FUT + Scalp Laxity

[hairlossPA]

I think I am eyeing a FUT procedure in the near future (in the next 6months possibly). I've been testing my scalp laxity. It seems like the sides of my head give way more than the back of my head.

Is this common?

Is this a problem?

Will the doctors take a strip the width that is best for the sides or the back? can they adjust the strip as the go from the side of the head to the back?

I figure I am looking at a classic "end to end" strip from temple to temple. I'm starting to do some scalp exercises but I find it hard to get any torque on the back of my head to feel any significant stretch for the exercise, but maybe its just all in my head... pun intended lol

[TrixGlendevon]

They adjust it. Very few people, if any, will be the same all across their scalp. Do not worry! You are normal. Who are you looking at going with and why FUT over FUE?

[hairlossPA]

I had an online consult with H&W. Recommended 4500 grafts. 

 

I have an online consult with Rahal on Wednesday.

Getting FUT due to donor management concerns for future touch ups, and diffused thinning from hairline to crown. (and i like the idea of knocking a lot of it out in one shot) Probably headed towards a NW5-6. Honestly really nervous about getting FUT but i think i’m just getting inside my head about the scar. I do like to wear my hair short to a #2-3 guard on the side but if I need to wear it longer for the sake of the illusion of a full head of hair, I’ll deal with it.

 

I will post some pics later. I recently got on Fin 2 months ago.I wish i did years ago. I would be in a much better place. No sides so far. I would appreciate any kind advice to dealing with the thought of the scar. I look at Melvin’s FUE and wonder if I should take the longer route. I have a consult with Dr. Diep Sept 12th for the possibility of FUE

Edited August 7, 2018 by hairlossPA

[TrixGlendevon]

Do what I plan to do and just FUE the scar when you exhaust the donor for FUT procedures. You can also SMP the scar. Lots of options. 

[hairlossPA]

Yup that’s pretty much what I’ve been telling myself. I’ve seen great SMP into scars on shaved heads. Just read the horror posts of indented scars and such...

[TrixGlendevon]

Out of the ones you have mentioned, I would only go to H&W. Never seen a bad result and they are FUT specialists who also do great scars. I wish they were based in Europe. I would not go with Dr Diep. I have seen some things on this forum that make me think he is not ethical.

Edited August 7, 2018 by TrixGlendevon

[hairlossPA]

bump

[TrixGlendevon]

1 hour ago, hairlossPA said:

bump

What else do you want to know? Look on Youtube of the set-up for the surgery. The lines they draw on the scalp in the donor area for the strip extraction are not symmetrical. They draw them according to your laxity and to get the most amount of grafts out. 

[voxman]

3 hours ago, hairlossPA said:

bump

24 hours without a reply - that why the *bump* I guess.

I keep telling ya'll - this is not Instagram or FB where you get response in minutes.  Patience please.   

 

I recall back in the 19th century we had to write letters by hand and send them via courier that could take weeks for a reply! 

 

In fact I found this exchange just recently....

 

 

[Melvin- Admin]

You’ve been given some good advice, but laxity is a characteristic, while you can do excercises to help with laxity, it ultimately depends on your own physiology. 

When you have surgery, the doctor will check your laxity and adjust accordingly to how elastic your scalp is, remember not every patient can get 5,000 grafts in one sitting. I think we lose sight of this, just like not every patient can get 6,000 FUE grafts, it all comes down to several factors that not everyone is born with, hope that makes sense. 

Warm regards-Melvin

[Al - Moderator]

On 8/8/2018 at 12:17 PM, voxman said:

I recall back in the 19th century we had to write letters by hand and send them via courier that could take weeks for a reply!

We are not as old as you to remember back that far, Vox!  ?

[hairlossPA]

So after one of my online consultations, the surgeon decided it was not a good idea to proceed with a hair transplant at this time. He said there’s a high chance of shock loss with the diffused thinning i have on my scalp...

I admit I am not a blank canvas, but this is a little disheartening. Other clinics did not say anything about it. He said he could reevaluate me in a year. 

What will a year do? If my hair stays the same, i’m in the same position.

Should I get off fin and lose more hair so shock loss is less of a concern?

If my hair stays the same over a year (in on fin) i’ve waisted a whole year I could’ve tried a hair transplant.

Even if I had shockloss, there’s a chance it would grow back. and if the native hairs didn’t grow back, the transplanted hairs would be even better cause they’re thicker.

 

I need help

[hairlossPA]

[hairlossPA]

[Melvin- Admin]

I think the surgeons concerns are valid, you have a significant amount of hair left and you just started finasteride. If you respond well to the medication you may not need as many grafts as you think you need now. In addition, any weak hairs that are not stable now could become stable after a year and not be permanently lost due to shock loss. I think the surgeon is looking for your best interest and it would be easy for he/she to take your money and proceed with the surgery. In the meantime, I suggest investing in Toppik, now I used to be one of those guys who never ever tried toppik when I was balding. I thought it was fake and I would be found out or embarrassed.

Now I love the stuff, it has transformed my good transplant in to perfection. I mean I have a better head of hair now with Toppik than my friends who have never gone bald. You are a perfect candidate for Toppik, the horror stories occur when guys who are simply too bald try and use it.  Because your hair loss is diffuse, the surgeon does not want you to end up with a net gain or looking worse.