Approach

Thank you. Good point

I'm asking because: I spoke to several guys (around 5 years ago) that were disappointed in the results of their temple point reconstruction. They said the hairs in this area were noticeable. I asked my question today because: I wanted to see if the science has improved? Ie, Are doctors' techniques in this area improving? (*Not all my questions I ask pertain to me specifically.* I am simply interested in learning / curious. That's all.)

Hi guys. For men whom their doctor recommends recrunstructing the temple points. Generally speaking: "These days," are expert surgeons doing a great job? (I'm asking because I have spoken to several guys (years ago) that were disappointed b/c the hairs in this area were quite detectable. Thank you.

I now see your point-- esp about having 1 thread to reference back to. Makes sense. Thank you for telling me.

Melvin-- sorry for posting so many similar questions. I had mentioned earlier (perhaps it was another member) that I tend to do that because it helps me narrow things down. I personally find this method very useful b/c I can get answers to specific questions I ask. Then, I analyze all the members' responses. (I run the risk of being anniying though; I apologize). I will cool it for a bit. And, per your request, I will outline my goals instead of just freestyling questions after question --sincerely if the network prefers that method. Thank you for all you do for this great network.

Thank you! Your candid advice was perfect. I like when people are straight-up.

Respectfully, how do you explain the seemingly great results of the member "Gatsby" a former NW 7? Are you saying that the Gatsby's transformation surgery only brought him from NW 7 to NW 4 for example? Do you acknowledge that some NW 7 have come somewhat close to a full head of hair? Or, in your opinion, are doctors like Dr.Pittella, Dr. Setti not worth it-- b/c the results aren't as great as they seem?

I understand that NO doctor should take those donor hairs that are most likely to fall out someday. However, are there unscrupulous doctors that do it anyway? Ie, the results look great for the first 5 years, then eventually the transplanted hair falls out. I assume NW 6/7 type patients are the most at risk for such a practice? This being the case, should NW 7 patients be extra cautious with doctors like Petilla, Zarin, and Zethi? Are these 3 doctors known to do that? Or, are they truly upright doctors (specifically on this topic)?

Is the following a common approach?? That is: Have "repair" work only- done to my scalp: For example fill in my FUT scars with transplants. And, sort of smooth out other imperfections in my scalp (from previous HT surgeries). Then, have long term goal of a Buzz haircut? (not shaved). Are most guys who do this pleased long term?

Sorry for repeating questions; your answers are helpful! Dr. Cooley proposed the following to me: Let's aim for modest-improvement only. The goal would be: #1) Re-create the frontal hairline (age appropriate), and do some tricks to give the illusion of a fuller frontal-area of head. And, implant some hair into old FUT scars. Above all, have a goal to make things appear so natural-- that one can't detect my previous HT surgeries from 25 yrs ago. 2) Then, do a second surgery to add just a modest amount of beard hair into the crown (no body hair). In summary, he said he has used this approach with other NW 7 guys and they were pleased with results. QUESTION: My expectations are low. However, modest improvement is appealing to me, instead of shaving heard. Generally speaking, if you were in my shoes, do you support his approach? Do most NW 7 guys like me do have a goal to get a FULL head of head (for ex, via a Dr. Pittella type surgeon- using body hair, etc). My question is NOT which doctor, it's more like: Should I (a NW 7) even want a full head, or not??

I am NW 7. I've done lots of research, etc. My decision has boiled down to 2 options. Dr. Pitella, or Dr. Cooley. When you answer this question, pls don't factor distance, money, etc. I'm looking for purely an objective answer. **** Question: Dr. Pittella would go all out and use body hair, etc. The goal is to create a full head of hair (2 surgeries). Whereas, Dr. Cooley explained his goal is NOT to give me a full head of hair. He will use scalp and beard to re-create frontal area primarily and implant a little bit of beard hair in crown (also 2 surgeries). Two different doctors. Two different approaches. Which would you choose? I'm leaning toward Dr.Cooley because I'd rather have more baldness-- if it looks natural, than a full head of hair -- in which body hair and scalp hair are detectable. Any thoughts? Which scenario would you recommend? I am 52 y/o fyi and had 2 HT surgeries 20 yrs ago.

Assume you have a mild amount of donor scalp hair, great beard hair, and great body hair. And, assume you have a very respected surgeon like Dr. Pittella (known for his experience restoring NW 7 patients). The hair on my crown is all transplanted hair from yrs ago. Question: **"Generally speaking," are most NW 7 patients "truly" pleased with the results of their HT surgery? (For ex, 3 yrs after surgery) Or, are many embarrassed with an unnatural outcome? For ex, do the body hair and scalp hair mixed together in the crown look weird? Etc. **If you interviewed 100 such patients, I wonder what percentage of them would say: I'm so glad I restored my hair.

Forgive me for being ignorant on this, sincerely. Are you being sarcastic or serious?

Thank you. Are you saying that all the NW 7 patients Dr. Pittella does surgery on have a good amount of good donor hair on back of scalp?

How are doctors like Dr. Pittella able to offer gigga sessions to people like me, NW 7? Whereas, several doctors basically told me-- Do nothing (you're too far gone). Is he doing mostly body hair transplants? Why are there so few doctors like him that are willing to work on Norwood 7 ? Maybe I'm missing something? Do most HT doctors believe NW 7 risk/reward is just not worth it??? If so, then how is it that Dr. Pittella is so respected? If he's using mostly body hair, do his results look natural? (Sorry I asked a similar question recently.)

Thank you so much. I agree with you. I am perplexed though: How are doctors like Dr. Pittella able to offer gigga sessions to people like me? Whereas, several doctors gave the same advice as yours? (Dr. Pittella appears to be respected among HT Communities.) Is he doing mostly body hair transplants? Why are there so few doctors that are willing to work on Norwood 7 like him? Maybe I'm missing something? Do most HT doctors believe NW 7 risk/reward just not worth it? If so, then how is it that Dr. Pittella is so respected?

Norwood 7. The hair on top of head is all transplanted (from 1996). I have basically no donor hair left, fyi. I have a lot of good beard hair. In your opinion, if a surgeon sprinkled in as much of my beard hair as possible -- would my head look noticeably fuller or just slightly fuller? (Make the assumption that I will have a Buzz haircut.) Ie, conmetically, is such a procedure worthwhile? (PS- I realize I could add other body hair.)

Hey thanks. I'm happy you understand what I'm thinking. Fyi, I met with Jerry Cooley, MD recently. His advice is: Don't aim for a full head of hair. Unlike other doctors, he said he is good at creating 'illusions' of a fuller head-- for Nowood 7 kind of guys like me. He suggested he use up my remaining donor hair and place it toward frontal region / hairline. He will do as many tricks as he can with the angles of hair, etc for illusion. Then, consider a 2nd surgery using beard hair for the crown. *The aim though is Not full thickness on the crown. It seems like a realistic plan. I keep getting confused though--- how are some doctors able to do megasessions on Norwood 7 guys like me? Dr. Cooley never suggested it. Ultimately, I will go with a conservative approach than to experiment with 10k body hairs. Are you a fan of megasessions on Norwood 7 guys like me? Assume the best doctor and best body hair, etc characteristics. "If" someone like Cooley believed in megasessions, then it seems to me he would do them. There are plenty of Americans willing to pay him any amount. This is what makes me scared of megasessions. Fyi, I have thick beard and tons of body hair.

USA surgeons want the best results. Thus, it seems they would do more megasessions regardless of cost. Constructively, you could almost make the case that USA doctors would refer patients to oversees locations for megasessions....since they prefer not to.

Your response was very, very helpful. My posts are a bit confusing. 1) Specifically: I would like to fill in the FUT scars and rock a buzz cut. However, I have some pitting, and uneven scap tissue, it feels like. Ie, if I buzz my head, will every little imperfection show-- or just mild imperfections? (Pls assume I will use a great doctor including repairs.) Also, 2) Keeping in mind I wish to Buzz my hair (not shave), Do you recommend the following: First fill in as much of my scalp as possible with my remaining donor and as much beard hair as possible? I realize beard hair has different texture. In this scenario, cutting my hair extremely short may make it much harder to detect beard vs scalp hair.

"In theory" can a doctor remove all transplanted hair on top of head without creating crazy devits, uneven skin etc? Can he sort of smooth-out the skin after removing the transplanted hair? For ex, if I shaved my head, would my head look like a ton of tiny holes? A battlefield. The Hair on top of head is all transplanted.

All the hair on top of head is transplanted hair from 25 yrs ago

I am Norwood 7 even though I had transplants 25 yrs ago. I'm out of donor hair. Are there other options I may have, for example shave my head? (The long the long-scar on back of head will show though.) Do guys sometimes remove transplants, then cover up the scars with it? Any other thoughts?

I've been reading that some surgeons -- that do megasessions via FUE-- sometimes cross into Non-Donor areas of the head. The patient gets a full head of new hair initially. But, the some of the transplanted hair has the potential not to last, long term since it was outside of donor hair to begin with. Do some reputable surgeons truly do this? Is this something to be very concerned about, or just mildly concerned?

I meant for the question to be just general in nature. But, I totally see your point. I just added some pics. Thank you