Doctor:

I am 20 years old. I would say I am a Norwood IIIa except I also have a little thinning in the back/top. When I shave my head and watch it grow back, it looks like I can see the horseshoe pattern, but there is still hair covering the middle (it's just a little thin). I also noticed what appeared to be a small bald spot around my cowlick when I was 18, and my hair looked just slightly odd in the back. My hairline has gone from good to terrible in approximately 3 years (between the ages of 17 and 20). I think the back part has been going a little slower. Overall, though, I think Norwood 3a is the closest match.

My hair is buzzed in these pictures. It looks a lot worse when it isn't buzzed because the front part doesn't get much longer than it is in these pictures,
but the rest keeps growing.

My questions:

1) Based on the photos, can you tell me how many FUE grafts I need?

2) Can the entire procedure be done in one session?

3) Do you think if I need to worry about permanent shock fallout as a result of the procedure?

4) What is the approximate cost for the entire procedure (FUE) ?

5) I realize that most doctors would say I am too young for a hair transplant. However, I have tried many hair loss products in the past 2-3 years and nothing really helped. It is unlikely Propecia, Rogaine and any other products will regrow my hair. That's why I am looking into hair transplant as an option. If for whatever reasons you feel that I am NOT a candidate for hair transplant, could you please provide an explanation?

Thank you for your time.

Con Seannery
HairSite poster.