First poster. I have written my story in my profile, but just in case I am also including it below.
I am 33. with IIIV, with vertex being the area of highest priority. My hair is thin all over on the top but I have some clearly balding spot on the vertex. It is hard to find examples of people like me who have done HT with focus on the crown.
I fully understand that the vertex eats up more grafts but this is the area that bothers me most. I need to discuss my options with a TOP doctor.
I am searching for a top FUE doctor, who is willing to talk to me honestly, does not mind working with a curious guy who asks questions, and who has a scientific approach: I need to have an estimate of the number of grafts available for transplant in order to decide how many to use for my crown.
I have an average number of donor density but above average thickness and above average quality of grafts based on my last HT (which you can read about below).
Can't doctors easily produce these days an estimate of the density in my donor area, and accordingly an estimate of the donor supply? Then I will need an estimate of how much is needed to achieve the desired results.
Not too hard, but somehow not all doctors are that patient.
I am seeking doctor recommendations. The offices of top surgeons can feel free to contact me directly.
I am thinking of: Feller or Shapiro. But maybe I am missing some important names.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Much appreciated and thanks for this amazing forum (I read through and I can see the commitment to improve the HT experience for all of us).
----- MY STORY FROM MY PROFILE ------------------
Started thinning 10 years ago, was 24. Was most aggressive in the crown, and still is. I had an HT of 700 grafts FUE in the crown, in 2010. Added some coverage, but not sufficient. I did not want to go to a more aggressive procedure, partly because I did not want to shave head. Now I am OK shaving (although unhappy about it).
I have always seen crown balding (vertex) as much less cosmetically acceptable than frontal recession. I have both and while I do dislike the frontal recession I find my bald spot extremely annoying.
I am an educated patient and looking for the following in an HT surgeon:
- Someone who has established an excellent reputation both in terms of results and communication with/understanding of patients.
- someone who can show me cases similar to mine, with successful crown HT results. I am also considering some frontal HT.
- Communication and decisions based on hard facts is key. I need an evaluation based on estimate of hair count/density and the characteristics of my hair. Here are some background info that would be very useful:
1- My previous HT surgeon said my grafts are of excellent quality for FUE. He said he was "amazed".
2- My donor density is on the average side or even a bit below. However I have thick black hair in the back/sides that create a lot of volume. I think that is a big compensating factor, but how big is for the Doc to tell.
Hello, I had a relatively bad experience with my HT 3 years ago. The doc suggested I have high dose valium I refused so I was aware of everything and realized that he is rarely ever there. The assistants did all the work. He came in from time to time but that's about it. One of the assistant (who he told me is an expert) made mistakes! he came in and said something like: "no! we are not doing the 2hair follicles yet, these punches are for the 3-4" or something like that. Bottom line, I am now preparing for my next surgery, what is reasonable to expect from HT suregons. I plan to ask them how involved they will be in the actual surgery, but want to know first what is the gold standard. I would appreciate your thoughts.
