Hey guys, first and foremost, I'd like to thank all of you for contributing to this community, I've had so many questions to ask and no one to answer them for so long. It's great to finally find you.
My story is a strange one, and if you'll indulge me, I'd like to ask for some advice.
The beginning:
When I was a kid, (probably 10ish) i had a strange growth of scabs on my scalp. My family wasn't stable financially so we weren't able to see a doctor, and although they caused me no discomfort, my father pulled the scabs off. Unfortunately in doing so, he pulled out several clumps of hair that never regrew, leaving me with two bald spots on the top of my head, each about 1"x2", each on opposing sides of my head.
When I turned 18, frustrated by my inability to wear short haircuts, having to constantly comb-over the spots, insecurities about windy days or someone standing above me, and preemptively embarrassed about having to explain the spots to a girlfriend, I decided to get a hair transplant.
I was so anxious to get the spots "filled in" that I did very little research and rushed to make an appointment with the first doctor I met. The doctors name escapes me now and the amount of grafts as well, but after the strip procedure we did, only about 20% of the transplants stayed. Now this could be my mistake for having had chosen a poor doctor, or perhaps somehow my fault for not being responsible post-op, but either way, here I am, 10 years later, and still facing all of the aforementioned problems.
Because the strip procedure was relatively traumatizing I've long put off the idea of going in for another pass. Recently I read about the FUE procedure and it sounds like a much less evasive process, something I'm very interested in pursuing.
My questions are as follows:
1. Is it possible that the transplants didn't "take" because of the doctor, me, or perhaps some scar tissue from the original incident? Is this a problem that I'll never be able to get around?
2. Based on the size of the spots, (both roughly 1" x 2") and these photos, how many grafts will I need? How long will the procedure be?
3. Is a FUE procedure the best way to go? What is the cost generally
4. What type of pre-op things are necessary with an FUE procedure? I have a phobia of pills and drugs, so did my original strip treatment with only local anesthesia. Would I be able to do this with an FUE procedure?
5. How can I find a good doctor for the job? (I'm based in Marin, so San Francisco bay area is best)
thanks again for creating the community. I apologize if some of my questions are green, but thanks in advance.
Top view:
Left spot detail:
Right spot detail: