Is It Too Early For A Hair Transplant?

[Undecided]

Dear Everyone,

I am very happy, i have discovered this forum. Previously, I had not realized, what grave consequences a botched hair transplants can have for the life of affected patients.

I am 40, Norwood 2 or 2A and I have attached a couple of pictures. I have been using Finasterid for about 15 years and Minoxidil on the temples for about 8 years. Despite the medications, my hair is receding slowly and it has reached a point, where it annoys me. Until last week, I was very resolved to get a hair transplant to even out my receding hairline, increase density at the hairline and to lower the hairline a bit.

However, since I came across this forum, I have started to question my decision: it seems like many on this forum have had grave problems with their transplants. I do realize that many people who write in this forums had lost much more hair prior to their surgeries than I have, so their surgeries might have been much more complicated than mine would be. Also, it seems many posters had surgeries a couple of decades ago.

Still, after reading through the threads, I wonder, whether a hair transplant is right for me. After reading through the posts I realized, that I would have to go back for surgery in ten years or so, when hair behind the transplants will start to fall out. I could imagine, this would look quite strange. I was wondering, what your thoughts are: is a surgery right for me at this time or is it too early?

I currently live in Sydney and would like to have the surgery performed here. Who would be a good doctor in Sydney? I am considering Ray Woods. Are there other doctors in or around Sydney that deliver reliably good results?

 

[spring15]

You're more NW3 I would say. Looks like your crown is in tact and finasteride/minoxidil has stabilized your lost for the most part, you'd be a great candidate for a transplant I'd say.

Might be worth looking overseas for a more renowned surgeon too

 

[JeanLucBB]

Ray Woods is the most overpriced surgeon IN THE WORLD. Australian surgeons are scum and should be avoided at all costs. Actually scrap that; MUST be avoided. If you can afford Woods, go to Rahal or Hassan + Wong.

 

[JeanLucBB]

Also hair transplants don't "fall out" unless the doctor was stupid enough to take from the DHT affected zone.

 

[michel sapin]

so you don't apply minoxidil to your crown? prpecia maitain you crown for 15 years ? great result man .
What was your norwood when you started 15 years ago?

 

[DoctorHouse]

Dear Everyone,

I am very happy, i have discovered this forum. Previously, I had not realized, what grave consequences a botched hair transplants can have for the life of affected patients.

I am 40, Norwood 2 or 2A and I have attached a couple of pictures. I have been using Finasterid for about 15 years and Minoxidil on the temples for about 8 years. Despite the medications, my hair is receding slowly and it has reached a point, where it annoys me. Until last week, I was very resolved to get a hair transplant to even out my receding hairline, increase density at the hairline and to lower the hairline a bit.

However, since I came across this forum, I have started to question my decision: it seems like many on this forum have had grave problems with their transplants. I do realize that many people who write in this forums had lost much more hair prior to their surgeries than I have, so their surgeries might have been much more complicated than mine would be. Also, it seems many posters had surgeries a couple of decades ago.

Still, after reading through the threads, I wonder, whether a hair transplant is right for me. After reading through the posts I realized, that I would have to go back for surgery in ten years or so, when hair behind the transplants will start to fall out. I could imagine, this would look quite strange. I was wondering, what your thoughts are: is a surgery right for me at this time or is it too early?

I currently live in Sydney and would like to have the surgery performed here. Who would be a good doctor in Sydney? I am considering Ray Woods. Are there other doctors in or around Sydney that deliver reliably good results?

In photo 3, your hair looks great from that angle. I have a similar pattern to you and I still have not pulled the trigger either. If you are going to have a transplant I would go with the best person for hairlines. I really think Rahal or Erdogan are the best for that. Rahal is my number one choice. For almost more than half the price, you can go with Erdogan. You must have started as a NW1.5 approaching a NW2A. I think my loss is less than yours( I am older than you) and mine has been receding slowly on my 11 year on finasteride. Do you have a photo of your hairline pulled back with your hands? I think you might be slightly beyond a NW2A.

 

[JeanLucBB]

In photo 3, your hair looks great from that angle. I have a similar pattern to you and I still have not pulled the trigger either. If you are going to have a transplant I would go with the best person for hairlines. I really think Rahal or Erdogan are the best for that. Rahal is my number one choice. For almost more than half the price, you can go with Erdogan. You must have started as a NW1.5 approaching a NW2A. I think my loss is less than yours( I am older than you) and mine has been receding slowly on my 11 year on finasteride. Do you have a photo of your hairline pulled back with your hands? I think you might be slightly beyond a NW2A.

Don't go to Erdogan the waiting list is long enough as it is.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Don't go to Erdogan the waiting list is long enough as it is.

He has waited this long so what is another year or so? I would wait.

 

[jetlife1]

WOW man your hair looks pretty damn good for your age. How does your hair now compared to when you started treatments? If you have pictures from before, could you please share? It is normal to not have a perfect hairline for men your age, but your hair really isn't that bad. If you get a hair transplant, you could probably go back to NW1 easily.

 

[Pequod]

If you get anything it would have to be a new hairline, and only go to a hairline specialist because those are the easiest to screw up. I wouldn't touch any of the existing coverage for density because you might risk shock loss.

 

[shookwun]

Problem with most turkish surgeons are they will take anyone, even if that involves over harvesting your precious donor.


They recklessly quote thousands of grafts, which makes me hesitant.



North American surgeons are not hurting for clientele, and do what's in there best interest for you. Even if that involves turning you away.




When I went with Rahal he was very precise, realistic and conservative towards his approach. Taking in consideration my age, donor capacity, and what I have for future procedures.



Look at that Hakan in Turkey, to many issues, and cases around him lately. Techs doing extractions, and messing up peoples donors. Of course you only see the best cases, doctors only highlight there best work.

Techs should NEVER do the surgery alone, but only assist in distributing and implanting under doctor supervision.

 

[Undecided]

Everyone, thank you so much for your replies! This has been very helpful indeed. I am sorry, I am only now getting back on the forum, I was away last week.
For those, that have asked, what my hair looked like, when i started Finasteride: my hairline was the same shape, but generally lower and the recessions at the temple were less pronounced. I will try to find a picture.
Indeed, like many of you wrote, my concern is mostly the hairline, which has become a bit ragged over the past 2 years or so. I first noticed it about a year ago.
From your comments and also from reading through other threads, I get the impression that Australian surgeons do not have the best of reputations. Why is that? And do you know of a good surgeon, who specializes in hairlines in Europe?

 

[JeanLucBB]

Everyone, thank you so much for your replies! This has been very helpful indeed. I am sorry, I am only now getting back on the forum, I was away last week.
For those, that have asked, what my hair looked like, when i started Finasteride: my hairline was the same shape, but generally lower and the recessions at the temple were less pronounced. I will try to find a picture.
Indeed, like many of you wrote, my concern is mostly the hairline, which has become a bit ragged over the past 2 years or so. I first noticed it about a year ago.
From your comments and also from reading through other threads, I get the impression that Australian surgeons do not have the best of reputations. Why is that? And do you know of a good surgeon, who specializes in hairlines in Europe?

Cost of labor in Australia is extremely high (expensive nurses + technicians), barriers to entry in terms of clinic insurance, cosmetic surgeon license and check up costs for health and safety standards are also outrageous. This means less people interested in the profession because barriers to entry are so high, this means less competition + less training opportunity which = higher prices + lower standards.

The small amount of Aussie surgeons will charge the highest prices in the world not because of quality, but because there are a select amount of pussies that refuse to travel overseas for cosmetic surgery, this means prices are inelastic and they can effectively charge ANYTHING and a select group will still go to them, despite awful results and insane costs.

Erdogan does the best hairlines in terms of FUE in my opinion in Europe.

 

[shookwun]

I do believe you're a good candidate.

Shave the head, reinforce areas around the entire head, and construct the frontal third more aesthetically.

bring out the temple points, and add density along the hairline.

 

[DoctorHouse]

I do believe you're a good candidate.

Shave the head, reinforce areas around the entire head, and construct the frontal third more aesthetically.

bring out the temple points, and add density along the hairline.

Shook, how many grafts do you think he would need?

 

[shookwun]

Shook, how many grafts do you think he would need?

2000 would be good.

Reinforce all areas, and bring down the hairline 1/4 inch.

 

[DoctorHouse]

2000 would be good.

Reinforce all areas, and bring down the hairline 1/4 inch.

I guess that I need to still keep waiting then. My hair is actually better than his still so in my case it might be too early.

 

[Dench57]

I guess that I need to still keep waiting then. My hair is actually better than his still so in my case it might be too early.

Why wait?

 

[DoctorHouse]

Why wait?

Because I only want to go to Rahal and he makes you shave your head. Erdogan is my second choice but I don't really want to go to Turkey but the "price is right". I still may change my mind about that. I am not going to shave my head for a small FUE session. Don't want to do long hair(non shaven) as you are not going to get as good of a results.

And not only that but when I tell anyone I want one they tell me why? You don't need one. Your hair is fine. Actually on here, the only ones who would say I need one is people with BDD or "perfectionists". So it is not going to make a huge difference for me or my life. As long as I can hold on to what I have for a few more years, I might have better options.

 

[shookwun]

I guess that I need to still keep waiting then. My hair is actually better than his still so in my case it might be too early.

I am starting to realise why FUT is the gold standard, and the best approach. Especially for first time goers.


Strip hrvesting is the best way to utilize, and maximize graft count. Once you reach maximum scalp laxcity to the point where you cannot obtain any more harvests, we will then exert all grafts that are FUE related.


Problem with FUE is the potential to over harvest where as FUT tends to be minimal. Under the right surgeons hands, a nearly undetectable scar will be formed.

With Rahal, I am able to have a low fade, and #2 grade around the scar. Pencil thin line.



I been doing a lot of reading lately, and only now realising why FUT is all around the best way to go, especially for young people like myself.


If you look at a lot of work done by most FUE surgeons, 2/3 of the grafts on average are taken out of non-permanent zones. Which is okay if you are not likely to go over a NW4, but those on the advanced scale are in trouble.


When we look at the FUE extract zones, it can be seen as high risk, low risk, high risk. FUT grafts are all harvested in ONE region, and ONE scar (low risk)

Notice how Rahal took my FUE from the safe zone, and didn't spread it all over my entire head? it's impossible to get more then 1.5-2k out of this zone with out over harvesting and looking like a moth ate the back of the head. FUE is good for people with low, moderate hair loss. For those on the advance scale they will be taking a risk aggressively taking grafts.. After that they won't be good FUT candidates.


I am how ever going to go through with this FUE procedure, but am planning on going through with 1.5-2k grafts. Less graft exertion, and more surgeries in the long leaves me at minimizing donor wastage, and being able to still exert FUT grafts. I am a NW5.