dhuge67

Originally posted by kg007:

No disrespect to you Chris, but you know nothing about hair transplant. You should do research for atleast another year before even thinking about hair transplant. You're setting yourself up for life long misery. You can't learn about these things by asking all these questions to all these educated folks here in 2 days. You must read read read read read this website for next 6 months to learn about HT and it's pros and cons. You're norwood 3 at 20 and most likely you'll be norwood 4 by 23, and norwood 5 by 30 considering that you have not even tried propecia. Even propecia doesn't work completely to stop the hair loss, it only slows it down buying you some more time. Do yourself a favor, cancel the surgery and get on propecia ASAP and give it a try for atleast a year before even thinking about HT.

 

So why not a transplant now, again at 23, then again at 30?

Originally posted by Gorpy:

I understand he might be considered reputable. I don't mean to sound harsh. BUT, it is advisable to consult with more than one surgeon. MOST would not give you a transplant. There is a reason why.

You keep saying this, but I am a NW-3v...

Originally posted by Gorpy:

Well, we actually know quite a bit. As Jotronic said, we've been through it and we've also been learning about various aspects of it for years. From you statements, you obviously are not well informed. So basically you are going into it with blinders on.

 

Do youself a big favor. Consult with some of the reputable doctors recommended on this site. When they turn you down for a hair transplant, ask yourself why?

Pistone is reputable, yet he did not turn me down.

 

I don't understand YOUR tone. I am not being obstinate, just curious and questioning.

 

I plan on asking the doctor all of these questions and making sure that he thinks the procedure is worthwhile.

Originally posted by the B spot:

d

MOST of the time it comes back, but there is no guarantee. Judging from your posts you have decided to maintain an open dialogue. This is good. Jotronic knows exactly what he is talking about as do several others. Please heed their advice my friend, it will save you from potentially traveling a difficult path.

I'm open to conversation, but I'm trying to discern what might be stuff you all think you know from what you actually know. It's not easy when everyone thinks their opinion is gold.

 

Is it not possible for Procerin to work?

 

And to go by the logic of 'don't get a transplant unless you are on Propecia'....well, what if I go on it tomorrow? If it works like you say it does, then my hair loss will stop and the procedure will be worth the trouble, right?

Originally posted by Gorpy:

Ok, NW-5 then. There is still not enough donar hair to cover that. There is no advantage to starting a transplant early as you indicated in an earlier post. There is a HUGE advantage in stopping your hairloss early by taking Propecia. I wish I had started it earlier. In any case you need to make and informed decision. My comment about not having enough donar hair is critical to your future planning and you should understand the limitations of your donar supply.

I understand this, and if my hair loss has haulted (which I think it has), then I don't think it is too early for a procedure.

 

Should I wait until I'm completely bald to have a hair transplant?

 

No, absolutely not. Do not wait. The current techniques that I practice allow me to insert donor hairs between your existing hairs, leaving them undisturbed while restoring density to your scalp. The successive placement of many of these grafts over several procedures can usually prevent the appearance of baldness in some patients who have remaining, but thinning hair, stay one step ahead of the onset of baldness.

Thanks for the information about that, Gorpy!

 

Another thing though, is that my father is a NW-5 (he is 60 years old), and not a 6. I don't see how you can just tell me that I'll LIKELY be an NW-6.

 

Originally posted by Gorpy:

d, you do realize that there is not enough donar hair to cover a bald head? It is just not possible for anybody. That is why ethical doctors are cautious about transplants on a young person. Let's say you end up a nw-6, which is likely. If you get your current hairline re-enforced, you'll never have enough donar hair to keep up with the loss behind it. Eventually you'll end up with a little hair in the front with a bunch of bald area behind and no more donar hair for another procedure. So, unless your hair is permanently stabilized with Propecia, you are in for a long hard ride.

 

Thanks, but could you answer my question about shock loss?

About shock loss....does it happen to hair that would fall out anyway? And if it happens to healthy hair, it will come back, correct?

Originally posted by Gorpy:

No, there's no cosmetic difference in the area where the grafts are placed (the recipient area). The cosmetic problem is in the area in the back and sides of your head where the donar hair is taken from (the strip). That's the 25cm long stip of hair that will be taken (you realize that that is about 10 inches long). You will have a permanent scar there. You must keep your hair long enough to cover it. Shave your head and it will stand out like a big smiley face on the back of your head.

 

I might add that most people including myself have had the strip surgery. It's more cost effective. But I am willing to keep my hair long enough to cover my scar.

This is good to know. I really was not aware that this method will cause a bad scar...but according to Pistone's site he says he can virtually eliminate the scar...maybe that's just fluff?

 

Also, what about the donor area, post op? Will it be really bad looking for a long time?

Originally posted by Gorpy:

Ok, so you are getting strip surgery. Forget about shaving your head in the future.

Yea, but what is so bad about strip surgery? Is there any downside to it, as far as the cosmetic result of the actual transplant is concerned? Now I'm confused...

Originally posted by Gorpy:

Do you even know if you are getting strip surgery or Follicular Unit Extraction? $6500 for 1900 follicular units is the price for strip. You will not be able to shave your head after strip, unless you want everyone to see a funny looking scar on the back and sides of your head.

 

Everyone is very cautious on these boards because we have seen and heard of REALLY bad results. We have nothing to gain by our comments. Doctors have everything to gain by selling you a transplant.

 

This is what his site says, The donor area, located on the sides and back of the scalp, generally one centimeter wide and anywhere from four to twenty-five centimeters long, will be marked, trimmed and anesthetized. All the while you will be relaxing comfortably while watching a movie of your choice.

 

Dr. Pistone will then make a single-blade elliptical excision removing the donor strip. The donor area will be closed using sutures or staples which are generally removed in 7 days. Sometimes, in special situations, dissolving sutures are used and these will not have to be removed. The resulting scar will be minimized and easily concealed by your own hair. The method of donor hair removal practiced by Dr. Pistone allows for constant adjustment of the angle of incision to avoid damaging the adjacent hairs and thereby makes available the most hair for transplantation. Dr. Pistone strongly feels that an excellent cosmetic result in the donor area is very important as well.

 

http://www.drpistone.com/Procedures-and-Results/Hair-Restoration/

Originally posted by Jotronic:

d,

 

No, I have not heard good or bad about Dr. Pistone save for what Pat mentioned in this thread. That is not my point. You need to take more time for research to make sure that you have done all that you can to be as educated as possible. Dr. Pistone may turn out to be the best doc for you, I don't know, but you need to exhaust all the resources at your disposal to make this decision. It is for life. You absolutely MUST see patients in person especially when they all should be so close.

I thank you for your concern, and I am going to try to visit with the doctor this weekend.

But I've done research about this procedure, and the background that this man has for performing the surgery is incredible.

 

If anyone can give me a horror story, involving Dr. Pistone, I'd gladly heed that warning.

I have talked to one on the phone, but not in person.

 

Do you have any information about Dr. Pistone that is bad?

Originally posted by Jotronic:

d,

 

If things worsen and you shave your head you'll have a scar to contend with so this option is out. I forgot to mention that nowhere on the doc's site does he even mention FUE (that I could see). The site plainly states "Dr. Pistone has performed over 6,000 procedures."

 

How is that option out? The scar on the back of my head would not be a big deal to me. I'd just look like a boxer or something, with the way my physique is.

 

This is the kind of result I'm looking for.

 

"??I used to be on Rogaine, not only did it fail to work, it irritated my scalp horribly. I used it for over a year.

 

"??I have used Thymuskin in the past, for 7-8 months and I didn't seem to lose any hair during that time.

 

"??I'm currently taking Procerin and I can tell you that I have not lost a significant amount of hair since using it during the 4 months that I have been on it.

 

"??I've tried Nioxin, hair thickeners, etc...

 

At this point, my hair loss has stabilized and I think a transplant in the frontal area and above the sideburns, with some all over coverage for thickness would be fine.

 

As I have said before, if I continue to thin and things get worse, I would assume that that would happen over the course of the next 2 years. If that were to happen, I would schedule another transplant session. My donor hair is probably about as perfect as anyone's could be.

 

I think being young is an ADVANTAGE more than anything, I just got hit with balding at the worst time...

 

Just because I'm young, doesn't mean a surgery can't be successful...

 

Are you all trying to tell me otherwise?

If things worsen, I'll shave my head and live with that look (as I was doing), and it will be money down the drain.

I am currently using Procerin, I have used Rogaine and Thymuskin in the past but with little to no results.

 

Shock loss is something I'm aware of, but according to what I've read it is a temporary loss of hair, unless the hair that falls out WAS going to fall out anyway.

Thank you, Hairbank, for the kind comments.

 

According to Pistone, his procedures are all able to "stand on their own" which I think means that even if I were to bald at a quick pace, the hair he is transplanting will cover enough area that it won't look strange.

 

I'm going into this knowing that I'll probably need a second procedure within the next 2-3 years.

 

BTW, I there's a guy on this board who's now 28 years old that had transplants. His hair loss was about like mine is and his results are fantastic.

Originally posted by HairHope:

Not to be negative, however, unless your hairloss is stabilized, it is likely a very poor decision on his behalf to operate on a 20 year old.

 

I suggest you read this board for a while because there is much wisdom on this issue.

I would think that someone with his medical credentials would know such things. First of all, from being at this board and reading through a bunch of topics, one thing is clear; you guys place a lot of stock in the words of a few medically untrained patients.

 

I'm going forward with this procedure because my hair loss, while potentially not stabalized, is in a definite pattern and (based on my brother who has had the same pattern) if anything, it is predictable.

 

And lastly, seeing as how nobody here really has had experience with Pistone, it would seem unfair to prejudge him.

Originally posted by pushing 40:

How do you know he likes to shave his head?? How do I navigate this site?? I see people say all the time "from your pics I see", but I don't see any damn pics..am I missing something here?

You can access my pictures by clicking the link I posted on the bottom of the first post in this thread. The password then, for the site is: Pistone

I'll be getting 1,900 follicular units. I will be sure to keep you all posted...

 

Thanks for the replies.

I already made the decision because I have put down half ($3250) of the total amount ($6500) towards the operation.

 

I'm confident in Dr. Pistone due to his credentials and the fact that my father knows people at the Hershey Medical Center, who all gave Dr. Pistone a thumbs up.

Originally posted by kg007:

 

First of all, what made you choose Dr. Pistone over all the other great doctors recommended on this website? I mean nothing against Dr. Pistone, but I have heard nothing about this guy!! I would be cautious going to a surgeon who's name is not out there..

 

According to his website, he has performed over 6,000 FUE procedures and I looked through photo after photo of before and afters.

His credentials made me decide to go with him.

 

Dr. Pistone attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was presented with the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Award. His Medical training was completed at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. During his time there he performed research in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery involving the skin's sensory receptors as well as studies on ways to improve the survival of skin grafts and flaps. His findings were published in the prestigious journal - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. After completing an Internship at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, he completed his Dermatologic training at the Temple University Health Sciences Center.