Need your Opinion! How many grafts do I need? (PICS attached)

[RSL85]

Hi All, I’m 27 and have been losing hair since about 22. I also haven’t taken any medicine. Very recently I began thinking about HT and began reading a lot about the process. That’s when I was fortunate to find this site. Anyway, I had discussions with several coalition doctors and I’ve received very different info. For example, one stated that I’m NW 5a, the second one stated that I’m NW3. I communicated an identical to all the doctors and the range I’ve received was significant from doctor to doctor. The range is approximately from 2,500 to 4,000 grafts. I’ve reviewed quite a few pictures of individuals with similar balding patterns who achieved awesome results with 2500 grafts and, contrary, achieved horrendous results with 3500 grafts. I definitely understand that results depends on the doctor and the patient...

 

That’s where I need your opinion…. Based on the attached pics:

 

1)Do you think that I’m NW 5a or 3 or something else?

 

2)How many grafts do you think I will require to completely fix my hair line and completely fix the top of my head? I pretty much don’t want to see and bald spots or the scalp and would also love to have some density.

 

3) Based on your experience with similar hair loss, is there a doctor that you can recommend?

 

 

I’m also scheduled to meet with a very prominent coalition doctor in the next few days, so I’m pretty curious what he’s going to say.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

[Blake Bloxham]

RSL,

 

A 5 on the Norwood Hamilton scale seems more accurate to me, but keep in mind that this classification scale can be subjective and it's difficult to categorize patients based upon a chart. What's more, it looks like you're a bit of a diffuse patterned thinner, and this can make classification even more difficult.

 

As far as the number of grafts is concerned, it will depend greatly on your physiology, donor characteristics, and hair restoration plan. However, if you're looking for a general idea, I highly recommend trying our hair loss learning center graft calculator.

 

I hope this helps!

[aaron1234]

Yes, Blake is right. That is an advanced balding pattern and you are going to need a helluva lot more grafts than 4K. You most definitely should be consulting with clinics that specialize in mega-sessions; ala Rahal, H&W. Tread carefully and don't be in a hurry. Have you been treating your hairloss medically?

[RSL85]

Yes, Blake is right. That is an advanced balding pattern and you are going to need a helluva lot more grafts than 4K. You most definitely should be consulting with clinics that specialize in mega-sessions; ala Rahal, H&W. Tread carefully and don't be in a hurry. Have you been treating your hairloss medically?

 

I haven't used any medication to treat the hairloss.. Don't know if I will.. As for the grafts, like I said, I saw some amazing resuts on this site, where individuals with evnt worse hair loss than mine were able to achieve amazing results with like 2500-2600 grafts...that's why I'm so confused.. Why is there a such disparity between the estimates I've been receiving?? How do I choose the right doctor?

[Jotronic]

Based on what I see you're beyond a 5 and certainly not even in the same ball park as a NW3. A NW5 has a fairly strong bridge with a bald frontal half and a bald crown. Your bridge is all but dissolved and I'd say at BEST you're a NW5A but in my book you're almost a NW6. I say "almost" because your crown does not appear to be completely gone. The bottom half seems to still be fairly intact. How many you need is subjective as it depends on your expectations but no way will you get what I would consider to be acceptable coverage front to back with 2600 grafts. You need at least 4500 grafts and with that you'll still have situations where your scalp will be visible toward the back.