Choice of FUE surgeon for a young diffuse patterned baldness patient

[john999]

Dear Friends,

 

I've recently turned 23, and have been balding since the age of 18. My baldness pattern is a DPA type, pretty close to Norwood Va but with a bit more hair on the temples. My hair density seems to be quite low but my hair is relatively thick. I don't really care about aesthetics too much, I'd just prefer not to be bald.

 

 

I'm considering an FUE hair transplant. As I'm quite young, there is a possibility that I actually suffer from Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA). No male in my family started balding that young, but those who are bald do not seem to have DUPA, so I'm hopeful.

 

I'm considering different options and would appreciate your helping me make a decision. I'm happy to go anywhere in the world and I've been saving money since some time yet to ensure I can get the best "permanent" treatment. Also, I have decided not to take any daily medication.

 

Options:

 

1) Do my transplant soon (within a year). As I have a substantial amount of hair left (maybe 20-40%?) I need a surgeon who wild be comfortable with doing implants in areas with a lot of native hair. I have shortlisted the following: Bisanga, Lorenzo, Feriduni and Umar, but I'd consider any other doctor you will recommend.

 

2) Wait for the rest of my hair to die and then just select the best FUE surgeon

 

3) Do a body hair transplant with Dr Umar to regain some density before using scalp hair.

 

Thank you for your input! Any suggestion is welcome!

[socates123]

Hello, there I'm curious why aren't you on medication - has the balding stabilized? Most doctors would want to ask that before proceeding to surgery.

[john999]

For personal reasons, I simply prefer to be bald then using any kind of medication.

[Spanker]

For personal reasons, I simply prefer to be bald then using any kind of medication.

 

This is my personal opinion and there will be people that will disagree, but I think a 23 year old that would rather be bald than take meds should skip the transplant.

 

Maybe option 2 for you is the best of the available, but still, you have a LOT of time for your sides to drop too. I think its too big of a gamble and you will be playing catch up until your donor runs out.

[john999]

Maybe option 2 for you is the best of the available, but still, you have a LOT of time for your sides to drop too. I think its too big of a gamble and you will be playing catch up until your donor runs out.

 

Thank you Spanker, I'm sure you're saying that in my best interests. Is it 100% sure that my sides will drop too? Would the surgeon be able to asses what part of my hair is going to remain "forever"? If I can have my hair back for just 10 years I'm willing to take the gamble! I won't care to about my hair that much after I get married

Edited July 3, 2013 by john999

[john999]

Hello, there I'm curious why aren't you on medication - has the balding stabilized? Most doctors would want to ask that before proceeding to surgery.

 

What do you mean by stabilized? The hair in the bald bar keeps thinning but I don't have the impression the bald area is expanding. It is very similarly shaped to that of my uncle, my grandfather (70 year old, and a head almost full of hair...) and even my grand-uncle.

Edited July 3, 2013 by john999

[GreatPelo]

I agree with Spanker...considering, on average, we lose hair from 20-65 and you're considering never using medical therapy...you're much better off shaving your head. First of all, a little too young for hair transplant...considering you're only 23 and already showing a future pattern Norwood 5. If I were you John999, I would hit the breaks and either go all out doing the right thing (medical therapy and HT surgery)...or just shave your head. Also, considering your future hair loss to be aggressive at Norwood 5, the FUE method is not the best for you since you'll need several surgeries throughout your life...which will result in dot scars all over your donor...which will result in a diffused density throughout your donor. With the FUT method you can cover more area, have one linear scar in your donor, less transection, not to mention more affordable and a dense donor area.

 

You've got a lot to think about...the best thing you can do is hit the breaks....take your time...and visit with a doctor that offers both type of methods so he leads you in the right direction without a biased opinion for one method over another.

 

Best of luck!!

[john999]

I never knew FUT could cover more area? Where did you get that info from?

[GreatPelo]

After 15 years in the industry as a patient and having had represented numerous hair specialists in the industry, on average, a doctor can yield more grafts with a strip than the FUE method, unless you're a dynamo and can harvest 5000 FUE grafts in one sitting, which I'd love to witness in person considering how tedious a process it is....

 

Even taking the factor of # of grafts harvested out of the equation, the fact you're facing a Norwood 5 is a flag (warning) to take your time in deciding. Try to find a doctor that offers both methods...this will put the odds in your favor of making the right decisions.

[Blake Bloxham]

John,

 

All of the FUE surgeons your mentioned are excellent, and a few of them specialize in FUE "mega sessions" (Lorenzo) and quality FUE in specialized cases (Umar). Frankly, I think the first step is determining whether or not you are even a candidate for hair transplantation via the FUE method. I think the best way to achieve this is by consulting with a few of the surgeons mentioned above. When you speak with them, it may also be useful to at least discuss preventive hair loss medications and garner their opinion on using the drugs.

[Mickey85]

23 is a young age to delve into a procedure. Although being a norwood 5 at 23 would make you want to get the situation resolved, I totally understand that.

 

There are excellent FUE doctors that can accomodate for your situation. I and many other FUE surgeons believe if you are a candidate for strip, then you are generally a candidate for FUE. You have specifically stated you want FUE although I do not recommend rushing to book one. Waiting for your loss to stabilize would be a wise choice and would allow both you and your surgeon to better analyze and form a plan. I would recommend against using body hair first before scalp hair as usually you need scalp hair to blend in with the body hair or else it can look un-natural in my opinion(although you can form your own opinion on this one).

 

Don't be scared into strip surgery. There are many surgeons like Lorenzo, Hakan, Erdogan, De Reys, Reddy, Umar, Demirsoy, Eser that do procedures like yours via FUE frequently. Strip has its own potential complications that have been omitted. Choose the procedure that YOU want. There are excellent strip surgeons and there are excellent FUE surgeons. I would however establish reasonable expectations and know what the potential pitfalls are when it comes to any surgery. The result may blossom, it may not. You may wish you just never bothered if it is the latter. You need to really question if the gamble is worth the potential prize and if you are prepared to invest the time, money and spirit in this because not everyone has a 10/10 result first time. If you are happy in your life, I say enjoy it, spend the money going to a tropical location and enjoy the euphoria for a few weeks instead.

[john999]

First, I want to thank all for your pieces of advice. It's obvious that you have been going through similar issues and are considering my particular problem without passion. Thank you to GreatPelo for bringing my attention to the fact that FUE usually gives a lower yield than FUT, to Future_HT_doc for making me realize that I might not even be a candidate for FUE and to Mickey85 for reassuring me that I should not be scared into FUT.

 

As I will be moving to Boston shortly for Grad School, I might as well go and visit Dr Rahal and Dr Feller during a weekend for a free consultation. My dad lives in France, Belgium isn't far so I could quickly go and see Dr Bisanga while there.

 

However, I have already made my mind that I do not want to take any kind of medication. In short, I think there are so many more important little things I'm supposed to do every day that to some but for me it does make sense.

 

Thanks again for your support!

[Blake Bloxham]

John,

 

I didn't initially notice your age. I tend to agree with Mickey here: 23 is young for hair transplant surgery. However, I think a few "no pressure" consultations with recommended/Coalition physicians (like Dr. Feller and Dr. Rahal) may be helpful.

[john999]

All,

 

I know 23 seems young, but what's the point when you already feel like you're 30? Even if my transplant makes me look better for only 10 years, I want to do it.