Starting to question if I’m doing the right thing…

[Otis james]

Hi lads. 

 

I need some help! I’m booked With Bruno Pinto, early next year, with the likelihood that I can fill a cancellation later on this year. All good. Great Surgeon! 

 

I’m 39 and have long hair. I’m a musician. My hair is important to me (shock!) I have a thin hairline which I hate. By most peoples standards, it’s probably fine. 

Im now starting to question I’m doing the right thing. My expectations are that I can, once again, have a stronger, dense hairline and wear my hair off my face. Something I can’t currently do with confidence. 

Below are some pics, in different lightning, at various lengths. . The black and white one is from 7 years ago the rest are all from the last 18 months…. 

Maybe I should just accept it. Accept that I should just wear my hair forward and that my hair can’t do what it did 7 years ago! 

 

Thanks for your time, lads! I just feel like it’s decision time really… 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2023 by Otis james

[StillAlive]

To be honest, it looks pretty great for your age. No one in their right minds would call you bald and it does not seem unsightly at all. You really have a hairline. 

Have you played around with hairstyles? Shaving the sides and wearing a slickback undercut could do wonders for your image.

Any surgery also carries the risk of shock loss to your healthy hair, of which you still have plenty. If my hair looked like yours at 39 I wouldn't even consider a procedure. 

[mr_peanutbutter]

start medication

[Otis james]

1 minute ago, mr_peanutbutter said:

start medication

Been on it for a few years…. 

[Otis james]

3 minutes ago, StillAlive said:

To be honest, it looks pretty great for your age. No one in their right minds would call you bald and it does not seem unsightly at all. You really have a hairline. 

Have you played around with hairstyles? Shaving the sides and wearing a slickback undercut could do wonders for your image.

Any surgery also carries the risk of shock loss to your healthy hair, of which you still have plenty. If my hair looked like yours at 39 I wouldn't even consider a procedure. 

Of course, I know many wouldn’t bother. I can only judge it by my own previous hair. I’ve had many hairstyles. It’s always looked best, back and off my face. A style I’ve become self conscious to wear, Even shorter. I wear a fedora hat slot of the time. Especially when performing. I can wear it forward, but it’s a less flattering look as I have a small face. It closes me in! 

[StillAlive]

Man it's about accepting the ravages of time as well. You gotta stay realistic and only compare yourself to fellow 40 year olds, not 22 year old werewolves. 

I got my HT at 40 because I hated not having a hairline or the frontal third of my hair. My face was distorted. Now that it's back in place, I'm at peace. We'll never get back the hair of our youth -or youth itself- but we CAN live fairly magnificently with some small compromises

If I were you, I'd stay on the meds and not get an HT. The results will be unpredictable. Maybe you'll go full werewolf, you are certainly a good candidate with minimal loss at 40, but there is always the chance of some unforeseen failure, even with the best surgeon in the world. 

[mr_peanutbutter]

18 minutes ago, Otis james said:

Been on it for a few years…. 

in that case and if you are stable i dont see any reasons why you shouldnt do it

[mr_peanutbutter]

26 minutes ago, StillAlive said:

To be honest, it looks pretty great for your age. No one in their right minds would call you bald and it does not seem unsightly at all. You really have a hairline. 

Have you played around with hairstyles? Shaving the sides and wearing a slickback undercut could do wonders for your image.

Any surgery also carries the risk of shock loss to your healthy hair, of which you still have plenty. If my hair looked like yours at 39 I wouldn't even consider a procedure. 

i know his pain though, i think the biggest issue is the „diffuse thinning“ in the hairline. i have the same issue a bit and i shave those hairs off, even though my „hairline“ is abit more receeded this way, it looks better, especially styled back

[Berik]

Have you tried dutasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin, microneedling etc? What's your current regiment?

[Otis james]

6 minutes ago, mr_peanutbutter said:

i know his pain though, i think the biggest issue is the „diffuse thinning“ in the hairline. i have the same issue a bit and i shave those hairs off, even though my „hairline“ is abit more receeded this way, it looks better, especially styled back

You are exactly right, mate. I really wish I’d receded more in the corners but kept a strong hairline. Know what I mean? I hate that I’ve not really receded, instead my whole hairline has gone thin and further back! My forehead looks massive, with a small face.. ages me terribly too. 
I have friends who have much worse recession, but they have a strong hairline and a smaller forehead.. looks strong and manly. Mine is just rubbish!  

Edited April 3, 2023 by Otis james

[mr_peanutbutter]

1 minute ago, Otis james said:

You are exactly right, mate. I really wish I’d receded more in the corners but kept a strong hairline. Know what I mean? I hate that I’ve not really receded, instead my whole hairline has gone thin and further back! My forehead looks massive, with a small face.. ages me terribly too. 

if i were id get a transplant, given  yoir hairloss is stable

 

id consider fut though as a fut + fue combination grants you like 1k-2k more grafts during your lifetime. 

 

sincr you wear long hair the linear scar shouldnt be a problem at all

[Rawkerboi]

You are into medications and  approaching the age of  40.

Your Hair Loss is not aggressive and you have done your research regarding HT. 

You have selected excellent doctor too so why be confused? 

Just go for it

How many grafts did Dr. Recommended? 

[Big Rome]

2 hours ago, Otis james said:

Hi lads. 

 

I need some help! I’m booked With Bruno Pinto, early next year, with the likelihood that I can fill a cancellation later on this year. All good. Great Surgeon! 

 

I’m 39 and have long hair. I’m a musician. My hair is important to me (shock!) I have a thin hairline which I hate. By most peoples standards, it’s probably fine. 

Im now starting to question I’m doing the right thing. My expectations are that I can, once again, have a stronger, dense hairline and wear my hair off my face. Something I can’t currently do with confidence. 

Below are some pics, in different lightning, at various lengths. . The black and white one is from 7 years ago the rest are all from the last 18 months…. 

Maybe I should just accept it. Accept that I should just wear my hair forward and that my hair can’t do what it did 7 years ago! 

 

Thanks for your time, lads! I just feel like it’s decision time really… 

 

 

 

 

did you not want any temple work? 

[Otis james]

6 minutes ago, Rawkerboi said:

You are into medications and  approaching the age of  40.

Your Hair Loss is not aggressive and you have done your research regarding HT. 

You have selected excellent doctor too so why be confused? 

Just go for it

How many grafts did Dr. Recommended? 

I’m not really sure why I’m confused! I feel a bit guilty really! Because my situation is nowhere near as bad as most. Sone people on here say you should be at the end of your tether before doing Surgery. 
 

Pinto has suggested 1800 grafts to rebuild my hairline. I’ve had estimates of between 1100 - 2300 from other doctors. I’m happy with 1800. It may change on the day, of course… 

[Otis james]

4 minutes ago, Big Rome said:

did you not want any temple work? 

Well, it has crossed my mind, yes… I take it from your question that you think it might be something I should do? 
Maybe temples are in the plan? I’m not sure! 1800 grafts is the estimate….

[Big Rome]

22 minutes ago, Otis james said:

Well, it has crossed my mind, yes… I take it from your question that you think it might be something I should do? 
Maybe temples are in the plan? I’m not sure! 1800 grafts is the estimate….

no sorry didn’t mean it in that way, I’m in the process of booking flights for my consultation with him June this year and I would like temple work doing myself so wondered if he mentioned it to you during the consultation that’s all, I will be sure to raise it  

[Melvin- Admin]

Dr. Pinto is one of the best in the business. You’ve obviously done your research. What are your expectations? I get your a musician, but realistically you’re almost 40. Having a juvenile hairline isn’t realistic in my opinion.

[Otis james]

16 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Dr. Pinto is one of the best in the business. You’ve obviously done your research. What are your expectations? I get you’re a musician, but realistically you’re almost 40. Having a juvenile hairline isn’t realistic in my opinion.

Bring a musician isn’t really relative! In fact, I’m not sure why I said it…. Just a bit of background! One thing though, mate, there are musicians in their 40’s!!! Quite a few, in fact. Sone are I their 50’s too! 
I certainly do t want a juvenile hairline. I want some recession but maybe a slight lowering. Just loose the thinned look really… that realistic? 

[Melvin- Admin]

1 minute ago, Otis james said:

Bring a musician isn’t really relative! In fact, I’m not sure why I said it…. Just a bit of background! One thing though, mate, there are musicians in their 40’s!!! Quite a few, in fact. Sone are I their 50’s too! 
I certainly do t want a juvenile hairline. I want some recession but maybe a slight lowering. Just loose the thinned look really… that realistic? 

Yes, definitely realistic. You can achieve a good hairline. You’re choosing an excellent surgeon as well.

[Al - Moderator]

You have enough hair loss where it would be worth doing it and getting a nice improvement. You appear to be a good candidate as far as donor hair, age, loss progression, and being on meds. Your goals and expectations seem to be realistic. Sounds OK to me.

 

[deeznuts]

I mean everyone wonders if it's worth it. I ended up getting mine done a week ago. I'm still not sure if it's the right choice but i want to be able to style my hair like i used to and do things i couldn't do before. 

You're a really good candidate given that you're 39 and aren't losing it all too fast. You'll need to hop on meds either way so give it a go and save yourself the trouble of starting after surgery like me... 

[Gatsby]

You have good hair for 40. Also probably due to the intelligent use of meds you’ve kept it for longer. Just bare in mind once you start surgery you are committed. You need a plan for life as MPB is progressive but you have done a great job at keeping your hair at the same time. You’ve chosen an excellent surgeon. All the best. 

[Otis james]

2 hours ago, Gatsby said:

You have good hair for 40. Also probably due to the intelligent use of meds you’ve kept it for longer. Just bear in mind once you start surgery you are committed. You need a plan for life as MPB is progressive but you have done a great job at keeping your hair at the same time. You’ve chosen an excellent surgeon. All the best. 

Thanks, mate. Yes, I expect to have to get more work done, down the line. Looking at my father, who is 67, the top of his head is thin now. Similar to what my hairline is, if it keeps going…. If that makes sense. He’s never been on medication for it. Nothing is a given, but I’m assuming I may go in a similar fashion! 
 

if anyone cares to mock up a rough hairline, on any of my pictures, I’m open to your ideas…. The blue line, on one pic, is what Pinto has very loosely suggested… am wondering about temples though a bit…

[Melvin- Admin]

This is a very ROUGH drawing, temple points a little less pronounced on the right, but you get the idea

[Otis james]

18 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

This is a very ROUGH drawing, temple points a little less pronounced on the right, but you get the idea

that looks pretty aggressive to me, no? Quite like it though! Would need more that 1800 grafts too, wouldn’t it?