Finally Taking the Plunge?

[Progaine1]

How's it going guys?... as the title indicates, I am seriously considering getting a hair transplant. Before I ask you wonderful gentlemen for your opinions/advice, I'll give a brief summary of myself.

 

Age --> 29 … balding since 20.

 

Balding Pattern --> Norwood 3/4 ... most likely heading towards a Norwood 6.

 

Treatment --> Took Propecia at the age of 24 … suffered side effects so stopped. Propecia is no longer an option. No other history of medication/treatment.

 

Goals --> Currently, to address the frontal region and hairline/temples (to frame the face). Open to additional surgeries down the road to address the crown.

 

Method--> FUE is the only option I am considering. I do tend to wear my hair relatively short on the sides/back and I do want to leave the option open of shaving my head again down the road. I know FUE is not scarless, but I prefer FUE scarring over FUT scarring. Perhaps I can SMP/BHT into the FUE scars if need be.

 

Questions.

 

1. What other hair-loss medication/treatment do you guys recommend? I have browsed the forums quite a bit over the past 6-7 years and it seems like finasteride/minoxidil are the only effective medication? Considering I do not intend on resuming finasteride, are there any other effective treatments/medication? Any thoughts on the effectiveness of the following?

 

- Pumpkin seed oil

- Biotin 5,000 Mcg

- Lipogaine Big 3 Shampoo ... or any other effective shampoo? Currently using Aloe Vera H & S.

- Lipogaine Minoxidil ... is this essentially another form of Minoxidil? I've heard it works better than simply Rogaine.

 

2. As mentioned, I have been a lurker for the past 6-7 years. However, I have not consistently checked the forums in the past year or two. Needless to say, a lot has changed. A lot of new doctors have gotten my attention due to their amazing results (Diep, Lupanzula). A few doctors that I had on my short list have also produced some subpar results. There have also been other issues discussed in the forums regarding lack of patient/doctor communication and poor aftercare. Nonetheless, the following doctors are on my current short list.

 

 

1. Dr. Konior

2. Dr. Rahal

3. Dr.s Hasson/Wong

4. Dr.s Paul/Ron Shapiro

 

New additions

 

5. Dr. Diep (Loved Htsoon’s results, I have a similar hairloss pattern, but with more hair still left)

6. Dr. Lupanzula

 

KONIOR

 

About 5 years ago, when I was in "full-research" mode, I had my mind set on Dr. Konior for all the reasons mentioned on this website. IMO, his results were simply the best. I could not find any "dirt" on him. After all my consultations, he was the doctor I felt most comfortable with, and I still hold this position today. However, the reason I was hesitant on booking a procedure with him (aside from having “cold feet”) was the lack of FUE results posted on this website. However, with more FUE results now posted, it seems as if his FUE results are just as stellar as his FUT. For this reason, he is still my number one choice. He also recommended the least amount of grafts compared to other surgeons … I guess this can be considered a good thing? … doing more with less?

 

RAHAL

 

Loved his hairline work back then, and I still do today. But in consultations, I did a lot of communication with his staff as opposed to him. I know doctors are extremely busy, but this kind of rubbed me the wrong way. In comparing this with my consultation/communication with Dr. Konior, all my communication was directly with Dr. Konior himself. Dr. Konior answered all my questions as quickly and as in-depth as possible, without aggressively "wooing" me. He was simply upfront and gave it to me straight. However, it seemed as if Dr. Rahal's staff was too aggressive in their sales pitch (a lot of potential “discounts” etc) Not to mention, there was a repair case thread circulating at that time (I think the username was "Sean") that really rubbed me the wrong way. Nonetheless, I still do believe Dr. Rahal is a world-class surgeon.

 

Dr.s HASSON/WONG

 

Absolutely love their work, but they only offered FUT back then, if I recall correctly. Would choosing doctors who recently started FUE be a bad choice?

 

Dr.s PAUL/RON SHAPIRO

 

They were a close second on my list. Still heavily considering them.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Dr. Lorenzo was not keen on operating on me, perhaps due to my aggressive hair loss and my discontinuation of Propecia. Dr. Edrogan has produced some stellar results, but too many grafts for my liking. Is there anyone I am missing?

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

 

Considering I am way busier now than I was at the age of 24-26, I do not have the same amount of time to research these forums. Would selecting Dr. Konior, from the research/information I gathered in the past be a bad/emotional choice? Do you guys believe his FUE results are on par with others? Or, do you guys recommend I continue my research and consider some new doctors? I have practically researched on/off for the past 8 years, and have had consultations with almost all the doctors mentioned on this list. If money is not an issue, which it isn’t for me (thank god), who would you guys choose for a FUE hairline restoration amongst the doctors listed above? I apologize for the lengthy first post, but I would really appreciate any feedback/responses on any of my questions. Pictures will be posted sometime this week.

 

Thank you

[Ernie]

""Absolutely love their work, but they only offered FUT back then, if I recall correctly. Would choosing doctors who recently started FUE be a bad choice?""

 

...YES

[hsrp10]

Hey man, am reading your post while travelling a bit so just answering in partial.

 

Biotin and vitamin B are two supplements that can help your hair a lot.

I would add them to your routine. I'm not up to speed with all the Fin alternatives, but maybe look into Saw palmetto and nettle root etc.

 

As for Konior and FUE I was there a few days ago for small FUE procedure, and he told me currently his workload for FUT and FUE is now 50/50.

I've had two small FUE procedures with Dr. Bisanga and Dr. Konior is on the same level if not slightly higher in terms of extractions. Post op trauma with Dr. Konior is less for sure.

But he's booked until January 2018 so I'd either get on a waiting list and hope and pray or book your downtime/vacation one year in advance and book now. Also cost might be a real factor depending on how many grafts you need.

 

For other surgeons under the radar, I was the same as you late last year, I came back to the forum after some time off. Dr. Lupanzula, Dr. Keser, Dr. Maras are some names you can add to your list.

Dr. H in Turkey is one you might consider removing if you had considered (a former no brainer).

 

Here is one good forum thread on some FUE surgeons in Europe.

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/185092-best-affordable-place-surgery-europe.html

 

If you need a large number of grafts you may want to consider Erdogan in Turkey (be careful of the situation there though!) due to cost effectiveness with a lot of proven results on here.

Edited January 18, 2017 by hsrp10

[Progaine1]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

 

HSRP10, I will definitely look into those 2 two supplements.

 

It's great to hear that Konior's current workload is truly 50/50 FUT and FUE. I hope more of his FUE results are posted soon. As for the amount of grafts I need, the consensus is around 2500 grafts. But damn, a year from now is quite the wait lol, but I guess it will be worth it in the end. I have also looked at the other doctors you recommended, and I'm also impressed with their work, particularly Dr. Lupanzula.

 

I feel as if there are SO many potential doctors to choose from now ... the list was much shorter 5-6 years ago ... at least for me. In the end, I think I'm just going to trust my gut instinct, and years of research and go with Dr. Konior. Were you able to see any of his patient pictures and the FUE scarring? If so, how do you feel it stacks up against other top surgeons? Do you know the punch size that he utilizes? I think it was .9mm if I recall correctly. But yeah, I'll definitely be contacting his office sometime this week. Thanks once again!

[hsrp10]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

 

HSRP10, I will definitely look into those 2 two supplements.

 

It's great to hear that Konior's current workload is truly 50/50 FUT and FUE. I hope more of his FUE results are posted soon. As for the amount of grafts I need, the consensus is around 2500 grafts. But damn, a year from now is quite the wait lol, but I guess it will be worth it in the end. I have also looked at the other doctors you recommended, and I'm also impressed with their work, particularly Dr. Lupanzula.

 

I feel as if there are SO many potential doctors to choose from now ... the list was much shorter 5-6 years ago ... at least for me. In the end, I think I'm just going to trust my gut instinct, and years of research and go with Dr. Konior. Were you able to see any of his patient pictures and the FUE scarring? If so, how do you feel it stacks up against other top surgeons? Do you know the punch size that he utilizes? I think it was .9mm if I recall correctly. But yeah, I'll definitely be contacting his office sometime this week. Thanks once again!

 

Hey man,

 

He does get cancellations occasionally I guess, so getting on a waiting list plus actual booking date next year may be the best method.

I was in the same boat as well late last year, so many options and affordable ones these days it makes it harder to pull the trigger.

 

I've had two small FUE procedures with Dr. Bisanga in Belgium and Dr. Konior's extraction techniques are on par if not surpassing. Post surgery trauma and redness in donor is much less, honestly I didn't even know he was removing the grafts. While during the Bisanga procedure I could feel each one being extracted.

 

Dr. K used a .7mm punch on me but I have fine hair so he was able to go lower in my case. It will depend on your hair caliber and scalp characteristics.

[Progaine1]

Sounds good man, really appreciate all your reviews on this forum, it has helped me a lot.

[jcs87]

In a similar situation and considering a lot of the same docs as you. I think this is a pretty solid list if you're trying to stay North-America focused..

 

Konior is probably gonna be out of my price range though. I think Lupanzula is my current front-runner. Very solid results and not-terrible pricing

 

Good luck with the decision.

[milo12]

In a similar situation and considering a lot of the same docs as you.

 

Konior is probably gonna be out of my price range though. I think Lupanzula is my current front-runner. Very solid results and not-terrible pricing

.

 

Hello jcs87,

 

Believe it or not I am also in that same boat. I do not know which to choose from among Dr. Baubac, Dr. Lorenzo, Do. Dorin, and Dr. Hasson.

 

Would like density above all else. Which would you recommend based on my need?

[jcs87]

Hello jcs87,

 

Believe it or not I am also in that same boat. I do not know which to choose from among Dr. Baubac, Dr. Lorenzo, Do. Dorin, and Dr. Hasson.

 

Would like density above all else. Which would you recommend based on my need?

 

FUT or FUE?

 

How much do you care about price?

[milo12]

FUT or FUE?

 

 

Hi jcs,

 

Well that is the thing. When it come to FUT and FUE I want to know which is better for follicular survival. Recently I read that FUT may be better (although it is considered outdated by some clinics). So what is important to me is that grafts survive after extraction without dying post-op. What do you think?

[jcs87]

Hi jcs,

 

Well that is the thing. When it come to FUT and FUE I want to know which is better for follicular survival. Recently I read that FUT may be better (although it is considered outdated by some clinics). So what is important to me is that grafts survive after extraction without dying post-op. What do you think?

 

I'm still in the process of getting educated myself so I urge you to solicit other opinions and have consults with doctors. With that being said my impression is that with modern day FUE techniques the graft survival rates are pretty comparable to FUT (assuming you're utilizing a skilled FUE practitioner).

 

I was initially leaning FUT but after a lot of research I've switched my focus to FUE b/c I want to be able to wear my hair quite short and I don't want to deal with Fut's extended recovery time since I am quite an active person.

[milo12]

I'm still in the process of getting educated myself so I urge you to solicit other opinions and have consults with doctors. With that being said my impression is that with modern day FUE techniques the graft survival rates are pretty comparable to FUT (assuming you're utilizing a skilled FUE practitioner).

 

I was initially leaning FUT but after a lot of research I've switched my focus to FUE b/c I want to be able to wear my hair quite short and I don't want to deal with Fut's extended recovery time since I am quite an active person.

 

Hello jcs,

 

Do you now based on what you have researched if more follicles survive under FUT than those under FUE?