HAIR TRANSPLANT FORUM

Hi forum viewers,

This patient started off as a Norwood 3V potential Norwood 4A. The case is a classic example of a patient who suffered from progressive hair loss over many years. Approximately 800 grafts were transplanted on the frontal hair line to restore the recession. You can clearly see that the patient lost the pre-existing hair on the front and the transplanted hair was retained for many years later. This patient probably would have had very little hair on front if the hair transplant had not been performed, hopefully, along with maximal medical therapy. You can also see that the patient actually maintained the frontal hair line and a natural looking frontal scalp despite the hair loss. The patient recently returned to add density on the front.

After a hair transplant, native hair can be lost at any time in the future and there is no telling which patients will experience this progressive condition. Hair loss is not a linear progression and often times will require the patient to have a second procedure performed to maximize density on the recipient areas.

Hair loss can be devastating for an individual and can cause psychological problems. Physicians who recognize hair loss as a psychological concern for any individual may refer the individual to a hair transplant physician.

Unbelievable, i remember seeing this patient in the year post op and the results were amazing.
some patients are lucky and keep up the existing hair and some don't.
the ones that loose the existing hair will need to have a few more sessions to overcome the loss.

So much efforts and at the end again same problem

In some cases it is a chasing game, patient will need to undergo several hair transplants to overcome to lose of existing hairs.
That is something we try to explain to every patient who is looking for hair transplant, that is why we want to know the family history of hair loss and try to predict if the patient will continue to lose hair, that is why we need to be very careful with young patients that still have the potential to lose more valued hair.

Many patients go to well-known clinics and are not aware that hair loss can be a progressive condition. These same clinics don't speak of the future possibilities of additional loss or the disadvantages of their procedures. Educating patients is the single most important aspect of hair tranplant surgery.

The real question here is:

Was his gentleman taking Propecia?

If I had to take a wild guess, I would say no. In 2003 he had his first transplant. In 2004, he had a virtually full head of hair, and only 4 years later he had thinned quite a bit. I would really love to know if he consistently took that magic little pill.

Thanks,
Mark

Good question Spinner...we will check it.

Spinner,

This patient was on Rogaine for about 5 years then decides to stop using it for three years and began taking Propecia since 2007. This decision to discontinue using minoxidil was not a favorable outcome. We look forward to the update on this case.

In other words, he waited 3 years to start taking Propecia after his transplant. That seems irresponsible to me. Why go through the trouble and expense of a hair transplant and not adhere to one of the primary rules...take Propecia to slow down progressive loss. I have a friend who did the same thing. And I tell him the same thing...the transplant is only part of the solution.

Spinner

You are soo right Spinner!

I concur. Not a good decision, but at least this patient didn't go to some other known clinics for aggressive hair line work. The unnatural look of having great density in the front with no gradual transition from the hair line to the crown. It would look like a dense hair line starting then suddenly stopping just before the middle of a balding scalp.







My advice is not medical advice