I'm 44 with diffuse thinning and considering a hair transplant to thicken the frontal third and as a lower priority, perhaps add some to the crown. I would be fine maintaining my existing hairline - I don't want to lower it. I do want to blend a few pluggy spots on the hairline from an earlier 750 graft strip transplant I had in 2003. But I have lived with basically the same density and hairline since the 2003 transplant, when I started on finasteride, so I'm not desperate to do something. I only want to go forward if the risk of a bad outcome is minimal. Since I have an existing scar, I would do a strip procedure.
I worry about shock loss to the existing hair. I have consulted with both Arocha and Alexander and they seemed confident that they could work within the existing hair with little or no shockloss, and even without shaving the area. Arocha suggested 3000 grafts and Alexander 2500. But I have read shock loss stories that scare me, and I understand that different docs have different positions on shaving. Also, is 3000 an aggressive number of grafts for a 100 cm2 area in which there is significant (although diffuse) existing hair? Again, I'm not looking to build a new hairline.
I'd appreciate thoughts on shock loss risk - if there is a 10%+ chance of significant shock loss I don't want to go forward. Also, thoughts on shaving v. not?
I've attached pics. You can see that the amount of diffusion visible varies quite a bit with lighting.
Gillenator, many thanks, very helpful! Would the fact that I have not seen much loss since I started propecia in 2003 make it more likely that hair would return if there is shock loss? In other words, if propecia has helped me hold onto hair until now, will it also help the hair through the surgery trauma?
