How many grafts do you think that I need.

[Nick153452]

I have pretty much decided to go to Shapiro. I know that I am going to need a large number of grafts, but I am not entirely sure as to how many to expect. I am going to be meeting with them in the near future, but would like to see what you guys could tell me as far as to how many you think I will need. I realize that I will probably have to have a surgery in the future also.

 

My expectations in surgery are obviously not make it look as though I never balded (becaus eI don't think that with my stage of balding that would be possible), but I would like to re establish some sort of a hairline and thinking things up a bit.

 

What do you guys think based on these pictures?

[tacolinowest]

3000-3200

[BensonTT]

3000-3200

 

 

X2 sessions.

[Nick153452]

X2 sessions.

 

 

SO essentially 6,000?????? Is it really that bad? I've seen some great results with people who seemed further along that I am with 3,500.

[tacolinowest]

3200 one round will work well untill u lose more native hair, then u will need one more

[Shampoo]

depends on your goals

if the pics you posted were my head

yes i'd say at least 5500-6000 grafts before I'd be happy.

I had less hairloss than you

had 4352 placed last August

and I think I'm gonna need another 2500-3000 in my crown

 

you will most likely be "happier" after 3500 grafts

but I bet you'll end up wanting more

 

it's hard for others to know what's gonna make you

happy when you look in the mirror a year after your surgery

[KO]

You have an interesting balding pattern, most loss is in the front, but crown looks intact, this tends to make you a classically good candidate if you're on meds.

 

I'd say target 3k for this round, and see how it goes, in the future, you want some in the bank to address future thinning.

[Nick153452]

You have an interesting balding pattern, most loss is in the front, but crown looks intact, this tends to make you a classically good candidate if you're on meds.

 

I'd say target 3k for this round, and see how it goes, in the future, you want some in the bank to address future thinning.

 

Yeah, I've noticed that too. My crown is pretty thick, I don't think that I have any balding actually in that area... I'll have to ask someone who can actually see back there. Plus, in some places it's fairly thick. I'm not sure if that means that I'm probably not going to bald there, or what's going on...

 

Currently I'm not on any meds. I am going to start rogaine foam, but I am not going to use propecia or anything like that because I had bad side effects last time..

[1978matt]

You've got more loss than me and I was recommended 3000-4000 grafts by 4 doctors.

 

The lighting on that second photo is not great but it does seem as if your crown is going.

 

I think 4000-4500 would give a very nice change at the front depending what you can get out of the donor area. Maybe come back later on to improve the crown.

[Nick153452]

You've got more loss than me and I was recommended 3000-4000 grafts by 4 doctors.

 

The lighting on that second photo is not great but it does seem as if your crown is going.

 

I think 4000-4500 would give a very nice change at the front depending what you can get out of the donor area. Maybe come back later on to improve the crown.

 

Yeah. I saw that in the picture. I'm not entirely sure why it looks like that -- I've always thought that I wasn't balding much beyond my zone 4.

 

I'll let you all know what they tell me at my appointment.

[Shampoo]

it does seem as if your crown is going.

 

 

I agree Matt....

 

Nick I think you are definitely thinning in the crown too.

 

 

 

After two surgeries of about 3500 grafts each you'd be much happier.

Edited May 5, 2013 by Shampoo

[Nick153452]

I agree Matt....

 

Nick I think you are definitely thinning in the crown too.

 

 

 

After two surgeries of about 3500 grafts each you'd be much happier.

 

 

Yeah I just took a picture of my crown. I am indeed thinning. What's interesting about this whole balding experience is that nobody in my over 150 member family has balded in the last 150 years.. It's truly remarkable how unlucky I am..

[Shampoo]

Nick.....that is interesting, but everyone in that 150 member family probably has some faults or problems. The good news is you can get your hair back for less than the price of most new cars. And unlike the car your new hair should last a lifetime. Dr. Shapiro is one of the very best.

[KO]

Maybe you were adopted. I kid.

[Nick153452]

Nick.....that is interesting, but everyone in that 150 member family probably has some faults or problems. The good news is you can get your hair back for less than the price of most new cars. And unlike the car your new hair should last a lifetime. Dr. Shapiro is one of the very best.

 

Yeah, a lot of them are fat, but I hardly call that genetic; I call that fast food and no exercise I've always been the only one to take care of himself mentally, physically and academically, and this is what I get!! I agree that the results will last a lifetime; but I just hope I can obtain what I am aiming for. Plus, I'm still lacking a car

[Nick153452]

I have scheduled my meeting with Matt and one of the Drs at Shapiro. It is going to be taking place on Wednesday at 1 PM. I will keep you guys updated with what they say. Surgery will most likely be on the 24th of June with Paul. Hopefully everything turns out well.

[Shampoo]

Good luck Nick.

Dr. Shapiro is an excellent choice.

Janna at Shapiro will take very good care of you as well.

[Nick153452]

Good luck Nick.

Dr. Shapiro is an excellent choice.

Janna at Shapiro will take very good care of you as well.

 

I have absolutely no concerns about them; which is why I feel pretty relieved that such world-renowned quality is so close to home! I've seen Janna around the forums and am more assured that people take such pride in their work. The only disappointments I foresee happening are those set by unreasonable expectations on my behalf. I am reasonable, but maybe still overly optimistic. :D:D

[Shampoo]

The only disappointments I foresee happening are those set by unreasonable expectations on my behalf.

 

Yep....that's a common down-fall.

Ya gotta realize it took years to fall out,

so it may take a gameplan of 2 surgeries to get where ya wanna be.

Plus learn to be patient post-op.

The "ugly duckling phase" first 4 months can seem like forever.

[Nick153452]

Yep....that's a common down-fall.

Ya gotta realize it took years to fall out,

so it may take a gameplan of 2 surgeries to get where ya wanna be.

Plus learn to be patient post-op.

The "ugly duckling phase" first 4 months can seem like forever.

 

Lol the ugly duckling phase has been going on for years, I'm pretty sure that I can handle 4 months (unfortunately I will be in Europe for those 4 months staying at my friend's house). Hopefully they understand why I'll be wearing a hat the whole time

[Shampoo]

Lol the ugly duckling phase has been going on for years, I'm pretty sure that I can handle 4 months

 

that is the crux of it

once the "pre-op pain level" gets high enough

the post-op ugly duckling becomes well worth it

[Nick153452]

that is the crux of it

once the "pre-op pain level" gets high enough

the post-op ugly duckling becomes well worth it

 

Indeed. The breaking point, well almost breaking point, was when I was at Sam's Club with my mom getting stuff for Easter, and me (being the talkative person I am) sparked up a conversation with the nice lady giving free samples of the cake). As I was leaving, she said, "Say goodbye to your wife for me", to which I nicely replied with a laugh, "That's my mom." She was pleasantly embarrassed, but I agree, I'll upload a picture of me without a hat and with a hat, there's a remarkable difference! Granted these pictures were from 2009, they give the same illusion.

[KO]

Yeah seriously I really hate that. My mom looks younger than her age and I look 25 years older.

 

 

UGHHGHGHGH

[HairKlepto]

Shapiro is great at doing conservative hairlines. You can always have a higher hairline that is pretty dense and use less grafts. Shapiro has lots of examples like this. Yeh if you want to have a hairline at the very front of your head, then you are going to need a lot of grafts.

[Nick153452]

Shapiro is great at doing conservative hairlines. You can always have a higher hairline that is pretty dense and use less grafts. Shapiro has lots of examples like this. Yeh if you want to have a hairline at the very front of your head, then you are going to need a lot of grafts.

 

 

Yeah, I did talk to Dr. Ron about this, and I must say, he's a very down-to-earth guy and very passionate. I'm actually not sure whether or not I'm having my surgery for the hair, or just so I can spend a day with them again! It was actually a lot of fun at my consultation!

 

He brought me into his office for a long time and showed me examples of how conservative hairlines are common, even in Hollywood.

 

Dr. Ron expressed the different options I had and what he felt he could do "safely" while preparing for future hair loss. I am obviously going to listen to him despite my hopes of having the "perfect" hairline; it is Dr. Ron Shapiro after all! Who am I to argue with that? He told me that he could be aggressive and conservative at the same time while giving the illusion of a lower hairline. The guy is a genius! I am extremely excited!