Hair Transplants

[dreamer_2.0]

Has anyone had this procedure done? I've been on Finestride since January and, while it is cool to see new hairs sprouting up, the results just aren't enough. Due to this, I've researched other options from wigs to hair systems to even DIY steps from the almighty Googles. Hair transplants appears the most effective way to go since I want my own hair. It's a pricey step, but one that seems quite effective in the long run. Although, of course hair transplant sites will promote their work and show only what they want me to see.

So how about some feedback from others beyond the influence of marketing? Have you gotten hair transplants? Was it recent or a while ago? Are you pleased with the outcome? Would you have done anything differently?

On a side note, regarding DIY ideas from Google, has anyone tried rubbing onion juice into their scalp? Can't say I was able to bring myself to try that. :P

[becky77]

Hi
I had a hair transplant in February, I've also been on Finasteride for over 18 months.
I've had reasonable regrowth with Finasteride but it can't do miracles.

So far the hair transplant has been successful, I did have a very high forehead to begin with though, the transplant has filled in the bald patches and I've gained a little lower hairline.

After a transplant the hair can go dormant for 6-18.months, mine has thickened considerably, but seeing as I'm only 7 months in, I can't tell if there is more to come or if that's it.

They do say it usually takes 2 procedures and although I did mine in the UK (cost more than my FFS quote), I'm told Turkey is the place to go.
Loss of hair was giving me more trauma than needing FFS, so that was my own personal priority, I know you can wear a wig, but you have to take a wig off and it's how that made me feel.

I had the strip procedure and they cut out a strip of skin/hair from ear to ear, cut that into grafts of 1, 2 and three hairs. I had just over 2500 grafts, they say 6000 is the average max.
So they puncture enough holes to match the amount of grafts then implant them, very long day and I was awake for all of it.

If and its a big if I do have a second procedure, it would be to thicken any thin areas and improve the hairline, for that I would consider FUE, that's where they remove the grafts separately rather than cutting a strip of skin out and sewing it back up. It's more costly though and not so good for large areas.

When I'm at my PC I will edit and try add before and after pics.

Edit: I'm not comfortable with posting the pictures here so if you are interested they are in safe haven.

[Loni]

can they use back hairs?
or only off the back of the head?

head hair is in very short supply these days. but have a great stock pile i would like removed anyhow.
not quite "shagable" but more than wanted. and it is not grey.

[ClaraKay]

Hair transplant was my choice to deal with significant MPB. My first set of 2250 grafts was done almost a year ago. It covered the crown of my head up to where the coronal incision for forehead reconstruction was likely to be. It took 8 hours with just a local anesthetic. It was not that uncomfortable during the procedure, nor during the week following as the sutured donor incision and all the grafts healed.

Now that my FFS is complete, the coronal incision is healed, and adequate elasticity has returned to my scalp, I am scheduled this month to have my second transplant. It will cover the remaining bald area with an estimated 3000 grafts, and establish a feminine hairline. My expectations are modest for the final result. I don't expect to have a lovely head of hair. It will be relatively thin given the limited amount of donor I have available. Still, not having a bald head is as important to me as any surgery I've had or am planning to have. It is expensive. I'm paying $4.25/graft, and expect the final cost to be about $24,000. That's more than I paid for my FFS or what I expect to pay for GRS. Hair transplants are considered cosmetic surgery so are rarely covered by health insurance. It also takes months for the grafts to take hold and produce hair shafts. Even when all is complete, I'll still depend on wigs or hair pieces on some occasions to enhance my appearance. I've gotten used to wearing a wig over the past year+, so restoring my own hair is not really essential, but I'm looking forward to looking at myself in the mirror each morning and seeing hair where there isn't now (and no hair were there is now). :)

[dreamer_2.0]

Thank you for sharing, Clara! That's more than 5000 grafts! Holy moly...

Gotta love MPB..........

[dreamer_2.0]

Teeny update here...

So I had another consultation for hair transplants yesterday morning. Not sure how I feel about it. I didn't leave the place feeling confident. First though, a little bit about the first place I went to a month or so ago. This place seemed to have a pompous attitude but the consultation was free so it didn't bother me too much. They quoted me 3000 grafts at $5.50 CDN per graft, so equating to around $16,000 CDN. The part that really dissuaded me however is that I'd have to travel down to the USA for the procedure. Not a huge problem, but still irritating as i'd have to take more time off work making it harder to schedule. I told them I'd think about it and left. A couple weeks later they sent a coupon (which has since expired) for 20% off their quote. That's around $3000!! But still...traveling to the USA. I decided to keep shopping around.

Came across this other place that I visited today. Their consultation wasn't free, it was $150 CDN! Ouch...not the best way to bring in potential customers. The doctor was concerned at how thin in diameter my hair strands are. It would make transplants difficult. The first place did not voice that, or any, concern. He also suggested doing only 1500 grafts to fill in the front hairline and a bit of the top but leave the crown. I was confused by this but he said that any graft they put in the bald patch would be "lost". He suggested using something called "LaserCap" which should help with some regrowth and help hair diameter increase. It only costs $3000...oh and speaking of price, this place was a bit higher at $6 per graft, but they stay in my city for the procedure so no need to travel.

I left the place without paying the $150 fee as they didn't fill me with much confidence. Time to look for a third place to check out.

I really hate being a guy today...everyday actually, but especially today and any other day my being male gets in the way of Holly...

[trishacd]

I had a hair transplant about 10 years ago,best money i ever spent.looks very natural,i take finasteride every day. I haven't lost any more hair due to finasteride.