Am I suitable for an FUE transplant?

[Johnjo569]

Hi,

Happy New Year.

I was wondering what you guys thought were the chances of me having a decent hair transplant? Am I too far gone or is is still achievable and do you think it would take a couple of procedures or one to do the lot? Like most people I suppose im a complete novice when it comes to this subject, I am researching it but still, im far from clued up on what's what.

Im 52 living in the UK with a thinning and receding hairline and am looking to get a transplant so am weighing up my options. It must be a professional procedure with a reputable hair transplant surgeon preferably with him doing the main part of the procedures if possible as my career means i have to look my best at all times and if I had a bad transplant I would struggle I think to carry out my job. I don't want to try and look 30 again just a natural look with a hairline and density that reflects my age and doesn’t give the impression I have had a transplant. There are so many dodgy ‘pluggy’ procedures out there with double and triple hair at the hairline and really artificial looking creations, I just want to get this right first time. I accept my hair loss and understand it is never going to be like a full head of hair and in some ways I don't want that anyway just an improvement on what I currently have but done in a professional and and natural looking manner.

I don't currently take any medication as im genuinely worried about how they might affect my sex drive! Its gradually slowing down now as it is and I don't want to end up with no labido at all!! My hairline has been receding for over 20 years I would say gradually but I'm reaching the point where it looks very unsightly and I just don't want to shave my head, it doesn't suit my face and is a real last resort.

Regarding cost of procedures, like most I can't afford the very best of the best as I just don't have the funds but am willing to see what I can do for the right clinic/doctor and I'm willing to travel to get it done if its to the right clinic.
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I do not want an FUT procedure as I don't want any scarring as I usually have it cut very short at the back.

Here are some photos to show my current hair situation, I hope these are ok. Any advice is much appreciated

.

Cheers

 

[bullitnut]

Personally i think an FUE is possible yes but i'm no doctor......the pics aren't great though and it's hard to see the quality of your donor as you haven't put a picture up showing the back of your head either mate. You seem to have sensible expectations which is a good thing and providing you stick to this you should be ok. You do have advanced hair loss however so if i were in your shoes i would concentrate on getting a sensible mature hairline first to shape the face and see how you feel afterwards. You really would benefit from an in person consultation so the doctor can evaluate your situation and then would be able to advise better than with just pics bud.

I don't think your too far gone to achieve a cosmetic improvement with the right clinic and if your loss is slow like you say it can only be a good thing.

Looking at the pics i wouldn't say your the best candidate no.....but iv'e seen a lot worse than you get decent results so i'd get an in person opinion buddy.

I would start with getting a consultation first for a more in depth opinion of your options....both Farjo and the Maitland Clinics are both excellent and a good place to get a consultation....they are both ethical and would offer good advise i know that for a fact as they have been producing great results for a long time.

 

[HairDr Clinic]

Hello @Johnjo569 , you seem to be doing exactly the right thing and taking it slow before deciding whether a hair transplant is right for you or not. @bullitnut has made some good observations, such as your expectations, hair loss stage etc.

An important consideration is will a hair transplant meet your goals and expectations. This can range from the hairline placement to the hair coverage density achieved. Whether a result can be achieved in one or multiple procedures and what can safely be removed from your donor area. More often than not total coverage and an even high hair density is not possible on more advanced hair loss stages. The compromise can be partial coverage and or lower hair density over the crown area. The surface area is largely mapped out by the position of your hairline, so the lower it´s placed the larger the area to cover. So, it makes sense to air slightly on a conservative approach. This will still frame your face well and complement your facial bone structure. In fact, a lightly mature hairline often is best and more subtle.

Your pictures are not bad but making an assessment based on the pictures can only be a general plan. For example, with FUE, starting with rebuilding your hairline and working back. In your favour, your natural hair characteristics appear to be good for a hair transplant, coarse hair with a slight salt ´n´pepper colour. Ideally, if possible a personal consultation would go into more detail. The assessment of your donor quality, planning your hairline design and an approximate estimation on hair coverage. As well as planning whether a future FUE is possible or required, based on your expectations. Hope this helps and good luck with your research.

 

[Bandit]

Have you spoke with any Clinics Johnjo569? The advice given seems sensible to me. Would the conservative hairline both posters mention be ok with you then?

 

[Johnjo569]

Thanks for all the time taken with your helpful replies guys, its really appreciated!

Here's the back of the head picture I missed off last time.



It is a big decision, a huge decision considering it will be a big part of how I am seen going forward and I am getting the 'What if it looks awful' worries already.

The hair line is my biggest worry to be honest, I can live without perfectly covered crown, I don't see that part very often and I am more than happy to have a conservative hairline in fact I WANT a conservative hairline. Its the shape I see on a lot of transplant hairlines that I don't like. I don't know what it is they just don't look natural enough on a lot of people. Its like an unbroken half moon/straight across or slightly pulled back shape across the front of the head, a really tight jagged front edge into the scalp that just runs all along it perfectly and whether high up or low down the forehead looks, well, not quite how it should. At my age there isn't many men left with a perfectly full head of hair at the front its usually some at the front of the head and then receding off at the sides at the least. I think I would actually prefer a kind of mild Norwood 2 style that doesn't look too perfect with a really obvious front line that outlines everything sunk into the crown. I think the hairline needs to be layered in stages going back to give a softer look. does that make sense?

Also can anybody tell me why most people I see before a transplant seem to have their hair pushed in front of their hairline whereas after a transplant the majority seem to have hair that faces upwards or brushed backwards off their face like a mini quiff to reveal their hairline. Is this a consequence of the procedure or the way the hair follicles have been placed? I prefer to have my hair brushed forwards at the front hiding my visible hairline, Iv always had it this way.

Regarding clinics, i have been in touch with a few over the last few days most based on recommendations I have seen on here and other forums I have viewed.

Erdogen ASMED clinic - Istanbul
BHR clinic - Athens
Vinci Clinic - UK
Pro Hair Clinic - Brussels

Like most people on here I suppose its finding the right balance between quality of procedure, patient care and what i can afford.

Before I do take the plunge I would like to try shaving the lot off for a month at least and see how I feel with that scenario... its having the guts to do it thats the hard part plus getting a little colour om head as its been covered up for 50 years albeit a lot less as the years have passed!! lol

 

[HairDr Clinic]

Hello @Johnjo569 , the best hairlines are an art to create, taking into consideration the surgical placement of the hair, correct exit angles from the scalp, the hair density placed and the changes in orientation around the face and then the design. These combined make a natural looking hairline that blends with the facial features and bone structure without drawing your eye to them. Each line should be different with subtle changes that make it work for that person.

A hairline should be made of single hair units along the very frontal line, this may require a jagged edge depending on the natural hair characteristics to avoid a flat look when grown out. The use of singles gives a soft frontal line around the face and then behind larger units, 2-4 hairs are distributed in an educated pattern to ensure the correct density and look of fullness is created to block the light reflection. As a result, the look of thickness is achieved. The number of grafts required largely is dictated by your natural hair characteristics, fine hair needing more compared to coarse thick hair for example.

Styling after a hair transplant has grown out should be an arbitrary matter, basically however you like, as long as the hairs have been correctly placed. Some may prefer to style up and back as it exposes their new defined hairline and frames the face, others may like to brush forward. But it is simply a styling issue of choice not necessity either way.

 

[1978matt]

Depending on scalp laxity you would be best served with FUT. I'd suggest BHR as a good place to go, or Farjo / Maitland Clinic. It will give you more options long term and you can still have FUE afterwards.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Johnjo.

What did the clinics you consulted with suggest? You don`t need to say which clinic said what, just list what they`ve offered.

 

[Johnjo569]

1978Matt, I have to be honest I'm really not sure about FUT surgery. One minute I'm thinking this is the way to go as I know I will get more grafts and then possibly still be able to do an FUE at a later date plus its cheaper... but that scar really puts me off. Realistically what length hair would I need to keep an FUT scar hidden, a no 2, no 3 or no 4 at the back or even longer?

I have only at this stage had online replies to my enquires they do vary a bit. I know its hard to gauge what's what from a photo as well so I am taking the suggestions quite lightly until I actually have face to face consultations. Iv been offered two approaches (all based on FUE), an all in one fix so to speak and operations spanning two sessions. Around 5000 grafts with maybe some beard grafts as well covering front and crown as an all in one approach. This is visiting Turkey or Greece for the procedure and the more affordable options although both weren't cheap at 2.5 euros so looking at £15000 all in approx. The rest were based on approx 2800 - 3500 grafts concentrating on the hairline and mid scalp and then a separate operation for the crown at a later date with less grafts, yet to be determined. These were based in the UK and Belgium and tallying this option you are talking anywhere between £18000 - £25000 for both procedures (obviously based on a consultation that agrees this much hair could be taken without damage to the donor area) ... so not cheap at all!! There was one surgeon who mentioned FUT as an option but because from the off I said I wasn't keen I think its put people off suggesting it.

Cost wise there doesn't seem to be a half way house between the extremely cheap hair mill type technician based turkish transplants at anywhere from £1500 - £4000 and the high end world leader based transplants at £15000 plus. There is a big gap in the market for reputable hair surgeries to explore if done correctly I think.

For me, I'm really unsure what to do. Money isn't my first port of call, a good natural looking transplant is, plus a good doctor, BUT it is still extremely important as its A LOT of money if I decided to go down the top surgeon route. Is my head worth that much spent on it or could I settle for a not so perfect look but still be in a better position than I am now? Im torn, its such a huge payout of around £20000 for my hair, it would be second only to buying my house in paying out on one item but I am hesitant about going to Turkey and them taking too much donor hair out and not really knowing who is going to be doing it etc. I'll probably end up sitting on it in a state of shock and before you know it I'll be 60 and not give a hoots! I have a lot of thinking to do I just wish the better surgeons were a bit cheaper!!

 

[TOMMYTWO]

No4 on an FUT scar I would say....that is my situation and my scar is quite thin....2mm wide, maybe wider at points.

Strip and FUE are night and day IMO regarding invasiveness and recovery......I have had both and FUE is a breeze compared to FUT, at least in my case anyways.

Your donor looks pretty good, but you need a lot of grafts, I personally couldn't justify the 20k price tag when there is quality out there for much less.

Do lots of research mate, you will get there

 

[mania]

Happy New year to you as well ! As I seen you pics in the tread that you are definitely a good condidate of FUE hair transplant surgery as you have such loss your hair from the head I would recommend you to best hair restoration center in Islamabad for more info and guidence ..

 

[Bigmac]

3500 grafts would give you a new hairline and a thinner coverage going towards the crown. Your hairline is not receding, it has unfortunately gone leaving you in the Norwood 5 area. Before having a hair transplant if that's the route you go it may be worthwhile checking into the medications to prevent future loss and possible regrow dormant follicles.

 

[Johnjo569]

Cheers Bigmac. Due to my donor area having about 5500 grafts to play with I have generally been quoted around 3000 for the frontal third and another 2000 if I decided to have the mid and crown area covered. This could be made up of scalp hair and beard hair. I could get more with FUT but I’v decided that idea now.

I am now on Finasteride so if this thickens the hair up enough in the crown area I may leave this alone.

 

[Bigmac]

Hopefully the Finasteride works well for you. I’ve seen some amazing patient results and I know it has helped me keep hold of my hair.
it is commonly quoted that it works best when combined with Minoxidil. I can’t use Minoxidil as it irritates my scalp. Good luck with it.

 

[SeanFUE]

FUE is possible (if remaining conservative) but FUT may yield more in the recipient zone. Especially, considering you are higher norwood.