Doctors and Experts: Am I crazy for getting a hair transplant?

[Hair7777777]

I don't get what people mean about “the appearance of density.” I wear my hair back so there are either hairs growing there or not. Can I possibly get 75% or more of the density I have on the rest of my head? I don't want to end up looking like I have some thinning but my hairline is “not that bad.” Is it unrealistic to aim for a thick hairline that is a least almost as dense as the rest of my head (which is pretty thick)?

Edited November 25, 2012 by Hair7777777

[Dutch]

I'm certainly no expert, but in my opinion a small operation will certainly lower your line & give you nice density. If you go to a clown then yes the operation can look thin & obvious.

If you go to a quality surgeon then no- or at least that's based on my experience so far.

Illusion of density is the way the hairs are angled to give that thicker look, but it wouldn't look thick how it was when you were 18.

Realistic expectations. Have a look at photos and videos from the top docs and tell me if anyone can honestly point out "you've had a transplant!".

With today's technology it looks very natural when done by the right clinic.

[Dutch]

BTW I recently saw two of my cousins, they said my hair looks better like this grown out as opposed to shaved down. Like I 'chose' the bald look. Just goes to show you they didn't think anything of it & were under the impression it's my original hair. Those comments were made 4 months post op so very early days. So I'm giving you an example that it's not obvious to people what you've done if you choose a surgeon wisely.

[qwerty555]

I was in a very similar situation to you so i can help...

 

1 - no it will never be thick enough, but angled the right way, and combed back like you say, it should be more than enough for you. I disagree that your statement about "not that bad". As far as I am concerned, "not that bad" is a lot better than not at all.

 

2 - very simple answer to this. With the right surgeon, no they will not. Make sure you go to a hiarline specialist. I went to SMG and they were first class. There are other hairline experts out there and you have to choose the one who is right for you, not the who was right for me or right for anyone else on this forum.

 

From your description, I think (but I am not a doctor) you can afford to put a lot of grafts in the hairline.

 

For now though think about where you can hide for 2 -3 weeks. Also, what kind of hairstyle for the first 3 months after surgery. You can't wear your hair back like you do now in my opinion. Others may disagree.

 

Take a look at my post surgery write up. Its very long winded, but I think its worth you reading it.

 

Hope this helps...

[chrisdav]

For small procedures hair77777, it will be appear as thick.

 

If you are transplanting onto a nw 6 , then I would agree it is more of an illusion of density.

 

But they can transplant a higher number of grafts per cm^2within reason and the hair will look the same as your native.

 

This might help if you have a brief read on the education part of SMG:

50% Rule and Thresholds

 

 

There are plenty of examples on this forum from various leading surgeons through videos and pictures, but I would meet some in person so you can see yourself.

 

I have met Spex hair in person and his hair transplanted hair looks no different from my native hair.

 

Check all their websites, check this forum( I think is the best), Bald truth, hairlossexperiences, hairlosstalk and a few others.

 

Then have consultations with 5 of the doctors who you believe are the best for helping you achieve your goals.

 

You can have as many as you like online but make sure you have at least a couple face to face.

 

You are lucky with 2/3 of the very best in your country.

[RCWest]

If that's all the hair you have lost in 10 years then consider yourself VERY lucky! Many people go completely bald in less time than that, so I think you are a great candidate for hair restoration.

 

You don't need 75 percent density. Most people can lose 50 percent of their hair before it becomes very noticeable. I believe with your limited loss a good hair restoration surgeon could give you a killer thick hairline.

[Hair7777777]

Thanks all! Do Docs only aim for 50% density because they are conserving grafts for future transplants? Or will they try to pack in the number of hairs to give me near 100% density, but then only half of those will actually grow due to blood flow issues or something?

Edited November 25, 2012 by Hair7777777

[Spanker]

I would skip it. You seemed really concerned about super high density. This makes you a likely patient that will be hard to please. If you are he'll bent in it, I would look into dr rahal. Get a ht, and if you are not happy, get another.

 

At your age, you are still not out of the woods for needing more grafts do I would be careful about getting ridiculous with the hairline and number if grafts.

[michaeljames]

I am 32 years old and noticed thinning when I was 22. I have fought it ferociously over the past decade, using propecia, nizoral, rogaine, and vitamins. It has been a slow progression but has receded about an inch back from original hairline (wet and dry shots below). This is pretty typical from my family history and I do not expect it to get too much worse over the coming years. I realize it is not that bad but it is bad enough to have me thinking about it multiple times per day and upsets me terribly. I would do anything to get my hairline back (or at least very close) and have the time and money right now to get a HT.

 

My chief concerns are:

 

1. Will the transplant be thick enough? I do not understand what people mean about “the appearance of density.” I wear my hair back so there are either hairs growing there or not. Can I possibly get 75% or more of the density I have on the rest of my head? I do not want to end up looking like I have some thinning but my hairline is “not that bad.” Is it unrealistic to aim for a thick hairline that is a least almost as dense as the rest of my head (which is pretty thick)?

 

 

2. After I am healed, will people be able to spot that I had the procedure? I have heard experts say that they “can always tell” when someone has had a HT. How is that? Assuming I go to a top surgeon (e.g. Rahal, Feller, etc.) for the operation, will a well trained eye be able to look at my hairline and suspect? I fear that some hyper observant message board fanatic like me will be able to spot that I had a HT just by having seen so many testimonials. It is one thing if a doctor with a magnifying glass will be able to spot that I had a HT - that I can handle. But I do not want even a hyper observant layman to be able to spot it. I do not want to live out the rest of my days worrying that someone looking at a picture on Facebook or talking to me by the pool has a way of spotting that I had an HT.

 

I greatly appreciate your advice. If I can get back that inch of recession and have a good shot at 75% of the density of the rest of my head (with no one suspecting an HT), I would be very happy getting the procedure. But the last thing I want is to go through all that only to end up with a thin hairline and/or worries of being spotted. Thanks all!

 

 

Hey Mate,

 

Many folks here -- we can empathize with your concerns. The reality is today's hair transplant surgery with the skill and art of the top physicians like those recommended here at HTN are very undetectable. The key to really giving you the best picture is having a proper and complete microscopic evaluation directly by a top hair restoration surgeon. At US Hair Restoration centers in California where I work as a patient advocate, our medical director Parsa Mohebi, MD performs the evaluation and consult. He takes extensive time with each patient. Your hair type, texture and the availability of donor hair primarily in the occipital area at the back of your head are key to getting the results you want. An honest thorough discussion can be achieved through the right type of evaluation. We see clients worldwide in our Los Angeles based surgical headquarters.

 

Visit our before & after gallery. You may find patients whose journey seems similar to yours most importantly make an informed decision and get a full service evaluation with a hair transplant surgeon.

 

Hope this info. helps, Michael James, Patient Advocate.

Edited March 26, 2012 by michaeljames
typo

[mattj]

Personally, I can't tell the difference between transplanted areas and areas of 'native' hair, when a transplant is done right. A HT surgeon might be able to tell, but you won't have laymen calling you out on it - not in person and definitely not from your facebook photos.

[KO]

You don't look like you're balding. Or maybe I just have low standards.

[Falcon45]

Thanks all! I appreciate this advice.

 

Do Doctors only aim for 50% density because they are conserving grafts for future transplants? Or will they try to pack in the number of hairs to give me near 100% density, but then only half of those will actually grow due to blood flow issues or something?

 

Right now, my hairline is an inch too far back, but then gets thick pretty quickly so it looks kind of like I just have a big forehead. My fear would be if I get a HT and then have my hairline back to the right spot, but there is an inch of thin hair in the front. If this happened, I would go from looking like I have a big forehead to having a normal sized forehead but a thinning hairline.

 

If I have a decent shot at that 75% density, I would be happy but it is hard to get a clear answer out of the doctors since they do not want to over promise and under deliver.

 

Someone asked for an outdoor pic so I have attached one. My hair is dark but pretty course and a bit wavy. Do you think I have a realistic chance of getting that very high density?

 

It really sounds like you need to do more research before you have a procedure. There are several sites that you can go to for the answers. SMG has a great educational section.

 

 

From my research I found the published studies show that there is no cosmetic benefit going past 50% density. There is also the problem of graft survival. I am sure that you can find a physician somewhere that will pack in the 75 to 80% density you want but you have to ask your self is it necessary and should I waste precious donar hair that I may need in the next 5 years.

 

Taking into consideration that you have course wavy hair will give you a better illusion of high density.

 

Hope this helps...

[redvms]

[scar5]

I wear my hair back

 

You have the perfect haircut for a traditional HT. If you are happy on meds and a 'swept back' look, then you are born for an HT, even, I dare say, a strip. In fact the density and thickness you want to comb back into the battling rear lines can be delivered in spades.

 

The only question for you, at 32, and with a confident look like you have (I personally hate the swept back look on me, but that's my problem) is whether the meds give up, and based on everything, why should they? The fact that you are not trying to buzz etc., goes in your favor for a traditional, built-for-the-illusion-of-density HT.

 

You will have an 'All-Back' that would do Schwarzenegger proud. But of course one hates to do an HT, so there is the social thing of handling that part of it, and I wouldn't tell anyone if I were you. Just comb that forward for dodgy bangs for a year.

 

I will say this. You will lose hair through shockloss, permanent shockloss because HTs, just are not kind to peripheral weak hair, but if you have the hair-in-the-bank, you can compensate for it.