Hello folks,

Everytime I see my depleted, to be bald scalp and crown, I'm convinced I need a HT.

Then I think:

1. What if it doesn't come out right?

2. What if 20 years later the HT makes me look like an un-natural freak?

3. Are my $10,000 going to be well spent?

4. Should I try Propecia and Rogaine for 1yr or will that time be just wasted (remember, I desire re-growth since I have depleted scalp)

5. What if I don't like the results after 6 months-1yr?

6. Will they come out with something within 2-3 years that would make transplants seem like an obsolete and crude method?

Guys, are my concerns valid or unfounded? I am so close to picking up the phone and scheduling my surgery but all these doubts hold me back. Have any of you been here?

I'm 31, probably Norwood 3 Vertex - although I'm not completely bald but very thin. 3000 grafts has been suggested.

Thanks.

1) there is always the possibility, but in the hands of a skilled surgeon it's minimal
2)If you decide to do one you may have to have multiple surgeries to keep up w/ the hairloss so you dont look like a freak.
3) It depends on how you feel about the quality of the HT
4) Absolutley! And stay on it for more than a year!
5) Choose the right surgeon who has the future in mind as well as the present and this shouldnt be a problem.
6) Propably not in the next 2-3 years, but hopefully soon!

Your concerns are valid! We all struggle w/ this decision

At 31 and only a NW# you arent doing to bad and a good surgeon will be able to accuratly predict your future hairloss and you can set your goals from there.

Hope this helps! Good Luck

Curious_George;
dakota3 pretty much said it all.
In the hands of a skilled hair restoration surgeon, who understands the need to keep an eye on the future and carefully plans with you given your personal, medical and family history parameters, those fears should be minimized. The decision to utilize rogaine and/or propecia is relevant to your surgeon as it can affect the surgical plan in terms of pattern, density and long term goals. True, while you may not regrow hair with these medical modalities, the vast majority of men (90%) greatly slow down/cease their hair loss. This is a very powerful tool that will go a long way to supporting your long term goal of maintaining a natural appearance following your procedure. It also has been shown to assist in growth of hair following transplantation.
Most of your fears could be minimized following the guidance of the folks here on the forum and carefully researching and choosing your hair restoration surgeon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Timothy Carman

Dakota and the Doc said it all

It is normal to be a bit skeptical and scared.. BUT if I look at my situation, everthing turned out wonderful and now I am reaping the benefits.

If you do your homework, choose a quality doctor and have realistic expectations, there is a very high chance you will be very satisfied

Based on what I have seen there is nothing on the brink of revolutionize getting your hair back.. I wish I was wrong though..

Thanks all.

I have been browsing for a while and while I don't intend on putting a member or a surgeon on the spot, take a look at this guy:

http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/journal.asp?CopyID=1549&WebID=327

Yes, he's definitely better off. But he's not satisfied. Are these unrealistic expectations at play or could something better truly have been done?

The problem with hair surgery are:

1. They are done on an area that's visible 24/7.
2. Despite constant talk here of multiple transplants, they are EXPENSIVE!
3. A transplant that leaves you not completely dissatisfied can make you bitter.

Btw, I am going to go with Dr.Rahal if I manage to wrestle with my doubts.

The other thing that bothers me: I'm a diffuse thinner on the top of my scalp.

So, I read something like this:

http://www.hairlosshelp.com/forums/messageview.cfm?cati...DBTABLE=&STARTPAGE=2

and they are saying that:

1. A HT on a diffuse thinner will cause shockloss which will lead to loss of native hair. And that this is permanent and an acceleration of MPB.

2. HT on a diffuse thinner can be a zero sum game.

So, here I'm at 31, a diffuse thinner looking at a $10k investment (I mention the dollars because it does matter!) and I am reading that hair transplants might not be the best thing for a diffuse thinner till they go bald.

Is this accurate? Thanks.