youngsuccess

What you're experiencing is normal and completely understandable: No guy wants to go around advertising the fact that he's had a hair transplant. However, if you're planning on making a long-term commitment to both your hair and your partner, it's inevitably going to come up at some point. The closer you get, the less privacy you'll have; it will become much harder to keep something like this hidden, especially since hair loss is progressive. I was able to disguise the work I had done from my girlfriend for years, but there were random periods when I seemed distant and unaffectionate due to all of the sneaking around and recovery downtime. Everything turned out A-OK when I finally came clean. There's no reason to rush into talking about it if you're not in the right comfort zone yet, but if keeping the secret bottled up starts to negatively affect the relationship, then it's probably time to open up before you do more harm than good.

Sounds good. I'm also considering booking a similar-sized FUE procedure for additional hairline feathering/refinement. My main concern is not being able to entirely camouflage the shaved extraction area with the surrounding donor hair. Are you planning on growing it out in the back, or just completely buzzing down? I'll be looking forward to your updates. Good luck!

Your donor area does appear quite thin to me, at least based on the angle of this photo. If you have any non-flash, straight-on shots of the back and sides, it definitely might help some of the other members/doctors make a virtual assessment. This could be a major determinant in whether or not you're even a hair transplant candidate. Here's a video with Dr. Feller discussing some of the limitations of working with a less than optimal donor region: http://www.youtube.com/user/SSPEXX#p/u/8/IMKa3x6oaG0 But either way, I think a professional, in-person evaluation is definitely in order here.

There's really a multitude of factors that can influence a patient's decision to return for the follow-up procedure/s: the need for repair work, the desire for more coverage/density, scar revision, and progressive loss of native hair are all common reasons. However, you're typically not going to lose what was transplanted unless you have an unstable, thinning donor area, which is an issue that normally would be addressed during the consultation. Generally speaking, unless the loss is minimal and the balding pattern completely stabilizes, or the person is a candidate for a huge megasession, there's a good chance that more than one surgery may be required, depending on the patient's age, budget, level of loss, his/her goals, and the overall restoration plan employed. Many of us have already committed to more than one transplant. I'd argue that the probability is fairly high, since hair loss is unpredictable and most people are going to want to maximize their potential.

That's definitely one way to keep things in perspective. In some sense, I think younger balding men are living in much more tolerant times. Guys with hair loss might not always like these alternatives, but shaving your head or regularly wearing a hat weren't even socially acceptable options up until relatively recently. Nowadays, buzzing down is considered a very practical way of dealing with thinning hair, even in an image-obsessed world. It can also be a fashion statement if you're able to pull it off well. Hats can be fashionable, too. I know someone who has incorporated a stylish newsboy-type cap into his wardrobe; it's pretty much become part of his identity, even at work. And no one is going to say, "Hey, take that off at the table" when we're out eating. Most guys don't want to start "hiding" under anything, but it's still an everyday coping mechanism that works for a lot of people who may be biding their time before a transplant. Hats get a bad rap because a lot of guys automatically visualize a dingy old baseball cap, but there are a lot of options that get taken for granted.

Toppik and Nanogen are "concealers" composed of microfibers (organic keratin protein) that coat your existing hair upon application, making it appear more dense. You basically shake it out of a small canister onto your head, and the fibers magnetically bond to each strand. You need to have a minimal to moderate amount of hair to work with, though. It has its limitations, but finding the right color and mastering the application is usually the key to success with most concealers. You can find a decent amount of legit, user-uploaded video demonstrations on Youtube.

Yeah, I agree. I felt pretty safe and secure sleeping with a neck support pillow: You can purchase them for under $20. It's a very practical way to keep your neck propped up and comfortably stabilized during the first few nights of your recovery. Definitely a solid little investment.

FUE is an extremely delicate, time-consuming process, so yield may be compromised if too much is being attempted too quickly. There is also some degree of scarring associated with the procedure. It won't produce a linear strip scar, but tiny, feint "dots" may be visible upon close inspection. If the surgeon uses improper technique, especially with a punch tool greater than .9mm in diameter, the patient could end up with a "moth-eaten" look in the donor area reminiscent of plug extraction, which can potentially be worse than a strip scar. There are other physiological factors/obstacles that may come into play during FUE work, possibly more so than in a traditional FUT surgery. Dr. Feller has discussed the importance of overall scalp "cooperation" before in a few threads. After my procedure with Dr. Dorin, I was able to comfortably buzz down with a #2 guard on the clippers (6mm) without any fear of detectability. It was a relatively small session, though. Being able to shave down closely without any evidence of strip surgery is pretty rare, especially after a large session. If you plan on regularly keeping a closely-cropped hairstyle, then FUE is probably your better option.

Some patients choose to wear a tailor-made crown piece in conjunction with a frontal transplant, so your idea isn't too far fetched, IMO. Comfortably being able to keep up with what you've outlined probably isn't going to be as easy as it sounds, though. You're also going to have to achieve reasonably strong density in the front to be able to seamlessly incorporate the piece, which can be accomplished more quickly with a strip procedure. The good news is that leading FUE doctors are currently capable of safely transplanting more than 500-1000 grafts during a single/two-day session. Shooting for 1500-2000 grafts might be feasible, provided you can afford it and prove to be a good FUE responder/candidate. Here's a list of the recommended physicians in California: http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...list.asp?StateAbr=CA You'll have to look over each profile to determine whether or not they offer FUE. Might want to also check out Dr. Feller's work, the Shapiro Medical Group, and results from a few other clinics. You'll be able to pull up a lot of information using the Find feature.

Chlorination of the public's water supply is pretty common in many places, but you could always try to neutralize it by attaching a shower filter. I've never heard about this being specifically addressed in post-op instructions (other than to initially avoid swimming pools), so you should ask your doctor if you're concerned. Shock loss in the recipient and donor area is largely unpredictable, but temporary shedding can occur several weeks/months after the procedure. Normally, your native hair returns to its original state as the new grafts begin to sprout.

Both are euphemisms for "hair system". I believe the Microdot Process actually incorporates human hair strands (as opposed to synthetic fibers), but it's still technically artificial, non-growing hair that's being attached to your head. Companies that advertise these types of services often use lofty or ambiguous language to describe their products, but ultimately it's just another way to avoid using the terms that normally apply: hairpiece, wig, etc. If you're comfortable with that kind of option, you might want to try browsing through the Hair System sub-forum: http://hair-restoration-info.c...s/a/frm/f/1666060861

Unless your doctor specified during the consultation that the goal is to end up with 1,000 modified, single-hair grafts, I think you'll be charged for the initial extraction of pre-cut, naturally occurring follicular units. However, this can sometimes seem confusing in hairline cases. Normally, the 1,000 multi-hair grafts will then be largely divided down into the singles, resulting in a higher hair count. You pay per graft/session size, not by the number of hairs transplanted. Might want to discuss this with your surgeon to make sure you're on the same page.

Right. I think it mainly accelerated the fading process in my case, which dramatically improved the cosmetic appearance of the scar.

I know Neosporin is conventionally recommended to induce faster healing/prevent excessive scab build-up in wounds, but I've also used it successfully to help fade older scars in the past. I cut myself pretty badly across the face back in high school, which resulted in the formation of a deep crimson mark. I had further aggravated the area by foolishly picking at the scab before it finally closed up, so I assumed it was too late to begin using any kind of ointment. However, I was later advised by a local dermatologist to start applying Neosporin daily, even though it seemed kind of futile at the time since the scrape had already technically "healed". By that point, the purpose wasn't to "treat" the wound; I was simply trying to reduce the redness. After several months of regular use, the area was virtually indistinguishable from the rest of my skin. I've used it on my donor scar with success, too. Can't guarantee it will do anything for a scar with abnormal texture, but if you're looking to diminish some discoloration, it might be worth a shot. Mederma is another pretty popular choice.

Avodart (dutasteride) has not yet been specifically FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss. The drug is more potent, inhibiting both isoforms of 5-alpha reductase (whereas Propecia/Proscar only stops type II), but the side effects may be stronger, too. Ultimately, more DHT is being blocked, but whether or not the drug is as safe/effective in the long run remains to be seen. It sounds like you've benefited from Proscar without experiencing any complications, so I'd stick with it for the time being. I think Avodart is usually introduced after the patient has stopped responding to finasteride or in certain other cases. Might want to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.

Individual physiology will always be a factor, but ultimately it is still incumbent upon the surgeon to produce consistent results in a variety of patients. I honestly believe that if you're truly proud of your work, you are going to want people to see it. Pictures can be deceptive if they're not taken properly; however, I don't think the solution is to avoid posting photo galleries on the website. The answer is simply to take better photos. I dug up a couple cases involving Dr. Collins: http://www.irishtimes.com/news...5/1224250692845.html http://www.independent.ie/nati...nsplant-1250186.html The second article includes a photograph of one of his patients a couple years after his procedure. You'll also have to read the first one carefully, but it might be worth it to take a look.

A lot of these offices get inundated with emails from prospective patients, so you're usually not going to receive a truly in-depth evaluation unless you schedule a real consultation. It sounds like you got an honest response from a patient consultant based on whatever information he had to work with. Your disappointment is understandable; however, this doesn't mean you can't pursue the issue further if you're not satisfied with the response. If you really want a thorough assessment of your situation, I'd plan on visiting the clinic if it's feasible, or meeting with a few other recommended doctors before you form a full opinion on the quality of their services. Good luck.

Supersaturating the area with a less than perfectly matched pigment would be my main concern. But cosmetic tattooing seems like it could be a viable option if it's performed by an experienced practitioner. These technicians are supposed to use vegetable/mineral extracts rather than ink to apply the dots, which allegedly fade naturally over time. Selecting the right outfit to perform this type of work probably involves doing a lot of research, just like any other hair-related treatment.

Ah, I see. You'll read about patients who were seemingly proud of the fact that they didn't abstain from smoking before/after their procedure; some claim to have even taken cigarette breaks during the surgery. So I won't insist that puffing on some flavored tobacco will definitely influence graft growth in the end, but it's possible it will delay your healing. I smoked for eight years and observed that my resting heart rate would rise a bit every time I lit up, so it stands to reason that blood pressure might also be immediately affected. Enough to pop out the grafts? No. But it just seems like common sense to me that anything you can personally do to minimize the risk of experiencing complications would be in your best interest. Ultimately, it's your judgment call. What does your doctor recommend?

Bosley and MHR and are both widely considered to be "hair mills" that are managed more like corporations than proper medical clinics. I've also read that they're owned by the same parent company. I suspect these free transplants (if they actually exist) are just another way to promote/advertise their services. These places are generally strong on marketing, but inconsistent at best when it comes to producing quality results. Baldingbum, I have tried the link which isn't up nor do I see any evidence of it being an actual live site at any other (recent) time. Sometimes people post links and offers/competitions just to push up the price of the domain name, so it looks a little suspicious. Have you actually seen the offer/competition and can you link to the actual page please? I found this on another site: Transplant Offer If you have been considering a hair transplant but have been held back by the cost, MHR has an offer for a transplant that is good for $5,000 or 1,000 hair grafts. Winners are chosen at random through drawings. Sign Up On the home page you will need to sign up for the free DVD. This consists of entering your name, age, address and telephone number. Submit the information and you will be taken to a new page. This will automatically enter you into the drawing for the free hair transplant. It's from ehow.com, with a link to the Medical Hair Restoration sign up page.

Are you talking about smoking tobacco with a hookah, or marijuana? The term "hookah" refers to the instrument itself, correct? I would take a look at this: http://www.regrowhair.com/hair...replacement-surgery/ If you're talking about pot, marijuana smoke can contain more tar, carbon monoxide, and other carcinogens than tobacco, so either way I'd avoid it. You can hold off.

I've always dismissed it simply because licorice-infused hair growth concoctions have been marketed similarly to gimmicky products that contain saw palmetto. So I think it's natural to suspect that most topical potions advertising the ingredient are probably composed of minoxidil, too, which is actually what's doing all the work in both cases. Don't know if incorporating licorice extract into your routine will do anything for you, despite the claims. Twizzlers do rule, though.

You're understandably confused right now, but that also means that you're open. So before you do anything else, I'd give some serious thought to the option of buzzing down the rest of your head with the #1 guard that's currently being used on the sides/back. The remaining hair on top isn't providing much coverage, so it's not going to drastically alter your appearance. I'd skip the online consultations and try to meet with a few recommended doctors. You need as much education as possible right now, and that requires clear, face-to-face communication and a thorough examination of your scalp. Reasonable, goal-specific expectations are the key to proper hair restoration in patients as advanced as yourself. It's going to be virtually impossible to achieve complete, uniform coverage and density throughout. You'd probably have to accept a more conservative (higher) hairline, a thinner crown, and some other compromises for this to realistically work, if you're even a candidate. You're clearly able to function and liver your life normally right now, but a poorly planned transplant resulting in lackluster work can be debilitating to people. Hang in there, man.

Just don't get too down on yourself, man. Try not to let the frustration you're experiencing greatly affect your level of sociability with women. Remember: anger can sometimes be used constructively, but hatred will only hold you back in life. You don't want to remain hidden from the unique girl out there who is perfect for you. Am I arguing that most young women won't care about your hair loss? No. What I'm trying to say is this: girls like that DO exist. They might be harder to find at your age, but they're certainly not a myth concocted by insecure men with MPB, despite all the negativity out there.

There are some general timetables that are referenced every so often, but I think the prevailing attitude on the forum is that attempting to define a universal schedule for growth is ultimately an exercise in futility. Everyone grows differently, so basing individual expectations on others' experiences will probably only serve to further stress out recovering patients. People will also fail to appreciate the subtle changes that are gradually occurring when they're monitoring their progress that closely/regularly, which is why doctors usually assess results at around 12 months, not because there is anything really relevant happening growth-wise at that point. I don't think anyone expects profound changes past the one year mark, only the possibility of additional hair maturation. It's interesting to follow, but I don't think most people on the forum heavily promote one calendar over the other. What you've outlined is definitely accurate for many patients, though. Others may experience several growth spurts before sprouting the majority of their new hairs. The idea is to not obsess over it, which can be tough.