Home | News | Find a Doctor | Ask a Question | Free

Thinking of getting a transplant

#1

I’m close to 42 and probably at a Norwood 2A. I would probably be at Norwood 4 or 5 if I didn’t start taking propecia about 9 years ago. Propecia has been been able to keep my hair from falling, but I’m noticing my hair line receding and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m at Norwood 3 in a few years, even with my regiment of Rogaine and propecia.

So, I’m thinking of getting a hair transplant, but afraid that if my hair loss continues over the next 20 years, I may not have enough donor hair to continue hair transplants. I see actors like Matthew McConaughey with hair transplants and see that HM could be commercialized in the next 5 years, and I’m thinking of taking the plunge because a hair transplant would really help my hairline significantly.

Is/was anyone in my situation and got a hair transplant?

Comment would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

PS. I’m in Calgary, Canada.

#2

You’re 42, I wouldn’t worry about 20 yrs down the line. You are more than perfect for a hair transplant if needed. And don’t bank on HM coming out in 5 yrs, more like 13 average. You’d be a good canditate to see dr alvi armani as he does the best hairlines out there.

» I’m close to 42 and probably at a Norwood 2A. I would probably be at
» Norwood 4 or 5 if I didn’t start taking propecia about 9 years ago.
» Propecia has been been able to keep my hair from falling, but I’m noticing
» my hair line receding and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m at Norwood 3 in a
» few years, even with my regiment of Rogaine and propecia.
»
» So, I’m thinking of getting a hair transplant, but afraid that if my hair
» loss continues over the next 20 years, I may not have enough donor hair to
» continue hair transplants. I see actors like Matthew McConaughey with hair
» transplants and see that HM could be commercialized in the next 5 years,
» and I’m thinking of taking the plunge because a hair transplant would
» really help my hairline significantly.
»
» Is/was anyone in my situation and got a hair transplant?
»
» Comment would be much appreciated.
»
» Thanks.
»
» PS. I’m in Calgary, Canada.

#3

Okay - but what about taking out too much donor hair and not having enough for the future? Like I said: propecia’s effects are dwindling and I’m noticing my hair line receding slowly and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m NW3 or NW4 in about 5 to 10 years…

Any doctors in the Calgary or surrounding area?
Anyone travel to other cities to have the procedure done?

» You’re 42, I wouldn’t worry about 20 yrs down the line. You are more than
» perfect for a hair transplant if needed. And don’t bank on HM coming out in
» 5 yrs, more like 13 average. You’d be a good canditate to see dr alvi
» armani as he does the best hairlines out there.
»
»
» » I’m close to 42 and probably at a Norwood 2A. I would probably be at
» » Norwood 4 or 5 if I didn’t start taking propecia about 9 years ago.
» » Propecia has been been able to keep my hair from falling, but I’m
» noticing
» » my hair line receding and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m at Norwood 3 in
» a
» » few years, even with my regiment of Rogaine and propecia.
» »
» » So, I’m thinking of getting a hair transplant, but afraid that if my
» hair
» » loss continues over the next 20 years, I may not have enough donor hair
» to
» » continue hair transplants. I see actors like Matthew McConaughey with
» hair
» » transplants and see that HM could be commercialized in the next 5
» years,
» » and I’m thinking of taking the plunge because a hair transplant would
» » really help my hairline significantly.
» »
» » Is/was anyone in my situation and got a hair transplant?
» »
» » Comment would be much appreciated.
» »
» » Thanks.
» »
» » PS. I’m in Calgary, Canada.

#4

» Okay - but what about taking out too much donor hair and not having enough
» for the future? Like I said: propecia’s effects are dwindling and I’m
» noticing my hair line receding slowly and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m
» NW3 or NW4 in about 5 to 10 years…
»
» Any doctors in the Calgary or surrounding area?
» Anyone travel to other cities to have the procedure done?

Vivace67, I traveled 11 hours by car to see Dr. Armani. When I was researching procedures I liked his results best, so I decided I would go with the doctor who produced the best results versus staying local and choosing the closest docotor.

Don’t let travel be a deciding factor when choosing your hair transplant surgeon, the results will be with you the rest of your life.

»
»
»
»
»
»

#5

hi man.Ok you are 42 and your hair situation doesnt sound that bad at all. A thick hairline at this age is not something important i bet most of your friends have some kind of recession or are totally bald.

for me, from the way you sound, I say wait for something better to come along and dont risk your natural head of har and virgin scalp…maybe its not HM but another breakthrough.

#6

thegreek, i wish i could have my first procedure in my 40’s. Him having his first procedure now is perfectly ideal provided he doesn’t go to a coo-coo surgeon. Him waiting another 10-15 years for HM may not be in his best interest because as to many in their 50’s and 60’s their hair thinning or going bald is not much of any issue at all at that point.

» hi man.Ok you are 42 and your hair situation doesnt sound that bad at all.
» A thick hairline at this age is not something important i bet most of your
» friends have some kind of recession or are totally bald.
»
» for me, from the way you sound, I say wait for something better to come
» along and dont risk your natural head of har and virgin scalp…maybe its
» not HM but another breakthrough.

#7

All of you raise very good points. As for me, I’m quite focused on my appearance (probably odd for a 41yo). Call it a vanity, but I would love to have a better hairline. My only worry is poor results and/or not having enough donor hair in the future and looking like a freak with an obvious hair transplant. As I’ve stated before: after 9 years on propecia, it appears it’s not holding back my hairline as previously before…

A lot of guys that are in their early 40s or even in their 30s or 20s are out of shape. I’m in exceptional shape as i take pride in my appearance; so, comparisons to my age demographics for hairlines (or body) is not valid. I look way younger than my age, but a better hairline would definitely help, as long as it can look natural…

I think I’ll to arrange a consult with Mr. Armani…

» thegreek, i wish i could have my first procedure in my 40’s. Him having his
» first procedure now is perfectly ideal provided he doesn’t go to a coo-coo
» surgeon. Him waiting another 10-15 years for HM may not be in his best
» interest because as to many in their 50’s and 60’s their hair thinning or
» going bald is not much of any issue at all at that point.
»
» » hi man.Ok you are 42 and your hair situation doesnt sound that bad at
» all.
» » A thick hairline at this age is not something important i bet most of
» your
» » friends have some kind of recession or are totally bald.
» »
» » for me, from the way you sound, I say wait for something better to come
» » along and dont risk your natural head of har and virgin scalp…maybe
» its
» » not HM but another breakthrough.

#8

“As for me, I’m quite focused on my appearance”

That’s why you shd. not get HT. Patients like yourself tend to be hyper-critical and aware of the least flaw. Few people speak about the psychological profile of the poor HT candidate, but this kind of looks-awareness at 40+ pretty much damns you to regret unless (and it’s unlikely) you have absolute home-run hair-characteristics. And if finasteride is just now failing you, you are very likely moving into a phase of accelerated loss. Which the trauma of surgery will only hasten further. It happens often to patients in their 40’s.

Take it from someone who knows. The pictures you see on (salesmen and shill-riddled) sites like these are f’ing worthless. You must see HT in-person in sunlight and then in the middle of the day in the mirrors of your average mall. Do this a half-dozen times and you’ll be shaking your head at just how deceptive “pics” and video really are.

There’s nothing like wind sun and the laughing eyes of a hot salesgirl standing outside Victoria’s Secret to make your average HT patient realize what that HT really looks like on his head.

TheFittest

#9

» “As for me, I’m quite focused on my appearance”
»
» That’s why you shd. not get HT. Patients like yourself tend to be
» hyper-critical and aware of the least flaw. Few people speak about the
» psychological profile of the poor HT candidate, but this kind of
» looks-awareness at 40+ pretty much damns you to regret unless (and it’s
» unlikely) you have absolute home-run hair-characteristics. And if
» finasteride is just now failing you, you are very likely moving into a
» phase of accelerated loss. Which the trauma of surgery will only hasten
» further. It happens often to patients in their 40’s.
»
» Take it from someone who knows. The pictures you see on (salesmen and
» shill-riddled) sites like these are f’ing worthless. You must see HT
» in-person in sunlight and then in the middle of the day in the mirrors of
» your average mall. Do this a half-dozen times and you’ll be shaking your
» head at just how deceptive “pics” and video really are.
»
» There’s nothing like wind sun and the laughing eyes of a hot salesgirl
» standing outside Victoria’s Secret to make your average HT patient realize
» what that HT really looks like on his head.
»
» TheFittest

Well said, i tried to be more diplomatic because after all these years i am bored of confrontations with the army of shills and salesmen lol.

The fittest the shill storm is coming your way man :smiley:

#10

vivace67, my appearance is very important to me as well. I had my HT with Dr. Armani when I was 46 years old, and it impacted my life in a very positive way. I am 49 years old now and my appearance continues to be important to me and it always will. I train one body part with weights a day six days a week, and I also do one hour of cardio each work out. My body and skin tone have always been excellent for my age, but it was my hair that failed me.

Do as much research as you can. You will probably have to travel to find the best HT doctor for you.

Try to have a minimum of three consultations with the top HT doctors.
If its possible try and meet HT patients in person.

Dr. Armani did my HT and I am really happy with my results. Some other Docs you should consider researching are Rahal,Feller and H&W as well.

The Fittest was a member of a forum where I started doing my research in 2006. I believe he has had two or three HT’s and is quite happy with the work Dr. Cole did for him. The comments that he has made on this thread were the same comments that he posted quite often on that other forum. I almost decided against having an HT back then, and for me that would have been the wrong decision.

The Greek has made comments about Dr. Armani’s patients being Shills. I have never profited from speaking positively of my experience with Dr. Armani. I am greatful for what Dr. Armani was able to do for me. The HT world is a very competitive business, and I think it is possible that they have employees that make comments like these. I don’t think the Greek is one of those people, but I do think people that make comments like that present some question marks to me.

vivace67, please try and post some picks of your situation to give us a better idea of where your hair loss is at. Sometime we are hyper critical of ourselves and not as bad off as what we think. Good luck to you.:slight_smile:

#11

»
» That’s why you shd. not get HT. Patients like yourself tend to be
» hyper-critical and aware of the least flaw. Few people speak about the
» psychological profile of the poor HT candidate,

If someone wasn’t appearance focused, they would not be getting elective cosmetic procedure. The real question: does the result look better than the previous state? It’s clear that I have a receding hair line. I will post my hair pictures shortly…

» And if » finasteride is just now failing you, you are very likely moving into a » phase of accelerated loss. Which the trauma of surgery will only hasten » further. It happens often to patients in their 40's.

What happens to patients in their early 40s? weakening affects of propecia? or trauma from HT causing more hair loss? or both? surely, there are HT patients here that can tell me their experience…

»
» Take it from someone who knows. The pictures you see on (salesmen and
» shill-riddled) sites like these are f’ing worthless. You must see HT
» in-person in sunlight and then in the middle of the day in the mirrors of
» your average mall. Do this a half-dozen times and you’ll be shaking your
» head at just how deceptive “pics” and video really are.

agreed

»
» There’s nothing like wind sun and the laughing eyes of a hot salesgirl
» standing outside Victoria’s Secret to make your average HT patient realize
» what that HT really looks like on his head.
»
My ex is a 25yo model and I date hot girls in late 20s and early 30s… they didn’t care about my hairline [obviously]. My last gf figured I’d be bald when i get older when she met my bald dad - it didn’t bother her…I’m doing cause I want to… i’ll post my hair pictures shortly and you guys can assess if i’m wasting my time even thinking about it…

#12

That was uncalled for thegreek. What are you, 10? Can we have normal discussions without starting feuds here again?? …Trying to prepare grounds for FUTURE people who MAY disagree with thefittest by saying “anyone who disagrees, they’re all shills”. I don’t agree with him in some areas and in some areas I do agree… like every single other person on here reading posts. Who are you to label salesman of clinics on these forums and people who disagree with you? If you don’t like the way these forums are run, if you don’t like salesman doing their jobs and people disagreeing with you then get another job and stop posting. Only shill I see here is is you with the word “S.H.I.L.L.” stamped across your forehead in pink.

thefittest, hairtransplants today (provided theyre done by the right surgeons) are 100% undetectable. I don’t understand where you got the idea that they are detectable in the sunlight, outside, etc. Your example of the lady from Victoria’s Secret would best apply to the plug grafts of the 80’s. I’ve seen literally dozens of hairtransplants in person and the only way i knew it was a hairtransplant was when they told me that it was a hairtransplant (plugs not included). Agreed, pics/vids have been, they are and always will be misleading, but that doesnt iradicate the fact that these guys have undetectable hair transplants.

And yes it’s true, if propecia gave way now then its effectiveness is only going to diminish further from this point on. In other words, dense packing the front may not be a good idea, but a hair transplant is STILL a viable option.

» » “As for me, I’m quite focused on my appearance”
» »
» » That’s why you shd. not get HT. Patients like yourself tend to be
» » hyper-critical and aware of the least flaw. Few people speak about the
» » psychological profile of the poor HT candidate, but this kind of
» » looks-awareness at 40+ pretty much damns you to regret unless (and
» it’s
» » unlikely) you have absolute home-run hair-characteristics. And if
» » finasteride is just now failing you, you are very likely moving into a
» » phase of accelerated loss. Which the trauma of surgery will only
» hasten
» » further. It happens often to patients in their 40’s.
» »
» » Take it from someone who knows. The pictures you see on (salesmen and
» » shill-riddled) sites like these are f’ing worthless. You must see HT
» » in-person in sunlight and then in the middle of the day in the mirrors
» of
» » your average mall. Do this a half-dozen times and you’ll be shaking
» your
» » head at just how deceptive “pics” and video really are.
» »
» » There’s nothing like wind sun and the laughing eyes of a hot salesgirl
» » standing outside Victoria’s Secret to make your average HT patient
» realize
» » what that HT really looks like on his head.
» »
» » TheFittest
»
» Well said, i tried to be more diplomatic because after all these years i
» am bored of confrontations with the army of shills and salesmen lol.
»
» The fittest the shill storm is coming your way man :smiley:

#13

vivace67, you may want to look into meeting this Armani patient, he is located in the New York area and is willing to meet with people.

http://www.hairsite.com/hair-loss/board_entry-id-40762-page-0-order-time-category-0.html

As well, if you are interested in a free online conslutation with Dr. Armani as you mentioned you can do so here http://www.alviarmanihairtransplants.com/consultation-form.aspx

I had my first procedure with Dr. Armani a few years ago. My results look awesome in sunlight, when my hair is wet, when its windy. Having my hair back literally changed my social life.

I now work for the clinic and have seen so many people in person who have had procedures with Dr. Armani. I can tell you the results I see are just eye popping.

For me when I was researching I tried to see who’s results I liked, and whos patients photos seemed the most real to me. The results I have posted below, the photos were clearly taken by the patients themselves, you can see in the baclgrounds the patients living rooms. Photos taken in real life condition go a long way for me.

1480_image458.jpg935x768

1480_image460.jpg800x636

1480_image462.jpg865x598

1480_image464.jpg601x639

#14

» That was uncalled for thegreek. What are you, 10? Can we have normal
» discussions without starting feuds here again?? …Trying to prepare grounds
» for FUTURE people who MAY disagree with thefittest by saying “anyone who
» disagrees, they’re all shills”. I don’t agree with him in some areas and in
» some areas I do agree… like every single other person on here reading
» posts. Who are you to label salesman of clinics on these forums and people
» who disagree with you? If you don’t like the way these forums are run, if
» you don’t like salesman doing their jobs and people disagreeing with you
» then get another job and stop posting. Only shill I see here is is you with
» the word “S.H.I.L.L.” stamped across your forehead in pink.

Is that so???If you dint took it so personally i could almost believe you. As for labelling people i ve seen this talent on you where in many threads you PREDICT that the antiarmani gang will come in thus labelling everyone that might come in post and disagree as antiarmani. As for me being a shill when someone says that he is thinking of getting a transplant, explains his worries about the future, saying that propecia started to stop working so good i didnt come in and told him dont worry about nothing go to this doctor he is the best.

But i dont think you are actually a shill, shills are better spoken and diplomatic i just think you are irresponsible and you act like a mindless bad fan.

#15

All the chatter in the world, all the anecdotes from the (few) people with (temporarily)successful transplants will not change the facts written in my post above.

Let us rehearse the litany. HT is a primitive procedure. Donor resources are evilly finite. Most people with sufficient hair loss to benefit even temporarily from HT will lose a great deal over their lifetime. Thus negating that temporary benefit. People with very little hair loss who simply want more hair are likely to accelerate their MPB as a result of surgical trauma. MPB is a relentlessly progressive disorder. Many people that are happy now with their HT may cry bitter, bitter tears when the inevitable acceleration of MPB strikes. It is often only a question of time. Are there people who get lucky? yes. There are also people who step away from the tables at Vegas when they’re up for the day. Most people are neither lucky nor disciplined.

As someone mentioned above, I have had multiple HT’s and I’m happy with my work. That fact is what is properly called anecdotal evidence and is supremely irrelevant to the bell curve of likely outcomes. I am a lucky outlier. Any day my luck could run out. My drugs could fail; or those genes could simply decide they want to lay waste to my skull. If I could go back in time – alas, a melancholy phrase – I would not do HT. Of course. I may yet discover the hard way, on my very flesh, that HT is a primitive procedure which can go bad for anyone at any time. That will be a dreadful but not unexpected day.

I am not here to “argue” with any one. I’ve been in this game for a long time. The Internet, like the world, is full of all kinds. You must read these texts and decide who is trustworthy. It is a difficult decision. The voice of caution is a miserable voice, the voices of action are on the other hand very seductive. MPB is a truly wretched problem. Back when writing these posts really meant something to me, I was happy to know that I had spared many men/boys the ordeal of risky and primitive surgery.

This is not about doctors. I do not recommend Cole; I do not recommend Armani; I recommmed: no one. Just Don’t Do It is the best slogan. I wish it were otherwise. That’s all I have to say.

TheFittest

PS: don’t harass “thegreek.” He is a veteran poster who is trying to help. You want to attack someone, feel free to attack me. Though he is more than able to defend himself, I’m sure. :wink:

#16

» All the chatter in the world, all the anecdotes from the (few) people with
» (temporarily)successful transplants will not change the facts written in my
» post above.
»
» Let us rehearse the litany. HT is a primitive procedure. Donor resources
» are evilly finite. Most people with sufficient hair loss to benefit even
» temporarily from HT will lose a great deal over their lifetime. Thus
» negating that temporary benefit. People with very little hair loss who
» simply want more hair are likely to accelerate their MPB as a result of
» surgical trauma. MPB is a relentlessly progressive disorder. Many people
» that are happy now with their HT may cry bitter, bitter tears when the
» inevitable acceleration of MPB strikes. It is often only a question of
» time. Are there people who get lucky? yes. There are also people who step
» away from the tables at Vegas when they’re up for the day. Most people are
» neither lucky nor disciplined.
»
» As someone mentioned above, I have had multiple HT’s and I’m happy with my
» work. That fact is what is properly called anecdotal evidence and is
» supremely irrelevant to the bell curve of likely outcomes. I am a lucky
» outlier. Any day my luck could run out. My drugs could fail; or those
» genes could simply decide they want to lay waste to my skull. If I could
» go back in time – alas, a melancholy phrase – I would not do HT. Of
» course. I may yet discover the hard way, on my very flesh, that HT is a
» primitive procedure which can go bad for anyone at any time. That will be
» a dreadful but not unexpected day.
»
» I am not here to “argue” with any one. I’ve been in this game for a long
» time. The Internet, like the world, is full of all kinds. You must read
» these texts and decide who is trustworthy. It is a difficult decision.
» The voice of caution is a miserable voice, the voices of action are on the
» other hand very seductive. MPB is a truly wretched problem. Back when
» writing these posts really meant something to me, I was happy to know that
» I had spared many men/boys the ordeal of risky and primitive surgery.
»
» This is not about doctors. I do not recommend Cole; I do not recommend
» Armani; I recommmed: no one. Just Don’t Do It is the best slogan. I wish
» it were otherwise. That’s all I have to say.
»
» TheFittest
»
» PS: don’t harass “thegreek.” He is a veteran poster who is trying to
» help. You want to attack someone, feel free to attack me. Though he is
» more than able to defend himself, I’m sure. :wink:

Fittest,

I like the fact that you are warn people about some of the realities of
HT.There a LOT of negative factors to consider which do not get promoted as much as they should.
But you give a mixed message at times.
Your happy with your procedures ? Your hair looks natural? and yet you wouldnt do it again ?
Is this only because of the possibilities of the meds losing their effectiveness?

Im very cynical regarding the tactics and ethics of many clinics and how ‘positively’ HTs can be presented.
But over the last few years there are hundreds of posters who seem very happy with their results.
Surely they cant ALL be shills? Surely a proportion of posters are people who are genuinely happy and have just as much attention to detail about results as you have.
Would you agree with that?

And by the way , this post is not in any way confrontational.
Im on the fence about HT , looking for answers like many others.
But the fact that so many people are posting with
great results(in their own words) leaves me wondering whether your voice of caution is unbalanced.
I think if the likelihood of an unsatisfactory result was as high as
you say , we would be reading about it more often.

:frowning:

#17

I appreciate your response and your passion behind your “opinions.”

I agree that if a doctor recklessly gives a strong hairline, through HT, but disregards future hair loss reality, it is bad news for the patient.

I was looking at laser eye surgery a few years ago. I asked the doctor if there will continue to be advancements in the procedure - he replied, “Of course.” I opted out of the procedure as I didn’t want to take a chance on my eyes and wait for more data on the long term viability of such procedures. Having said that, there are thousands of patients that choose to get laser eye surgery…

It’s all about personal choice…

I’m simply looking to “enhance” my looks. If I deem the risks too much, I won’t do it.

One simple question: What is the maximum amount of hair that can be transplanted from DHT resistant area? Can one plan to have multiple HT over the next 20 years (if needed to cover hairloss areas. Assume, money is not a barrier…

» All the chatter in the world, all the anecdotes from the (few) people with
» (temporarily)successful transplants will not change the facts written in my
» post above.
»
» Let us rehearse the litany. HT is a primitive procedure. Donor resources
» are evilly finite. Most people with sufficient hair loss to benefit even
» temporarily from HT will lose a great deal over their lifetime. Thus
» negating that temporary benefit. People with very little hair loss who
» simply want more hair are likely to accelerate their MPB as a result of
» surgical trauma. MPB is a relentlessly progressive disorder. Many people
» that are happy now with their HT may cry bitter, bitter tears when the
» inevitable acceleration of MPB strikes. It is often only a question of
» time. Are there people who get lucky? yes. There are also people who step
» away from the tables at Vegas when they’re up for the day. Most people are
» neither lucky nor disciplined.
»
» As someone mentioned above, I have had multiple HT’s and I’m happy with my
» work. That fact is what is properly called anecdotal evidence and is
» supremely irrelevant to the bell curve of likely outcomes. I am a lucky
» outlier. Any day my luck could run out. My drugs could fail; or those
» genes could simply decide they want to lay waste to my skull. If I could
» go back in time – alas, a melancholy phrase – I would not do HT. Of
» course. I may yet discover the hard way, on my very flesh, that HT is a
» primitive procedure which can go bad for anyone at any time. That will be
» a dreadful but not unexpected day.
»
» I am not here to “argue” with any one. I’ve been in this game for a long
» time. The Internet, like the world, is full of all kinds. You must read
» these texts and decide who is trustworthy. It is a difficult decision.
» The voice of caution is a miserable voice, the voices of action are on the
» other hand very seductive. MPB is a truly wretched problem. Back when
» writing these posts really meant something to me, I was happy to know that
» I had spared many men/boys the ordeal of risky and primitive surgery.
»
» This is not about doctors. I do not recommend Cole; I do not recommend
» Armani; I recommmed: no one. Just Don’t Do It is the best slogan. I wish
» it were otherwise. That’s all I have to say.
»
» TheFittest
»
» PS: don’t harass “thegreek.” He is a veteran poster who is trying to
» help. You want to attack someone, feel free to attack me. Though he is
» more than able to defend himself, I’m sure. :wink:

#18

#19

#20

What is the maximum amount of hair that can be
» transplanted from DHT resistant area? Can one plan to have multiple HT over
» the next 20 years (if needed to cover hairloss areas. Assume, money is not
» a barrier…
»
Everyones donor is different, but yes, you can have multiple procedures to cover large areas. A few Armani patients on this message board have done this. Ernst comes to mind, he was just in for his 4th procedure. I believe he is up to 11,000 grafts transplanted.