biscuit

You should definitely try shaving your head for a while. You never know, you might get a lot of compliments. Once you've had a HT you will be limited to how short you can cut your hair. Strip will leave a scar that will be easily visible when shaved. FUE can also leave scarring. A lot depends on your healing characteristics and the skill of the clinic.

There are a lot of people who've had great results. But since they're satisfied with their results they don't usually hang out on HT forums. I had one HT almost 4 years ago with Dr Wong and I'm still happy with my results. I have no plans to have another HT, 4411 grafts has given me a nice head of hair. I pop in to forums just to check my PMs, see what's new, and help out when I can. I took lots of photos throughout the process, they really help me remember where I started and I recommend that everyone document their HT and share it with others. Photo documentation helps the patient and other potential HT candidates. My sig has a link to my gallery.

Sorry man, but it's almost impossible to make any suggestions based on webcam or cellphone photos. Any kind of digital camera will work a lot better, take the pics in the sunlight and experiment until you get the focus right. My profile has a link to my blog, check out the photos to see the variety of lighting conditions. Indoors is almost always the hardest to shoot and worst conditions for photography. Regarding hairloss in your family, there is no set-in-stone way to tell your future. Most people look to their grandfather on the maternal side as the best guide. But anything can happen. Look for similarities and bank on the worst case scenario.

If you are going to start on Propecia you should commit to annual blood tests to make sure all of your levels are within the safe range. Tell the doctor what you take so that he can add testing as needed. Some of these drugs mask potential problems (prostate cancer etc.) so your doctor needs a heads-up to look for those. You should read the manufacturers warnings carefully so that you know what you are getting into, they all have in-depth study results that go far beyond the marketing hype you see on TV or on the front page of their web sites. And, make sure you understand that the effects of the drugs only last as long as you take them. You're locked in for life, once you stop taking them you lose everything that you would have lost without the drugs, and it usually happens quickly. If you have to stop taking them due to some kind of medical or physical reason, everything will be lost and you can't get it back. Also, some patients become immune to the benefits after 5 years, which means they either need to find a new drug or they will lose the hair. If you bank on the meds as part of your HT strategy, it will mean more work later if you stop the meds or become immune to them. For example, some doctors don't touch the crown if you say you are going to start meds. I'm not against anyone taking meds, they have their place and have benefited lots of people. I just wanted to share a slightly different view on them after I researched them.

I think that most doctors are going to assume that the island of hair up front is pretty much doomed, so they calculate coverage needed in that area as well. You'd be surprised how sparse it looks when shaved down to a #1. But you have what looks to be excellent donor and straight fairly thick hair, so that makes your surgery much more "simple" than some patients. So tell your wife she's right

Shaving to a #3 with Strip is right on the edge. You might be able to pull it off now, but if you have diffuse thinning later it wouldn't be possible to cut that short. Trichophytic closure could help, but the results are just now starting to come in. The scar usually isn't completely finished healing until about 2 years. So don't base your opinion on scar photos that are less than a year post-op.

Skippy, your hairline looks good. Most people on HT forums are starting with almost no hair up front and would accept that as their final result. HT's are serious surgeries, so using them to make slightly imperfect hairlines "perfect" is treacherous. Complications can include shockloss, scarring, and a significantly lightened wallet. So take it slow and do a LOT of research. At your age you are going to face your eventual MPB in the next 10-20 years. Some people hang on great until 40 and then lose a bunch. Whatever you do now should take into account the possibility that you might end up a NW6. With that in mind, you don't want a dense 20 year old hairline with nothing behind it. I'd say wait a while, try cutting your hair short to see how you like it. Post some better pics if you think we're underestimating your hairloss.

All I did prior to my H&W surgery is provide them with emailed photos. Your case looks pretty simple, so I doubt you need an in-person consultation. Worst case scenario is that you arrive and they say they can't do it. IMO, if you can't fly you are better off going to Dr Feller. Vancouver is an enormous drive from NY, and you would have to drive back in post-op condition, which can include swelling around the eyes. Give Dr Feller a call and go for an in person consultation.

Awesome documentation Bill, lookin good so far.

Good choice with Dr Feller. Meet with as many of his patients as you can so you can see the results in person. I think he can give you a very natural looking result.

I consider what I paid for my HT to be some of the best money I've ever spent. Even almost 2 years later I look in the mirror and am so much happier than when my forehead was receding. I was seriously ashamed of it, pissed off at times. Even though I know it wasn't my fault, the fact was that I was bald and not happy about it. Some guys look great bald, I didn't, my head looked stupid with great donor on the sides and back with nothing but a shiny forehead up front. I was that way for almost 10 years, your attitude changes long term, it undermines your happiness, subtly. Now, I really appreciate my hair. Life is better. That's worth a lot to me.

Hey pushing, your situation looks similar to where I was prior to my HT. My hair loss up front prevented me from wearing my hair long, and when I cut it short it stuck out like an afro. And my forehead would shine like a beacon in the sun or with harsh lighting. My blog is in my profile, lots of photos and a complete record of the entire procedure. Check it out if you like. You look like a great HT candidate. After