KevinC

Thanks David!

Absolutely agreed. That's why I'd rather consult with a few surgeons in person than speculate on a message board or through e-mails consultations any further.

Newbie, you and I are in accord. I have really liked the results I've seen from Shapiro and H&W for guys like me -- I know the ones advertised are the homerun patients, though. Recently, I stumbled across a vlog on youtube from a guy named Chris from Vancouver who was Norwood 7 and did FUT. He is happy with his hair and the result, he does look better, but I know I'd be disappointed if I spent that much money and my result was similar to his. Granted, he admits he has really thin hair and he's happy with how he looks which at the end of the day is what matters. Now, if he had the ability to do another surgery to add density, I'm sure I'd be less skeptical about my own condition. Everyone's a critic/beggars and choosers/to each his own etc. . Strangely, I am not sure I could do a wig. I think I'm going to sign off for a bit and may update in the summer after my consultations - I am spending too much time thinking about this and finals are right around the corner. Thanks to everyone who had a poignant response as well as the supportive private messages. I respect and appreciate all the expertise and advice. These really helped me understand the surgery, technology, limitations, and expectations

Delancey, you hit the nail on the head with everything that's been running through my mind these days. H&W have a lot of amazing work out there for guys in my condition, but it's not always a homerun. The odds of failure are much higher in my case. I'm not too worried about future hair loss given the fact most of it is gone. I am close to Konior and Shaprio and it would be smart to consult with them in person as well. I'm not optimistic, but hey, why not? What do you mean by high quality hair system? Thanks for the reply

No offense but I'm not sure you've actually read this thread at all. A top doctor said he was skeptical while a top clinic said they would take my case because they thought they could really help me. Furthermore, I have gotten a few other consultations from predominantly FUT surgeons in the Midwest area who would also take my case. I specifically mention H&W because I like their work best, and I think it would behoove me to see them in person before making a commitment. I think I've got rational thinking on lock. Thank you for explaining how hair transplants work! It's not because of that whole supply and demand thing that is making me wonder if adjunct therapy, like Rogaine or the laser cap, could potentially be helpful making the decision to get a hair transplant that much easier.

A plane ride for $400 and a couple days in a beautiful city is worth it to me to know what I could receive from the two best FUT surgeons around. At worst I got a vacation, but I saved a lot of money and time from not going through with a procedure. At best, I went on vacation, I crossed my t's and dotted my i's, and H&W can kick some serious ass for me. Win-win either way

I'm impressed with what I've seen from SMP in scar hiding. Problem is is for guys like me is I'd have to wear my hair shorter to make it look natural. That is, unless, I can get a great first procedure followed up by further density work. I'm willing to commit to multiple surgeries, and in some way, I feel lucky because I feel I could do multiple surgeries without worry of future hair loss. It's not like I have that much left to lose! haha

I had a tentative August date set up at H&W and I've thought long and hard about it. I think I am going to delay surgery until May the next year because I will be better off financially -- I am in graduate school for pharmacy and I plan to do a one year residency. If I could save up money for the procedure and then finance it without interest until I am making the big bucks it would be a wise move rather than jumping all in. It will also give me time to improve my credit. I am; however, worried about the scar (I am highly active and don't want a large scar on my head). I figured if after multiple surgeries I exhaust everything potential graft I have I would do SMP to cover it no harm no foul, but it is still a concern. What I am absolutely most worried about is paying a $15,000 plus to go from pretty much bald to balding -- what would the point of that even be? I didn't have straw thin hair (it's been a while), but I know it wasn't the thickest either. I know H&W do great, great work, especially for big baldies like me, but it is still a concern. I may fly to Vancouver next year and do an in-house consultation after doing a lot of scalp laxity exercises to assess how many grafts they think they can extract and what they can do from it. To end this long tangent, I think I am going to play with Minoxidil 5% and if there are any successful adjunct therapies (laser comb and cap - do these work?) and assess a year's worth of progress. If I find these treatments do help or I get a good consultation at H&W, I'll be more willing to take the plunge. What do you guys think? Edit: I, of course, would want to do multiple sessions for the best end-product, but I am hesitant to commit until I know what's possible

It's H & W so it's FUT. No clue on the grafts needed because that is dependent on many different factors. From what I read beard hair is possible, but you'll have to find a specialized surgeon for that.

I tried buying the minoxidil on clearance but I can't input a method of payment. Help.

I was just called by H&W and it looks like I have been accepted as a patient. Shooting for a surgery date in late August.

Wow! I wonder what he will look like with all his hair.

Yes, I needed to hear these things, but I also didn't understand there are a finite amount of grafts as well as why the donor site is the major source as opposed to other areas. Understanding the limitations of the surgery and correcting my naivete have been very beneficial, and I am glad this community has so many well-informed people on it. Since I seem to have representatives of H&W on the line do they ever pull from beard for additional coverage? I have plenty of beard hair hahaha.

I appreciate the essay. I've had to learn a lot over the last week since I started posting and you seem to be the go-to guy for the place I want to operate on me as well as a similar Norwood level. I hope they like what they saw in the photographs and I also hope they would be willing to take beard hair because I have more than enough haha. No, I'm not on any meds. I never saw the point given how fast my air receded. If I were to do a transplant I definitely would jump on them

I am on the realistic side of the spectrum after understanding more about the hair transplantation process. On the other hand, H&W are absolute quality so I felt I would be doing myself a disservice to not reach out to them.