Advice time from you experts.

[Hoping]

Okay guys, I would like your opinions. I am almost 52. Had an HT by Epstein in the front 1/3 of my head in October 05 with about 2800 grafts. Very good result and for the most part I now have a full head of hair with this caveat, I am still thinning in the midscalp / crown area where, in bright lights, you can see my scalp (I am on Propecia, every other or third day). Its not that bad yet and I was always more concerned about framing my face than the top or back of my head. Epstein has recommended another 2000 grafts or so for the top and crown of my head, but he doesn't recommend having it now-only when I am ready. He also does not feel it is necessary to shave my head at the recipient site. So I guess I have two questions, with decent coverage on top, am I risking significant shock loss if I undergo another HT now, or should I wait a few more years when I have more advanced balding and don'e have to worry about it, and having read the opinions of Hasson and Wong (spelling?) elsewhere on this thread, does anybody have any strong opinions from experience whether they would recommend shaving the hair as opposed to not shaving? When I had my first HT, that wasn't an issue as I was totally bald the front 1/3. I.E., will shaving make a signifigant difference in the ultimate outcome from experience? Thx.

[Hoping]

Okay guys, I would like your opinions. I am almost 52. Had an HT by Epstein in the front 1/3 of my head in October 05 with about 2800 grafts. Very good result and for the most part I now have a full head of hair with this caveat, I am still thinning in the midscalp / crown area where, in bright lights, you can see my scalp (I am on Propecia, every other or third day). Its not that bad yet and I was always more concerned about framing my face than the top or back of my head. Epstein has recommended another 2000 grafts or so for the top and crown of my head, but he doesn't recommend having it now-only when I am ready. He also does not feel it is necessary to shave my head at the recipient site. So I guess I have two questions, with decent coverage on top, am I risking significant shock loss if I undergo another HT now, or should I wait a few more years when I have more advanced balding and don'e have to worry about it, and having read the opinions of Hasson and Wong (spelling?) elsewhere on this thread, does anybody have any strong opinions from experience whether they would recommend shaving the hair as opposed to not shaving? When I had my first HT, that wasn't an issue as I was totally bald the front 1/3. I.E., will shaving make a signifigant difference in the ultimate outcome from experience? Thx.

[hairbank]

Hoping,

 

I'll take a stab at answering your Q's (IMO).....

 

I wouldn't be very concerned with shock loss your age. The speed of your loss hasn't been that aggressive since you still have native hair on midscalp and crown. Hopefully it's strong enough to stave off shock loss. Add this with the fact that you're on propecia which should aid in strengthening the existing hair.

 

As for shaving down for the HT...........there are a few threads you could refer to if you search the site. The main reasons you'd want to consider shaving down would be to attain maximum density while avoiding follicle transection and to provide the surgeon with an ideal setting to determine and follow the hairs original growth pattern/direction.

 

Obviously, the surgeon knows best..............let me know what you decide!

 

Good luck!

[Bill - Seemiller]

Hello Hoping,

 

I'll take a stab at answering your questions too.

 

For starters, here is an excellent thread posted by Pat, written by Dr. Hasson on why he feels shaving the recipient area is important. Draw your own conclusions:

 

http://hair-restoration-info.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/346...571041502#9571041502

 

Regarding shockloss, I will actually oppose hairbank a little here. If you are still losing hair at your age, the potential for permanent shock is still there. However, you have to consider...if you are going to lose those hairs anyway, what's the harm in getting the HT and end up with a net gain even if you send some of those already dying hairs off to an early grave? Now I say this without seeing photos or knowing how much native hair you have that is dying verses how much grafted hair you have, etc. However, permanent shockloss only occurs to hairs that will naturally die anyway...so inevitably you will lose that hair regardless of surgery. Keep in mind that temporary shockloss may occur and seemingly there is no perfect pattern of predicting this. I happen to be one of those unlucky ones that experiences bad temp shockloss but it all comes back in 4-12 months.

 

A few pieces of advice:

 

1. Unless your doc has recommended something here, use Propecia every day as directed instead of every other or third day. This might strengthen and save the dying native hair and strengthen it.

 

2. Get an HT if/when you are ready. There is never harm in waiting, however, what I said above applies. If the hair is going to die anyway, whether or not it disappears in form of permanent shockloss or a year later naturally, does it really matter? But again, see number 1...you might just be able to save this hair if you boost Propecia to use as directed. Again, however, consult a doctor about this...see what he/she says.

 

I hope you find this helpful.

 

Bill

[MrJobi]

Hi Great advice from the guys above

 

I would take the Propecia eveyday .. If you are commiting to a hairloss regimine including HT's you might as well do everything right..

As far as the HT, do it when you are ready.. If it were me, I would get the HT AFTER I was taking the Propecia regularly for 6 months or so to see what comes of it

 

Good luck