pushing 40

STFU dork.

That's what I freakin need! I need a prescription for proscar. Then it would be free thru my medical benefits instead of the 2 bucks a day average I'm paying now.

Dude, that sucks. I ordered from them but I didn't have any problems at all. It did take about 2 1/2 weeks for it to arrive though.

Uhmmm.....that definately looks like a lost follicle to me guys! WTF? Am I wrong?

That looks phenominal. I can't imagine how it must feel to go from slam ass bald like you were to looking that good with all that hair. Seriously, what does that feel like? I know it doesn't happen overnight; it is a gradual process over the course of months but still it must feel almost like "holy crap, look at me!!". That's awesome, very happy for you!

Well, if it looks like technique can be a major factor with shock loss, at least I'm in good hands right?

Just documenting my slow YET Continuous loss.

Ok you experienced guys, here's a question for you: As many of you know, I still have a small but decent amount of forlock hair that goes down pretty far to a widows peak. It has thinned out though over last few years. Behind that is that very thinned out area that creates a line between the front and middle (that was the thing that suddenly caught my attention last year as to my anti-happiness of my growing baldness). Then behind that line on the direct top of my head, it has thinned out also, but mostly only to the point its not noticeable without feeling it or looking for it. Remember my temples dropped back to where they are now by the time I was 23 or so. Everything stayed fairly good for so long that the temples just weren't a big deal. Overall I'd say I have always had very straight and fine hair and actually my density even on the sides is probably a little low (Dr. Hasson will be able to tell me if I'm correct I'm sure) Ok, now to the question: with this fairly slow loss, decent health and thickness of existing hair in balding areas and having been on propecia for a year, are the odds against me as far as permanently losing a lot of my existing hair during the transplant due to shock loss? I've spent all evening reviewing photos. I do see quite a few who had existing sad little whispy hairs in the transplant area that clearly grew back while waiting on the transplanted hairs to grow in. Most of mine look quite a bit healthier than much of theirs. Are the odds on my side? Can you tell my surgery date is getting closer? Semester starts back up the week after surgery so I need to go shopping for some hats! Man, all I want is to bring those massive bald temples back under control, thicken up the middle line enough that its no longer seperated from the rest of my hair, have a PERFECTLY natural hairline placed PERFECTLY in the correct direction and angle of growth with tons of density to grow it long and messy! That's not asking much is it? Oh, by the way, I started to do a photo album but put it here instead of in the photo album pages. Can someone delete that for me please? Anyway, what do you think about the permanent surgical shock loss?

Ok you experienced guys, here's a question for you: As many of you know, I still have a small but decent amount of forlock hair that goes down pretty far to a widows peak. It has thinned out though over last few years. Behind that is that very thinned out area that creates a line between the front and middle (that was the thing that suddenly caught my attention last year as to my anti-happiness of my growing baldness). Then behind that line on the direct top of my head, it has thinned out also, but mostly only to the point its not noticeable without feeling it or looking for it. Remember my temples dropped back to where they are now by the time I was 23 or so. Everything stayed fairly good for so long that the temples just weren't a big deal. Overall I'd say I have always had very straight and fine hair and actually my density even on the sides is probably a little low (Dr. Hasson will be able to tell me if I'm correct I'm sure) Ok, now to the question: with this fairly slow loss, decent health and thickness of existing hair in balding areas and having been on propecia for a year, are the odds against me as far as permanently losing a lot of my existing hair during the transplant due to shock loss? I've spent all evening reviewing photos. I do see quite a few who had existing sad little whispy hairs in the transplant area that clearly grew back while waiting on the transplanted hairs to grow in. Most of mine look quite a bit healthier than much of theirs. Are the odds on my side? Can you tell my surgery date is getting closer? Semester starts back up the week after surgery so I need to go shopping for some hats! Man, all I want is to bring those massive bald temples back under control, thicken up the middle line enough that its no longer seperated from the rest of my hair, have a PERFECTLY natural hairline placed PERFECTLY in the correct direction and angle of growth with tons of density to grow it long and messy! That's not asking much is it? Oh, by the way, I started to do a photo album but put it here instead of in the photo album pages. Can someone delete that for me please? Anyway, what do you think about the permanent surgical shock loss?

I must agree with NervNell, Pat, your past actions, words, intentions, and constant efforts to maintain a two way communicative dialouge with all the members you constantly welcome to this board speaks volumes about your integrity and values. The venue and genuine purpose of this entire entity has never strayed off course and that is due to you. So I, and many others most likely, am perfectly happy and comfortable relying on your judgment, expertise, and honesty in making decisions such as these. Granted, if I saw or knew something contradictory to your message or efforts, I would speak up and know you would hear me out. But that's not the case here. So again I say "You make the call" (spoken in that football announcers voice of course)

True Hairbank, or I guess we wouldn't be here in the first place. Love your avatar by the way; Mr. Twain is my all time favorite author. I would give up my hair just to be able to go backwards in time to spend a weekend with him or maybe even Ernest Hemingway. When I lived in Spain for 4 yrs, I tried to visit any little nook and cranny street corner he ever mentioned. As a matter of fact, for my 40th birthday last month my Dad gave me a 1932 Spanish Mauser 308 that was used in the Spanish Civil War. Its a little beat up but still beautiful and solid. And damn heavy too. Well, my script for propecia ran out last week and my doctor moved on to Arizona. Damn it! So two weeks now I've not taken any. DHT suseptability damage doesn't usually start kicking ass again for a couple months right? Anybody know of good online sources for it?

Thanks guys; I really hope you're right about being a good candidate and getting good results! I'm really starting to worry about permanently losing too much of what I still have due to shock loss after surgery. I just keep reminding myself I'm in the best of hands and if it happens, I'll deal with it. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. (or is it nothing ventured, nothing lost forever to the deepest depths of.....ok nevermind...) I've already started putting a photo album together (with as few pictures as possible) that sort of chronicals my hairloss. I have one picture that shows my temples had receeded all the way back to where they are now when my son was taking his first swimming lesson at 2yrs old; he is almost 17 now. But, the whole center forlock area was still thick so it looked ok to me back then. I guess over the last 15yrs it slowly thinned out and narrowed in. Then that horrid thin line area appeared separating the forelock. My hair also actually changes direction right there slightly and angles much more forward and down. I guess that highlights is even more. Maybe I'll put some of the pics in my weblog for fun! Can you guys tell I'm starting to obsess a little as the time grows nearer? Bear with me fellas.

Here's a picture from this past summer when I shaved it all off. See that line of baldness between the forlock and the middle. I HATE THAT! At a minimum I want to get that filled back in. I'm gonna be rock star!! (ok maybe not)

LaGrange, Congratulations! I'll try not to use up all of Dr. Hasson's expertise and patience on the 20th! I still can't believe I'm doing it. I wake up every morning second guessing myself; then I look in the mirror, get pissed at what I see and remind myself why I'm want this. The only downside I can really think of so far is that I'll have worse helmet hair in the summer when riding my motorcycle! I can deal with that! Hey Bill, I watched that video again and I'm doing the exercises right but my hair is so long right now that my hands just slide around and that's why I'm pulling the piss out of my hair. Need a haircut.

At your age this just "might" be the case. Keep in mind it will take a few months for them to thicken and strengthen. I am 40 and after a year on Propecia, many of these little hairs that already existed in my receeded hairline thickened up to almost normal. So, good luck and be patient.

Wow! Dude that looks phenominal! If mine turns out that good I'll be one happy happy camper.

Thanks Middle. "pulling 40" that is funny. I guess now I can change my screen name from pushing40 to something like "kicked in the groin by 40" or smacked in the face by 40"......I'll think about it... I will definately continue posting/updating here after the surgery. This forum has helped me keep my sanity for the last year and a half since I started obsessing about this. I couldn't bail out now! I am a photo junkie so there will be lots of those and probably lots of "does this look normal" types of questions for everyone here!

Well, I have to get over this sometime or another; this seems as good a reason as any! It makes me feel kind of silly sometimes when I think about the fact I've already flown into and out of at least 45 countries. Always hated it though and those 2 "little mishaps" just pushed me to the limit. I'll get thru it! I can't wait! Now I'm starting to think about all the crappy stuff though: I will shave all of it after the surgery to avoid the Bozo look. But, then I'll have to shave it again when it starts to grow or I'll have long hair with short growing fuzz in front of it. Not havin' that. It won't hurt to heep shaving it short the first few months will it?

Thanks Bill, Couple of questions: 1) How long is the drive from the airport to the hotel/dr. office? 2) How do you do those exercises without pulling your freakin' hair out? I've been doing them but it pulls the crap out of my hair. Maybe I should get a short haircut for now. 3) I'll be getting in around 1230pm the day before; will I most likely be able to meet with Dr. that afternoon before surgery?

Well, I made up my mind. I decided to go with Dr. Hasson and I'm scheduled for approximately 4000 graphs on 20 March. Now I'm really starting to get nervous. I almost cannot believe I'm going to have this done. Its terrifying: what if, what if, what if? You know? Scary. Why did I go with Dr Hasson? He just seems to be at the top of his game right now and is more or less touted as one of the very very best. Money is not a concern and I can deal with the flying again; just have to psyche myself up. Wish me luck guys!

Well, like I said, I'm retired so time is on my side I guess. I went in for my office consult with Dr. Feller today. Now I see why everyone comments on his very personable demeanor; great guy, very approachable, communicative, and friendly. I think he spent most of his lunch hour with me. He was very clear in expressing and exchanging ideas about the work I need and explained things in a manner that was easily understandable. His staff was also very helpful and courteous. Now, I guess its just time for me to make some decisions and get moving. On a side note: I have lived in 7 countries and travelled to many many more. But, the Bronx was a real eye opener. Hope this doesn't offend anyone, but DAMN. Clean that place up will ya?

That's what I figured but I'm retired now so I have plenty of time to actually meet with them. A little more comfort factor for me. (unless I have to fly to do it then I'll just go day of surgery)

True. But I don't know; I wore it shaved all summer anf that front area being way thicker than that 1/2 inch area behind it looked so silly. Who knows. Just a few more days til I meet Feller for a consult. I'm excited!

I look simple? Damn that's what my wife always says too Thanks for the info. I'd like to keep the trips to a minimum. Biscuit I went thru your blog again and damn what a difference. I think I have more hair in front starting out than you so I can't even imagine where Dr Hasson would put the 4000 graphs he has recommended to me. I think my expectations are below what can actually be provided in the way of results so maybe that's a good thing. I was kind of just hoping to at least be able to get that little separated area between the middle and forlock filled back in but maybe I'll come out better than that. If I get impatient, maybe I'll just run up the street to Bosley Then again maybe NOT! Here's something funny: my wife and I were talking about this earlier. She doesn't really care about my hair and doesn't want it to be a big deal to me either. So, I said "well, imagine you had always had those big boobs you want and then lost them. Wouldn't you want them back?" She says "yeah I guess so. But now you try to imagine never having grown hair in the first place". It took me a second but I thought that was funny as hell.

Thanks Bill. I started those exercises yesterday. I have a question for you guys: let's say I wanted to go with someone requiring a long trip...ie Hasson or Shapiro. Would it be important to go out for an in person eval and then go back for the procedure or is it ok to do photo consult and just meet with them the morning of procedure? What do you think?