Nikko

On 1/16/2024 at 7:56 PM, Berba11 said:

Yes, several - though they're not likely to be well received by a 20 year old.

The fact is that at 20, you're just a kid. I'm concerned reading the OP describe his situation at 20 somewhat apoplectically:

I strikes me as deeply concerning that young men might see themselves losing hair and immediately jump to "I must get a HT". Part of growing up is dealing with the vicissitudes of life, a great many of which are vastly more important than hair loss. If clinics suddenly start taking on very young patients who get in a panic about something that they should really be able to cope with then it sets a very, very dangerous precedent. Surgery should always be the last resort, regardless of age. This is even more true when dealing with very young people, and surgery should be something that you want, but NOT need (setting aside repair/corrective situations).

I too had the beginnings of hair loss by the age of 20 and am delighted that I wasn't daft enough to try and get a HT at such an age. I would hope someone older and wiser than 20 year old me would have come along and given me a proverbial slap had I attempted it. Part of being a good candidate for surgery is your mental fortitude. I was always quite relaxed about my hair loss and would freely and openly joke about it. People who have rocked hair systems like @Gatsbyhave also made the salient point that if you're going to wear one, you kinda have to own it and have fun with it (or forever be hiding it from people, which seems a cruel form of mental torture to impose upon yourself).

The OP sounds like he's doing some things correctly; he's on finasteride and trying to get ahead of his hair loss. He's also come to this forum and has sought consultation with reputable clinics (I am extremely surprised that Mwamba might take him on). That's all good stuff. The uncomfortable reality though - and people don't like to say this but I will - is that if your hair is bothering you so much at such a young age that you'd consider paying money you likely don't really have for a cosmetic surgery then the real issue isn't really the hair. The real issue is something else and we shouldn't be encouraging seemingly "easy" solutions like a surgical intervention to make people feel better about themselves. And surgery is absolutely not guaranteed to be successful nor is it guaranteed to make someone feel better about themselves even if it is successful.

If HT's were suddenly made widely available to late teens and very early 20-somethings, can you imagine the outcomes? The vast majority of people - let alone young adults - will not be as judicious as the OP seems to be. Like I said, it would be an absolute can of worms being opened - a terrible precedent that really should be avoided at all costs.

I think for most of us who have had HT's, had the surgeon said "you're not a candidate", then we'd have said "ah ok, that's a shame, never mind", and moved on with peace of mind. It doesn't sound like the OP would be fine if this was the feedback he'd get from surgeons, which is a big problem (regardless of age).

@NikkoOne thing I do note is that you've come here asking for advice - which is great and a wise idea - but you haven't actually posted any pictures of your hair. You're not obligated to do so, and maybe what i'm about to say doesn't apply, but we have seen people pass through here who want a HT and when they show their hair... they absolutely do not need one at all.

Hey man, thank you for the kind and well thought out reply! 

Like i already said, i pretty much agree with all the things you said on a rational level. I just don't want to subject myself to this any longer.

I actually already shaved my head a year ago, even though i toom finasteride since even a year before that. I did that in the knowledge that i would be less attractive and i must say that it's pretty comfortable having no hair to worry about.

It is just that i need the hair in order to get a partner and to someday make a family, which is my "ultimate" goal.

I know what you are going to say, that i don't need hair for that and bla bla bla. However, through observations of my surroundings, the things women say and prove to do time and time again, countless of studies and even things my friends told me i have got absolutely no reason to believe that i have any chance whatsoever as a balding 20 year old in the dating "market".

I don't want to justify my position, i just want to explain why i feel the necessity to do it now and to not keep waiting.

I will be doing absolutely everything in my power in order to keep the hair loss from progressing, to ensure at a least not a total disaster post surgery.

Here are also a few pics of my hair

Hey all,

A few days ago i posted about which Surgeon would be the very best for restoring my hairline and temples, however because i am 20 years old i was basically rejected for even considering surgery. 

I have been on finasteride without any side effects (except mild gyno) for around 2 years, i plan on switching to dutasteride soon and i have lost basically zero ground since i started taking fin. Tbh i don't really get the necessity of waiting for ages if i stop my hair loss with meds when i know that i will continue taking them. 

Now, the problem with waiting for me is that i am fricking 20 years old and i want to look like it. I spoke to Dr. Mwamba and he told me that it would be okay because i am commited to staying on medication, which i am. 

I have been scouting this site for good surgeons and have found a few good ones that i feel like i could trust. I particularly like Laorwong's work but i kind of have a bad feeling travelling to Thailand for a HT, because of the lack of security i will have there should something go wrong. I was obviously also considering Dr. Mwamba, however i have read that he seems to have had a few bad results on here recently even though generally he is very well respected. I have been also looking into Pekiner, Bicer, Gur and Turan but i feel like i have not reviewed their work exhaustively enough yet though. 

Basically, it would be great if i could be hooked up with some sort coordinator who could specifically guide me, which doctor would be best for me and so on.

Again, i get that it's smarter to wait to make sure how the hair loss progresses and all that, but this situation has been torturing me mentally for 3 years and i don't think i can hold out for much longer if i don't change anything about this.

1 hour ago, Berba11 said:

I have to ask… How are you intending to fund this at 20 years old?

 

Well, i have been working full time since i finished school last year to fund the transplant. I also still live at my dads house and he luckily lets me live for free because he knows that i want to do the surgery.

1 hour ago, rsb said:

Most reputable doctors would not take a 20 year old for surgery. I would suggest you to wait bro.

I get all that, but i had a video consultation with Dr. Mwamba and told him that i have been on fin 1mg daily for 2 years and that my hair loss has stabilized and he said that it would be okay and they could go ahead with the procedure. Also, no offense, but i don't understand what the point in waiting would be, i need the transplant now to look as young as i should look at my age. Of course, i know that if my hair loss progresses after the procedure then my hair will look horrendous, however i am more than willing to be on medication for the rest of my life to prevent that from happening.

I don't know if the question was asked once here already but i still wanted to get an answer nonetheless.

Who is the best Doctor at restoring the Hairline and Temples?

For your information i am 20 years old (i know that that is very young for a Transplant) and a NW2/3. I have been taking finasteride for 2 years and my hair loss seems to have stabilized.

I am definitely willing to spend a little more money to do the transplant correct the first time. I looked into Dr. Mwamba because i have heard that he is amongst the best Hair Transplant Doctors, however he seems to have a Reputation for repairing botched Patients and not really for new Patients and he has seemingly had a few bad cases recently in regards to Density.

Basically i would like to have a list of Doctors to consider, they could also be a little cheaper if their work is good, however if you could include a mix of both cheaper and pricier doctors that would be great. I just don't really want to gamble on Surgery when i am so vulnerable in this situation, doing the procedure so young.