i can relate to where tw5 is now.
i too had the beautiful wife and kids,married for 16 years(now 20),well paid job,gym 3 times a week and a shaved head since the age of 25.
i still yearned for hair,even just a little.
i was a nw5/6 and shaved every other day,because my hair was quite dense at the sides and bck it left the dark shadow. i remember thinking i wish i just had some of that shadow on top,nothing much just a nw3 pattern like Statham,diesil and the like.
my brother had that pattern(still does)and i think it makes all the difference.
so when i planned for my ht this is what i had in mind,to go from a bald to a balding look.
i am a nw3 now with average density and light density in the crown.
i would suggest if you go down the ht route(after loads of research first)i would go for this sort of conservative approach.
you are never going to get a woman attracting head of hair back(unless hm comes along)but then i doubt thats what really bothers you,it's the bald guy tag that you feel constantly follows you when ever you meet new people.
good luck in what ever you choose to do,but just remember once done you will never be able to shave down again without the scar on show and after shaving for 12 years it is a big decision to make.