Spaceman

Looking at your previous thread, your hairline looked OK after your procedure and touch ups with Dr Wong. We’ve seen better from Dr. Wong, but it was not a failure. I agree with JeanLDD- it would be interesting to hear Dr Wong’s opinion on the poor growth. You’ve lost a lot more of your native hair in your front third over the last few years and what looks to be serious shock loss in the recipient after your latest procedure. Have you been on Finasteride at all since the procedures with Dr Wong? One last question: it looks like Dr Soni lowered your hairline significantly (1+ cm). Since you’ve had poor growth and density issues in the past, why create a lot more area to cover? In any case, I truly hope things turn around for you. You’ve had a really rough go of it.

Please do not have a HT at 22 while your balding may rapidly progress. Finasteride is probably the only way to stabilize your hair loss right now. Consider getting on Finasteride now and see if it stabilizes your hair loss over the next two years. If so, then you can think about a HT. If you want cosmetic improvement right now you might consider SMP to provide illusion of density in diffuse areas. It lasts a couple of years. Maybe do Finasteride and SMP now and reevaluate in 2 years. That will leave your options open.

Its an awful lot of area to cover with 3500 grafts. One can’t have expectations of density. But you now have something to style, so that’s a big difference.

Its looking really good so far. Its going to turn out great. Congratulations.

I’m six and a half months post-op, on the way to a good result. I have a thread with pictures if you check my posts. I don’t think you erred. I think you’re spot on.

The 15 minutes was on most days starting from a few days post-op and continuing onwards. So, nearly every day of recovery.

If it helps put your mind at ease, I got 15 minutes of direct sun exposure on many days walking my dogs during the first few months, and a near sunburn during the 4th month from spending half a day at the beach without a hat. I’m not advocating that behavior, but it happened. It doesn’t seem to have made a difference in my case.

@literalno you should try to let this go. Your grafts are probably just fine, but there is no way to be 100% certain. You’ll need to wait it out, so come to terms with that. Nearly everybody in the waiting period worries at some point that they have done something to damage their grafts. Its understandable. Just fix the window situation going forward, think positively, and move on.

I agree with @Speegs that it may just be a maturing hairline. However, obesity often leads to type 2 diabetes which definitely causes hair loss and may accelerate genetic male pattern baldness. Consider asking your primary care physician to check your fasting glucose levels. It’s probably a good idea regardless of your hair loss situation.

You both seem to be headed to a high Norwood level. Surgery won’t bring back a full head of hair. It’s a cosmetic illusion. Are you prepared for multiple procedures as your hair loss progresses? Do you have realistic expectations for the results? My advice is to get on finasteride now. See if that stabilizes your hair loss over the next year. Finasteride may be all XYZ needs right now, if it works for him. In the meantime, continue your research and develop a long term plan. Dr Bhatti does good work, but make sure you know what you’re getting into and have a long term plan before you let him or anyone else operate on you.

Given that you’ve already had a strip, I would stick with strip unless you have laxity issues, your strip donor is tapped out, or you are just looking for a minor touch up. The major disadvantage of strip is the linear scar, and you already have one. You’ve paid that price. The scar could get worse with another procedure, but that is unlikely. You already have an idea how you heal, and the surgeons you are considering are excellent. The total amount of scarring on your head will not increase significantly with a second FUT performed by an excellent strip surgeon. A FUE procedure, however, will certainly introduce a significant amount of new scarring on your head. Done well, it’s not very perceptible to the eye, but it’s there all the same, mostly under the skin. Have consultations with the surgeons you mentioned above. In person if possible. They all perform both FUE and FUT at a high level. Ask them what’s best in your situation.

@Bill - Managing Publisher Why would FUE take longer? I haven’t heard that before.

You look pretty good now. I would not have a HT right now if I were you. In my opinion, the risks outweigh the potential benefits. But if it really bothers you, and you decide to move forward, consider a procedure half that size to strengthen your existing hairline. And look to a hairline specialist as mentioned above.

It doesn’t look like you need a HT at this time. But you’re asking about hairline work. The pictures that you posted don’t expose your hairline. Consider posting additional pictures.

@sudhir kumar You’re balding buddy. It’s not because of dandruff. Try finasteride along with Head and Shoulders.