Regular Member Burt1973 Posted June 16, 2007 Regular Member Share Posted June 16, 2007 Ok, right now I think I'm a 3 on the NW scale. What if I were a 6 or even a 7, how many grafts would I require to get back to a 3? I'm basically trying to understand with the hair I currently have, what is a ball park estimate as to how many grafts I would need to achieve this? According to the rep at Dr. Shapiro's office, I'm @ approx 10% density right now and with 3000-3500 grafts, he thinks that I can achieve 35% pretty easily. I don't want to have un-attainable expectations. At this point, I'm not sure what to really expect. I know I wont look 18 or even close and I'm not trying to look a certain age, well, my curent age would be good 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted June 16, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted June 16, 2007 Ok, right now I think I'm a 3 on the NW scale. What if I were a 6 or even a 7, how many grafts would I require to get back to a 3? I'm basically trying to understand with the hair I currently have, what is a ball park estimate as to how many grafts I would need to achieve this? According to the rep at Dr. Shapiro's office, I'm @ approx 10% density right now and with 3000-3500 grafts, he thinks that I can achieve 35% pretty easily. I don't want to have un-attainable expectations. At this point, I'm not sure what to really expect. I know I wont look 18 or even close and I'm not trying to look a certain age, well, my curent age would be good 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Burt, I know you didn't ask this question, but are you on any medication in order to try to prevent future loss? Taking finasteride and possibly combining it with minoxodil is your best line of defense to help prevent future loss. The general rule is to take your Norwood level and multiply it by 1000 (on the conservative side) or 1500 (on the more liberal side) to determine how many grafts you need in order to achieve decent coverage and density. Since your question is more specific and regarding percentages, it's probably best that the clinic answer these questions. However, don't consume yourself with numbers too much. You will never be able to achieve a full dense head of hair that you once had in high school again, however, one can typically achieve a decent look with hair transplantation. The link at the end of this post might help you as well. It would probably help too if you posted pictures of your situation on this community. What type of hair loss are you experiencing? Are you a diffuse thinner? Is your hairline receeding only? Are you losing hair in the middle and/or the crown? I think, however, this thread might help give you a general idea of what to expect: Will I be able to obtain a full head of hair? http://hair-restoration-info.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=569...161071123#6161071123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Jotronic Posted June 16, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted June 16, 2007 Was this 35% density in the frontal hairline or throughout? There is a difference because densities should be higher in the frontal hairline and progressively lower toward the back of the recipient area. I'm not saying that Dr. Shapiro doesn't do this because I know he does. I'm just trying to figure out Matt's percentages. The Truth is in The Results Dr. Victor Hasson and Dr. Jerry Wong are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 I'm not so much consumed with the numbers as much as curious as to what 3000 graphs are comparable to what I have currently. I have always considered myslef a NW3, Dr. Konior made me laugh with this statement,, he told me I was a "NW5 in evolution" Here are a few pics...let me know what you think.... <a href="http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com'>http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q309/burtgtp1973/Robbsfro010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q309/burtgtp1973/Robbsfro009.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q309/burtgtp1973/Robbsfro008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q309/burtgtp1973/Robbsfro013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Flash IS the ENEMY!!! 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 not having much luck getting pics up... 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 Ok, now I got it... As always, I welcome any and ALL comments and opinions... 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Burt, Based on your current pictures, I would guestimate that you'd need about 5000 grafts to achieve decent coverage and density. Whether or not you have it in the donor area, however, I cannot determine with certainty by looking at the pictures...however, from your one picture, it appears that your donor area isn't all that dense. How many available grafts you have is determined by the laxity of your scalp and density of your existing donor area. I hope this helps. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Burt, try out this graft calculator! http://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/mm/calc.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thanks for the replies. Dr.Konior told me my donor hair was much higher than average. I think it may be just a bad picture. My hair is super thick in the back. At any rate, it will be better than it's current state I'm having a 3K procedure done, so I will have a great start. Again, I ask the question, if you could guestimate whith what I currently have now, how many graphs would it take to get to that point. I understand the thickness and all is a issue but I'm just curious thanks again! 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member gazzasgoin2 Posted July 22, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 Burt, from your pics your donor hair looks really great and dense to me. Bill, is maybe lucky enough to have donor hair like chewbacca Although in fairness it is difficult to guage everything on pics alone. To answer your question, I think you've probably only got c1500 grafts on top just now so the 3000k will be a significant improvement and Dr. Shapiro is one of the best. I'm sure you will be happy with the outcome. "Plan for the worst & hope for the best" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Gorpy Posted July 22, 2007 Senior Member Share Posted July 22, 2007 Hey Burt, Here's some numbers to help you understand what you are looking at: If you get 3000 grafts and only implant into the front half of your head (lets assume for now you leave the crown alone), you'll be covering around 80 to 90 cm2, depending on how conservative your hairline is. That'll work out to an average of about 37 grafts/cm2 for 80cm2 coverage or 33 grafts/cm2 for 90cm2 coverage. If you get 3500 over 80cm2, that'll be close to 44 grafts/cm2. Of course, you have "some" existing hair there, that hopefully you can keep. That'll add to your overall density. What that will look like in the end depends on many factors like hair caliber, contrast, number of 3 and 4 hair grafts etc. Hope that helps. Gorp ____________ 2700 Total Grafts w/ Keene 9/28/05 663 one's = 663 1116 two's = 2232 721 three's = 2163 200 four's = 800 Hair Count = 5858 1000 Total Grafts w/Keene 2/08/07 Mostly combined FU's for 2600+ hairs My Photo Album See me at Dr. Keene's Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brad Limmer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Burt, Sounds like you are off to a good start. Based on the photo's I would grade you a NW 4, and as noted on your way to a NW 5. As hairloss is progressive, there is no doubt that you need to be aggressive with medical management. Prevention of future loss is paramont to your long term success. The 3000 grafts you have planned with Dr. Konior should make for a significant change in the frontal half of your scalp. I encourage my patients to concentrate on this area first, while giving medications a chance to work in the crown. Depending on you ultimate goal, as far as density is concerned, your might want an additional 1500 grafts in the frontal area. That is after allowing the first 3000 to grow in over ~12 months. The crown is the tricky area. If medications work well, no transpantation might be needed. This would be the best case senario. If they just help you hold your own, transplantation could be used to augment what you have. If they don't work/can't take them because of side affects, you have a chance to re-think your options. The last senario is the complicated one and needs to be given serious thought, especially if you are a young man. Some guys will accept being NW 3As, leaving the crown alone. Others will want to transplant it and need to understand that the crown consumes a much larger number of grafts than the front to achieve a similar look of density. Also, it is a greater commitment,as chasing after future loss in the crown is more common that the frontal half of your scalp. Basically, if every guy was a NW 3A, life would be much easier for both partients and physicains. But since everyones current and possible future pattern is differnt, much thought and consideration needs to be given to what approach is best for each. Good luck with your upcoming tranplant. Brad Limmer, MD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brad Limmer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Burt, Sorry for the misspelled words. It was quite early and I was trying to send the post prior to going to work. Hope the information was helpful and good luck. Brad Limmer,MD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Burt1973 Posted July 23, 2007 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 23, 2007 No worries. I thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated. I have been very opposed to taking meds, I may re-think my stance and do some more homework before eliminating the idea. I have searched and found some stuff, can anyone point me in the direction of factual onformation? Thanks again... 3147 ish) grafts Dr. Konior No meds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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