Doctor recommendations for dense packing crown

[deluxe_247]

Hi everyone,

I've gone through 1 hair transplant with Dr Cinik that you can see pictures from below, I am looking to get the crown filled in the next few months so wanted to get some recommendations for doctors and opinions on how much i'd need. I was leaning towards going with Eugenix based on price and reviews but i am open to looking around if there are people that can densely pack my crown area for a reasonable price.

 

[1978matt]

2000 maybe

[MichaelD]

I believe you would need 2000 - 2500. At least 2k, but it all depends on how much good donor you have left. Maybe utilize facial hair if your doctor likes that as an option to fill the crown out as well. Good luck!

[Sean]

In the range of 2000-2500 with a doctor that can plant without shocking neighboring hairs.   If you can hold off and use toppik or nanogen to cover up it may be better.  But if you need this then definitely evaluate doctors And ask them to see actual crown results.  Best of luck

[deluxe_247]

10 hours ago, Sean said:

In the range of 2000-2500 with a doctor that can plant without shocking neighboring hairs.   If you can hold off and use toppik or nanogen to cover up it may be better.  But if you need this then definitely evaluate doctors And ask them to see actual crown results.  Best of luck

Shocking neighboring hairs is what I was worried about, Eugenix has some decent results posted on their website but I was hoping you all could point me in the direction of some other doctors I could look into.

[aaron1234]

I'd be worried about shock loss.  Are you on fin?  The graft estimates are in the right ballpark, but I also notice you have some thinning in the midscalp in addition to the crown. 

[deluxe_247]

1 hour ago, aaron1234 said:

I'd be worried about shock loss.  Are you on fin?  The graft estimates are in the right ballpark, but I also notice you have some thinning in the midscalp in addition to the crown. 

I was on fin for about a year and am now on dutasteride the past 2 months, minoxdil twice a day, and microneedle 1.5mm once a week.

[Melvin- Admin]

Personally,

I think its best to treat with medicine, the crown will expand no doubt. You don’t want to be chasing crown loss with hair transplants.

[deluxe_247]

3 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Personally,

I think its best to treat with medicine, the crown will expand no doubt. You don’t want to be chasing crown loss with hair transplants.

That's pretty disheartening to hear, I think I've made decent progress from where I was a year ago and was hoping to be able to knock this last part out. Im assuming by "the crown will expand no doubt" you are assuming my hair loss will progress? I feel like I have stabilized, these pictures are from a year ago. I figured if I'm willing to spend the money there must be a doctor that can go into this area without causing much/any shock loss. Of course price is a factor but I'm hoping to get some options with everyone's help here.

[Mycroft]

3 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Personally,

I think its best to treat with medicine, the crown will expand no doubt. You don’t want to be chasing crown loss with hair transplants.

Since he's already had one transplant for the frontal/mid scalp I don't think it would be unreasonable for him to consider some light crown coverage as he's already addressed the front half of his head to some degree.

However, since he just started Dutasteride two months ago I agree that he should give it 12 months minimum to see if it gives him any additional improvements. He's already had 4700 grafts FUE moved and he doesn't mention what his remaining donor availability was estimated at.

@deluxe_247 did Dr. Cinik give you a ballpark idea of how much is left in your donor? If we are being honest the crown area looks pretty large and dense packing such a big area, especially after you've already had so many grafts moved, is likely not on the table. But maybe you have an exceptional donor area.

[deluxe_247]

4 minutes ago, Mycroft said:

Since he's already had one transplant for the frontal/mid scalp I don't think it would be unreasonable for him to consider some light crown coverage as he's already addressed the front half of his head to some degree.

However, since he just started Dutasteride two months ago I agree that he should give it 12 months minimum to see if it gives him any additional improvements. He's already had 4700 grafts FUE moved and he doesn't mention what his remaining donor availability was estimated at.

@deluxe_247 did Dr. Cinik give you a ballpark idea of how much is left in your donor? If we are being honest the crown area looks pretty large and dense packing such a big area, especially after you've already had so many grafts moved, is likely not on the table. But maybe you have an exceptional donor area.

He did not give me specifics besides my donor looks really good pre operation, I would say personally my donor is still good. I have thick dark black hair, I also have an insane amount of beard hair available. (cinik took some of the 4700 from my beard also) I think my biggest concern thats also been touched on here is shock loss. A inexperienced doctor/tech could kill a bunch of hairs already there if they get too close right? Here's a pic of my donor and beard area.

[Melvin- Admin]

18 minutes ago, deluxe_247 said:

That's pretty disheartening to hear, I think I've made decent progress from where I was a year ago and was hoping to be able to knock this last part out. Im assuming by "the crown will expand no doubt" you are assuming my hair loss will progress? I feel like I have stabilized, these pictures are from a year ago. I figured if I'm willing to spend the money there must be a doctor that can go into this area without causing much/any shock loss. Of course price is a factor but I'm hoping to get some options with everyone's help here.

It’s fair to say it will progress, how fast we don’t know. If you’re on dut, it will probably a while before it progresses. Of course, no one knows for certain. From what I’ve read you’ve been on it for two months, give it some time. At least a year, then you’ll know for sure how many grafts you’ll really need. 
 

The problem with getting surgery and taking medication simultaneously without waiting- is that you won’t know the real results of the procedure. The result may be due to the medication and not the procedure. You may also be unnecessarily using grafts when you could’ve waited and assessed the area better. 

[Doron Harati]

The crown may expand, but maybe some grafts can be implant on some of the middle scalp, if you want I rep HDC clinic with Dr. Maras and Dr. Christina, can give you free consultant on private.

These is an exaple of a crown job by us:

 

 

[Sean]

On 10/13/2020 at 11:40 AM, deluxe_247 said:

Shocking neighboring hairs is what I was worried about, Eugenix has some decent results posted on their website but I was hoping you all could point me in the direction of some other doctors I could look into.

Honestly, I’d love to point you in the right direction.  But here is the thing- right now it is a 50/50 gamble.  I have to be honest with you.  If you get hairs transplanted in a zone where there are hairs thinning and low in density, the doctors will take your money.  Then when the 12 month growth time frame comes, you will see minimal to minor result, unlike the one the doctor previously got you excited about or promised.  Then you will ask on this forum, my result is the way it is and not expected— you will hear this-  oh you probably lost the other thinning Native hairs and thats why you do not see any distinct changes.  If anything, you may be told if you hadn’t done anything then you may not have any hair there at all.  The doctor would probably say he or she did what you asked but you lost hair, and reality money as well.
 

these type of stories happen quite often.  
i really wish there is a better way to target this but in all honesty, keep putting nanogen or fibers till you can and continue medicine.  When that loss in crown is getting shiny and progressed to a completely bald area, then consider another evaluation.  I am telling you, with weak native hairs you are risking permanent shockloss and unnecessary transection with transplanted grafts.
 

i am telling you as an ongoing repair patient, my life has been impacted negatively and i am chasing repairs as the repair doctor could not deliver.  I am left hanging by doctors.  One doctor wanted a way out of their mistakes that led me and my scalp towards harm, the other stopped personal correspondence when theIr repair and assurances seemed to fail.   I am left hanging trying to get out of this harm and puzzle.
 

one thing i realized is to be careful.  I have a similar headshape and issues as you, and even hair type.  So, i know this may turn out negatively and i am urging you to try to be patient and try to fight it with other tools until your native hair does progress.  Each time your scalp is impacted, it creates scar tissue.  And each time you may have harder time gaining yield as doctors keep impacting the same area within that scar tissue.  So it is better to wait and let the area get slick bald (crown that is).  That will help you yield better growth and prevent permanent shockloss.  
 

i cant stress that enough.  I am trying to genuinely inform, where some doctors fail to inform.  The last thing i want is for anyone to face what I face and to go through the pain I do on a day to day basis.  Do not fall for any hype or promise or promise of being a showcase result by any doctor.  Soch samaj ke karo.  Be safe

 

Wish you all the best 

[deluxe_247]

13 minutes ago, Sean said:

Honestly, I’d love to point you in the right direction.  But here is the thing- right now it is a 50/50 gamble.  I have to be honest with you.  If you get hairs transplanted in a zone where there are hairs thinning and low in density, the doctors will take your money.  Then when the 12 month growth time frame comes, you will see minimal to minor result, unlike the one the doctor previously got you excited about or promised.  Then you will ask on this forum, my result is the way it is and not expected— you will hear this-  oh you probably lost the other thinning Native hairs and thats why you do not see any distinct changes.  If anything, you may be told if you hadn’t done anything then you may not have any hair there at all.  The doctor would probably say he or she did what you asked but you lost hair, and reality money as well.
 

these type of stories happen quite often.  
i really wish there is a better way to target this but in all honesty, keep putting nanogen or fibers till you can and continue medicine.  When that loss in crown is getting shiny and progressed to a completely bald area, then consider another evaluation.  I am telling you, with weak native hairs you are risking permanent shockloss and unnecessary transection with transplanted grafts.
 

i am telling you as an ongoing repair patient, my life has been impacted negatively and i am chasing repairs as the repair doctor could not deliver.  I am left hanging by doctors.  One doctor wanted a way out of their mistakes that led me and my scalp towards harm, the other stopped personal correspondence when theIr repair and assurances seemed to fail.   I am left hanging trying to get out of this harm and puzzle.
 

one thing i realized is to be careful.  I have a similar headshape and issues as you, and even hair type.  So, i know this may turn out negatively and i am urging you to try to be patient and try to fight it with other tools until your native hair does progress.  Each time your scalp is impacted, it creates scar tissue.  And each time you may have harder time gaining yield as doctors keep impacting the same area within that scar tissue.  So it is better to wait and let the area get slick bald (crown that is).  That will help you yield better growth and prevent permanent shockloss.  
 

i cant stress that enough.  I am trying to genuinely inform, where some doctors fail to inform.  The last thing i want is for anyone to face what I face and to go through the pain I do on a day to day basis.  Do not fall for any hype or promise or promise of being a showcase result by any doctor.  Soch samaj ke karo.  Be safe

 

Wish you all the best 

I appreciate your honesty and taking the time to write out such a lengthy post, you mention waiting for it to go slick bald. I know long term things can change but it seems like my crown is improving if you look at some of the pictures i posted. Not enough to cover it of course and I doubt it will get to that point, but it seems to me that I've stabilized my loss. Would like to get some opinions on this, I know It might seem like I'm just pushing to get the answer I want to hear at this point but I really do want to make an informed and smart decision.

Basically I want to push to get the crown filled because 1. After around 18 months on dht blocking medication (12-14 months finasteride, now dutasteride) + being very diligent with minoxidil and microneedling I've not just stabilized my loss but have been making small improvements in my crown area. Say it takes the 2500 grafts to fill it in nicely, but I lose existing hairs due to permanent shock loss, could I not mitigate that risk by 1. using a skilled doctor 2. going to 3000 or another higher number of grafts to account for expected loss?

To be honest since ive been able to hide most of my hair loss except for my crown it has always been a real hit to my self esteem, which i'm sure is something a lot of people here can relate to or why else would we be here which is why i'm being as persistent as I am. @Melvin-Moderator

[Mycroft]

Before you start thinking in hypothetical numbers you should get a doctor to do an in person evaluation of your donor. Without knowing that you don't even really know what your options are to start with.

Having said that, I'm going to reiterate that you should stay on Dutasteride at least 12 months before even considering another procedure.

[deitel130]

Looks like you had 4700 grafts in 2019 which was implanted between existing hair. Seems like you covered the front and mid scalp with that and based on pics I didn't notice any shock loss to the existing hair. How come you are worried about shock loss to the crown? Do you feel you permanently shocked out native hair from your first procedure? To me it doesn't seem like you did.

Are you also planning on adding more density to the front which worries you or are you happy with the front and just concerned about shock loss to crown?

[deluxe_247]

3 hours ago, deitel130 said:

Looks like you had 4700 grafts in 2019 which was implanted between existing hair. Seems like you covered the front and mid scalp with that and based on pics I didn't notice any shock loss to the existing hair. How come you are worried about shock loss to the crown? Do you feel you permanently shocked out native hair from your first procedure? To me it doesn't seem like you did.

Are you also planning on adding more density to the front which worries you or are you happy with the front and just concerned about shock loss to crown?

I actually wasn’t aware of permanent shock loss due to implanted hairs damaging existing hairs when i had the other procedure. I feel like it could be an issue since i really want the crown to look dense if possible. I am happy with the front and hope to leave it as is but I understand while my hairloss has stabilized with drugs it might be something to consider in the long term future. 

my main hope is that i can find a doctor or clinic that is skilled at working in areas with existing hairs. I feel a majority of work is hairlines where it isn’t as much as a concern.

[deitel130]

I myself am unsure about permanent shockloss and was advised it can happen. Which country are you located in? Would be best to go with a referred clinic

[deluxe_247]

25 minutes ago, deitel130 said:

I myself am unsure about permanent shockloss and was advised it can happen. Which country are you located in? Would be best to go with a referred clinic

California, USA. From what i've read surgeons here are expensive + mediocre so I assumed i'd have to travel. Trying to find the right balance of skill, experience + cost. Right now I'm looking at Eugenix in India, it seems like the hands down best if money was no object are in Europe but I'm trying to stay reasonably cost effective. 

[Nugget]

On 10/14/2020 at 9:32 PM, Melvin-Moderator said:

Personally,

I think its best to treat with medicine, the crown will expand no doubt. You don’t want to be chasing crown loss with hair transplants.

Really? I'm planning to do my first HT but focusing on the crown first. You don't advise? Also looking like with Dr. Bisanga....

[deluxe_247]

6 hours ago, Nugget said:

Really? I'm planning to do my first HT but focusing on the crown first. You don't advise? Also looking like with Dr. Bisanga....

I think the idea is it's a bad idea to do a crown transplant without having your loss stabilized, if you fill in the crown and then you progressively lose hair past the crown it's going to look weird.