Realistic expectations with a hair transplant.

[jackadee]

Been researching hair transplants, hair loss, medications, concealers etc etc ..... Its a lot of information to take on board and quite confusing at times ...... Anyway I thought I knew it all until I had a face to face consultation with a clinic representative and the doctor.
I'm a Norwood 3 or there abouts with quite thin hair ...... I went into the consultation thinking I was the perfect candidate to have surgery, I'm 32, taken Propecia for 2 years which has slowed the loss to a trickle, eat healthier foods, exercise etc etc.
Sat down with the consultant who asked what I want to achieve ....... I replied I want to fill my thinning area in, want a new hairline and not have large areas of scalp showing ..... After checking my family history and health my head was examined ....... I was told that I probably have around 5000 grafts available which if used would possibly meet my goals, I smiled and thought to myself great ...... Then she said I would have no donor left for future loss as I had a lot of miniaturized hair and my hair loss pattern suggested my back and sides had a strong chance of dropping further ....... This knocked me back a bit then the doctor came in, he repeated that my hair loss pattern looked as though I was heading towards a Norwood 5+.
They explained how they were prepared to transplant 2500 grafts to reinforce my hairline and create a natural thinner look in the frontal third ....... Having things explained to me about how my donor would not meet my needs if future loss occurred has helped me to understand how complicated and difficult hair transplants really are ....... There is a lot of planning that needs to be done.
I'm grateful they were so upfront with me as they could have just given me what I wanted, took my money and forgot about me ....... Instead I was advised to go away, think long and hard what I want to do, then get back in touch with them.
I'm going to hang fire for another 6 months to see if my hair loss progresses, if it stays the same I'm going to go with their advice of 2500 grafts ...... Then I'll have 2500 in reserve to use later if needed.
I hope this post helps the other forum readers.

Jack.

 

[Westcoaster]

Supply and demand. Too much emphasis on guys with thick dense hair when in reality they are the exception to the rule.

 

[jackadee]

Supply and demand ..... you`re quite right.

A Physician needs to assess a patients expectations, then determine the achievable results which leads to the patient having realistic expectations ..... This way there should be no problems after 12 months if everything grows to plan.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Jackadee, it's good to hear you researched before your consultation and that the clinic offered you good advice allowing you to go away and think things through more.
When you eventually decide on your next move you should be confident in knowledge that you are fully informed and ready to make the choice for yourself.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Bm.

 

[jackadee]

Thanks Bm ...... I will keep everyone informed om my future choices.

 

[somit]

Nice to hear about honest advise given. Good luck and may your hair stay strong. I have been to many clinics and advises differed so much that I decided to stop for now. Do more study. Your post was helpful. I thought I was the only one.

 

[jackadee]

Good luck in your research.

 

[Hair transplant plugs]

Hair transplants have advanced considerably since I had mine. Unfortunately the misleading glossy adverts in magazines showing a very bald guy who miraculously has a full head of hair after undergoing a hair transplant are still around, stay clear of these types. I'm in the process of looking to have outdated work repaired, I feel I need 6 - 12 months of quite intense research before I'll be in a position to make an I formed decision.
I agree with your comments Jackadee about expectations and educating oneself before going ahead with surgery.