finallyfree

I think it will be better to take advise of your doctor on this. Really!

Given your arguments, its difficult to disagree. Till now, that is before the advent of BHT, hair transplants were not even a cure. I think as BHT becomes more mainstream you will see the better doctors gaining the upper hand. Till then, its 2000 graft sessions followed by advise to the patient to have realistic expectations.

Do not stop Minoxidil. Transient hair shedding at the start of Rogaine is a known phenomenon.

Options- - you can have hair placed around the plugs, - you can have then excised and the wounds sutured close, - you can have the plugs excised and the wounds donor sealed with skin grafts, - you can have the grafts thinned by fue. A lot will depend on the direction of the hair in the plugs. Do you have any pictures of your head. That will help you get better advise. What do you expect to acheive and what is your donor supply like? How is your body hair growth?

Body hair is an additional resource that helps acheive fuller restorations. Its only downside being that not everyone has good body hair that can be used. But, if your body hair grows >1 inch long, you should go for a small test session of bht with your next HT. Transplant that test session hair in an area where you can observe them. That way, when the time comes, you will know how your body hair looks like on scalp.

What were u promised?

First off, BHT is not unproven. Its just that its too much work and not many doctors are trained in it. Second, I am not against you or anyone else "settling" for thin coverage. I am against people being "forced to settle" for thin coverage thinking that more is not possible. There is a big difference between the two. You can have an option to choose between a Mercedes and Volkswagon. But to have only Volkswagon offered because Mercedes is costly is wrong argument. No one is going to spend a dime more than what they can afford to on their hair transplant. But they must know that there are options available.

Joe, There are many sites documenting progress. But they are all strip HTs. Scientist's is the first blog that extensively documents a BHT. I think bennstu was referring to BHT documentation. BTW, how is your bht coming along? I remember you had a few chest grafts transplanted.

Hi Hairbank, Nice to know your transplant went smoothly. Did you get chance to discuss about possible future hair fall and strategy for it with the doctor.

Given sufficient number of grafts you can pull it off- the non balding look in dry hair, I mean. Transplant at 45-60 FUs a sq cm over all the bald area and you can pull off any hair style. But for that a NW6 will need a lot of grafts. Say if the area is just 200 sq cms, at 50 FUs per cm that becomes 10,000 grafts. Without good, robust bodyhair being used in conjunction with scalp donor, that figure can not be reached. That brings us to the obvious question. What is your body hair like?

That is normal and to be expected. Nothing to worry about.

I would love to see some close up pictures. I suppose when you go to the good doctor, he will be able to take some. Looks good from what I can make out.

Jodie, Hair transplants, maybe a few years later, will be able to help you. Not right now. Let the doctors refine body hair transplants further. That will be the time that you should consider any work. Not now. Reason? - A real natural Hairline requires finer hair. Not just the terminal hair that scalp HTs are going to give you. No matter what everyone says, an HT hairline can be spotted. I have checked the websites of many clinics. You are not the average balding guy who is going to be happy with some hair coverage. Tread very carefully.

Hairbank, I do not want to make you nervous. You are in good hands. I am happy to see that you have a plan for future hair loss, if and when that occurs. Many people jump into hair transplants without proper planning. They think they will not lose any more hair. As long as you do not fall in that "happy" trap, everything will be fine. Good luck.

And the good ones too

Costs vary widely. Moreover, some doctors charge extra for repair. Best course of action will be to post some pictures or send pictures of your situation to doctors. Many of them offer online consultations and will give you the cost estimate if you clearly state your requirements

Good doctors can pack the grafts densely. If donor is not a limitation, (that would mean that the person has robust body hair), there is no reason why HT should mean just illusions of fullness. Full hair restorations, all weather proof, sunlight, wind, beach proof HTs just need a lot more grafts. They are not impossible. People should not settle for thin coverage HTs, IMO.

Hairbank, Have you lost all the crown hair that you are likely to? Do you seriously think 2000-3000 will be sufficient for the top/front and temples? Supposing you lose more hair in the crown OR lose all the front and top (except the 1200 that you got transplanted). Do you have aplan for that eventuality? I am not trying to put you down. Its just that we do not realize the really big numbers that are required once the norwoods start climbing? To use 3000 in crown (which may require more work later), and to put further 2000 in temples and hairline will be cutting it too fine, IMO. This was my crown before my last transplant. This is my crown at 4 and a half months out after transplant. Now I know that I may progress in my hairloss and I should be prepared for the worst eventuality of progressing to NW 7. Thats something I urge everyone planning their transplants to consider.

First of all, meet a good dermatologist. You are too young to be meddling in medicines and combinations thereof without expert guidance. How much hair loss do you have? It may be very minimal (something like coming of age temple recessions), or you may have just a temporary telogen effluvium. If you get on medicines right now and notice improved hair growth 6 months down you will never be able to figure out whether it was your changed habits (regular hours, no pot, less stress, balanced diet, vitamins) or finasteride or some herbal that did it.

A medium hardness rub is best at this time. Do not pick on the difficult to remove scabs. They will be easier to handle in a couple of days.

MM, Take it easy and kep the area clean. Did you have any swelling in the recipient area and forehead?

you should consider that any transplants into the crown will leave you at risk in case you lose hair rapidly. 3000 into crown may leave little for the remainder if you do progress.

Day 9-10 is considered the best time to start being more aggressive on the grafts. No benefit letting the scabs remain on the recipient beyond that time.

Post some pictures. That is the best way to get good advise. I know many doctors concentrate on framing the face and leaving the crown. That is due to the donor limitation. With the advent of body hair transplants, however, it is possible to go for more real restorations. What is your body hair like? Alternatively, you can plan to go for less number of grafts thinly transplanted in all areas and then cutting the hair to #2/3. It will give an illusion of coverage. Just a few ideas.

Some points that the doctor should discuss. If he does not, the patient should ask. 1. The area of hair loss in sq cms be measured. 2. the density of grafts in those sq cms. The consulatant will, this way, not be able to lowball the figures. (The graft calculator on this site is very helpful for that). 3. the direction and angulation of the grafts be brought up by the patient. That way the doctor will know that the patient is not just another gullible newbie. 4. Plan your HT assuming that you will progress to NW6. If you do not, great, but if the doctor tries to say that he "thinks" you are unlikely to progress to that stage, have him give that in writing. No one can predict the degree of eventual hairloss. The biggest source of disillusionment with hair transplants is the belief that you will end up lucky and not have more hairloss.