Dear Doctor:

I am 33 years old from Germany. I am looking to travel to the U.S or Canada for a hair transplant procedure.

I have had 3 previous hts already, all in my frontal area.

#1: 1999: 200 mini and micro grafts with a German clinic (strip)

#2: 2001: 200 FUs with Dr Gho in Mastricht (FUE)

#3: 2003: 300 FUs with Dr Gho in Mastricht (FUE)

I´m not too happy with my density in the frontal area. Plus, it worries me a lot that the hair behind the transplanted hair is receding, too, though I´m taking 2.5mg finasteride a day and 2.5 Minoxidil at night.

I consider my hair texture as pretty thick. Unfortunately, my hair is curly, too so I have problems in letting it grow longer to hide my balding progress. I cannot grow it longer than 1 inch:

My Goals:

Since I have had 3 transplants already I am reckoning one bigger session of about 3000-4000 FUs. I already have a 3 inches long scar on the back of my head which is not too wide (about 4mms). If I transplant 3000-4000 grafts to my frontal area I might be fine for some years. From all what I have read so far on your forums I could imagine flying to U.S or Canada for a strip since it is much cheaper with that number of grafts, plus I already have a strip scar anyway.

To put it simply, I want to fill in the frontal area behind the hairline where I had work done. 

Questions

1. How many grafts do you think I will need to accomplish my goals?

2. Does it matter at this stage whether I choose to get a strip or FUE? Note that I already had 1 strip surgery done and I am leaning toward strip because it is less expensive.

3. Do you think if my donor density can yield 3000-4000 grafts?

4. I am not sure, but HairSite mentioned that I might have suffered permanent shock loss since I had my surgeries. Do you think if I need to worry about permanent shock loss if I am to get another procedure? Perhaps I am more prone to shock loss than other patients?

5. What is your cost per graft ? Strip and FUE.

6. Can I schedule to get 3000-4000 grafts done in ONE trip ? How many sessions will it take to get 3000-4000 grafts transplanted?

7. What do you think is a realistic goal for me?

Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

HairSite Visitor.
Case 169