hanginginthewire

7 minutes ago, AnalogFeel said:

Once you start going in that NW6 territory, even multiple transplants don't really give you good looking hair

I have great donor thickness/hair traits but I had a surgery 6 months ago and I haven't seen much in terms of results

6 months is still pretty early.  

There are many members here who are NW6 who look pretty good.  I understand your concern as I’m in a similar situation but I think a skilled surgeon can help you.  Who did your first one? 

You can have two or three transplants.  

What shape of head (besides obviously small) is most advantageous for transplant?  I have a bit of a pointy head, would this be good?  Because presumably you could plant a graft near the top and the hair shaft will “hang” covering more scalp?  Sort of like hanging Christmas ornaments near the (pointy) top of the tree?  

Very sorry about your mom.  

Looks good but surprised it’s so few grafts.  Are you taking the slow and steady route? 

6 hours ago, HawkDriver said:

Hey guys. Just wanted to check in. It has been 3 yrs this Nov. No regrets and would do it again in a heart beat.

Looks really good.  What Norwood were you originally?  Do you have any retrograde alopecia? 

I know it makes a difference but I’m wondering how much?  

Don’t need a transplant.  

What was your original, emerging Norwood pattern?  Not just the recession but the overall diffusing?  

31 minutes ago, velton33 said:

Thank you very much, Melvin. I too am very excited to see how things will evolve over the coming months. I will keep you all posted

Thanks for the comment hanginginthewire. I agree with you, initially my instinct was to go with a megasession of some sorts, but after having consulted with Dr. Bloxham, I agreed that doing two FUTs would be the best course of action. This first one to address the hairline and front to mid areas, and then another one, hopefully next year at some point, to address mid - back and crown areas. This strategy would then allow for FUE down the road, if anything more was necessary to add density or address any concerns. This seemed sensible to me.

Also, Dr. Bloxham explained how my hair characteristics (wavy/curly hair) yield better coverage with lower number of grafts than other hair types. I think there is some truth in that as well!

What was your original Norwood pattern? 

Why only 2500 grafts to start with?  Seems like a small number for your level of baldness and for FUT?  Would have thought around 3500 to 4000...

Looking good though, just thought it might have even more WOW with more grafts.  

11 minutes ago, made2care said:

Actually, I don't think I'm a 6. I have some balding in the crown but not enough to be a 6. I personally think I'm around a 4. I do plan on having my crown done but I'm going to wait a while on that.

on the fut question I read that somewhere where it had to do with the groupings but what do I know.

If you were a 6, would you stil have pursued transplants?  

34 minutes ago, made2care said:

I suspected my nw scale was  around a 4 but asked Arocha at my consultation. If I remember correctly I think he said 5/6 which I was shocked to hear since I have thick and somewhat curly hair. My sides are very thick and high , so the balding doesn't appear to be as bad as it is. Maybe I was in denial . Arocha stated that after the transplant I would be a 3.

Thanks.  Are you planning a third transplant? 

Also - why does FUT provide more density per cm squared? 

What was your Norwood pattern? 

Bump 

What Norwood were you Midwesterner?  

1 hour ago, Payam said:

Took these today. Don't think I can go out without toppik, anyone have tips for concealers? Something that is a bit easier to apply and doesn't make such a mess, from a spray bottle would be nice

This is without concealer?  I feel like it looks pretty great....

What Norwood are you? 

2 hours ago, john1972 said:

I didn’t do any research really before my HT and found this forum after my surgery, but after reading on here I would have still have gone down the FUE route for sure.

As there are no 100 percent guarantees with any surgery even with an elite surgeon (due to a persons make up) I would have choose FUE due to the visible scaring normally being less; then if the HT didn’t work out I still had the option to shave down to a lower grade with FUE than FUT; my hairdresser after shaving my donor area down to a grade 2 during a haircut said he cannot see any scaring at all and he had a good look as it interested him.

Due to things that are out of a surgeons control, I now believe I might have done test run first though; i.e had 100 or 200 grafts done as a test to see If my hair grafts were suited to FUE, I then would see what the yield would be for those grafts and then also see how I healed up.

How do you not do any research before having a surgery like this???  Lol I wish I could be like that.  

48 minutes ago, voxman said:

People of a certain age who like to wear their hair shaved or faded on the sides and back choose FUE for that reason,  and for the option of having the fall-back 'shave it all off' plan. 

People who probably will never be a Marine again opt for FUT.  

Haha. Well I don’t want to be a Marine but I do want an exit strategy if transplants don’t turn out well for me.  An FUT scar makes shaving your head a la Bruce Willis less likely.  

Would you have considered FUT?

10 minutes ago, Spaceman said:

You are wrong that FUE is the best choice simply because of your prodigious donor and hair caliber.  It means that you may be a candidate for either surgery (depending on laxity) and you should use other criteria to make the decision between FUE and FUT.  I’m not saying you made the wrong decision though, not at all. FUE is a great procedure. It’s just that there are other factors to consider as well. Regardless, you made a good choice for you and your procedure looks like it is on track for success. 

What other criteria should be used?  

17 minutes ago, redlord said:

Never, I am just scared of those big cuts.

Moreover, I was told that I had a lot of donor hair, a lil over 11000, and size of my hair is 69 micron. Dr Koray told me that a patient like me is a dream of every HT doctor, lol.

So with that many available donor and good hair thickness, I believe FUE is the best choice. Or am I wrong?

What’s the game plan if you lose more hair / need another transplant?  The doc told you that you had 11000 grafts?  That can be extracted?  I thought for FUE around 6000 was the upper limit.  

Would you have considered FUT? 

On 8/6/2018 at 3:05 AM, redlord said:

Yea, that tuft was always helpful. I'm tall, and not a lot of people can see top of my head unless I sit down. So that tuft of hair always hide the baldness behind it and people think I still have a lot of hair.

 

I don't really know my Norwood pattern. May 4 or 5.

Thanks

It’s interesting to me that people often seem fuzzy on what NW pattern they are.  I get the impression that the success of a hair transplant largely hinges upon how advanced your emerging pattern is going to be.  

Anyway looks real good I wish you much success.  Very brave of you to take the plunge, I’m still wringing my hands and waiting to dive in, I envy you guys who move forward.  

1 hour ago, AmirMilad said:

Because I needed lots of hair.

why do you ask?

Thanks.  Because I’m curious as to why people choose FUT or FUE.  Some say that FUE provides a similar yield and that mega sessions are possible with FUE.  I have no agenda, just wondering how people who pull the trigger one way or the other decided.