WHERE I AM NOW AND HOW SHOULD I PROCEED?

[jimtmcdaniels]

Hi all!


I’m a 57 y.o. male in very good health.

I had FUT hair transplants 2 decades ago.

I’ve taken some current photos of my hair.

First just out of the shower wet and then after dried and brushed.

I’m looking for any advice for my hair loss reversal strategy and my next actions.

-

MY HAIR-STORY:

I experienced a lot of hair loss in my very early 30’s, on the top of my head, hairline and crown.

I once shaved my head to just accept it.

However I and my friends did not like the look on me at all.

I don’t have the right head shape for the shaved-bald chrome-dome look…

I tried some hair loss reverse products including rogaine, with little effect.

Also I was not impressed with rogaine’s cost or troublesomeness.

Later I tried finasteride.

However there were no great hair growths.

-

TRANSPLANTS THUS FAR:

In about 1998, I had my first FUT surgery, about 1,800 grafts.

In Los Angeles CA at a clinic run by Dr William Richard Rassman and others.

Then in about 2002, I had my second FUT surgery, about 1,800 grafts.

In Denver CO at a “New Hair” clinic, Dr Tania E. Pauls.



Both surgeons did as many grafts as they could in that one session.

It seems neither company is still in business/under the same names these days.



After the last surgery, the surgeon said, I was not an ideal candidate for a future 3rd FUT surgery because it would only yield maybe 1,000 FUT grafts.

At that time, FUE grafts were uncommon and cost prohibitive.



The surgeries filled in my receded temples and hair line some and then the overall loss-top areas some.

I do not want my side temples or hairline any lower.

If I knew the coverage would be thin, I would have skipped the temples.

I think the hairline looks natural.



The 2nd FUT surgeon cut out the 1st FUT scare, so that was good so I don’t have 2 FUT scars.

The FUT cutting is a bit brutal and I can still feel a slight Indentation horizontal line around the back of my head and to my ears.

As if the under-the-skin-Fat/collagen did not fully return..

-

CURRENTLY:



Finasteride:

On and off for years now, I have taken every other day, oral 1mg finasteride.

Actually for cost, I get prescribed the 5mg Proscar prostate pills version.

I bite a tiny bit off. So a pill lasts about 5 bites.

When I take it now, I voice intent to heal and grow my hair. To encourage the placebo effect, our body’s own healing abilities activated through our intent.

Now I’m taking the finasteride almost daily, in preparation of a near future hair surgery’s shock.



Micro Dermal:

I also just read about and started 1.0 adjustable setting, micro dermal stamping my head myself. Weekly to see what that can grow. As well as on my FUT scar and some old temple/forhead acne scars and my nose pores which seem large.



Saw Palmetto:

I’m also considering Saw Palmetto daily supplement.



My side and back hair is good but doesn’t seem as thick as it was in my youth.

I have some grey now and I dye it from time to time.

I’ve suppose that the hairs that have left me decades ago are gone forever.

It seems my hair has thinned a bit more on top, since the surgeries 2 decades ago.



It seems for the most part, my hair loss on top has stabilized. I do not believe the lost zone has expanded at all.



The 2 surgeries never gave me a satisfactory full coverage.

It still looks thin on front, top and the crown area.

I have to keep my hair shorter on the upper sides so I don’t develop that balding clown look….



I WANT:

To finally get a satisfactory fuller coverage.

Also ideally, reduce the FUT scar so I can cut my hair short if desired.



Although my hair loss area is large, I’ve always been a bit disappointed with the coverage I received and also the price.



It’s as if the number of grafts were exaggerated or too many didn’t take/weren't handled right or…I just needed a lot more.



Also some of the pictures and videos I’ve seen suggest that SOME surgeons outside the USA can give a better/truer graft count/better success-coverage, and for a more affordable price.



I’m also interested in micro pigmentation.

-

SO:

I live in Colorado USA.

Mexico seems it can be a good alternative for USA citizens.

WHAT I'M THINKING MY STRATEGY SHOULD BE IS:



Find a Good clinic/surgeon, in a safe-to-travel-to Mexico city.

Have the most grafts they can successfully do during my visit.

Then go back a year or so later for another procedure, if there are still donor hairs available. Because I assume I need 2 sessions for full results.

-

A good friend would like to be a flight-travel-companion if I go.

We could stay a bit longer then needed and make it a bit of a holiday at a hotel or resort by the beach.

We have never been to Mexico and are both currently retired. So no job to rush rush back to.



I also wonder what micro pigmentation can do for me.

-



Q’s:



SO LIKE…

Does it make sense to go to Mexico for surgery or?

Should I do one last FUT or do FUE or both?

What about FUE hairs to fill in my previous FUT scar area?

What about micro pigmentation, when should I have it and where?

But wouldn’t micro pigmentation make it difficult to see hairs during any future FUE surgery?

How many grafts will I need for decent coverage and will I have enough donor hair?

What’s the best way to research a clinic/surgeon?

Does dying my hair brown before surgery help the surgeon see my hairs?

What questions should I ask the clinic/surgeon besides the obvious?

Any other treatments I should consider that aren’t too much of a bother?

I feel unsure of the laser helmet providing any long term effects for my situation, what do you think?

Thank-you!

 

[Hairs45]

hairestorationetwork would be a better help for you with your questions

from what ive read, the best hair transplant surgeon in Mexico is called Dr. Nader

 

[InCider]

Does it make sense to go to Mexico for surgery or?

No, Mexico is not the answer. You need specialist repair surgery and the best surgeons to carry that out are elsewhere in the world.

Should I do one last FUT or do FUE or both?

Forget FUT.
You need FUE and you need to use body hair (specifically beard hair) to expand your donor supply.
You don't have enough scalp hair available in your donor to get satisfactory coverage, but if you combine with beard hair you can get a good result. You also require beard hair to fill in your FUT scars and add density on the sides and back of your head.

What about micro pigmentation, when should I have it and where?
But wouldn’t micro pigmentation make it difficult to see hairs during any future FUE surgery?

Forget about ink dots, they are not the answer. Your hair would still feel and look thin even if you did ink dots with your existing hair.
Ink dots can work if you go down the fully shaved route - but you have already said you don't have the head shape for that look.
Surgeons work using magnification so there wouldn't be any conflict if you already had ink dots in place.

How many grafts will I need for decent coverage and will I have enough donor hair?

You need 5k - 10k grafts to get a good result and that's why you need to use body hair + scalp hair

What’s the best way to research a clinic/surgeon?

Do your own research and look at the surgeons results and testemonials
As I said, you need to use body hair and there are only a FEW specialist surgeons with the expertise to do LARGE sessions using body hair
If I were you, I would consider Dr Umar Sanusi (USA), Dr Bsanga (Belgium), Eugenix (India) and Dr A's Clinic (India)
You will get a lot more bang for your buck with Eugenix or Dr A's Clinic.
Eugenix are the current 'flavor of the month' and have showcased numerous fantastic results using body hair
Have a look on hairestorationetwork at the following threads for reference (seems like I can't post the direct links here).
The second case (Gatsby) is starting his repair journey and has similarities to your case

Zoomster
11,600 grafts Eugenix 21/23 Dec 2019 Aug 2021

Gatsby
GATSBY 'UNPLUGGED!' 8,723 Grafts FUE+BHT Dr. Sethi Eugenix

 

[losingbattle88]

Give it up.... Buzz that sh*t off and stop tormenting yourself you old fart.

 

[King Norwood]

Hi all!


I’m a 57 y.o. male in very good health.

I had FUT hair transplants 2 decades ago.

I’ve taken some current photos of my hair.

First just out of the shower wet and then after dried and brushed.

I’m looking for any advice for my hair loss reversal strategy and my next actions.

-

MY HAIR-STORY:

I experienced a lot of hair loss in my very early 30’s, on the top of my head, hairline and crown.

I once shaved my head to just accept it.

However I and my friends did not like the look on me at all.

I don’t have the right head shape for the shaved-bald chrome-dome look…

I tried some hair loss reverse products including rogaine, with little effect.

Also I was not impressed with rogaine’s cost or troublesomeness.

Later I tried finasteride.

However there were no great hair growths.

-

TRANSPLANTS THUS FAR:

In about 1998, I had my first FUT surgery, about 1,800 grafts.

In Los Angeles CA at a clinic run by Dr William Richard Rassman and others.

Then in about 2002, I had my second FUT surgery, about 1,800 grafts.

In Denver CO at a “New Hair” clinic, Dr Tania E. Pauls.



Both surgeons did as many grafts as they could in that one session.

It seems neither company is still in business/under the same names these days.



After the last surgery, the surgeon said, I was not an ideal candidate for a future 3rd FUT surgery because it would only yield maybe 1,000 FUT grafts.

At that time, FUE grafts were uncommon and cost prohibitive.



The surgeries filled in my receded temples and hair line some and then the overall loss-top areas some.

I do not want my side temples or hairline any lower.

If I knew the coverage would be thin, I would have skipped the temples.

I think the hairline looks natural.



The 2nd FUT surgeon cut out the 1st FUT scare, so that was good so I don’t have 2 FUT scars.

The FUT cutting is a bit brutal and I can still feel a slight Indentation horizontal line around the back of my head and to my ears.

As if the under-the-skin-Fat/collagen did not fully return..

-

CURRENTLY:



Finasteride:

On and off for years now, I have taken every other day, oral 1mg finasteride.

Actually for cost, I get prescribed the 5mg Proscar prostate pills version.

I bite a tiny bit off. So a pill lasts about 5 bites.

When I take it now, I voice intent to heal and grow my hair. To encourage the placebo effect, our body’s own healing abilities activated through our intent.

Now I’m taking the finasteride almost daily, in preparation of a near future hair surgery’s shock.



Micro Dermal:

I also just read about and started 1.0 adjustable setting, micro dermal stamping my head myself. Weekly to see what that can grow. As well as on my FUT scar and some old temple/forhead acne scars and my nose pores which seem large.



Saw Palmetto:

I’m also considering Saw Palmetto daily supplement.



My side and back hair is good but doesn’t seem as thick as it was in my youth.

I have some grey now and I dye it from time to time.

I’ve suppose that the hairs that have left me decades ago are gone forever.

It seems my hair has thinned a bit more on top, since the surgeries 2 decades ago.



It seems for the most part, my hair loss on top has stabilized. I do not believe the lost zone has expanded at all.



The 2 surgeries never gave me a satisfactory full coverage.

It still looks thin on front, top and the crown area.

I have to keep my hair shorter on the upper sides so I don’t develop that balding clown look….



I WANT:

To finally get a satisfactory fuller coverage.

Also ideally, reduce the FUT scar so I can cut my hair short if desired.



Although my hair loss area is large, I’ve always been a bit disappointed with the coverage I received and also the price.



It’s as if the number of grafts were exaggerated or too many didn’t take/weren't handled right or…I just needed a lot more.



Also some of the pictures and videos I’ve seen suggest that SOME surgeons outside the USA can give a better/truer graft count/better success-coverage, and for a more affordable price.



I’m also interested in micro pigmentation.

-

SO:

I live in Colorado USA.

Mexico seems it can be a good alternative for USA citizens.

WHAT I'M THINKING MY STRATEGY SHOULD BE IS:



Find a Good clinic/surgeon, in a safe-to-travel-to Mexico city.

Have the most grafts they can successfully do during my visit.

Then go back a year or so later for another procedure, if there are still donor hairs available. Because I assume I need 2 sessions for full results.

-

A good friend would like to be a flight-travel-companion if I go.

We could stay a bit longer then needed and make it a bit of a holiday at a hotel or resort by the beach.

We have never been to Mexico and are both currently retired. So no job to rush rush back to.



I also wonder what micro pigmentation can do for me.

-



Q’s:



SO LIKE…

Does it make sense to go to Mexico for surgery or?

Should I do one last FUT or do FUE or both?

What about FUE hairs to fill in my previous FUT scar area?

What about micro pigmentation, when should I have it and where?

But wouldn’t micro pigmentation make it difficult to see hairs during any future FUE surgery?

How many grafts will I need for decent coverage and will I have enough donor hair?

What’s the best way to research a clinic/surgeon?

Does dying my hair brown before surgery help the surgeon see my hairs?

What questions should I ask the clinic/surgeon besides the obvious?

Any other treatments I should consider that aren’t too much of a bother?

I feel unsure of the laser helmet providing any long term effects for my situation, what do you think?

Thank-you!

U didn't maintain any hair on finasteride?
Or did u start it after losing density?

 

[jimtmcdaniels]

Give it up.... Buzz that sh*t off and stop tormenting yourself you old fart.

Thank you,

I am going to in my process of looking and revisiting all the options.

 

[jimtmcdaniels]

U didn't maintain any hair on finasteride?
Or did u start it after losing density?

I started finasteride after loosing a fair amount of my hair.
I'd say it helped but wasn't a miracle.

 

[losingbattle88]

I started finasteride after loosing a fair amount of my hair.
I'd say it helped but wasn't a miracle.

Get on oral min.

 

[jimtmcdaniels]

Get on oral min.

I’m taking it daily now 1mg
Also going to see if my Doctor will give me the latest more effective .5mg durasteride.
How about that

 

[CrownBalding]

You mentioned that finasteride “helped” but wasn’t a miracle. Can you elaborate? Did it maintain your hair at the state of which you began treatment throughout the whole time you were on it? Do you think if you got on 1mg daily every day at the first sight of hair loss, your hair would’ve remained the same for decades up until now? I’m 25 and have some thinning all over the top, but I got on finasteride at the moment I realized I was thinning. Been on 1mg finasteride every day for three years, and and it looks about the same for now, but I’m always concerned about what it will look like decades down the line.

Maybe you could also touch on why you still feel concerned about your hair at your age? Are you single? Do you feel less attached/concerned regarding your hair than you did in the past? Although I’m extremely concerned about my hair now, I’ve always felt that when I reach late 30s to 40s I will simply not care (maybe if I’m in a stable marriage). I always thought you’d naturally stop caring about looks as you age, as obviously your looks will never match how they were in the previous decade. I’m always challenged on that view when I see members like you on here.

Sorry I don’t have answers to your questions, but your experience could be helpful for me and other users. What I can say though, is you look great for 57. You’ve stayed in good shape, your skin looks youthful, and overall, you aged very well. Although you have a decent amount of thinning, it looks age appropriate, and I think you’d still pass as an above average 40-something year old. You should have no issues, socially or romantically, with your hair at its current state. Any perceived issues you may (or may not) have that would drive you to another transplant are potentially driven by a faulty self image and are most likely unfounded (according to the pictures). Maybe you don’t need to hear that, but maybe you haven’t heard it before, and it can help, as it’s completely true in my opinion.

 

[20YearsOnFin]

You could start taking finasteride consistently for a start, just cut the proscar into 4 pieces a knife, so you are taking a quarter of a pill daily, rather chewing random bits off.

Long term if you did want to go down the transplant route again, like @InCider said you would be looking at extra grafts from beard/body hair from places like Eugenix, if you hadn't already got a depleted donor, someone like Dr. Zarev is also doing good work with high Norwood's.

 

[20YearsOnFin]

anything less then a top surgeon at this stage is liable to be a mistake, if you were thinking of places like Mexico you would probably be better off just saving your money and accepting how it looks now.

 

[WendyPayne]

Thanks for the story, I hope that you will solve all your problems.

 

[jazz1]

Try this method:

BIG3 or Topical Finasteride with compounded 15% minoxidil, derma roller, hair oils, pre scalp cleanser and good multi vitamins. I might be able to suggest a regime for you send me a message worth a try.