Using ******** for a large FUE procedure (vs. Lorenzo)

[Scarpro]

Hi,

I'm considering a consultation with Dr. ********, planning a larger FUE procedure (realistically 2 seperate ones). After doing some research, I'm impressed by the consistent high quality of his work. However, from online pictures it looks like he mostly does frontal restorations and some crown work. I have Norwood 5(?) diffusive thinning, and need to fix both hairline, top + crown.
I've seen several cases of Dr. Lorenzo doing larger FUE procedures, which is closer to where I'm at. However, I prefer Dr. ********'s hairline design (from what I've seen so far). Do both doctors offer the same FUE yield? I see ******** often will cram 2500-3000 follicles into a smaller hairline area, but I obviously need to fill in a larger area. I've seen Lorenzo doing 6000+ follicle FUE cases.

I would appreciate some advice before making the trip to Belgium, and if my expectations are realistic or not.
I'd get a conservative, slightly receeding halrline. My hairloss started when I was about 22-23, and it's going very slow. Looking at my uncles on my mother's side (where I got the hair), they don't ever seem to get the "cueball" look on top, just thinning very slowly (maybe getting totally bald on top when really old).

Thanks.

(I'm 37 years old. Can't use Propecia, I get side effects.)

 

[BalDing!]

You seem to have good donor hair and your expectations are realistic so go for it! as you still have hair on your scalp and are happy with a conservative hairline 3000 grafts would work some magic. ********'s work is great and he's the surgeon I would choose if I were to have a hair transplant, You may also want to check out Dr Feriduni as his results are brilliant, does crown work and also happens to be in Belgium.

I wouldn't say that you're a Norwood 5 though. From your pics I would say you were a solid NW4. Has your hair loss stabilized?

 

[Pequod]

I don't have any knowledge of those Drs but my guess is you will need 4500 total to go from front to filling in the crown at a minimum. If you do the crown first and wait on the front you may get away with 2500 for now. Since you can't take Propecia I would first figure out what your total grafts are with FUT vs FUE before committing. You may have to have more than two done even later down the road and don't want to blow it all this young.

I'm actually surprised so many chose FUE when it thins out the donar area.

 

[arfy]

If you have diffuse thinning, you need to beware of shock fallout (telogen effluvium). Surgery can accelerate the loss of "at risk" hairs.

Also, family history of hair loss is helpful to consider, but that isn't guaranteed to hold true for you. In my opinion, if you are a high Norwood (or losing hair at a young age) then there's a definite risk you'll go "all the way". You should hedge your bets in case this happens. It really is better to play it safe, when making permanent changes to your appearance.

I don't know where these guys are getting their graft estimates from. An entire head will need like 12,000 to 15,000 grafts for the appearance of full coverage. You could use up 4500 grafts on the crown alone, easily. I hate to see people prescribing a graft count for other people - even the doctors don't agree on the numbers, and if you ask 5 different doctors you might get 5 different answers. A lot depends on your hair caliber (diameter) and what the density of your donor area is. We can't know that by looking at your photos.

I'd get a conservative, slightly receeding halrline.

That's what you have right now. You seem to be in a tough position where a transplant has potential risks (shock loss) and no obvious and guaranteed benefit, in my opinion. A bad scenario is that your transplanted hair merely replaces the original hair that you have right now, or only enhances it a little (small net gain). The risk is that you get a transplant and end up with the same amount of hair, or (worst case scenario) you end up with less hair than you have now (net loss).

If you could slow down or stop your hair loss, that would be helpful, but if you have side effects from medication then that's a problem.

I'm sorry that I can't comment on the doctors you mention, but you should consider these risks no matter who the doctor is.

 

[Swoop]

They are both one of the few elite FUE doctors out there. I would slightly prefer Lorenzo over ******** though seeing what work you need.

 

[Pequod]

I don't know where these guys are getting their graft estimates from. An entire head will need like 12,000 to 15,000 grafts for the appearance of full coverage. You could use up 4500 grafts on the crown alone, easily. I hate to see people prescribing a graft count for other people - even the doctors don't agree on the numbers, and if you ask 5 different doctors you might get 5 different answers. A lot depends on your hair caliber (diameter) and what the density of your donor area is. We can't know that by looking at your photos.

This guy has great donor area, 5000 would do wonders for the top and crown area. You can't expect to become a bear rug as the donor area is only so large. Yes he will get shock loss but it will recover assuming they do an excellent procedure.

 

[arfy]

This guy has great donor area, 5000 would do wonders for the top and crown area. You can't expect to become a bear rug as the donor area is only so large. Yes he will get shock loss but it will recover assuming they do an excellent procedure.

How can you tell he has a great donor area from looking at the photos? Donor area is judged by the density of hair follicles. You don't know what his donor density is. Also, his hair caliber may be fine, which means less coverage. You also say that he will recover from any shock loss if the procedure is good, which really doesn't matter - even if the procedure is good, you can suffer permanent shock loss. If you don't believe me, ask any clinic for a money-back shock loss guarantee - they won't do it.

 

[Pequod]

How can you tell he has a great donor area from looking at the photos? Donor area is judged by the density of hair follicles. You don't know what his donor density is. Also, his hair caliber may be fine, which means less coverage. You also say that he will recover from any shock loss if the procedure is good, which really doesn't matter - even if the procedure is good, you can suffer permanent shock loss. If you don't believe me, ask any clinic for a money-back shock loss guarantee - they won't do it.

You make a good point, he should probably get a couple of estimates here is the US before flying overseas to make sure his hair can handle this. I think it can based on the photos but only a doctor that does this procedure can say.

 

[swingline747]

You make a good point, he should probably get a couple of estimates here is the US before flying overseas to make sure his hair can handle this. I think it can based on the photos but only a doctor that does this procedure can say.

Are you located here in the US? flying over seas sounds great since youre usually getting a supreme price (granted that US to euro conversion isnt screwing you) but think in the long run if you have issues. Are you going to fly back over there to get follow ups? Do everything through skype?
As a US citizen Id honestly keep your money here where you can keep contact and use our laws should anything happen. There are top notch guys there but possibilities of issues are not something to take lightly.

 

[azurapose]

********

I would prefer ********