JohnCasper

Thanks for posting the photos. I'm 53 and was similarly bald. It's helpful to see the photos over a period of time. Also, its interesting to see how greying affects the appearance.

Thanks for everyone's response and I truly value your opinions and support. I'm sure with a well trained eye, some may be able to see small dot scarring in my FUE, but more importantly, I do not see the scarring nor does anyone else I've ever asked. I'm very open about my HT and glad to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions. The pictures I posted were very soon after my most recent surgery. The existing hair in my donor area more than covers any evidence of scarring. I'll post more pictures later as my hair continues to grow throughout the donor areas. The bottom line.... I was thrilled with the results in 2012 and very happy so far after only 48 days since my latest surgery.

FUE: Doesnot the donor appear thinner after it is lets say overharvested? Responding to "Sric".... I'm attaching two pictures taken recently of my donor area 14 days and 40 days after my recent surgery. Keep in mind, I had over 5,000 grafts (many from this same area) taken two years ago. I'm relatively new to posting pictures on the HTN. I have no idea why the pictures are posted this way. I couldn't figure out how to rotate them once they were uploaded. Maybe someone can help? Thanks!

This picture was taken last month, minutes before I had a second 2,000 graft procedure. My first procedure (5,125 grafts) was done in September 2012.

Looks great Dr. Yamen!!! Nice hair line! Congratulations!

After reading several posts regarding scarring from surgery I thought I would post a picture that was recently taken of my left donor area in January of this year. Two years ago I had 5,125 grafts transplanted and a large number of these came from the area shown in the picture. I can see no visible scarring in my left donor area. This is exactly why I chose FUE vs. FUT. I can appreciate everyone's procedural decision but it was an easy decision for me to opt for no visible scarring through FUE versus the lengthy scar from FUT. I certainly welcome your thoughts!

I can certainly see both sides but Strip surgeons do have the ability to do two patients in one day with the proper number of techs, etc. Still...as the patient, if you offer me 2,000 grafts with an 8 inch scar, or 2,000 grafts without any visible scarring, the choice is easy for me.

I had over 5,000 grafts two years ago and my new hair started to grow after about 4 months so hang in there! Be patient! I know it's hard but I've been there. You will be happy in the end.

Congrats on the great results! I'm so glad you are pleased with the results! Glad Dr. Arocha was able to help!!!

Regarding the recent conversations including scarring with FUE, I'd like to post a picture that was taken on January 10th of this year of my donor area prior to my second surgery. Two years ago I had 5,125 grafts transplanted and I'm sure a large number of these came from the area in the picture. I can see no visible scarring in my left donor area. I certainly welcome your thoughts and responses.

I certainly appreciate everyone's opinions on the FUT vs. FUE debate. I'm sure each procedure may have its advantages over the other. I refrained from entertaining FUT originally because I just didn't want the scar. Even if the scar is covered, most people know it is there. I like being able to tell people that I have over 7,000 grafts moved and don't have a visible scar on my head. FUE was the only choice for me but clearly many people are thrilled with their FUT results and I am very happy for them! All of you who posted responses make great points and I appreciate your respectful professionalism in the discussion. I'm looking forward to dialoguing with each of you in the future and posting results of my surgeries on the HTN site!

If the process known as FUE had been originally created and used initially as a means of extracting grafts from a vast donor area, would the FUT (strip surgery) ever had been created, and would it ever be a method of choice by the patient? I contend that FUT strip surgery would not be the method of choice by the patient. I believe that FUE is without question the best process for the patient. FUT strip surgery, however, can arguably be the best process for the surgeon. The surgeon, in a relatively short amount of time, can make lengthy incisions across the back of your head, hand the “strip” off to a trained technician to dissect the grafts and prepare them to be transplanted. The patient is left with an eight inch scar (average of 22 cm), and a limited number of grafts from the strip. With FUE, the surgeon has a vast area of donor hair and the surgeon can pick and choose areas based on donor density and choose hairs based on caliper size to be used in strategic cosmetic areas such as the front hair line. The FUE patient is left with a donor area that heals very quickly without ANY visible scarring. Again, I have to propose a similar question…. as the patient, would you prefer to have an eight inch scar forever on the back of your head and have most of the hair you want? Or… would you prefer to have NO visible scarring, offer a vast donor area for the surgeon to extract specific grafts for strategic relocation, and allow the surgeon to choose the exact number of grafts needed to produce the desired results? I have had two FUE surgeries. The first procedure over several days in September of 2012 included 5,125 grafts and most recently a 2,000 graft procedure performed last month. I have NO visible scarring from the original surgery. I’ve included a before and after picture on my profile but will be posting more from my past surgery as well as my most recent procedure. I’ve been writing and chronicling my 2012 surgery on my own blog for over two years which has been visited more than 44,000 times. I have communicated with people who have contacted me from all over the United States as well as hair surgeons from around the world who have visited my blog. I’m looking forward to posting on the Hair Restoration Network and hope to help others through my personal experiences regarding this very important decision in their lives.

Looking good! I can relate. I had over 5,000 grafts done two years ago, crown and front. Hang in there, the first 30 days are huge!!

Looking good Denny! Thanks for the details outlining the two days of surgery. Best of luck!!

Dr. Lorenzo is highly respected and does great work! Congrats Jimbo!!!

I saw significant growth starting around the 15th week after surgery. I'm going to be posting a lot more photos on this website soon. But for now....please email me (located below) and I'll send you something that will show you exactly what to expect... based on my well documented experiences.

It's absolutely possible. I was a Norwood 6 and have had great results. I did have a very large surgery, 5,125 grafts. I just posted my first two pictures on this HTN website. Check them out. I'll be adding more soon.

You would be a great candidate as long as you have good donor hair. I had FUE and had a bald crown. I had a large surgery of 5,125 grafts which covered my crown and filled in the front. I just posted a couple new pictures on my HTN website. I'll be posting crown pictures soon. FUE is a great option without the FUT scar!

If you're going to invest hard earned money in a hair transplant, go to the surgeon that your most comfortable with. It's worth the extra $350 for a plane ticket! Read my profile story. By the way...your pictures look like you have a pretty good head of hair. Most honest FUE doctors will tell you what to expect from 1,400 grafts.

It doesn't seem likely that your hair would become "thinner". The caliber of the transplanted hair shouldn't change over a short amount of time. Is it possible that you had some existing original hair around the transplanted area and some of your original hair may have fallen out naturally and this is making you ....think....the new transplanted hair seems thinner? Just a thought. Hang in there!!!!

Prior to my surgery I cut my existing hair very short, then after the surgery and a week or so at home, I was back in the main stream population and friends were asking why I got such a short "military" cut. My donor area had healed and they had no idea that I had the FUE surgery. Strategic planning and exposure helped a lot!

I was 50 yrs. old when I had over 5,000 FUE grafts. I experienced expected shock-loss but growth began after several months. Hang in there and lets hope for new growth soon. Every hair has its own life cycle but you should expect to see some growth. This is based on my experiences. You can see my results in my HTN website. I'll be posting more pics soon.