Questions from a semi-newbie

[luke77]

Hi guys,

 

I've read through the most recent few pages of the forum but thought I'd pop in with my own question. I'm 26, been slowly losing my hair since the age of 16, but in a diffuse pattern all over rather than the traditional mpb. Propecia and minoxidil didn't do anything noticeable. I've posted some photos here: ( ImageShack Album - 15 images ) of the top and then the donor area which aren't incredible quality but I can't seem to make them any more clear - I took some with flash and some without. I have my hair cut quite short because the longer I grow it the more obvious the thinning is - usually I keep it almost fully buzzed. Anyway, in case you can't tell I have lost quite a bit of hair all over including on the sides and back, and I have some frontal recession although what I'm most concerned about is the thinning. I'm now considering a transplant.

 

First, although I know this isn't a forum for medical advice, if anyone has a similar pattern or can offer any advice I'd welcome it. I realize that my pattern is not ideal for a transplant because my donor area is thin as well, so my expectations are realistic. I'm thinking that I would leave the hairline as it is, using the transplanted hair solely to thicken the front and top - the areas where my thinning is most noticeable.

 

Second, after reading positive reviews on another forum I contacted a well known doctor in Atlanta for an (online) consultation. Initially there was a bit of a misunderstanding and he thought that I wanted to thicken both the crown area and the front/top, and he said that I probably wouldn't be a very good candidate. But I'm really not so concerned about the crown, more with the top where it is most noticeable, so after explaining this he recommended an initial small procedure of 500 grafts, using some donor hair and some body hair, as an initial procedure to see how my scalp handles transplanted hair. This sounds like a reasonable, conservative approach, and he seems like an excellent doctor. If I am happy with the results and go forward with more procedures, I was told the total would be about 3000 grafts for the front and top of the head (excluding the crown). At $8 a graft this would be $24,000. I know this isn't exhorbitant for Us-based doctors, but it's quite a bit of money, and I'm interested in the possibility of going overseas to have work done. I've seen really positive reviews for Dr. Pathomvanich in Thailand, and I'm just wondering, do you all think the quality of procedure is comparable between well-regarded doctors here and well-regarded doctors overseas? I don't want to sacrifice quality to save a bit of money, but if the quality is similar I don't see any reason not to go overseas because it seems like it would be significantly cheaper. Does he (or other overseas doctors) do body hair transplants? It seems like this might be one of my best bets given my donor area.

 

Also, do overseas doctors like Dr. Pathomvanich use PRP or ACell? This is another thing he mentioned he would try. I read up online about it a bit, and it seems like at first there was a lot of excitement about it as a geniune regrowth agent but saw quite a few people who said it did nothing for them so I don't know what to think. Still it seems that if I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on transplants it makes sense to try this for $300. Is this impression incorrect?

 

Next, is there an easy way to distiguish between DPA and DUPA? I read on Dr. Rassman's site that hair transplants are counterindicated for patients with DUPA while they can be successful for patients with DPA and I'm not sure which I have...although I'm not sure if this countrindication includes body hair transplants.

 

Finally, any general thoughts or advice on my situation is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Edited February 26, 2011 by TakingThePlunge

[Spanker]

You are not gonna get a lot of advice on that doctor on this forum...why, I have not been specifically told but I think it is in the ethics arena. Shapiro is doing FUE for $6 a graft which might be something to consider.

 

Honestly, your loss is so extensive at your age I would reconsider HT all together and just go Bruce Willis/Jason Statham. You seem to have a decent head....I would really reconsider HT. You seem NW7 bound....I would hit the gym and shave the head and buy a nice car....but that is just me.

 

My head looks all jacked up or that is the look I would go for.

Edited February 26, 2011 by TakingThePlunge

[grow123]

Luke, I agree with Spanker. Don't do it - you're too young. Once you start the HT process, it will never end. I've had FUE and strip. PM me and lets chat.