Son of a Plug

Well I guess I may become more of a regular around here soon. After 4 years of talking myself into and out of getting a HT I was able to choose the right HT surgeon for ME by reading and posting here. I have spent time on other forums but this forum seems more mature, supportive, and extremely well informed (and very generous with sharing the knowledge!). I went from selecting HT Drs based on location to booking a flight out of the country. Thanks to all here that convinced me that a HT is worth the trip to a Dr that best fits what you desire. I am very excited about having Dr Jones perform my HT since we have spoken on the phone and exchanged e-mails several times already. He is very generous with his time on the phone and on-line. I am sure we will speak/write a few more times before I depart for Toronto. I will be getting over 2,500 FUT via a strip to restore my NW 5. I am 33 yrs old and started to recede at age 23 and on Proscar for 8 months. I have already taken several digital "before" photos and plan to post my results to help those like me that gain so much knowledge and confidence from the photos already posted here. Hopefully after my HT my father will see what a proper HT looks like....not a HT at all!! Maybe he'll book his own appointment to have his 1983 model updated to a 2003. Tucson to Toronto roundtrip !!

Noreaster is correct in stating that more often than not, the best HT docs typically are the most reasonbly priced. They are the most efficient in their craft and can therefore afford to offer more for less. In my opinion, plan on traveling to get the best and I bet that even with the uncompensated portion of your travel expenses you will pay the same or less with one of the top HT Docs. I was determined to stay in my home state for my HT, but after reading here for a while and starting "Top Down" researching the BEST HT Docs I just purchased tickets to fly elsewhere for my HT. Be careful

I have read that it is recommended that patients use Rogaine for a least 3 months AFTER surgery, but I just read a thread where a patient was told to use Rogaine for several weeks before surgery. I personally have been using Proscar but no Rogaine thus far. Is it common for Drs to advise the use of Rogaine before surgery and is there evidence that it helps the recovery or prevent shock loss? I am concerned because I have heard bad things about what happens when you stop using Rogaine. Thanks!

I have read that it is recommended that patients use Rogaine for a least 3 months AFTER surgery, but I just read a thread where a patient was told to use Rogaine for several weeks before surgery. I personally have been using Proscar but no Rogaine thus far. Is it common for Drs to advise the use of Rogaine before surgery and is there evidence that it helps the recovery or prevent shock loss? I am concerned because I have heard bad things about what happens when you stop using Rogaine. Thanks!

HotCreek, I know this is a very personal question to have asked, but you have all supported my gut feeling that I don't want a low or even a straight hairline. I actually began receding by 22 and was ok with what my hairline had diminished to by 25. It gives me piece of mind to know others here agree with having an amount of hair that is reasonable for not only my current age but also years down the road. Great Replies!

Actually; Microprose and HotCreek figured out what I had a hard time explaining. I have the "V" shaped hairline now. I AM a little concerned that "Poof" instant Brad Pitt hairline would look too unrealistic. I like the idea of filling in a lot of the recession on the sides, but don't need or really even like the straight squared-off look for me. My wife actually says "well if you're going to do it get as much as you can". Now there's support Arfy, the first Doc I went to recommended this procedure because I have NOT lost the point at my temple next to my sideburns which you described. So thank you for mentioning the difference. It is for precisely that reason that the Doc said filling in the recessed hairline would look good. So now that I mentioned not having lost the "point" next to the sideburn, does filling in most of the recessed hairline sound like it will blend well, OR will it look too unrealistic in 15 - 20 years. (BTW I'm 33 yrs old now)

I have seen many photos of patients who have had the horizontal plane of their hairline reconstructed without vertically filling in the sides just above the temples. I have read that Dr. Sharon Keene performs HTs along the hairline to include angled grafts filling this region above the temple. Has anyone seen up close results of such procedures done by ANY HT docs? Does anyone know if the other leading HT docs perform this technique? Thanks!

I have seen many photos of patients who have had the horizontal plane of their hairline reconstructed without vertically filling in the sides just above the temples. I have read that Dr. Sharon Keene performs HTs along the hairline to include angled grafts filling this region above the temple. Has anyone seen up close results of such procedures done by ANY HT docs? Does anyone know if the other leading HT docs perform this technique? Thanks!