Bamboo

@Gatsby Many thanks for taking the time to provide such a comprehensive reply. It’s very much appreciated. Congrats on your outcome. Your story is simply amazing and very encouraging for NW7s everywhere. The last time I checked Eugenix, they had a range of charging structures which varied quite a lot in price (the prices don’t seem to be on their website currently). I think there were four options which became more expensive depending on the involvement of the more senior surgeons (probably the two you mentioned). For NW7s, would you think it wise to go with the option that maximised the involvement of the senior doctors or would one of the less expensive options suffice. Like yourself, there would be a lot of grafts needed.

I’m conscious that HT surgeries, where the scalp has been shaved, require at least a couple of weeks before the redness/rawness goes away. Would there be any advantage in getting SMP in advance of the surgery to minimise the visual impact of the surgery and perhaps reduce your post-op indoor time?

Thanks for your message. Shaving down not really an option as there's still a number of strip scars from previous work.

Hi all I'd be grateful for the community's advice regarding best options for my next step. I’m 59 and NW7 with limited donor from a number previous botched jobs in the late 80s and 90s. I had a (mostly) failed outcome with a mega BHT attempt in 2004. As a result, I have limited scalp donor but still have an abundance of body hair on almost all other parts of my body. I also had some BHT (mostly beard) with Dr Umar about 10 years ago where he successfully transplanted grafts into the temple area and into an old linear scar. Finance and logistics prevented me from taking things any further at the time. I've worn a system for about 25 years. Prior to that I used a hair thickener but it got to the point where there was little left to thicken and it looked ridiculous. My scalp was too scarred to buzz cut and it wasn't really in fashion then anyway. Even though the system looks okay and they've better over the years, I would still prefer to be without it. Given my age, any next attempt would definitely be my last so I’ve been nervous to progress. I would be heavily reliant on BHT and would hope that SMP would assist in creating the illusion of thickness. I would be happy with a relatively modest solution incorporating preferably a soft, back combed hairline. I'm encouraged by the significant developments in recent years in terms of successful BHTs and the use of SMP to increase the illusion of volume etc so I hope that some solution still exists. As has always been the case, there will some practitioners (both for BHT and SMP) that are more suited to my situation than others. Whilst I'd prefer a full solution, one of the options I would consider would be a transplanted hairline with the system set behind it. Acceptable, but not my preferred outcome. For BHT, I'm thinking of course of Dr Bisanga and Eugenix. Dr Bisanga is closer to where I live (Ireland) but is quite expensive. The cost of Eugenix is difficult to estimate. (They used to have a range of options displayed on their website but it doesn't seem to be there now). It's also a long way to travel by comparison. I also hear good things about Pinto in Portugal but I don't know what he'd be like with BHT and repair cases. For SMP, I'd need someone who was used to applying it for "thickening" purposes rather than just applying it to buzz cuts. Grateful for any advice in terms of what route I should go (even if it means sticking with the system) and the options I might have in terms of surgeons and SMP practitioners etc. I'm attaching some photos which help illustrate my situation.

Hi Gatsby Firstly, congrats on the spectacular outcome. You must be happy beyond words. Is there a single source/post that outlines your back story? I’m particularly interested because from the pieces I’ve picked up, it seems very similar to my own - botched work in the 80s; raised hopes and disappointments; resorting to systems etc. I think we’re roughly the same age. I’d particularly love to know how you dealt with the practicalities of ditching wearing a system to biting the bullet and having that mega session with Eugenix. I’m very inspired by what I’ve read about you and hope it gets me across my own line. I was particularly taken with the emotion you felt after 37 years of angst. For me, it’s at 35 and counting!

Thanks for the replies. I’m an NW7 with limited donor from previous botched jobs in the late 80s and 90s. I would be heavily reliant on BHT. I had a (mostly) failed outcome with mega BHT attempt in 2004. I’ve been all around the world in pursuit of a resolution. Any next attempt would definitely be my last so I’ve been nervous to progress. Wearing a system for many years, initially to cover old scars. It’s a while since I did a consultation but I’ll get a few photos and upload them.

Like many people here, I’m very impressed with the results achieved by Eugenix. However I’m a bit baffled by their pricing structure. The range from their cheapest option to the most expensive is very wide - a multiple of the basic cost. I’m sure they would not offer the basic service if if wasn’t capable of delivering excellent results that they could stand over. So what therefore is the benefit of going with the considerably more expensive options?

Hi all After a number of botched HTs in the late 80s and 90s I’ve worn a system for the last 25 years. It doesn’t get any easier to accept or live with. I’m now NW6 with limited donor. I did a consultation with Dr Bisanga who offered hope that I could achieve a good outcome with a combination of scalp, beard and donor over 2 or more procedures. My issue is how best to deal with the transition. If I start with work on the frontal area, what should I do about the crown etc. SMP is an option but I don’t think I’d be comfortable with a shaved looking head after all these years. I know it’s possible to get a system that sits behind the hairline but how would that work in practice? Could I get ‘measured’ only after the HT or at some point earlier (The lead time with new systems can be lengthy) Are there any other considerations/alternatives? I’m sure I’m not the first to face this issue. Would be glad to get the advice and perspectives of those with knowledge or experience. Thanks in advance.

This looks amazing. Congratulations. The patient obviously wanted quite a dense outcome. Would the surgery/system work as well if only a light density is required. I wear a light density system with which I am generally happy apart from the hairline, for the reasons you’ve outlined. I would prefer a much softer low maintenance hairline that I could comb backwards with visible scalp etc. Is this just as easy to achieve?

Thanks BeHappy, appreciate your reply. I’ve been researching SMP practitioners and am astounded by the number available. There’s one within a 5 minute walk. There’s clearly a range of competency in the sector and not all could possibly be equally understanding of the particular requirements of hair loss patients. The choice of an SMP practitioner would seem almost as important as a transplant surgeon. Anyone know of good ones in Europe?

Hi all. Would appreciate advice of some knowledgeable members. Long story short, had a few hts in the 80s and 90s which left me linear scars, depleted donor area and with the need to wear a piece. Had a mega bht session in 2004 which didn’t produce anything mega but still left me me some additional hair. In 2011, had some bht transplanted into the linear scar. This seemed to work pretty well meaning I could cut my remaining scalp hair shorter before the scar becomes noticeable. This allows me to also have the piece cut shorter which I prefer. I’ve been reading a bit about micropigmentation lately and it has me thinking. 1. If I got some ink put in my linear scar, would it increase the illusion of hair to the point that I could cut the remaining scalp hair (and the piece) even shorter? 2. If it does allow me to cut my remaining hair very short (although I wouldn’t like as far as a buzz cut) is it feasible that I could have a procedure to spread my limited remaining donor hair over my scalp to give the “less is more” illusion of hair coverage to allow me ditch the piece. Just for clarity, I have some growing grafts on my scalp. Just not enough on their own to give even the illusion of coverage. Thanks in advance for any help.