Questions to ask during consultation

[electricdaisies]

Hi all,

I've got my first consultation soon (well I had one about a year ago but I hadn't done any research and didn't really know what I needed to get out of it so disgredaring that one). I was wondering if there is already a topic somewhere with a list of FAQ? If not, any help you can give me here would be most appreciated so I can make sure the consultations cover everything I need to know.

Here's my photos of the current situation... bear in mind the top of my head is shaved because I've been wearing hair systems for approx 5/6 years.

I am 33 and have been taking Finasteride for ~ 7 years.

 

[sl]

Try to ask as many generic questions prior to attending, usually the hands on measuring time will be limited so it really should be about empirical data and not things that can easily be answered prior such as how long have you been doing HT or experience of techs etc or what is FUE or what tool size do you use. I would encourage patients to really make sure they return home with bonafide data on their own situation and not just generic questions that they should sift through in their research ideally.

We speak to many patients who have had X amount of consultations and when I ask them for any data from it, there is often little to nothing, aside from being told they are a 4 out of 10 or they are a good candidate, all terms that are subjective and not empirical at all. So, hopefully you will come out with real density data, FU make up, miniaturisation levels etc, that can then enable you to make an informed decision. I would certainly ask them prior if you can expect this take home data or will it be just a hand brushing through your hair and saying you are a good candidate.

Transforming from a system to surgery has also challenges of itself in terms of not wearing it while you heal and also the density and coverage surgery can afford as opposed to what a system has given you till now. The clinic may also have a protocol for you not wearing it prior to surgery for skin healing. Be good to ask them of their experience of this and any results you can see.

All the best in your venture and be good to see the journey as I haven't seen many posted who transform from system to surgery.

 

[electricdaisies]

Thanks for the reply.

This piece below was really the kind of thing I was looking for so if you can provide some explanation on what those things are that would be helpful.

So, hopefully you will come out with real density data, FU make up, miniaturisation levels etc, that can then enable you to make an informed decision.

 

[sl]

Here are two videos that come to mind that should really help you in what to expect from a good consultation and also how to prepare. Clinics will vary in their approach and depth of analysis and we have also some very cutting edge technical equipment we use personally for assessments.

 

[Bigmac]

Do you think the finasteride is working? You may want to add a form of minoxidil to your regimen. You still have quite a bit of hair that could improve enough and cut out the need for a HT or Reduce the number of grafts required.
The points by Sl and the video presentations cover basically everything you Need to know.

 

[Dr Arvind]

You don't have much hairloss.
Why did you start wearing this big a patch?

-------------------------
Coming to your hair transplant, you will need to focus on the hairline.
Be clear what hairline you want. Its location and design.

In end, hair transplant is a form of body art. So, think deeply about the hairline you want.

For the remaining hair, you should start Gene therapy for hairloss using :

1. Hair care process to improve lifestyle and epigenome,
2. Microneedling using a 1mm dermaroller or dermapen once a week, and
3. Apply Resveratrol-Grapeseed serum and Fisetin lotion as once daily application.

This video will help you understand why you are losing hair and how to recover it

Regards,
Dr A

 

[electricdaisies]

Do you think the finasteride is working? You may want to add a form of minoxidil to your regimen. You still have quite a bit of hair that could improve enough and cut out the need for a HT or Reduce the number of grafts required.
The points by Sl and the video presentations cover basically everything you Need to know.

I do believe that it's been instrumental in halting my hair loss and had I not started taking it when I did that I would have lost a lot more on top by now. I just wish I had learnt about it sooner. As for minoxidil, I didn't personally get on with it. I was using it for the past year on my crown alone to see if it could thicken up the areas where you can see through to my scalp, but although I experienced initial shedding (which I believe is normal/was led to believe this meant that it was working) I don't think my hair came back any thicker - if anything it looks less dense than it did before the minoxidil! Plus I didn't particularly like the way it made my hair feel (greasy) and having to apply twice a day is a nuisance as well.

You don't have much hairloss.
Why did you start wearing this big a patch?

-------------------------
Coming to your hair transplant, you will need to focus on the hairline.
Be clear what hairline you want. Its location and design.

In end, hair transplant is a form of body art. So, think deeply about the hairline you want.

For the remaining hair, you should start Gene therapy for hairloss using :

1. Hair care process to improve lifestyle and epigenome,
2. Microneedling using a 1mm dermaroller or dermapen once a week, and
3. Apply Resveratrol-Grapeseed serum and Fisetin lotion as once daily application.

This video will help you understand why you are losing hair and how to recover it

Regards,
Dr A

I think because hair systems are so dense that it wouldn't have blended with my own hair had it been any smaller.

Thank you for the video, I have never heard of this, so I will set aside some time to watch.

---

By the way any input on how many grafts people think I may need, just based on experience, would be welcomed

 

[Salazar]

I would make it clear at the consultation what your ultimate goal is with respect to the surgery. Before I knew any better, I nearly signed up for a FUT procedure. Given that my goal was (and is) to wear my hair short again, this would have been a disaster (as the surgeon would have known if we'd ever discussed the matter.) So you really have to make sure that you and the surgeon are on the same page before you commit to anything.

 

[electricdaisies]

So far I have had some polarising opinions with regards to how many grafts I need.

Face-to-face consultations

1. One surgeon refused to bring my hair line down from where it is now AT ALL, but also said I needed 4,000-6,000 grafts to fill in the density on top.
2. Another one initially said I required lots on top, but then changed her mind and suggested I just get the frontal third done, approx 1500-1600 grafts
3. The third has also suggested around the 1400 mark aimed at lowering the hair line and the frontal third of the head

Photo-only consultations

I contacted a couple of clinics in Turkey that I saw recommended on here;

1. Cosmedica - 3000-3500 for the frontal third, or 4000-4500 for further back into the middle of the head
2. Dr Bicer - 4000 grafts

I am not sure what to make of this disparity. My concern is that if I went with one of the lower figures, will I be left thin on top? But at the same time 4,000 grafts seems excessive, considering I do still have some hair left up there

I've also been told different figures when it comes to the total amount of grafts than can be taken from the donor area in a lifetime (not per surgery) - ranging from 5,000 max to 15,000 max - which one is true??

 

[electricdaisies]

Would be great to hear some opinions on whether I need 1,500 or 4,000 grafts