Hi Guys,

My hairloss is quite different than most guys on this forum. I can describe it using the below picture, although this is female pattern!



my hair loss is currently similar to grade 2 in this image. I do have good amount of hair in my hairline though. My question is how should this be approached?

My hair loss started at the center of my head & started moving outwards. So, if a transplant is done should it start outwards & move towards the center of my head!!

Most HT's I see on this site are for typical MPB where they cover the first 3rd of the scalp & then proceed with working on the vertex & crown. In my case how should it be approached? I couldn't find any pics similar to my case on the forum.

Ludwig patterns can certainly appear in men.

The main thing you should think about is shock loss. You have thinning over your scalp, but no area of defined balding – is that right? That - with a retained frontal hairline - would be pretty consistent with a Ludwig pattern. I don’t think there is one right way to approach it but, since your doctor will be planting between thinning hairs, shock loss might be a concern.

The stand-alone-surgery with a norwood pattern tends to work well because the hairline, which is lost due to MPB, can be rebuilt. And, since one cannot lose hair in front of a hairline, this approach often produces a result that a) stands alone and b) is a logical first step for a multiple-surgery restoration.

This does not apply as much to the Lugwig pattern as you still have your frontline. You can certainly graft cosmetically thin areas of scalp. Surgery can cause shock loss, as previously mentioned, so your surgeon must strike a balance between transferring sufficient hair mass and minimizing trauma. This might mean grafting a low or moderate density in order to avoid damage. Consider this 1 step forward, whereas an aggressive surgery might be 2 steps forward and (with shock) 1, 2, or 3 steps back.

Anyway, your pattern is far from a one-size-fits all. Multiple opinions, even if you have one doc in mind, are advisable I think.

hairlosscure!

Thanks for the detailed explanation! It makes so much sense!

I do understand shock loss would be a major concern in my case. To overcome shock loss I have been on propecia for close to 2 years & am contemplating surgery now. I have not had much hair loss during these 2 years so maybe propecia will help with the shock loss?

Your right about being conservative with the number of grafts. Thats why wanted to see a few pics on the forum or in person to see what can be expected in my case. I am really not convinced whether surgery would work in my case? :-(

Can you post some of your pics here. I had some thinning not in the typical n/w pattern. I will try and attach a link if permitted to show my pics and situation.Right now I just went to the other website and it seems to be down at this time.

hi franklin

my situ isn't exactly the same but i was diffusly thinning over the top of my head too , the meds worked really well in stablizing the hair loss then i had surgery to fill in the bits which had lost the most .

maybe you should try proscar or propecia to stablise your loss , i responded really well and the overall condition of my hair improved .

this is before any meds , june 2006



before any surgery sept 2007 and now april 2nd 2008



Immediatly post and pre surgery


some of the above pics show how i was thinning

Wow, propecia really worked for you, judging from the first two pics!

whymewhy. Here is a link from my ht's. It is the only place I have pics. Not sure if it is similar to your situation. Hope this helps.http://www.hairsite2.com/gallery/woods_franklin2.htm