I’m 35, male, NW2.5, have been on Finasteride successfully for 10yrs with little to no loss of native hairs.
Had my first FUE procedure ~2018, 600 grafts, all in the temples. I went with a surgeon with no reputation who I didn’t meet until the day off. I was eager and naive. I had immediate concerns about density and the hairline itself directly post-op. Although I wouldn’t say the grafts were unsuccessful. It had no density and left me with a very unnatural look.
Second procedure in 2020 I went with a very reputable surgeon in NYC. Very highly spoken of and recommended on this board. Surgeon was up front that because my first transplant went so badly I’d likely still need a third to get the desired density. Had an excellent experience with the 800 FUE procedure. Left the building ecstatic at the immediate post-op density. Followed the post-op procedures to the letter, but the results 18 months out were poor. Limited graft acceptance and density on one temple, almost no graft acceptance, zero density on the other.
Met with the surgeon, we both agreed the results were less than the expected. He offered to correct the temple that failed with 200 grafts free of charge and said if I wanted to perform the third procedure (an additional 400 grafts on top of the 200; total distribution as 500 in the failed temple, 100 in the other) we could do it at the same time.
My dilemma is although I’ve only been to two surgeons, both failed. The second procedure, although unsuccessful, I’m still confident of the surgeons expertise. So, I’m questioning my candidacy.
I want a third procedure because my hair loss has become a significant confidence issue, but I’m worried I’m walking into the same result. Essentially it may be me and either I’m not a good candidate in general, or I’m just not a good recipient of the surgeons approach.
Has anyone else had an initial less than expected result with a good surgeon and stuck with it for success? Or is it insane to try this with the same office again?