Age 21 going on 2nd HT. PICS. How many grafts??

[-CoDy-]

Pics were taken today.

 

I'm new to the forums. I'm 21 with MPB (or so they say) and I've been loosing since about 8th grade.

I was 17 years old when I got my HT.

 

I got 1,899 grafts in May of 2005 with *cough* MHR. I didn't know they were butchers at the time. It did make a difference nonetheless. I don't have before pictures, but I requested copies which are coming in a few days if you guys would like to see them.

 

I started Propecia about 7 months before the HT and I haven't missed a day since. I started Rogaine Foam about 5-6 months ago and haven't noticed anything.

 

I'm choosing Dr. Alexander this time. I hope to do this before school starts again in January. Last time I got so swollen my forehead was covering my eyes. I looked ridiculous haha.

 

Based on the pictures which I took just a few minutes ago, how many grafts do you think I need?

I want a defined and distinct hairline to complement a short haircut. I also want the rest filled in so it's thicker of course.

 

Thanks for reading and please ask questions and make comments and give advice.

I need opinions on how many grafts I may need. Looking for estimates.

[-CoDy-]

Pics were taken today.

 

I'm new to the forums. I'm 21 with MPB (or so they say) and I've been loosing since about 8th grade.

I was 17 years old when I got my HT.

 

I got 1,899 grafts in May of 2005 with *cough* MHR. I didn't know they were butchers at the time. It did make a difference nonetheless. I don't have before pictures, but I requested copies which are coming in a few days if you guys would like to see them.

 

I started Propecia about 7 months before the HT and I haven't missed a day since. I started Rogaine Foam about 5-6 months ago and haven't noticed anything.

 

I'm choosing Dr. Alexander this time. I hope to do this before school starts again in January. Last time I got so swollen my forehead was covering my eyes. I looked ridiculous haha.

 

Based on the pictures which I took just a few minutes ago, how many grafts do you think I need?

I want a defined and distinct hairline to complement a short haircut. I also want the rest filled in so it's thicker of course.

 

Thanks for reading and please ask questions and make comments and give advice.

I need opinions on how many grafts I may need. Looking for estimates.

[Maxxy]

Welcome Cody,

 

Have you had a consult with a respected Doctor yet?

 

I'm not sure if Dr. Alexander will do your surgery giving you are only 21 - and this will be your second transplant? Who knows.

 

I cant believe MHR did your first at the age of 18 and only being around a year into loss(well, I can - that's the reason they have the rep. they do. :-S)

 

I personally think you look good, have you tried concealers? I know you will still probably want a transplant (I did as well at your age), but no one would touch me - even Farjo (it's just a thought).

 

For the graft numbers, even the top doctors themselves are going to give you different quotes. If you have decided on Dr. Alexander, I'd get a consult and get his opinion.

 

Good luck mate.

[lost my swagger]

its tough to anwer this question... how much ground are you trying to cover?? in your 1st HT was ALL the work done in the hairline?? is your current hairline fully recreated and where does your native hair begin?.. i PERSONALLY belive it is not wise to transplant a ton of grafts among alot of native hair.. shockloss to some of the miniturized hair can take place.not to metion when those natives eventually kick the bucket you will be left with a thin unnatural look...

 

do you wear your hair that short all the time, exposing the scar?? if so do you et questions??

 

i would not think about lowering the hairline at all.....

 

dont rush into anouther HT just yet maybe..sorry to bounce around with this reply.. i really dont know what to say. i think i have more questions for you than anything..

[-CoDy-]

Hey thanks for the replies!

 

Maxxy - I just talked with Dr. Alexander's office and I emailed these same pictures to him. He's looking at them and supposed to give me a call. I'm going for a consult after Christmas. I haven't tried concealers. Might look into that.

 

Swagger- Grafts went to the hairline and the areas where it looks thin. Some went farther back, which I think did more harm than good. I would be happy keeping the hairline where it is, I just want it to be more defined because I don't really have a "hairLINE" as of now. If I could do that as well as thicken the sides and the strip behind that thick circle, then I'd be on top of the world

 

I keep my hair this length. I don't like it any longer because the thick areas grow different and look puffy, therefore making the thin areas look worse (especially the circle patch in the front gets puffy). I like putting a beanie on for a while and flattening the thick puffy parts to match the rest haha. That really helps!

 

I do get questions about the scar a lot, but not as much as I anticipated. I've told different stories. Some days I just say I had a HT. Sometimes if it's a random person I say an accident happened when I was a navy seal haha and they know I'm lying but that makes it funny at least. I've also just said "long story"

 

When I get my pre-op and post-op pictures in the mail, I'll post them here to provide a better idea of my native hair and new hair.

 

I'll update as soon as I talk to Dr. Alexander.

Keep it coming

[MikeTheDane]

Sup Cody

 

HT at the age of 17 has to be a record on these forums.

 

I think that your results are fairly decent considering MHR's repuration, although i do agree that you are still quiet thin.

 

My guestimate would be somewhere around 1500 grafts placed by a skilled doctor should be enough to give you satisfactory coverage.

 

Feel free to check out my pics in the pictures posted by patients subforum. I am 22 and have just received my 2nd op for 2800 grafts but i was thinner than you were (first was 1600)

 

regards, mike.

[-CoDy-]

Talked to Dr. Alexander

 

He said he doesn't think it's a good idea but hard to determine until he sees me in person. Mentioned he could definitely improve my scar from what you know who did and I told him what I said here when he asked about my goals. It sounded like he knew I was from MHR..

I'm going to see him soon and he'll give me a better idea. He didn't want to estimate the # of grafts.

[Maxxy]

Hey Cody,

 

I thought that would be the case, you should give Toppik a try, it can't hurt.

 

Hope you get where you want to be good luck and thanks for keeping us posted.

 

P.S. I'm sure another docotor will do you transplant if he won't. but you have to think - there is reasons if a doctor to refuses you.

[-CoDy-]

I saw Dr. Alexander for a consultation and he suggested I wait about 2 years so he can see what my hair does between now and then. He also estimated that I'd need about 1800 grafts if he were to do it that very day. Although I'm disappointed I'm not getting an HT right this moment, I trust his judgment and can't wait until 2 years come around.

 

Another thing. I told him I have been paying $60 monthly for Propecia for the last 4 years and it's starting to hurt my pocket. He wrote a prescription for Proscar and I filled it today. I got 90 5mg tablets which I'll be cutting into quarters. 90x4 = 360 or 1 year of Proscar. I paid $40 and picked up a pill cutter as well. That's some crazy savings right there..

 

What do you guys think about me taking Proscar in place of Propecia? I found a page about a possible insurance issue. What do you think? Could that really happen? (Read #2 and 3) I'm only worried about those. More 2 than 3 though..

Why Propecia instead of Proscar

[Petchski]

If your not getting it through your insurance i wouldn't worry about it...Plus, Merck want you to buy propecia as it is more expensive and earns them more money.

[thanatopsis_awry]

Hmmm...I'd think if you grew your hair out a bit and styled it right you could def get away with some fresh looks....especially if you sprinkled on some nano to the thinnish regions....

 

Waiting till' you are out of school would be cool, too, and alleviate some extra-pressure and burdens on the whole process.

[-CoDy-]

Petchski - I did get it through insurance the other day that's why it cost me $40 instead of $220. Just worried if that'll come back to get me in the end haha that's all. Even $220 without insurance is still way cheaper than Propecia.

 

thanatopsis - I used to have gel in my hair every single day when I was a little bit younger but it became a pain in the ass to style it just right. Seems to get harder and harder, but when I do take the time, I can make it look pretty good. And yes, waiting until I finish school would be nice. That would be Dec. 09 so I'd still have another year from then like the doc suggested. Oh and my hair is much longer now than it was in the pics but in my opinion it looks worse the longer it gets. The thicker parts get puffy and the thin parts don't, so it looks worse to me - but yes, I am experimenting haha.

[SpaceBetween]

Yeah man, I would wait. Your hair looks solid the way it is right now. Like Thana said, I'd try growing it out and if it;s too thin, try some toppik/nanogen. Don't rush into it since your loss is still minimal