albatross

Hahahah I wish that part was free but I gotcha on knocking out a few wrinkles while taking care of the plugs. Good to know about the hair direction. Amazing transformation for yourself by the way. I've been emailing with Dr K. He's definitely on my short list, just considering the 6 month wait and travel.

Garageland, unfortunately I wasn't able to find a video for the camouflage approach on the site. Do you have a direct link? I did happen to find a truly an amazing result with the browlift procedure that is being recommended for me by the other doctor. Quite a transformation Do you know how long Dr. Hasson and Wong wait after the initial browlift before coming back to perform the transplant? The doctor I have spoken with says I am a candidate for a fast-track approach 8 weeks after the surgery. I have seen Dr. Konior wait 3 months.

wylie, oh that is an interesting technique/idea to FUE the plugs to debulk them. I wonder if that is a possible back up strategy if I go through the camouflage process and am unhappy with the coverage of the plugs (still noticeable). I'll look into this more. Thanks!

NewHare, here's a link to a linear excision of the hairline (also called a brow-lift?) from one of the docs. To clarify, the whole line(s) of plugs are taken out in a strip just like an FUT strip in the back donor. The plugs are trimmed down into FUs and replanted in front of the sutured incision along with new grafts from the back. So all plugs along the hairline are completely removed in the initial procedure. Then in a second procedure once the incision has healed (I'm told in about 6-8 weeks for my case) and blood supply reestablished, a second procedure is done to fill in behind the linear scar back to the existing hair. A doctor or long-time member of the forum could definitely better describe it but I think that is the gist of it. https://www.drvogelplasticsurgeon.com/gallery/corrective-hair-transplants/case-1#galleryNav I don't see any appearance of a scar in the final results but the pics might be a best case scenario. It all depends on your situation too. In my case, this is what is recommended for me due to quality of donor and intensity of plugs. I believe this will yield the best result for me but it is most certainly the most invasive, which I am apprehensive about. From my research I've gathered that the individual extraction of the plugs can cause damage and some percentage don't survive the process.Hopefully others more knowledgeable than me can chime in on % yield from punching out grafts vs a strip. Good luck in your research, I'm interested to hear what you turn up.

Thanks BeHappy. An impressive result for sure. If I could count on this result I'd jump in with both feet. Good to see this is a possibility. NewHare, yes I didn't mention this plug removal/recycle approach ("Lucas" technique I believe) as the one doctor recommends the complete excision over this due to the number of sessions required/slower process and better yield from taking all out in a strip. My other doc also recommended against it as the yield can be low. Dr. Konior through an email exchange also indicated a preference for the linear excision of the hairline vs debulking the existing plugs as he called it. Still very torn having been told I would have good results by one doc and I wouldn't by the other. Anyone else have very favorable results (or poor?) with the camouflage approach?

I am looking for advice from the forum on how to resolve my terrible pluggy appearance (2 sessions from the mid 90s) and frontal hair loss. The two Coalition doctors from my area I have consulted with in person have recommended polar opposite approaches: 1) linear excision of row of plugs along hairline + 2000 grafts over 2 sessions OR 2) camouflage in front, in between and behind existing plugs with 1,000-1,200 grafts One doctor is convinced the camouflage is the best approach and will produce a desirable result (A grade). The other says it is like planting grass among the trees and will still be very noticeable (he's had clients come back to him with poor results). I can see the camouflage working with smaller mini-grafts but I am concerned if my plugs are too thick for them to be shielded adequately. However the prospect of major surgery with the linear excision and scarring is fairly terrifying given all I've been through, making the more conservative approach desirable. I can't help but think I'll be one of the 1% who has problems. My overall goal is to restore a naturally looking appearance. It doesn't need to be perfect but I don't think I'd be happy if I can still see the plugs, or scars (i.e. noticeable as a transplant). I'm trying to determine if I can achieve a "very good" result (B+ / A- grade) with the camouflage as opposed to the major reconstructive surgery and higher risk with the linear excision that likely would produce an A+ result eventually. Does anyone have knowledge of good repair results of large plugs leaving them alone and grafting around them? Or the opposite if this has produced unsatisfactory results? Who are considered the best repair doctors in the States? I feel completely confident that both doctors I consulted with are the best I can choose in my area. FWIW, I did email pictures to Dr. Konior and he recommended the linear excision of the hairline technique for the best result. Both doctors agree I have a very good supply of donor hair. I even have fairly thick hair from the top of my head back through the crown. It is really just the front I need to deal with. Thank you for your assistance in helping me sift through the information in making a decision. This will truly be life-altering in a good way, as I have had this "hanging over my head" for 20+ years.