Ready to take the HT plunge...maybe. Have a few questions!

[GoldRush]

Hello All,

 

I have been lingering on this forum for a couple of years on and off. But finally writing a post as I am leaning towards getting a HT. My short story is that I am a 27 yo M who started experiencing hair loss in my late teenage years and it has continued through my 20s. I have loss of my hairline as well as crown/mid-scalp (Norwood V). Initially I just ignored choosing to focus on my education (long 8 years through medical school ) however now it bothers me.

 

I have never used any medical therapy. I am reluctant to use Finesteride due to its potential side effects. Whilst I understand the dose used my majority of hair loss sufferer is much less than prescribed to treat something like BPH, I just cannot accept its potential risks. How many of you folks have felt the same way?

 

Moreover, I have not used Minoxidil because I don't want to be dependent on a medication for the rest of my life. I almost prefer to loose majority of my hair and then get an HT than be dependent on Minoxidil. How many of you feel that way? In addition for those who have underwent a HT, has anyone not used any meds/topical?

 

 

Anyways, i am heading towards the FUE route (I have read and heard the arguments against FUT vs. FUE, however based on recovery time and convenience I have decided on FUE). With that said I have a few surgeons in mind. Drs. Bisanga, Lorenzo, Erdogon and Dognay.

 

Any other surgeons I should add to my list? I am currently in the process of obtaining online consultations from the named surgeons. Also, how in world do people get in touch with Dr. Lorenzo?

 

 

 

Finally, I am working as a resident doc. SO getting time off is a challenge. I am able to get 2 weeks off in a row max (if lucky) so I had questions on how people dealt with going back to work within 2 weeks of an HT. Did you have significant redness? If so did you use concealers and did that work? Moreover, apart from any redness was it obvious that you got a HT based on the grafts looking "fake" or did it just look like your natural hair growing after shaving your head?

 

The whole social aspect and dealing with people questioning me makes me more nervous than taking the actual plunge for an HT. Would love to hear from people who were in a similar situation.

 

Lastly, my goals for an HT- restore density in crown and mid-scalp while reshaping the hairline. At my young age I would have loved to lower my hairline to where it was naturally but I prefer the conservative approach- see how I do with an conservative HT and give it a couple of years and if I continue to do well than consider a 2nd HT to re-define hairline. What do you guys think of that?

 

Thanks in advance everyone. It has been reading this forum that has finally convinced me that an HT is a possibility. Please feel free to give me suggestions. I can add pics if that would help people give me genuine opinion.

[Aftermath]

Pics would be good, sounds like you have a lot of hair loss? The problem is, as I'm sure you're aware that at your age without meds you're likely to get a whole lot more! Out of the surgeons you mentioned I would personally choose Lorenzo, he seems to be more conservative than the Turkish docs and has a stellar reputation on this site. If I were getting fue I'd choose him. I know a few people will recommend strip docs who also do fue like Rahal for instance but IMO you're far better sticking to an fue only surgeon. What's the pattern of hair loss in your family? If greater than NW5 I'm not sure if risk a HT at your age without meds, sure it'll probably look OK to start but given a few years it could start looking pretty unnatural. What side affects are you particularly worried about? I've been on propecia since 2007 personally and have had zero sides

[Td06]

Post some pictures.