Hi All
I recently discovered this forum and have been very impressed with the advice everyone gives and many of the results.
I have chosen a UK doctor as I am unable to travel. My FUE/DHI Transplant is due on 3rd March 2023.
Would love everyone’s advice on my situation. I will be posting full details of my procedure and results on this thread which will hopefully help others just as I’ve found results threads very helpful.
My Situation & History
Age: Mid 40’s
Medication: 1mg Finasteride Daily started 26.11.2022. 1 Biotin tablet daily
History: I started losing my hair at age 19 and quickly progressed to very noticeable crown thinning. My hairline stayed in tact but I had diffuse thinning throughout.
Previous Surgery: I had a strip transplant of 2,500 grafts at the age of 26 in Athens Greece by DHI Global. At that point I thought it was a complete failure as my native hairs fell out as the new ones were growing in. They transplanted through my head and not only on 1 specific area. I was still actively losing hair and I had not stabilised it with meds. The clinic failed to advise me of such and just kept promising amazing hair. Now that my hair loss is stabilised I’m left with mainly transplanted hair but also some native. I’d say I’m a NW5/6 pattern.
Upcoming Transplant: After having 4 consultations at UK clinics, each of them advised I only have approx 2,000 grafts from my scalp without over harvesting. After 1 year the plan would be to add beard hair to head and some scalp donor if any is left to add some density.
In the end I chose Dr Epameinondas Bonaros in Glasgow UK. He was the most precise and professional in consultation and had some impressive results in forums. I have to travel out of my city I live in but I’m ok travelling within the UK.
Turkey Transplant: I was so tempted to go to Turkey. Not so much due to cost but more so due to their online consultations advising I could go for 3,500 to 4,500 grafts in 1 sitting including the beard to scalp at the same time. However after analysing I decided it’s best not to risk a transplant where my donor area is ruined and the risk of an unknown technicians. This, coupled with my reluctance to travel out of the UK led me to stay with Dr Bonaros.
My Expectations: I have a bald crown. This has always been my biggest bug bearer. Most likely because it is where I had my loss in my younger days when baldness affects you the most. I’m simply looking for coverage in the crown area to match my surrounding hairs and to fix the wonky hairline. Then it’s a bonus for me to add density with a further transplant.
I had Trico last year which you may notice in pictures but it’s the temporary one and done very subtly.
i plan to keep my hair short with a less is more attitude. If my transplant turns out to give me good coverage I’d grow it out.
Questions: Input and advice on my plan and situation would be greatly appreciated.