[CEDeoudes59]

Hey guys! It's been a while! I've been researching and talking about getting a procedure done for years and I finally went through with it. I'm keeping a blog and I'll be on a few of the forums discussing the procedure and the options that are currently availible today.

as a frame of reference:
These days I am more focused on staying healthy and working on all aspects of myself - specifically personality and social networking. I still train, but it's nothing like the hardcore football/hockey stuff I used to do. My supplementation, accordingly, is restricted to 100% legal compounds and a healthful diet. I still eat my protein - but not at bodybuilder levels. Strength training is no longer MY LIFE - it is just part of my life. I am more healthy psychologically and also physically.

From my blog: (pictures availible in the blog)
Hair Restoration Blog for ChrisHT_by_DrCharles

**I'm here to answer questions about surgical and non-surgical options for hairloss... not to plug any doctors (the text from my blog indicates why I selected my doctor and the specific criteria I had) - I'd be happy to answer any and all appropiate questions though. I have consulted with MANY MANY different practices.**

Hey everyone! I am 25 and a half years old. I have been researching hair loss for the past six and a half years. My hair loss began in about 2001-2002, around age 18 or 19, and I immediately began to use minoxidil sporadically. I began to use Propecia (1mg Finasteride) about a year later. While the products were moderately effective, I accelerated my hair loss by taking certain legal performance enhancers. I was aware of the consequences and also took measures to minimize the hair loss throughout. I would shed quite a bit, but much of the thickness would return.

In 2005, I had a severe knee injury in a football game that greatly accelerated the hair loss. While a year later much of it had filled in, certain areas (crown, temples/hairline) most prone to Male-Pattern Baldness needed professional restoration beyond the limited ‘peach-fuzz’ that minoxidil could provide. I considered potential physicians by their expertise with dense hairline packing. The frontal, Zone 1, was the area that needed the biggest touch up, due to my naturally low, fairly square hairline - that the FDA approved treatments rarely improve. I contacted several reputable opinions and decided to have my procedure done by Dr. Glenn Charles.

Dr. Charles most closely shared my philosophy that: the hairline, to quote him, ‘makes-or-breaks’ ANY hair restoration procedure. I felt quite comfortable that Dr. Charles understood the wishes of his younger patients - whereas other doctors might have a more generic hairline which they will provide each of their patients, regardless of age or race.

Although I am younger than most candidates, I have quite a bit of experience with hair loss treatments and how they work (more often, do not work) combined with sports supplements. I have provided advice to countless persons on their surgical and non-surgical options. Although I have discontinued my use of sports supplements, I am familiar with the majority of the compounds. I have tried nearly EVERY hair treatment available and I have even experimented with some of my own creations. While some hair treatments are effective, the only permanent solution is a hair restoration procedure.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

other links:
My FUT Procedure with Dr. Glenn Charles, CMG. Boca Raton, FL. Ongoing feedback and Links - Topic By and for Hair Loss Patients

Hair Restoration Blog for ChrisHT_by_DrCharles

Hair Loss Help Forums - Feedback/Blog on FUT Procedure by Dr. Glenn Charles, CMG. Boca Raton FL.

**I have been performance enhancer free since my injury in 2005**
6-2 220lbs, waist 32 currently... if it mattered.

[ReaperX]

who is that guy in your avatar ? How does a football knee injury accelerate hair loss ?

[CEDeoudes59]

Originally Posted by ReaperX

who is that guy in your avatar ? How does a football knee injury accelerate hair loss ?

Lofa Tatapu.

ruptured patellar tendon... followed by reconstructive surgery and months of pain killers... Just a shock on the system

[BigVrunga]

Hey CED! Nice to hear from you and glad that you're going through with the procedure. Please keep us posted - I know Ill need to do this in the coming years...

[CEDeoudes59]

will do, I'll link the main hair thread to this one here
stay posted

[smeton_yea]

Hey CODeoudes59,

That was a surprising post. Keep us updated.

[CEDeoudes59]

In short, the procedure went smoothly and as expected. I had done years of homework so I knew what to expect. My hairloss was fairly minor but it had stabilzed so I figured I would get it fixed. I was in a bit more pain than I thought post-op and today. Over 2000 pokes it the head will do that! Although I didn't feel any at the time.

Th Post-Procedure Protocol includes:
*Multi Vitamin

*Propecia (1mg Finasteride)

*5% Minoxidil (not necessarily Rogaine, I vary the actual Minoxidil Product I use). My favorite is Spectral-DNC. It's pricey though.

*Nizoral/Nioxin Shampoo (I can't use these for 10-14days, but they will be part of the routine once I am able to wash my hair)

*Copper Peptides (the doctor gave me a Copper Peptide spray to use up in 3-4days, I will probably buy the Folligen Shampoo. Copper Peptides are proven to really help the growth of transplanted hairs by created a healthy grow happy environment).

*Toco-8: PP's latest product. I believe it can increase hair growth, but it didn't do too much as far as stopping mine. Expected, I'll probably go through a few jars of this.

*MSM: Bought a sh1tload of these at Costco... Eating them like candy, good my knee and my head.

*Green Tea, Liver tabs, Protein Shakes etc... for my training, will benefit hair growth as well.

*Blood tests reveal that my testosterone is very high normal, it will certainly help in the growth.

[Iron Warrior]

Great to hear from you again CED It's great to hear about this procedure since I'm sure that's something many of us will have to deal with in the future. Sucks to hear about the injury but it sounds as if you're happier with your life and that's good to hear. Definitely let us know about this procedure. BTW, how much does it cost ?

[Ubiquitous]

Holy ****. I thought you grew breasts and ran away to Tongo. (that was the rumor)

[CEDeoudes59]

Originally Posted by Iron Warrior

Great to hear from you again CED It's great to hear about this procedure since I'm sure that's something many of us will have to deal with in the future. Sucks to hear about the injury but it sounds as if you're happier with your life and that's good to hear. Definitely let us know about this procedure. BTW, how much does it cost ?

Thanks buddy, good to see you too. Life is good, I wish you the same.

As far as cost, it depends on how much work you get done and the means which you do it FUT or FUE. My situation wasn't too bad, in fact, the hairloss has stabilized for the most part... which was reason enough to get the procedure done. I had ~2143grafts* done for $6000 by one of the top surgeons in Florida. Different doctors will quote you various figures based on how much work they think you need. Some are very conservative.

*I will get the specific # tomorow. And Again, that is 'grafts' not single hairs. A graft can be composed of 1 to 4 hairs - I will get those details tomorrow as well.

will report back..

[CEDeoudes59]

Originally Posted by Ubiquitous

Holy ****. I thought you grew breasts and ran away to Tongo. (that was the rumor)

haha, well only temporarily

[Tom 185]

I am 24 and although I am not nearly bald, My hair has become very thin in the past year. Some things I would like to know...

*Success rate of this procedure

*Average price

*Preparation

*Why continue the use of these supplements such as Finasteride? I thought the procedure would allow you to permanently have hair restored if successful.


Sorry if this has recently been covered, been away from the forums for a while...spending too much time on 350z forums hah

[CEDeoudes59]

Sorry for the subpar grammar, the Vicodin has me pretty spacey but content.

*Success rate: 100% from the right doctor. No cosmetic surgery is going to be 'guaranteed' however. The results are subjective, but there should not be any surprises if you have the right doctor doing the procedure. The hair permanent, it is the hair in the back of your head that never falls out (or dies). It grows normally. It is just the hair in the back, moved to the front.

*Average price: Depends on how many grafts and the method at which the procedure is done. Anywhere from $4,000 to $100,000 dollars. Note: there is no reason to spend over $12,000 - that will get you more hair than you could ever want/need in your mid/late 20s.

*Continued Finasteride usage: Unless you have absolutlely no natural non-donor hair on your head, chances are you are going to want to try and maintain the rest of your hair. A hair transplant procedure does not/should not replace every hair on your head. View my blog, I am not replacing every hair on my head -- rather simply, strengthing the hairline and adding some density to some other areas.

Good questions, keeping asking if you have more. I'm happy to answer, Vicodin makes me altruistic. Just make sure you do your homework before taking any major steps.

Originally Posted by Tom 185

I am 24 and although I am not nearly bald, My hair has become very thin in the past year. Some things I would like to know...

*Success rate of this procedure

*Average price

*Preparation

*Why continue the use of these supplements such as Finasteride? I thought the procedure would allow you to permanently have hair restored if successful.


Sorry if this has recently been covered, been away from the forums for a while...spending too much time on 350z forums hah

[Tom 185]

thanks. better start saving my money....and researching doctors...

when do you go back for your next appointment?

before/after pics?

[CEDeoudes59]

Originally Posted by Tom 185

thanks. better start saving my money....and researching doctors...

when do you go back for your next appointment?

before/after pics?

There is no follow-up per say.. Since I got a FUT procedure I'll have to get the stitches removed from the ~1mm suture in the back of my head. It is not visible, it is where the grafts were harvested from. I opted for FUT over FUE. With FUE there is no scar and single hairs are extracted and placed accordingly. While this seems more favorable, and it is, the procedure much more expensive. I have no plans to shave my head so I didn't care if there was a ~1mm scar on the back my head. There has been no bleeding after the procedure, so my scar might be even smaller than 1mm. I have jet black hair and a dark complexion, I doubt I will be able to even find it in a month.

Keep up with my blog for ongoing pictures. It takes about 12 months to have the FULL result of the transplant. It should be about 70% in in about 5 or 6 months ago. With the diet and the supplements I figure it will be nearly all in by August or September. Perhaps that is wishful thinking. All pictures and updates will be on that blog (Link #2, I believe). Stay tuned!

[Iron Warrior]

Another question bro. What are the chances of losing the hair from the procedure if one were to continue taking anabolics ? Would the risk be the same as it is with your natural hair ?

[CEDeoudes59]