D
DavidLocke
Valued member
Evening all.
Just to give you a basic overview of where I am at the moment. I've been strongly considering a hair transplant now for a couple of months. I am 28 and I currently use Regaine and Alpecin shampoo. My initital attraction towards a HT was to avoid the nuisance of using various bits and bobs everyday and to also go back to the days of no longer worrying about my barnet. In terms of the Norwood scale, from consultations I have, I am a 3V with a tendency to class 5. I am favouring the strip method due to a number of reasons; primarily cost and also I intend to maintain my hair at a length similar to that of in the photos below-therefore, I cannot see a discernible difference in final appearance?
Anyway, I have had a number of online consultations, each with alternating advice. Perhaps niavely (?) I wanted - and still do - to undertake one period of surgery and hopefully that would be my hair sorted from then on. However, I am concerned that at this stage, I perhaps have not lost enough hair to warrant having the op. I do not want to be in the position of requiring to have another 'boost' up every 4-5 years for example.
The first clinic I was attracted to was HDC. The extensive portfolio seemed to speak for itself. From the photographs I sent through to HDC, I received a prompt response predicting that my donar area could potentially take 3500 grafts. We arranged to have a in person consultation to discuss further and go over any concerns I may have.
Then came the bombshell of sorts; after speaking with a gentleman from 'The Harley Street Hair Clinic', he confirmed my initial concerns. He believed it would be irresponsible to have me as a patient at the moment due to my age and degree of hair loss. I am terrified of the idea of having a transplant undertaken and then the surrounding hair falling by the wayside, thus leaving a totally unnatural appearance. He explained that at my stage, it was unpredictable of which way my hairloss would go. That was that decision made then, so I thought. I'll leave it a couple of years.
I thought I would attend the HDC consultation though as it would do no harm and lo and behold, this has totally swung me the other way. During the assessment, it was gauged that my donar area could take a minimum of 3200 grafts, which was a healthy amount I was informed. It was suggested that these grafts should be utilised on the reinforcing the hairline; the front triangle and the top of the scalp towards the crown. Contrary to what I wanted to hear, it was pointed out that it could potentially be best to leave the crown area for the time being due to the number of grafts available. This all seemed to make sense. The atmosphere and friendliness of the gentleman I met was simply grade A.
So here I am. I am virtually 98% certain that I am going to go for a HT but the other concerns are still lingering. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated? Should I perhaps insist on some 'boosting' of the crown area if I do go for the plunge? BHR have also entered my radar and I am awaiting a consultation with those guys; it will be interesting to hear their response. Any other suggestions on effective strip method surgeons/clinics within europe?
Sorry to go on somewhat, but I just wanted to best summarise my current predicament. I have attached a few pics below.
Cheers
Just to give you a basic overview of where I am at the moment. I've been strongly considering a hair transplant now for a couple of months. I am 28 and I currently use Regaine and Alpecin shampoo. My initital attraction towards a HT was to avoid the nuisance of using various bits and bobs everyday and to also go back to the days of no longer worrying about my barnet. In terms of the Norwood scale, from consultations I have, I am a 3V with a tendency to class 5. I am favouring the strip method due to a number of reasons; primarily cost and also I intend to maintain my hair at a length similar to that of in the photos below-therefore, I cannot see a discernible difference in final appearance?
Anyway, I have had a number of online consultations, each with alternating advice. Perhaps niavely (?) I wanted - and still do - to undertake one period of surgery and hopefully that would be my hair sorted from then on. However, I am concerned that at this stage, I perhaps have not lost enough hair to warrant having the op. I do not want to be in the position of requiring to have another 'boost' up every 4-5 years for example.
The first clinic I was attracted to was HDC. The extensive portfolio seemed to speak for itself. From the photographs I sent through to HDC, I received a prompt response predicting that my donar area could potentially take 3500 grafts. We arranged to have a in person consultation to discuss further and go over any concerns I may have.
Then came the bombshell of sorts; after speaking with a gentleman from 'The Harley Street Hair Clinic', he confirmed my initial concerns. He believed it would be irresponsible to have me as a patient at the moment due to my age and degree of hair loss. I am terrified of the idea of having a transplant undertaken and then the surrounding hair falling by the wayside, thus leaving a totally unnatural appearance. He explained that at my stage, it was unpredictable of which way my hairloss would go. That was that decision made then, so I thought. I'll leave it a couple of years.
I thought I would attend the HDC consultation though as it would do no harm and lo and behold, this has totally swung me the other way. During the assessment, it was gauged that my donar area could take a minimum of 3200 grafts, which was a healthy amount I was informed. It was suggested that these grafts should be utilised on the reinforcing the hairline; the front triangle and the top of the scalp towards the crown. Contrary to what I wanted to hear, it was pointed out that it could potentially be best to leave the crown area for the time being due to the number of grafts available. This all seemed to make sense. The atmosphere and friendliness of the gentleman I met was simply grade A.
So here I am. I am virtually 98% certain that I am going to go for a HT but the other concerns are still lingering. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated? Should I perhaps insist on some 'boosting' of the crown area if I do go for the plunge? BHR have also entered my radar and I am awaiting a consultation with those guys; it will be interesting to hear their response. Any other suggestions on effective strip method surgeons/clinics within europe?
Sorry to go on somewhat, but I just wanted to best summarise my current predicament. I have attached a few pics below.
Cheers
