Torn

I'm trying to understand how one determines the amount necessary to 'fully cover' a given area. Having done a few consultations they will basically just view the balding area and propose an amount. Those proposed amounts can of course vary widely. However as I understand it the general target is 50% of your original density. Given that I would think the best approach would be to measure (if possible) the density of the donor area to obtain the original density. Then measure the density of the balding area. And then using 50% of the original density as a target amount subtract the density of the balding area to arrive at the amount of grafts needed to create the proper illusion. 100 -original density 50 - desired target amount (50% of original) 20 - density of recipient area 30 - amount necessary to create illusion Is this the correct way to make a determination and if not how then does one accurately determine the necessary amount of grafts ? I say this because when I had my procedure I was told it would look great... wouldn't need any more. This of course was subjective. The Dr's opinion. The results in my opinion were quite different. Hardly great and I do need more. If I do go forward with round two I would much prefer objective to subjective. Or is a truly accurate determination just unrealistic ?

Paleo, thank you for coming forward with your story. I believe it is the true spirit of this site to not only post the great results but to warn of the bad as well. It is unfortunate that some who come forward are criticized, though hopefully it will not stop others from doing the same. Surely the doctors do not post their less than acceptable results. It's only from the patients that we hear of them.

Sanjar, you need to contact a reputable doctor and follow their guidance. If need be the mods here might be able to provide you with a few recommendations. Good luck...

Great results !! Congrats...

This is why I am so hesitant to have further work done. I'm sorry guys but that just screams unnatural / obvious transplant. That and we now have four pages and FailedFUEGuy. after writing a rather lengthy post, has not replied back ? He has only one post from ten days ago where he makes a blanket statement about FUE and disappears ? "DO NOT DO FUE IT DOES NOT GROW AS WELL AS FUT. I AM LIVING PROOF." I just don't know what to make of this... Actually this reminds me of a somewhat similar case also by Dr Feller I believe where the hairline was frontloaded with nothing behind it. To each his own I suppose but in my opinion very unnatural.... and very obvious. Seeing cases like these very much concerns me... http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/159110-plug-removal-dr-beehner.html

At my consultation next week I'm thinking of using the rule of thirds to discuss possible hairline placement. Have others here used this ? And if so were you happy with your results.

Outstanding work doctor. Of the two sessions were they the Combination Method or the All-FU Graft Dense Packing Method ? I believe you placed the grafts in the first session at 35-40 FU/cm2, after the second session what would you say his FU/cm2 currently is ? Did you buzz down the recipient area for either session ? I understand you don't always. How do you determine if and when you should ? I've always wondered if that was a risky endeavor. Thank you, Torn

NTB I believe you're coming up on 10 months now, have you come to any conclusions as to how to proceed from here ? And who you will go to, to repair this ? I received poor results as well, and have to wear my hair down as you've had to do, to hide the bad work. I can definitely relate to your position. The time, money, preparation all for naught. Only to have to pay again to repair it. There are very few doctors who can achieve a convincing hairline. I do hope you choose wisely. Good luck !!

Awesome work doctor !! I hope to achieve similar results in my upcoming repair.

Sorry to say it looks very pluggy, thin and unnatural. There is also a gap on your right toward the back. Did you lose any grafts there ? What exactly has dr Feller said ? I wish you all the best ! Hopefully in time it will fill in and detract from the overall pluggyness of the look. If not you could always have more work done to fill in and correct.

Thanks for the informative reply Magnum. With so many variables and lack of any definitive studies it is not an easy process. Even with a so called 'top doc'.

Has there ever been an actual conclusive study done on this subject ? And if not, why not ? I am in the process of deciding between the two. Or for that matter possibly going with both. And I find it all very confusing when one says one thing, and another says the complete opposite. On a similar note I often hear of 'top docs' who produce better yields. And I wonder, exactly how do they know this ? I went to a so called 'top doc' and frankly I was very disappointed by the results. I mention this only because having gone through the process with this doc I noticed he never accurately evaluated my density before or after. Yet I was told by him, my yield was good. By what measure ? When I went to the forums to speak of it I was pretty much shouted down. I say this only because how can docs be considered 'top docs' producing 'high yields' if they are not actually evaluating the before and after density of their patients. To then be able to produce hard numbers. Or at least it didn't happen this time in my case. Was I the exception ? That and or making claims one method (FUE/FUT) is superior to another. How exactly is this determined ? And if there are conclusive studies why is this still hotly debated ? This post is not about my bad experience but the personal insight it gave me in that how are some of these claims made ? FUT yields more that FUE. OK, well then exactly how much ? Is this consistent ? How did you come that opinion ? I'll conclude by saying that maybe more studies are needed.

Thanks pkipling. I just wanted a rough estimate as to what it would take to soften a hairline. I thought it would go way above 2k of which I would not be able to cover donor wise. And therefore if that were the case I would save myself the trouble and just call it a day. I'm actually surprised at the +- 500 number, and will in fact start to consider another procedure. Thanks again....

Thanks Spanker, 500 fu to soften the hairline and finish it off sounds doable. Yes it is a delicate situation, I do have a lot to think about. Thanks again....

Thought about your response. A few single hairs using fue perhaps might suffice. But how many ? The cost could get out of hand, as this sometimes appears to be a bottomless pit ! Isn't it interesting you receive more responses asking for photos, than responses actually just answering the question..... even after you've posted the photos.

Yes unfortunately I had multiple procedures back in the 90's. Of which I'm sure there was a lot of waste. As I said the photos are deceiving, the hairline in real life looks rather harsh. Its hard to describe, I think because its so thick (relatively) at the edge instead of gradually thickening that makes it jump out so much and make it so unnatural. I've noticed when I comb it back peoples eyes go up as opposed to when I comb it down as I usually do. That and the spaces between the plugs and it's overall shape are a dead give away. As I have a limited amount of donor, at least according to one doc I would appreciate a number as to what Id need to soften this up to look more natural. And to where they should be placed for the most benefit. Best case scenario Id hope to be able to soften the hair line and add some much needed density behind it... So guys how much do I need and where should they be placed ???

OK I see... I hope they are clear enough. Though I just noticed the hairline actually looks better in the photos for some reason than in person. So just take that into account. Thanks again...

Just looking at a rough estimate at this point. I'm told I have about 1600 left. And want to see where I stand.

Nice transformation doctor.

I've had multiple 90's style plug procedures in the past which luckily weren't that bad density wise. But left me with a rather harsh and obvious hairline and not much donor hair left. I'm debating between adding density and softening the hairline. As to the hairline. How many on average would I need to soften up the hairline and round off the temples ?

Nice work doctor...

Not personally familiar with those Drs though I'd suggest reading through all the reviews here if you haven't already. Good luck ....

Have you spoken with or meet with Dr Beehner ? I recall reading a few posts here from patients who were very satisfied with his work. As I understand it he uses DFUs. Here is one case of Dr Beehner's I followed as it related somewhat to my situation. I thought he did a fine job as did the patient. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/159110-plug-removal-dr-beehner-2.html Good luck....

That doesn't sound too promising. I was worried the 1600 or so grafts I had left wouldn't be enough to add the density behind the hairline needed to create a more natural look and make it worth going forward. Without thickening the frontal third adding to the hairline would probably look worse. I suppose I may not be able to do anything at this point. Here is the best side shot I have...

Thank you for your candor hairweare it is greatly appreciated. I can see you've been through quite a bit. I will take it all into consideration. Yes there are quite a few repair cases on here ....