Where to start

[Baldy82]

Hello all,

After having steady hair loss since the age of 28 I'm approaching 40 and feeling like I'm at the point where I can either shave it off close (done before) or look at a HT. From my late 20s I'd used a generic fin and regaine. I didn't get any side effects from the fin but stopped taking it when we started trying for a family which glady we now have 2 kids.

I'm a 5 on the Norwood scale (pics to follow). I'd bumped into someone I knew recently who'd had a transplant who's the only person I know personally who's had one. It was done in Turkey and looks great.

I've decided against going to Turkey or abroad for various reasons. I'd made a couple of enquires and got prices.

Looking for a UK based surgeon is a bit of a minefield so far with initial research. Some reputable clinics (Farjo for example) have took weeks between emails to reply which has put me off.

Alot of the Harley Street clinics have very similar names so difficult to tell one from another.

I've had one quote from Harley Street HealthCare Hair Transplant Clinics offering 4000 grafts for £3500, which for the UK seems very cheap/too good to be true or more likely of paying for what you get.

So where next? The Hair Doctor seems well regarded so arranging a consultation.

In parallel I'm thinking to myself is it worth it, and need to be realistic in what results I can get. I'd settle for filling in the gaps and being fuller to the front. With 4000 grafts I don't expect I can get a full head of natural looking hair back, I also don't want the hairline I had when I was 25.

Any help, recommendations, comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Baldy82]

 

[Baldy82]

 

[Baldy82]

Frontal view

 

[Bigmac]

Are you back on the hair loss meds? Although you’ve lost ground, your hair can still be improved and it helps strengthen and maintain your donor supply. 4ooo grafts over the whole area will give coverage but not the greatest density.
Harley street has quite a few clinics but its just an address, not a credential or guarantee of good work.
Harley street healthcare who you mention have used other clinics patient pictures as their own. The doctors for hire have changed often on their website. You may be confusing their name with Harley street hair clinic.
There are quite a few UK clinics that have results posted on here. Some will have patient posted results too. Take your time looking through them. Ask questions on the threads.
As for Farjo taking a while to answer. Some clinics receive a lot of emails every day. It takes a lot of time to read emails and reply with individual assessments, as opposed to a generic reply. However, if this puts you off, then that`s your decision.
Are you thinking of FUE or FUT?
If you’re ok with the shaved look, it may well be the best solution.

 

[Baldy82]

Hi Bigmac,

Thanks for the reply. I've a consultation with the Hair Doc later today so will report back later on that. Initial conversations with them they've suggested 2000-2500 grafts so I'm assuming their approach will be to fill in the front and not really do much at all with the crown.

Naturally shaving your head is an option for anyone who is balding. As I've said I've done this in the past, however I look back at pictures and really don't like what I see.

I'm assuming FUE which has been mentioned by the clinics I've contacted so far but part of the research. A visible scar isn't desirable, if I could get another 10 to 15 years out of a HT I'd be less concerned about it when I'm in my 50s at which point shaving it off close would be an option again.

 

[Bigmac]

2500 will give you a conservative hairline and some thin coverage. Will it last the timeframe you want? It probably will but some do experience accelerated bouts of hair loss. Meaning it is possible to lose it sooner than you’d hoped. Talk to the doctor about these factors and decide how you wish to proceed.

Most people in their 50s will think the same way you are thinking now about your hair. And remember, FUE can possible leave more scarring that an FUT.
Look at examples of similar hair loss and graft numbers to yourself. Whilst every patient is different and results vary it will provide a rough idea of what to expect. Meet or speak to patients while you’re researching.

 

[Baldy82]

I had a video consult with the Hair Dr clinic this week.

I've been reading through the patient section of the forums and it's been really informative. There seems to be a few Hair Dr patience out there who aren't happy with their final results, however the aftercare and willingness to get clients the results they want is reassuring.

Anyhow if I am going to go ahead I'd probably go for 4000 grafts as I'd rather do it in one go rather than go back to get the crown filled in. I'm still on the fence and will be doing more research and looking to do some face to face consults. My donner area is good from video consult what I'm not sure of is if I go ahead on the timing. I'm on holiday in August abroad. I could get it done in mid June of this year, but in thinking of what lots of sun exposure and swimming would do to the grafts plus to a lesser extent what it wouod look like at that stage.

The other option is to wait until after holiday around mid September, then when potentially shedding is going on it will be hat season.....

 

[Baldingman23]

I would go with the September option I wouldn’t want to risk sun burn or anything affecting the grafts

 

[Bobbins]

I would go with the September option I wouldn’t want to risk sun burn or anything affecting the grafts

From my experience, you’ll look similar to pre-op after 2 months so that’s not really a concern.
However, you’ll need to wear a hat to avoid the sun / sunburn and stay out of chlorinated water which would certainly not be very convenient.
As said above, later in the year would be ‘safest’ and would allow you to wear a hat more of the time if you’re worried about how it’d look in the first few months.
On the number of grafts. While it’s tempting to try to get it all done in one go, it may not give the best results; 4000 is the most many will do in a day, and it also:
- Increases trauma to the scalp
- Takes a long time. I had 3000 grafts and it took up all of the day (8:30-6:30).
- More difficult managing pain - there’s a maximum amount of anaesthetic you can be given.
- Doesn’t account for the possibility of medication to regrow your crown.

It’s obviously down to you, but I’d predict you’d get at least as good a result in two surgeries, and likely a better one.

 

[Baldy82]

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't hugely considered rhe chlorine factor so that's a very good point! Later in the year better all round and gives me more time to research. Which clinic did you have yours done at Bobbins? If you wouldn't mind sharing some links to others threads etc assuming you shared on the forum?

Cheers

 

[Bobbins]

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't hugely considered rhe chlorine factor so that's a very good point! Later in the year better all round and gives me more time to research. Which clinic did you have yours done at Bobbins? If you wouldn't mind sharing some links to others threads etc assuming you shared on the forum?

Cheers

I’ll PM you, though I’m only 11 weeks post surgery so not too much to share.

 

[Baldy82]

Thanks appreciated

 

[Bigmac]

4000 grafts is a big number but you do have a large area to cover. If you go for full coverage be aware its going to be thinner coverage probably in the crown. You might benefit from oral minoxidil, speak to the doctor about your options. Ask how much donor you have available, this will help you decide on what to do if you do choose to have surgery.
All the best with your consult.