First Time HT Questions

[Warder45]

Hi all,

 

I'm 26 and have been a NW4 for at least 3-4 years now. I've been looking at HT surgery off and on for 2 years now. Only recently buckling down and reading through a lot of the helpful threads and info here at this site.

 

Unfortunately the more I learn the more concerned / wary I get. So I thought I'd ask a few questions.

 

1) I'll attach some photo's of me. The first 2 will be of where I'm at right now. The next 2 have some crude paint on them showing what I'd like to see from a HT session. I'm mainly looking for coverage in front. Since I'm 6'5, people don't see the top as much. But any left over grafts could go into the middle to increase density. Is it unreasonable to expect this kind of result? How many grafts am I looking at?

 

2) Another concern is scaring. I like to wear my hair short in the summer, probably a 2 blade. After reading through a lot of threads it looks like the 2 layer closer is one of the best ways to minimize scarring; is that correct? Picture 5 shows how short I wear it sometimes.

 

3) Drug Q1: I've been looking at finasteride (propecia/proscar/etc..) While I'm not adverse to taking a pill each day, I was reading up on some of the studies showing male erectile dysfunction as a result of taking the drug. One of the studies mentioned that it continued even after he stopped taking the drug. Has anyone heard about this? It's pretty troublesome; I'd rather be bald and have sex then be a eunuch with hair.

 

4) Drug Q2: Is the foam version of minoxidil only available as rogaine? Is it a new patent or will we see generics pretty soon? I have the liquid kind and used it for a month but it's a real pain to apply twice a day, since you have to let it dry up.

 

Thanks for any help. - John

 

Picture 1: http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0...small-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 2:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0...small-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 3:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/picture_head0..._edit-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 4:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0..._edit-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 5:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/DSC02310.jpg/DSC02310-full;init:.jpg

[Warder45]

Hi all,

 

I'm 26 and have been a NW4 for at least 3-4 years now. I've been looking at HT surgery off and on for 2 years now. Only recently buckling down and reading through a lot of the helpful threads and info here at this site.

 

Unfortunately the more I learn the more concerned / wary I get. So I thought I'd ask a few questions.

 

1) I'll attach some photo's of me. The first 2 will be of where I'm at right now. The next 2 have some crude paint on them showing what I'd like to see from a HT session. I'm mainly looking for coverage in front. Since I'm 6'5, people don't see the top as much. But any left over grafts could go into the middle to increase density. Is it unreasonable to expect this kind of result? How many grafts am I looking at?

 

2) Another concern is scaring. I like to wear my hair short in the summer, probably a 2 blade. After reading through a lot of threads it looks like the 2 layer closer is one of the best ways to minimize scarring; is that correct? Picture 5 shows how short I wear it sometimes.

 

3) Drug Q1: I've been looking at finasteride (propecia/proscar/etc..) While I'm not adverse to taking a pill each day, I was reading up on some of the studies showing male erectile dysfunction as a result of taking the drug. One of the studies mentioned that it continued even after he stopped taking the drug. Has anyone heard about this? It's pretty troublesome; I'd rather be bald and have sex then be a eunuch with hair.

 

4) Drug Q2: Is the foam version of minoxidil only available as rogaine? Is it a new patent or will we see generics pretty soon? I have the liquid kind and used it for a month but it's a real pain to apply twice a day, since you have to let it dry up.

 

Thanks for any help. - John

 

Picture 1: http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0...small-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 2:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0...small-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 3:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/picture_head0..._edit-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 4:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/Picture_Head0..._edit-full;init:.jpg

 

Picture 5:

http://pages.google.com/edit/Warder454545/DSC02310.jpg/DSC02310-full;init:.jpg

[Eman]

Hey John-

 

Welcome to the obsessive compulsive world of researching and reading about HTs!!

 

I am also a NW4 a little over 6'4, with a stronger crown than you (just fyi), and have been looking at having a HT in the front two thirds of my head. Again similar to you. It has been said that for each level of norwood you are, you will need that number times one thousand. So, in other words I would need a minimum of 4000 grafts. I just wanted to give you a benchmark of where I am at and what I am thinking for yourself. How strong is your crown when you let your hair grow in longer?

 

I am looking to have my hair line rebuilt, temples and right behind it, similar to what you will need and want. I also would like some kind of density in the second third. I think it is possible to be done in one session, but it may take more than one session. At some point, hair greed or the desire to add more density or a session for the crown may be something you want. So, to answer your first question, I believe it can be done in one session by one of the top docs mentioned on this forum.

 

Your second question about the scar is something I have asked a couple of times and am concerned about. I also wear my sides short, at a number 2, all year long and am concerned about the scar showing. Depending on your healing and the texture/density of your donor area a number 2 is possible. If you go to Hasson and Wong's website they have a video of a patient with his hair cut down to a number 1 and no visible sign of the scar. It can be done, but the consensus seems to be that a minumum of a number 3 guard is needed to hide the scar, but there are many who are able to shave down further depending again on your hair characteristics and how well your scar heals.

 

Your third question about finasteride is valid, but I think the percentage of people who have adverse effects are extremely small. I have been on proscar for a year and at the beginning I thought I was having an issue and turned out it was just in my mind as everything is working properly.

 

I think the minoxidil in foam form is only available from Rogaine at this point and am not sure when (but it will) come out in generic form. Go to Costco or Sam's Club where you can buy it a lot cheaper.

 

Couple tips: RESEARCH and learn all you can. Use the search feature as you can probably get more in depth info about your questions. Ask tons of questions.

 

Welcome again!!

Eman

[hatrick]

I think the results you wish to achieve are reasonable. If possible, I would recommend having it all done in one session if you decide to go through with it. This will save you money, a lot of money. Have some consultations with the doctors on this website. Be sure to check out Dr's Hasson & Wong, as they are the mega-session specialists.