Confused

[dimemag]

Hi Im 21 years old and considering getting a hair transplant from a very reputable surgeon near where I live. I went in for a consultation, and after looking at my head, he told me that I was not balding up top, only at the temples.

He concluded that via FUT, he could take ~1500 grafts and fix up the front.

I want to get it done, but I am also worried about whether I will continue to bald in the other areas. The doctor told me that he didn't notice any other balding. (When I went in for a consultation, my hair up top was longer, though) I have asked several friends, and they too said the same thing, that they only see balding in the front temple regions. They said the thinness at the crown is normal for everyone, regardless of male pattern baldness.

However, I took some pictures and I feel like it does look like I am thinning at the crown. If this is the case I'm not sure if hair transplant is the way to go just yet, even though the doctor is very reputable (on this site too, it seems).


Here are some pictures:

 

[stop dht]

Sir u can have transplant but no one guarantee u sill stay Norwood 3 (u know u r 21 now if u are 30 or so i would say hair transplant enough but to early to judge) so after fut u need to protect what u got with treatments

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

I would not rush to conclude that thinning in the crown is merely just normal. Thinning in the crown is not good if it's actually occuring. You should make sure the doctor tests for miniaturization in the crown before you go ahead and get an FUT transplant. First, you're only 21 and that looks like some pretty significant frontal balding, and, to me, at least from viewing your photos, it looks like your crown may be in the early stages of joining the party. I would highly consider holding off on a hair transplant til at least you're in the latter part of your 20s because if you have that much loss in the front, you have some aggressive male pattern baldness for someone your age and it is probably only going to get worse. I'm assuming you're on finasteride because that's not only going to be the dam you need to build to keep the never ending barrage of DHT from flooding the rest of your scalp, but also keep you from looking ridiculous if you get a transplant. You don't want thick hair in the front and a big bald spot in the back. You'll just end up having to shave your head anyway and have wasted $8,000 on a useless surgery that's going to leave you with a long scar in the back. Look into a surgeon that will perform FUE. It's a slightly more complicated surgery, but it won't leave you with a scar either. I realize it sucks balls to be balding this early in life. Trust me, I feel your pain (I'm 25). Yes, yours is a little bit too advanced to be able to disguise with the right haircut, but you don't want to make any rash decisions that you'll regret later in life. The surgeon you saw should have informed you of all of this already I hope, otherwise I would say he is seeing an easy mark, and is just trying to take your money.

 

[dimemag]

CincyKid, thanks for the info.

For reference heres what my hair looked like when Dr. L said he didn't notice balding up top. (Its a little grown out)

 

[I.D WALKER]

No disrespect meant toward your choice of doctors, but I'ld say he has little experience with M.P.B. patients. That or he is indifferent to baldness. I think I'ld look for a more a physician who is more attentive and assertive when it comes to the best of your interests. Thanx for sharing and I wish you great success in your efforts to find resolve.

 

[dimemag]

Hm, the doctor I went to has a lot of experience though. In fact, I found him by searching on this forum. http://www.lindseymedical.com/dr_william_lindsey-bio.htm

 

[stop dht]

Hmm dude you got coverage u got two choice : A- Having hair transplant than keep using propecia rogaine etc (because hair transplant never stops male pattern baldness progess) and keeping what u got
B- Using propecia rogaine etc u got a chance for some regrowth i think( young users got more respond chance. me too 21 close to 22 treatments made me stay Norwood 1.5 , thicking terminal hairs i got and some thin hairs regrowth waiting to turn terminal )
If u %120 sure about u will stay Norwood 2.5 or 3 (i guess u r) than just hair transplant would be enough

For example even my baldest ground (right temple) filled with some non pigmented thin hairs around 1-3 cm lenght starts growing

 

[dimemag]

Stop DHT, did you have a hair transplant?

And I also do not want to use Propecia at all.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

Stop DHT, did you have a hair transplant?

And I also do not want to use Propecia at all.

What happens when you continue to recede? You will have horns of hair where you got the transplant and continue to lose behind that.

 

[stop dht]

No dude doctor told me its too early i was using min and other Stuff just added propecia . Me too didnt want to mess with finasteride but if u wanna battle with male pattern baldness Will u use Knife or f16 ?? F 16 here is finasteride . For long term maintanance and regeowtg h ,. And too Much exaggration horror stories about sides but u have to try . If u see any side 1 month test time, than Lower dose i dont think u Will have sides . Maybe u Will fap less

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I get all the fear of finasteride sides with all of the BS going on around the internet, but I wouldn't waste my time getting a transplant without taking finasteride. Also you are 21 and already a NW3. I would say you are dealing with aggressive hair loss and without doing anything to slow it down/stop it, it will definitely get much worse. I am surprised any ethical doctor would consider doing a transplant and not recommend stabilizing your hair loss first.

 

[dreamermerlin]

What happens when you continue to recede? You will have horns of hair where you got the transplant and continue to lose behind that.

And what makes you think a shaved head with some hairline that frames the face will look worse than a completely sly front??

 

[Notcoolanymore]

And what makes you think a shaved head with some hairline that frames the face will look worse than a completely sly front??

I see your point, it may look better, but I don't think he is getting a transplant so that he can shave his head.

 

[stop dht]

I went doctor two times first time with my hairs buzzed he told me i m totally screwed , second time i went with long hair around 4 cm he told me i got density loss on frontal area but he told me that i got tons of thin hairs to turn terminal so even i do your hairs alive now will harm . Some honest doctors left my dad is a doctor too