HelpfulFriend

I've been in FIN for about 6 years, added oral minoxidil (sublingual) about 3 years ago, the difference is pretty drastic. 

Every section of my scalp increased in density by quite a bit, and my hair is a lot thicker.

I have my pictures professionally taken every year at a dermatologist, and I have my hair analysed under magnification - so I've got an objective measure of how my hair tracks through the years.

Oral min made a big difference, for me, anyway. 

Wow, amazing stuff! Congrats mate, seeing Dr K in November. Nervous but excited.

Just wondering why you had the scars filled in? Were you planning on cutting your hair shorter? Or were they more noticeable than expected?

Cheers

I'm getting FUT in November with Dr Konior, I have no concern about the actual surgery or anything - the only thing that makes me nervous is the worst-case scenario in terms of further loss.

I.e. What if even on Meds and with a transplant, I end up losing too much hair. I have a very aggressive family history of balding, and I'd hate to one day be left with only the shave option, and have the scar to accompany it. 

Catastrophizing, I know, but that's how my brain rolls. Would love a crystal ball right about now

Thanks for posting - this is definitely interesting stuff.

Do lots of places prescribe 15-30% topical? And has any research been done to back up these claims?

I know there are now sublingual (dissolvable) versions of oral minoxidil, which bypass the liver. How effective these are, I cannot say.

I'd also be cautious about asking a source about the efficacy of a product they are in direct competition with. 

For what it's worth, I personally know people who were at baseline with topical min, and saw a big improvement when they switched to oral.

This is anecdotal of course, but oral seems to be really effective from what I've read.

On 9/11/2022 at 1:05 PM, sunsurfhair said:

Look at everything they are doing in Europe. Who is doing FUT anymore? FUE in the right hands is the superior method. I have no agenda here. The advantage of FUT was the potential for slightly more grafts. But you also lose the ability to cherry pick grafts vs being constrained to what’s on the strip. I’m just saying it truly looks like FUT is on the way out.
 

You’re lucky you have a good scar and I’m happy for you, others go through a really rough time with it and like I said, if things go south, I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a huge smile scar on the back of my head. That’s my own preference sorry. I’ve seen some horror stories w scars first hand. 
 

Also, the ability to use beard, body hair grafts has come a long way. Look at Melvin for example and Eugenix. Incredible result so far. FUT is most certainly on the way out. Look at Rolandas. All FUE and one of the best results I’ve ever seen considering his loss. 

Just because people are doing one more than the other, doesn't mean one is better. For starters, clinics can charge more for FUE, so there's a profit-incentive. 

The best docs in the world, e.g. Konior, who is an absolute expert at both, still offers both and says that they both have their place. And you will still maximise grafts by starting FUT. 

I've also seen some nightmarish FUE donors, where it looks absolutely torn to shreds even at a 2 guard. 

They are on par, the best option is simply what your surgeon is better at, and the one that caters to your hair length.

Hey all,

Getting  FUT in a couple of months, travelling from Australia to the US.

Does anyone remember roughly when I would be okay to travel? I've read that some people wait 2 days, some wait 7 - I'd like to get home sort of quickly.

The Dr said that he recommends no earlier than 4 days, would I be crazy leaving a day early or so?

Cheers

Hey guys,

Seeing Dr Konior late 2022, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend some places to stay? I can see heaps of hotels around, I'm sort of spoiled for choice.

Has anyone had any good experiences?

I don't need anything flashy, preferably within walking distance to the clinic and the shops.

Thanks all

On 8/23/2022 at 4:22 PM, New_Barnet_Please said:

I don't buy that it's financial, FUE has been clearly superior technique to FUT for a long time being less invasive. It's only in the USA really that they have been slower to let go of it.

Everyone is free to have their preference but many will have a large amount of FUE grafts available anyway if donor is managed carefully. FUE techniques are so good now, for my surgery the donor looks almost untouched, you would never know - and there's a ton in the bank for more FUE grafts as needed. I would disagree as a young person it's necessary to have an an invasive procedure and have a scar on the head for life.

I don't think it's necessary, just something to consider.

You are correct that it's less invasive, and I'm glad you had a great procedure, but I've seen FUE donors in person that look horrendous. So it's definitely a case-by-case and depends on the surgeon. 

I've also seen FUT that can't be seen at a close guard, and vice-versa. If you don't plan on having short/buzzed hair, then I don't see a reason to avoid either procedure.

11 hours ago, New_Barnet_Please said:

I mean, many other top tier surgeons mostly don't do FUT also..

If you are taking FUE individual units, why would there be less grafts available later? The other units are untouched and still there?

Yes but we've already established that a lot more money can be made when doing FUE, so there's a profit incentive there - and some surgeons are more skilled in one vs the other. 

I'm not too sure of the exact mechanism, but doctors that do both all say that to maximise grafts over a lifetime, FUT and then FUE is the way to go.

Most people might not need this, but if your family are all NW7's, then it's something to consider. No one is ever "one and done" with transplants, they are a lifetime commitment in which most people will need multiple.

13 hours ago, StillAlive said:

You raise a good point @HelpfulFriend, 'obsolete' was a poor choice of word. It definitely has its place, but in specific scenarios. I was biased and spoke on behalf of the NW3-NW4 cohort  

Haha, I too am in that cohort - and am admittedly always quietly rooting for my specific pattern  

Also, FUT is something that needs to be considered for people who will need a lot of grafts.

To maximise your donor, you are still best to start with FUT, and then move to FUE for the subsequent procedures. If you do a large FUE early on, and require a lot more grafts down the road, it can sometimes be difficult to cover enough area.

People telling you not to do it are going against the advice of top-tier surgeons who can do both, i.e. Konior, Cooley, Hasson and Wong, etc. Docs make a lot more $ by going FUE, so FUT wouldn't still be widely practiced if there wasn't a reason/place for it.

6 hours ago, StillAlive said:

FUT is an obsolete procedure, mostly used for covering large Norwoods satisfactorily, usually with a plan to hide the scar with beard or body hair or SMP. For the most part, it is used when considering NW5 or higher. If you are young and your hair loss has yet to stabilize, I would recommend either going on meds (Fin + Minox) if you are willing to accept the side effects and marry the routine or seeing how far your loss advances, set realistic goals and get the procedures that will give you the best possible coverage. 

I don't think it's obsolete, considering some of the best docs in the world still use it.

Hey @track_rat,

Firstly, I just want to commend you for having such a strong, measured, and ultimately understanding mindset. 

You've been through a lot, and you've handled it extremely well. It's very brave of you, and you should be proud of the kind of person you are.

I am also elated to hear you are going with Dr. K. I have heard NOTHING but absolutely glowing commendations from this community. He really does care about his patients, and if there's anyone who can set you right, it's him. I also think that a little will go a long way. I believe that with some of his tinkering, you will end up with a night-and-day difference. You just need the crown buffered/reconstructed a little, and the hairline is an easy fix.

I truly wish you all the best. Stay positive.

20 hours ago, MissMyLongHair said:

Are you going to Konior?

Yeah I am

On 8/5/2022 at 2:05 AM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Where will you be staying? Weather is diverse in the US. For example, LA has moderate winters with temperatures that never go below 10 celsius. November is the end of fall near winter here, I believe it’s the beginning of summer in Australia. Depending on the state you enter, you may need to be prepared for snow and extreme cold conditions, especially if it’s in a place like Chicago. 

On 8/4/2022 at 9:37 PM, Gatsby said:

Hey @HelpfulFriend I'm an Aussie too and I've been to the States. Don't stress. Where are you arriving? LAX? JFK? Just make sure you take a good travel neck pillow for the flight and for sleeping post op. Bring a button up shirt for surgery so you are not pulling a shirt over your head. Ask your surgeon lots of questions (including your flight tips). I would recommend staying at least a week for post op support plus the fact you are traveling so far. Are there things to see in the city you are having surgery in? Wishing you all the best!

Hey everyone, thanks for the solid advice. I really appreciate it.

Melvin and Gatsby, I'm actually going to Chicago. So I gather it will be extremely cold around November?

I believe there are a couple of hotels within walking distance of the clinic, which is a plus. I honestly don't plan on doing much other than the surgery, relaxing, and then leaving.

Hey all,

I've got my HT booked in this Nov, with a really reputable doc in the US.

I'm flying from Melbourne, as there's not much down here.

The whole process is so daunting. "I mean, am I really flying 20+ hours to have an operation, then coming home?" - are the thoughts in my head.

Not to mention a country I've never been to.

Does anyone have any general advice for how long I should stay for, things to keep in mind, and just general thoughts? Anything specific I should take?

Does anyone have any stories of taking a similar trip? 

Sorry for sounding vague and confused, the whole process just seems like a mountain for some reason.

Thanks fam.

On 7/19/2022 at 4:57 AM, Fue3361 said:

Fun idea, post what you no longer miss about the days before you had your HT.  I’ll put mine:

 

1.  I don’t miss avoiding going out for a walk when it is windy, or angling my head down when the wind picks up.

 

2.  I don’t miss wearing a hat when doing cardio or any form of running that might mess up my hair.

 

3.  I don’t miss feeling anxious about a girl passing her hand through my hair.

 

4.  I don’t miss not being able to have a variety of haircuts.

 

 

What don’t you guys miss?

The hat dependency, for sure. 

Im yet to get a HT but I absolutely hate the stress formal events give me.

I also don't do a lot of fun activities because of my hair.

On 7/19/2022 at 7:46 AM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Well I apologize if I came off as rude. 

You were fine, Melvin. He called someone cringe and then tried to pass it off as banter as a way of backtracking lol. Which makes zero sense. 

On 7/19/2022 at 5:04 AM, sukh123 said:

This is some cringe post lol 

How is this cringe? This hits super close to home.

The only cringe thing here is you brother 

Hello everyone, thank you so much for your input - this is why I really do love this forum.

@LaserCap @Rahal Hair Transplant @Melvin- Moderator - I've attached some photos here. For reference, I see a dermatologist every 6 months, and I have maintained my hair for the past 6 years. More or less the same.

I had the back and other areas of my hair looked at under a microscope about 6 months ago, and no where showed miniaturization other than the front (which you can see in the second photo). Which was odd, as it was more-or-less consistent for 6 years with no change.

One thing to note, is that I did try dermarolling in these areas, as I was seeing if I could get some new hair to sprout on the exterior. If anything, this needling (1.5mm) seemed to have really thinned my hair out, and it hasn't come back in this spot. 

I only thought of the system as I know a person who has a partial front system, we train (boxing) together, and it looks really good.

Note: the first photo is from about a year ago but the hair over-head looks more or less the same, just a bit less volume.

I guess I am ultimately worried about meds and HT not being able to keep up with my genetics  

Hey all,

I'm 31, NW3, and have been on fin and minox for 6 years which has mostly slowed my loss.

I'm at the stage where I want the frontal portion fixed, and am considering a HT 

I have an extremely aggressive family history of balding, and I've been debating the risks.

I'm concerned about one day losing too much hair despite taking meds (as they don't stop, only slow loss progression) - and I was toying with the idea of a partial hair system.

My thinking: I could use a partial system for my front and then see how my loss plays out. Has anyone done this or have any thoughts?

Just something that came to mind when I was second guessing looking for a HT

2 hours ago, deeznuts said:

Also, I just want to say - 31 w/ NW3 isn't that bad honestly. Though I guess it is a negative that you're a NW3 with fin/min in the sense that with fin/min mitigating you're still NW3. 

Are you sure you need FUT? What did the doctors say?

That's my thought, I've been on Fin and Min for a while, too - so I'd assume I'd be much worse.

My family history is really bad, and I can see myself still losing ground even on meds (albeit very slowly) - so I just want to be as conservative as possible and maximise the grafts.

So i'd start FUT, then go FUE

This is why I was considering the first FUT

18 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Yes listen to Dr. Hasson’s reasoning

 

This was a great vid, thanks Melvin.

Even though FUE can potentially yield superior results, as Hasson said, do you think starting with a single FUT, THEN moving to an FUE is still the best way to maximise ones grafts? I believe I saw a vid of yours with Dr Konior that stated this.

Or, simply FUE from the start?

Just now, yesplease said:

I believe one strong factor is that FUE is more profitable for the physician than FUT.

Ah yes, that's a great point