate is, any idea...? If someone has had experience doing FUE in New York, can you recommend a doctor/clinic with 1) reliable high quality/natural looking surgery, 2) reasonable cost if possible. Thanks a ton!