Planning for HT - Need Advice

[Manifest]

Hi all,

 

I have been lurking in the forums since forever. I am 31 this year and have been losing my hair since I was 18 or 19 years old.

 

Recently, I have consulted with a few surgeons; Dr. Koray Erdogan, Dr. Bhatti, and Dr. Cinik.

 

I have been quoted from 2500 grafts to 3500grafts by both Dr. Bhatti and Dr. Cinik.

 

However, I was frankly surprised when Dr. Erdogan concluded that I was not a good candidate for HT, as I have lower donor capacity after I couldn't provide pictures with long hair. I am fearful now; that is it really the case? or is it merely a convenient conclusion because I couldn't provide pictures of myself in hair long for a proper analysis.

 

Therefore, it would be great if anyone here can give their opinion based on my pictures. Btw, I had SMP done on my hairline and frontal portion of my scalp. Hence, the shaved look.

 

Thank you to all of you in advanced!

[JayLDD]

Very strange donor thinning pattern. Never seen anything like it. I wouldn't have accepted either looking at it.

[Manifest]

I've just received a reply from Dr. Koray's assistant, informing me that although my hair is visibly thick, the hair per cm square is low.

 

I've done a little research, and I think this is consistent with Asians, i.e. thick and coarse hair but lesser hair per cm square.

 

Now, I can't even tell whether the donor area is thinning (if you look closely, the hairs are still thick) because prior to having shaved my hair almost 2 years ago, the back of my head had no thinning and was very thick.

[JayLDD]

I've just received a reply from Dr. Koray's assistant, informing me that although my hair is visibly thick, the hair per cm square is low.

 

I've done a little research, and I think this is consistent with Asians, i.e. thick and coarse hair but lesser hair per cm square.

 

Now, I can't even tell whether the donor area is thinning (if you look closely, the hairs are still thick) because prior to having shaved my hair almost 2 years ago, the back of my head had no thinning and was very thick.

 

Obvious patches of lower density below the crown and strange lines of higher density in between. Easily visible in the thumbnails too.

[JayLDD]

Obvious patches of lower density below the crown and strange lines of higher density in between. Easily visible in the thumbnails too.

[pkipling]

The thinning pattern is definitely strange, and I see why there would be concern. If I were you, I would reach back out to Bhatti and Cinik and explain that you were told by Dr. Erdogan that you weren't a good candidate and why. Then see what they have to say in response to that and if they can offer concrete reasons as to why they disagree with his assessment. I'd be interested to see if they understand his concern but think they can work around it, or if they disagree completely. Then you can reevaluate once you have their more detailed opinions on the matter.

[mattj]

It's best to have longer hair for use in consultation photos. It makes judging donor much better - In fact it makes judging the recipient area better too.

 

 

You do appear to have quite expansive hair loss throughout, including in your donor area. I did notice the SMP. Frankly I don't think you should go ahead with a transplant. Your probably have more hairloss in your future and even in the best hands, the improvement from an HT won't be mind-blowing.

 

 

 

If I were you, I would buzz it and own it. I know that's easy to say from the position of someone with hair, but I think most people would agree with me. Perhaps look into improving the SMP. I think that better work can be done.

[Manifest]

Hi all,

 

Thank you for your input.

 

I think I will have to probably visit a local HT surgeon for an initial consultation to determine whether I am indeed thinning at the back - re: the weird patterns of high density and low density at the donor area.

 

Interestingly, having deliberately felt the back of my head and by look closely at the mirrors, the high density areas are where I have raised "flaps of skin" at the back of my head.

 

Well, this is disheartening - but I'll see where my options lead me to.

[Manifest]

I dug these pictures out, just to give a little perspective into my hair characteristics.

 

I wore a hairpiece - hence the long sides. This is how dense my hair is when grown out, and it is the same at the back. Well, I could have thinned out much more in 1 year, I don't know.

 

I am on finasteride and minoxidil for 3 months now, and can confirm that the frontal areas of my hair have experienced some thickening.