Shah007

Thank you all for the guidance 😊

So Norwood 3 it is!  Thank you for the info. Don’t really want to take any meds. It seems stable enough to attempt a HT. Only issue is possibility of perm shock loss in the frontal region. That’s my only concern. Any idea what the density would be at present in this region? Just an educated guess works. Thanks. 

Dry hair pictures. 

Pictures with wet hair. 

Hello!
I posted 2 years ago. Nothing seems to have noticeably changed. There’s a loss in hair density in the front area within the marked area. Any idea of what the existing density is in this region would be appreciated. H & W recommended not to transplant hair in between hairs in this region and to wait longer. Dr Konior was confident that it wouldn't be too risky to do so. So I’m still debating whether to risk it and go for increasing density in this area or just wait longer. 

Also wondering what Norwood hair loss category I fall in if anyone can guide. I’m 46 going on 47. No hairloss meds ever taken or any HT ever undergone. Adding some pics in bright overhead lighting with wet and dry hair. 
Thank you. 

Amazing! And it’s been said a HT is just an illusion of density. No illusions here it seems. 

31 minutes ago, HugoX said:

I'm more interested in the movie you watched and what scene it was? 😱

Same!

Did u find recovery from FUT really hard vs recovery from FUE and was it worth the benefits of FUT over FUE in the first procedure?

35 minutes ago, Shah007 said:

FUT scar is amazing. Makes FUT worth it with such a thin scar.  Any thread on your first procedure?

Ok I found it. You did things right!  Good job. 

FUT scar is amazing. Makes FUT worth it with such a thin scar.  Any thread on your first procedure?

On 2/14/2022 at 7:25 PM, Curious25 said:

It’s not, because even the most aesthetic results you are seeing from top doctors are usually only implanted at 50-55 max grafts per cm2 . . in which these graft counts are normally only necessary and utilised on people with native density of >80FUcm2. 
 

So when it looks like a killer result and you are unable to tell the difference between the transplanted zone and native zones, this is the ‘illusion’ working at its best because it is at least 25fu per cm2 less than the native areas behind the transition zones. 

Survival rate has most certainly improved over the last 5-10 years, for sure, however it is still always going to be about the illusion of density, until unlimited donor is a thing . . Or unless a patient with minimal hairloss achieves actual native density over what would usually be at least 2 surgeries. 
 

The only one pass surgery aiming for > 60fu per cm2 density I have came across online is the current case by@Fue3361 . . Which so far looks impressive, however still too early to conduct a graft survival count. 

 

There’s a case presented by Dr Hasson of 5k grafts HT. The bald areas were planted with at density of 80 cm sq. Looking at the pics it looks like real density not an illusion. Are you talking about the same case?

I was told he can safely transplant 80 cm sq if supply & demand is not an issue. 80 cm sq is real density if most grafts grow. Most docs won’t go over 55-60 cm sq which would be a great illusion but not real density. Wondering what H & W can do what others can’t or won’t do. 

Yes that’s Dr K’s reply. 

Interesting to note that Dr Nadimi said she dense packs up to 50 cm sq and the vast majority of patients are satisfied with the results and if I want more density then a second pass can be done later. She estimated I needed 1500 grafts. 

Asmed estimated 2,500 to 3,000 grafts neeeded but I was new to this field back then. Didn’t know where to go…..

Regarding your question of his response to my hair density question, this was his reply: 

“I do not recommend focusing on graft number densities as so many novices on the forums tend to refer to.  I've been doing this for a very long time and rarely think about the numbers, but rather focus on the result.  The number is completely meaningless unless one factors hair caliber into the equation, so comparing one 50 graft per cm transplant to another is a useless comparison unless all other hair and skin characteristics are identical.  That being said, regardless of the number, there are only so many grafts one can insert in a zone before skin necrosis or permanent shockloss becomes an issue.  The bottom line is that I focus on maximizing safe density without incurring surgical risk.”

I have done an online consultancy with a few top Doctors. I think Dr Konior is the best Doctor for my particular case with his stick and place method. He estimated 1500-2000 grafts would be needed. I’ll just go with his recommendation of FUE or FUT.  He will advise what’s best for me. He quoted up to $25k but it depends on the grafts I’ll need and whether it will be FUT or FUE.

I’m in the process of saving up atm. Don’t want to mess it up so better to wait for the best rather than rush into it now. Hairs seemingly not going anywhere too fast anyways. 

I have been following that thread. It’s an interesting case but seems too risky for me since he’s transplanting hair in the forehead where there’re no hair and I would be transplanting between existing hair.
 

I’m not looking for original density nor want a lower hairline. Any density that prevents the scalp from showing with bright overhead lights in this front region works. It’s frustrating for me to have perfect hair (for my standards) behind this frontal region and have scalp showing in this frontal region and fronta temporal points gone.

I know I shouldn’t complain. I really haven’t seen many people with such thick dense hair at my age without any treatment but it would be nice to fill up the frontal region. I keep getting advice to avoid a risky hair transplant and use meds. I just don’t like the idea of messing around with my body’s hormones for cosmetic benefits only. 

I meant what the cm sq density would be of the hair remaining in the frontal zone where thinning has occurred. Transplanted hair density range is generally 40-50 cm sq. I wanted to compare what density I have atm vs what transplanted density would be able to achieve. 
I’m not looking to lower the hair line. The central hair line hasn’t receded. 

Hello. 
The area covered in red is where I can see scalp in bright lights. This area has lost density over the years. 45 1/2 years old. No meds or hair treatment done ever. I’d like to know an estimate of what the average hair density would be in this region and would transplant in this region be able to bring this density close to the rest of the hair density outside this frontal region. 
Thank you. 

You might find my case interesting. Useful info in there. Hope it helps. 

Best explanation of shock loss in the video. Really great interview. Good job!

I missed it. Will there be a video recording of the session?

One thing that I have concluded from my research is that for a case like mine the best way to avoid shock loss to existing hair is to use 100% stick and place method only for minimal scalp damage. I can’t find a better Doctor for that than Dr Konior. I’m currently trying to save up for a procedure with him a few years down the line. Quite an expensive investment 😅

Jurys still out if I should go for FUE or FUT but there’s still time to think over it. 

There is so much discussion on the forum about taking oral/topical medication for hair stabilization, before and after a HT. Medication side effects range from unnoticeable to devastating. I’m 45 and never took any medication. 
My question is that should I try medication out? I don’t notice any hair thinning in the crown region. The front region that has lost some density seems stable with hardy any noticeable miniature hair. I’m not shedding hair during hair wash as much as I used to years ago. Hair loss seems pretty stable tbh. The frontotemporal recess area is gone. No way medication will help with that. 
I read somewhere that these medications aren’t that useful after 45. So is experimenting with medication worth the risk? Also is there any benefit of starting medication some months before and after HT in a case like mine?
Thank you. 

21 hours ago, gillenator said:

Doctors have often told me that the degree of one's hair caliber (hair shaft diameter) is the single most critical factor considered when achieving the illusion of visual coverage.

Couldn’t thick caliber donor hair be a problem too? Horse mane donor hair even singles planted in the hairline would look unnatural. 

These are my latest hair pics I just took. Some of the earlier pics were 2 years old. Feels like the hair strands have gotten thicker than before. I used a new shampoo for almost a year before that I suspect was thinning my hair. Since I’ve discontinued it for almost a year now I feel hair shafts look thicker.
Plz advise after seeing the pics which option would be best FUE or FUT? Thanks. 

So I requested Dr Konior to read this thread to understand my hair loss situation. He replied soon after that he has read this tread. I was very impressed by his quick response, accessibility and clear communication skills. What a professional!!
He says I am an eligible candidate for a HT and any opinion that I am not is just wrong. I will need the stick and place method to minimize shock loss chances. 1600-2000 grafts HT range.

I can go for FUE or FUT. Both options work for me. I’m still trying to figure out which one would be best.  
I don’t cut my hair too short from the sides and back and a small scar is not going to show through my donor area. 

I asked if my thick donor hair might be an issue in the hair line as I want a softer natural hair line as a first priority. He said that with FUE the option to selectively choose grafts and select from the nape region allows for a softer hair line. 
So I figure FUE will give a more natural looking hair line. My research tells me that FUT gives a higher graft yield and  survivability as well as better donor management for future. So I’m still not sure which route to take at the moment. 

Things are much clearer now thanks to this forum and the advice of the members here. I’m very grateful for all your comments and suggestions. Thank you all 😊