I've met with 3 top surgeons (bernstein/feller/hasson & wong) - out of those all 3 preferred FUT to FUE (H&W only does FUT). Bernstein was closest to neutral saying that FUE was better if your default hair style is short. The other two said the yield/results were just not as good and left...
Update here: Did the rounds with hair transplant Dr's again, both said 1800-2200 grafts via FUT would be the right route if I wanted to do a hair transplant. 1 claimed the finasteride seemed to be helping but it certainly doesn't feel that way/ I am happy to go ahead to pull the trigger BUT I have a major hang up about people...
UPDATE: Did a consult with a well-known transplant Doctor - was very brief and he essentially said "give propecia another try, see me in 2 year"
hmm...thinking of getting another consult, not very happy with my hairline and feel like propecia is not going to restore it