wiscokid3220

Hello all, I've noticed my hair thinning on my frontal third since I was about 18 years old. I hopped on finasteride and minox right away. I'm currently 20 and my situation has not got any worse in about 2.5 years on the medicine. My dermatologist thinks I had chronic telogen effluivum; I had a severe case of mononucleosis where I was hospitalized for nearly two weeks (lots of stress on the body). Anyways, she thinks it may have been chronic enough to cause an early onset of my genetic hairloss and severe enough where that hair isn't coming back. Long story short, I hopped on the meds to preserve what I have and it hasn't gotten worse in 2.5 years and there has even been some improvement, but it's important to note it was not cosmetically improvement. I'd categorize my hairloss as moderate-to-minor diffuse thinning. This type of thinning does run in my family but my father, my uncles, grandfather all still have really thick and full donor areas making me think its not DUPA. I'm considering a conservative hair transplantation to restore the density to my frontal third since it has not budged in nearly 2.5 years (I have zero hairline recession). Based off what other people have got done for their frontal third transplants I'd likely need around 1,000-1,500 grafts and I'd have a pretty thick head of hair. I'm going to a consultation with Dr. Yates in Chicago to get a better idea on the amount of grafts needed. Now I'm well aware of the POTENTIAL drawbacks of having a transplant at a younger age, but based off everything I've read it is a case-by-case situation. I understand I could need one or two more surgeries, there could be shock loss, etc. My question is, would I be considered a good candidate or an exception to the "young patient rule?" It seems to have completely stopped, no one in my family goes completely bald or even to an advanced norwood level,I would not need a large amount of grafts to correct any thinning areas, and I'm well informed of the drawbacks, and have realistic expectations as to what is achievable. My biggest worry is I'm told to wait till 24-25 and it still hasn't changed at all. Why go through all those years with below average hair when it could have been corrected with a conservative surgery all along. PS I'm planning on waiting another 6 months to a year to get anything done if a doctor agrees. I'd be 21 almost 22 by then. I really appreciate all your input and advice. I understand my situation is a little bit different than most people. Thanks!