Considering Hair Transplant. Need Advice

[wingsfan]

Hello All,

 

I am new here and I am considering hair transplant. Hair loss has been hereditary in my case. Hairloss started 5 years ago and I think it has stopped in the last 1.5 years.

 

I have attached my photos.

 

From past week, I have been researching to find the right doctor and also reading pateint case studies and the various procedures available.

 

I am considering anyone of the below doctors.

 

1. Dr. James A Harris (phone consultation tomorrow).

2. Dr. Shapiro (filled out online form and uploaded photos today. Waiting to hear back)

3. Dr. True and Dorin ((filled out online form and uploaded photos today. Waiting to hear back)

4. Dr. Glenn M Charles (emailed them pictures today and waiting to hear back)

5. Dr. Umar (filled out the online form today and uploaded pics. waiting to hear back)

6. Dr. Feller (contacted his office today and sent him pictures. I got a reply and I am planning on visiting him in new york)

7. Dr. Gabel (contacted him today and sent him my pictures. I am waiting to hear back).

 

This website has been so useful to me and thought I should share my total experience from the beginning and keep you all updated, so other future patients can benefit from it.

 

Now coming to some questions I have.

 

1. What do you think about my hairloss? Is it too late to have surgery. I am inclined towards FUE. but I am open to take recomendation from the right doctor.

2. what do you all think about the doctor's mentioned above? Is there anybody I should stay away from :-)

3. Since I live in TN, it's tough to visit every doctor in person. What are some of the questions that I need to ask the doctor in a phone consultation?

 

that will do it for now. Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

-wingsfan

[Sean]

Wingsfan, I am guessing your around age 29.

 

You seem to be on the Norwood 5A/V side.

 

I'd say you'd need at least 5,000 grafts to make it happen.

 

Depending on how much donor you have, you may qualify for FUE. If you don't have enough donor density then FUT may be your other option.

 

With FUT, you can get some great results. Would you want 1 MEGA session or to go back for 2 separate sessions?

 

What are your ultimate goals? Hairstyles? Conservative or non-conservative look? What type of hairline?

 

How is the history of hairloss in your family? Has anyone gone past Norwood 5?

 

Would you consider to mix and match your hair transplant restoration with scalp micro pigmentation? (There are some people who have done this)

 

Are you taking any medications or have you given them a shot, (rogaine/propecia)?

 

Answering questions like that can also help with your decision.

 

You got a good list to start off. Do plenty of research and look at cases that match your norwood level of hairloss.

 

Good luck with everything.

[Jotronic]

Wingsfan,

 

I hate to break it to you but I disagree with Sean. You do not have a clear Norwood designation as the lateral humps of your scalp are completely eroded like that of a NW7. Your crown is what one would find on a NW5 but it is clear that your hair loss has not stopped. Why? Because there is a very obvious transition zone from bald scalp to non-bald scalp and this loose and broad demarcation indicates hair that is being affected by DHT and will eventually fall out.

 

I also see a relatively low density on either side of your donor zone above the ears. To get reasonable coverage you will need about 7000 grafts but I would be surprised if you have that many grafts with strip much less with FUE (which allows for less grafts than strip).

 

These photos demonstrate what I'm talking about...

 

 

 

 

The yellow line drawn shows the point at which you will most likely thin into. In other words, the hair above the yellow line is finer than the hair below and is the hair that is still being affected by DHT so unless you are on preventative meds such as Propecia your are going to lose this hair thus making a hair transplant a potentially disastrous proposition regardless of technique.

 

I don't like telling guys this but you need to hear the truth early on. Of course, what do I know? I'm not a doctor but ask each and every one of the doctors on your list about what I've said and get their take on it.

[dochollywood]

Hi Wingsfan

 

I have had a total of 5 surgeries and started off as a norwood 7. I have had strip, fue and bht.

 

Send me a message as I would like to offer my advice.