Magoo

I think any hair loss sufferer would ideally want to restore the hairline they had at age 18. Over time, however, and depending on the level of hairloss they experience, most compromise their level of expectation against what can realistically be achieved. Ultimately they seek a level of coverage with which they can feel reasonably comfortable for the rest of their lives. You should remind yourself that hair transplant doesn't equate to hair restoration. It takes what you have in an area where have an abundance an redistributes it where you need it most. You should be aware that if you continue to lose hair, you will constantly need more transplants and the area from which these will be sourced will eventually diminish. To illustrate the point, I started to notice hair loss at age 20 and, thinking my life was over, had my first transplant at age 23. I look now at photos of myself at age 21/22 (a period during which I was very self consious about my hairloss) and think of how acceptable that hairine would be to me today. The point is, you may never recover the hairline you had at 18, but if you have sufficient coverage now you should be grateful you caught your hairloss in time and move onwards. There's no point in looking back to the tme you were 18 - I'm afraid you're never going back there again - hairwise or otherwise. In relation to FUT (follicular unit transplant), I slightly misread your earlier post. FUT stands for follicular unit transplant which involves isolating the follicular unit prior to transplantation. Each unit typically conatins 1-3 hairs which achieves more natural results than older methods. It can be performed using either the strip method (i.e. removal of a strip from your scalp and then disecting it into FUs) or by FUE (i.e. extraction - extracting the FUs individually instead of from a strip) - slower and more expensive but some say less traumatic. The pros and cons of both methods are better explained elsewhere on this site. Bottom line, I think if you were to see any reputable surgeon, they would advise you against transplant and to concentrate on retaining your existing hair. You might, however, come across some less than scrupulous operators who will convince you to have surgery because there's money in it for them. Tread carefully, my friend. [This message was edited by Magoo on October 31, 2003 at 04:45 PM.] [This message was edited by Magoo on October 31, 2003 at 04:52 PM.]

I'm ahead in my research but I haven't made any definitive decision yet. Your circumstances seem different to mine. I'm at a fairly advanced stage of hair loss and need to maximise the use of my donor hair, maybe even to the point of using body hair. This would definitely require FUE as strip incison is appropriate only for scalp. From what I can ascertain from your circumstances, you seem have eliminated your bald spot using Propecia and are happy with your hairline. Can I ask therefore why you want a transplant at all? Most patients (myself included) would almost kill to be in that position. Transplants are generally only considered as a last resort when all other methods (e.g. propecia) have failed. It may be that you dislike thoughts of taking popecia indefinitely for fear of any side effects. If you were to cease taking it however, it would be difficult to predict the rate at which you would lose your hair and a transplant would be difficult to plan for this reason. If you ever go the transplant route, there are currently only a few doctors doing FUEs - Farjo, to my knowledge is not one of them, although the number is increasing all the time. FUE is also much more expensive on a per-FU basis. I wouldn't rule out strip surgery. It's less traumatic (both physically and psychologically)than it was in the past and, with a good surgeon, will not leave any physical scars. It's also considerably cheaper. It may take longer to heal however (although only by a matter of days) so if going back to work within a couple of days is crucial to you, it might be something you would want to yake into account. If I was in your position (as I understand it above), I'd stick with propecia and get to know more about it using this forum. It may be that you could reduce your dosage without compromising your results. This make require some trial and error though. If you decide to see the the various consultants, let us know how you get on. I'm sure everyone would be interested to hear what advice a transplant surgeon would give to a guy who has achieved what seems to acceptable results using propecia. Regardless of what they say to you or what claims they make, post them back on this site and there will be plenty of people only too happy you evaluate them on your behalf. Good Luck.

$8 per graft. Is this still the csae. I've searched his website but can find no mention of costs. M

Well said. You speak only the truth! M

I think everyone would agree that's it better to have hair than to be bald. However, just because most women find men more attractive with hair doesn't mean they find them unattractive without it. The purpose of my original post was offer a bit of perspective and to remind those experiencing hair loss (particularly younger men who are a bit more freaked out) that your life doesn't come to and end just because you lose hair. Transplants are an option, but only one that should be considered as a last resort. Hair restoration is not a course of action that people should feel they are necessarily obliged to pursue in all cases and any society that promotes that view is wrong. The decision to seek out a perfect transplant is a personal one that deserves to be respected. Equally valid, however, is the decision to accept baldness and move on regardless. It's a course of action that should be respected and not derided. Articles like the one I posted the link to held to offer a balance, whether everyone agrees with its contents or not.

Happened upon the attached article. Thought it might cheer up a few people. (I'm not great with links. If it doesn't work, I'll try again later) M Bald Men and the women who love them [This message was edited by Magoo on October 22, 2003 at 03:23 PM.] [This message was edited by Magoo on October 22, 2003 at 03:24 PM.]

Happened upon the attached article. Thought it might cheer up a few people. (I'm not great with links. If it doesn't work, I'll try again later) M Bald Men and the women who love them [This message was edited by Magoo on October 22, 2003 at 03:23 PM.] [This message was edited by Magoo on October 22, 2003 at 03:24 PM.]

I'm living on the same side of the Atlantic as you, and I'm several months ahead of you in terms of research. I started out by investigating the pros and cons of both DHI and Farjo. Couldn't find anything on Farjo but learned enough about DHI to put me off and to make me wary of relying on anyone's mere membership of IAHRS as a sufficently strong recommendation. My research has led me to conclude that the most advanced treatment lies in North America and that it's worth the air fare to get the best (and also, from I can make out, the cheapest). Your options will depend on your age, transplant history and availability of donor hair. Satisfy yourself with the merits of propective surgeons before allowing them to relieve you of not only your cash but also your valuable donor hair. Good Luck M

I'll e-mail him and let you know of the outcome. M

To those living outside of North America, where can Propecia be got? Is a prescription required and what dosage is required? Are there any generic (and cheaper) substitutes that can be used just as effectively? Thanks M

Has Shapiro got any plans to do chest/body hair? M

How much is Propecia - assuming you can get a prescription? M

I think anyone who has experienced hair loss will have gone through this phase - trying to find the reasons why it's happening and hoping that it can be overcome by good diet, vitamins, etc. The reality is that attention to these details will be of benefit to your health but will not necessarily stop your hairloss. I think you should concentrate on holding on to your existing hair (by using Propecia) and see how that goes. In a few years a transplant may be appropriate but in the meantime relax and don't panic. As someone who statrted going bald at age 19 (I,m now 39), I know how utterly futile it is to waste the best years of your life worrying about your hair. I wish that Propecia (and the Internet) had been around when I started to lose hair. So take it from an older hand who's been though what you're currently going through. Take your Propecia, get on with your life, relax and enjoy everything else life has to offer. If, in a couple of years you find you still need a transplant, come back to this forum to find out the best way of going about it. While you might find this difficult to appreciate, I really wish I was in your position. M

Thanks Smoothy for your reassurance. I think your advice in concentrating on the front third makes sense and it's broadly what I had in mind. What I hope is that a good surgeon can use my chest/body hair on the remaining two thirds of bald area (as well as to disguise my scars). I have already been in touch with a couple of doctors, one of whom has suggested I start on Propecia immediately to avoid going to a NW7. While I have know that Propecia is intended to reduce further loss, I have a number of question that I hope regular contributors can answer. 1) Might it also promote regrowth? If not, would I be better off using Rogaine? 2)Does it involve any risk? Have any side effects been identifed? 3) Is it a lifelong commitment? Like most people, I favour the fullest possible solution. However, I'm anxious to balance this against a lifestyle that reminds me every day that only medication is preventingme from going bald again. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. M PS I just noticed a typo in my previous post. Can I reassure everyone that I do not intend to have my chest/body hair transplanted to my bals area!! I'm bad enough as it is.

Thanks Smoothy for your reassurance. I think yor advice in concentraring on the front third makes sense and it's broadly what I had in mind. What I hope is that a good surgeon can use my chest/body hair on the remaining two thirds of bals area (as well as to disguise my scars). I have already been in touch with a couple of doctors, one of whom has suggested I start on Propecia immediately to avoid going to a NW7. While I have know that Propecia is intended to reduce further loss, I have a number of question that I hope regular contributors can answer. 1) Might it also promote regrowth? If not, would I be better off using Rogaine? 2)Does it desi

Photo of crown area as referred to in last posting is attached this time. M

Thanks for that Manko Could anyone advise - if a doctor can perform FUE (and the number that perform FUE seems to be increasing) does this mean that he/she can therefore transplant body hair? Is it then just a question of them having an opinion on whether body hair is suitable for the scalp i.e. they may be able to transplant body hair but don't believe in its merits? If I'm approahing a doctor who performs FUE and I explain that I have limited doner hair, am I justified in asking them to perfom body hair transplants? Thanks M

Anybody anything to report on Dr Jones? Eastcoat Did you take the big step and if so how has it worked out. I'd be very interested to see the results of his work, particularly using body hair. M

Many thanks to you both for your replies. At this point, is there a definitive list of doctors that perform body hair transplants? Is it a technique that is likely to become more widespread (and therefore less expensive)? I'm aware that DHI in Greece offer the service but I've read enough on this and other forums to be put off. I'd be happy to travel to the US or Canada if that's where the real skill lies. M

This is my first time to post although I've been reading the forum for some months now. I'm astounded by the generosity of many of the contributors who offer support to those who need it. As someone who started going bald at age 20, I know how important it is is to have someone to offer hope on the dark days. I only wish the internet was available back in the 80s. My story is that I've had four transplant oparations to date, the last one in 1994. I'm left with several doll-like plugs and have no option to wear a hair system (which I hate!). I'm looking for a final surgical solution that will put my hair concerns behind me and allow me to live a normal life. Given my previous surgery, I have limited doner hair on my scalp but have extensive body hair that wold allow me audition for King Kong if the part ever comes up again. I've read about FUEs, FIT, etc, but can't honestly claim to understand it other than to be aware that some people favour it and some don't. Can anyone offer advice on where I should go from here? I'm now 39 and live in Ireland so I'd favour a European solution. However, if the best solution lies in North America, I'd be more than happy to travel. Thanks in advance.

This is my first time to post although I've been reading the forum for some months now. I'm astounded by the generosity of many of the contributors who offer support to those who need it. As someone who started going bald at age 20, I know how important it is is to have someone to offer hope on the dark days. I only wish the internet was available back in the 80s. My story is that I've had four transplant oparations to date, the last one in 1994. I'm left with several doll-like plugs and have no option to wear a hair system (which I hate!). I'm looking for a final surgical solution that will put my hair concerns behind me and allow me to live a normal life. Given my previous surgery, I have limited doner hair on my scalp but have extensive body hair that wold allow me audition for King Kong if the part ever comes up again. I've read about FUEs, FIT, etc, but can't honestly claim to understand it other than to be aware that some people favour it and some don't. Can anyone offer advice on where I should go from here? I'm now 39 and live in Ireland so I'd favour a European solution. However, if the best solution lies in North America, I'd be more than happy to travel. Thanks in advance.