Considering FUE with Dr Bisanga - would like opinions *PICS*

[Reeve]

Hello - a quick summary of my situation:

24 years old (due to turn 25 this month), been losing my hair since around 18, currently an NW3 with thinning in the frontal area, been on finasteride and minoxidil since i was 19, hair loss appears to have stabilized and has not progressed much in that time. I've been researching transplants for a number of years. I currently shave my head regularly with a razor - the look actually suits me pretty well but i cannot deny that it bothers me being completely bald at my age. Like everyone who loses their hair - I really miss it.

I have decided that if i can sort out the funds I would like to try to get an FUE procedure at the end of this year with Dr Bisanga in Belgium. I understand that I am very young to be doing this but i have very conservative goals - ideally, i'd like to aim for a strong NW2/NW2.5 hairline and to strengthen my frontal area. I think this could be done with approx 2500 grafts and would leave plenty in reserve for future procedures.

I recently let my hair grow out for a couple of days and managed to get some photos. I would appreciate any comments or opinions on where I stand at the moment and what you all think of my aims/goals. Opinions on whether or not I am a good candidate as well please, thanks!


http://img862.imageshack.us/f/frontuk.jpg/

http://img42.imageshack.us/f/leftsidec.jpg/

http://img717.imageshack.us/f/rightsiden.jpg/

http://img857.imageshack.us/f/crown2.jpg/

http://img707.imageshack.us/f/crown1r.jpg/

http://img215.imageshack.us/f/donord.jpg/

 

[Sparky]

Well, your not bald. You got plenty of hair on top so that an NW2 hairline should be quite easily achievable. Definatly only do fue imho.

 

[Reeve]

Sparky wrote:

Well, your not bald. You got plenty of hair on top so that an NW2 hairline should be quite easily achievable. Definatly only do fue imho.

Cheers for the input. Do you (or anyone else) have an idea of approximately how many grafts I would need to get a result similar to this:


http://img29.imageshack.us/i/heathledger0027.jpg/

http://img694.imageshack.us/i/600fullheathledger.jpg/


I feel slightly morbid using photos of Heath as an example, but it really is a good example of what i would be hoping for.

 

[Sparky]

Huh, I wouldn't of thought your that different to him already, with your current head of hair.

It wouldn't take many to have a much nicer head of hair than that. Would need clearer pics to estimate numbers.

 

[zionaxel]

Why dont you just contact the clinic? I think your hair looks good. I would give it 5 years then see how you feel, shaved head is totally acceptable these days..

 

[drewbie]

It's probably best to contact the clinic (Stephen - also a member of this board yourself) for a graft count.

Some surgeons like Feller seem to be able work with a comparatively modest graft number over a certain area, Bisanga a bit more, then there are people like Armani would would do looooads of grafts at a small fortune because their yield tends to be low.

If you're thinking of Belgium, you could also contact Dr Ferudini and Devroye (both highly-regarded HT surgeons) for comparison of graft number and cost per graft.

 

[Bigmac]

How did you get on with your consults.

 

[Reeve]

Hi Bigmac. I decided to delay any decisions regarding my possible HT until next year for a number of reasons. The first being financial - i will be in a much more comfortable position financially so it would make things easier.

I am also worried that my crown is still thinning, so have increased my minoxidil usage to twice a day - im now using 15% minoxidil at night and Rogaine foam in the morning (previously i had been using the foam only and it was once a day before bed). I also plan to change over to Dutasteride from Finasteride very soon.

Another major worry i have is that i've noticed that the sides of my head appear to be noticeably thinning (above the sideburns, ears and at the nape area). My donor area at the back looks absolutely fine though. I think i may suffer from Retrograde Alopecia, which is obviously not ideal but I have read that it does not completely ruin my chances of HT (in the way that DUPA would).

It's just a waiting game at the moment - i will likely make a trip to Belgium at some point next year to be properly assessed.

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks for the update.

Hopefully the increase in Meds will help you and the waiting will give you the time needed to evaluate them.

Cheers Bm.