Balding_CPA

Hey. Thanks Mister This is the exact mindset I had coming into the conversation and I’m happy to hear I wasn’t to far off. I know the name of the game is getting lucky with genetics and settling in to a final pattern. I’m sure everyone else here, myself included, would love to know what that looks like ahead of time but that’s the challenge. I’ve compared photos from a decade ago to today and although I have subtle thinning it really hasn’t progressed much at all. Who knows what the next decade will bring but it makes me optimistic that Fin could be enough to pair with my HT.

I appreciate all the replies. Very informative. I do think I may not have asked clearly enough or conversation strayed a bit. Min doesn’t seem like a fit for me as density isn’t really a concern of mine and I doubt I could be consistent with the routine if I’m not taking it orally. Ive made piece with Fin but I guess my question remain, if I’m diligent with Fin and have a transplant, what can I expect from a treatment perspective. I still need to watch Melvin’s video above but I had hoped that Fin and a transplant would be sufficient for my specific situation.

Well it sounds like Min is out of the question. I really don’t see the utility if you aren’t specifically looking for thicker hair. So is Fin and transplants enough? I’m looking to marginally cover the crown and slightly lower the hairline. Dr.- I have pics on my previous post. I’m not sure what you are asking with “age and additional discomfort”?

Hello everyone, I’d really love if some of you kind members could help me confirm my train of thought regarding my treatment plan moving forward. I originally joined this group completely adamant that I would never take a single medication for hair loss. No fin, no min, and no dut. The hysteria surrounding side effects was too much for me. I also refused to commit to a lifetime drug strictly for the sake of hair loss. I’m fortunate enough that money was never the issue and I planned on approaching a HT knowing I’d need multiple over the years to maintain a minimal look. My mindset was more “bald gracefully” than to “stop balding”. I have diffuse thinning on my crown and a naturally big forehead that makes the receding line appear worse than it is. I’ve been quoted 3500-4000 grafts to address both. I’ve educated myself on these drugs and the viability of reducing dosages if side effects present themselves, which eased a lot of my fears. This has me reconsidering my stance and I’d like some advice on my new game plan. The importance of Fin has been regurgitated to me endless times and it’s starting to get through. This is my first concession. If I can become comfortable with the fact that I’ll be taking this for the rest of my life and work through proper dosing, it will open up all other possibilities in my journey. After giving Fin a year and calibrating dosage, this is where I get confused. I know Min is typically recommended for hair regrowth but is this a life long drug as well? If fin is holding off hair loss, will Min regrow certain follicles and the Fin keep them? Once I see that regrowth, is there need to maintain the Min regimen? Additionally, if I plan on a transplant after the Fin, is there even a reason to attempt Min? Would I not just be restoring loss and then staving it off this way? Im very excited to schedule a hair transplant and am surprised at my own mindset changing towards Fin but would still like to minimize medications where possible. In a perfect world I would just get transplants ever decade and stay off meds but I’ve learned this is a risky way to approach the situation. I appreciate the help everyone!

Incredible response from everyone. I’m very grateful so many of you added your thoughts. I’ll continue to do some research on how I want to move forward but I think I’m still firmly in the no surgery or no meds options. I’m a little more open to topicals after reading the responses but still not preferred. I am completely open to travel for the operation but I started consults local. After a bad experience with Dr. Lindsey in Richmond, VA I decided to get a consult from Mike Vories in Charleston, SC. Dr. Lindsey was insistent that no one under any circumstance should get a FUE procedure and that he refused to work on my crown. He tried to be very “telling it how it is” but ultimately came off as dated and rude. Dr. Vories has been on the other end of the spectrum. He gave an honest opinion that the crown and line were doable and said no medication was fine but he recommends it. Not much else. I’ll use the resources provided to consider some other international or higher end domestic options but ultimately I think I need to educate myself more on what I want my total care plan to be. For now I’m still okay with getting 4000 grafts and planning on a second down the road but I’m not closed off to the other ideas suggested. I do think accepting the crown is probably a lower priority and working my way back from the front is a reasonable approach but the crown is my biggest source of insecurity. Big thanks to everyone here in the forum. Thank you!

I appreciate these replies. They are what I expected and exactly what I’m looking for. I was actually surprised when my Dr. explained it would be no problem to forgo Fin or Dut since it seems like a necessity on this forum. I understand the important role they play in the whole process but I had hoped that my loss, when stabilized, wouldn’t be too much more severe than it’s current state given family history. I know that may be naive and a poor way to plan but I was holding out hope. In my mind having the surgery last for 5-10 years and then getting another down the line didn’t seem too big of an issue as long as I went about planning for the remaining loss. It seems that may be a far bigger gamble than I expected. I believe the only thing holding me back from committing to either medication or the topical is the fact that once you stop use all progress is lost anyways. Maybe I’m not as committed as other members if that is acceptable to them. I’m not trying to reverse or stop hair loss but rather stabilize naturally and transplant accordingly. I can understand taking the meds through younger years and then “letting it go” at a more suitable age but I don’t think thats the approach I want to take.

Hello everyone! I’ve been lurking for a long time but now that I’ve finally been promoted I’m getting serious about a hair transplant I’ve wanted for a long time and would love some advice. Im 33 years old. I’ve done all the noobie research and feel up to speed on most topics but was wondering if any others could offer advice on my specific situation. I’m not on any medications and for now, it’s a bit of a deal breaker for me. I was recently quoted for 4,000 grafts. 2k to restore the hairline and another 2k to correct the crown. About $20K for a FUE operation in South Carolina, USA. I know my stubbornness on not wanting to take a daily pill for the rest of my life will draw a lot of attention but what are the realistic expectations I should have if I’m okay with more procedures down the road? My father’s side of the family has no history of even receding hairlines and my mother’s side varies. Grandfather is completely bald while my uncles show no significant signs in their late 60s. I do believe I’m decided on wanting to go FUE over FUT but would be open to opinions. I first noticed my crown thinning about 8 years ago and it has been a very slow progression to the photos attached below. I understand by not taking Fin and repairing the crown with the line leaves room for the midsection to continue to thin and the need for an additional operation but is this something that can be planned for? I wasn’t quoted on how many grafts could be harvested from my donor area. I’m excited to commit to the surgery but a lot of conflicting information has me questioning my confidence in the decision. I’d love some insight from everyone before I put down my deposit next month. Based on my photos, what else should I consider? What does the community suggest? Thanks in advance!