Some Grafts Not Growing

I was an NHI client. Considering all factors, I would rate the experience as “average”. I am very close to being back to the point where I will need either more surgery, or I will have to shave my head and call it a day. Some of this was genetically predisposed, but some of it may have stemmed from the fact that the grafts did not “take” as well on the crown of my head, the place where I would need them if I have the procedure done again.

My question to you is twofold: Is there any or a better chance of the grafts “taking” in this area a second time? If so, is there a way to schedule the surgery with you without offending the doctor who did it? I think he did a fine job, but it is my understanding that you are the best – and if I do this again, I want it to be for the last time regardless.

Your question may be clear enough for you and I to understand, but for the average reader, the problem you are pointing to is the progressive nature of hair loss. The crown of the head always takes more hair per square inch than the frontal area, so as we tend to favor the front, the crown often gets less hair than it really needs. Add to this the large area the crown represents and that compounds the problem. The swirl and the absence of good layering because of the swirl, added to the very large area make the crown a ‘hair hungry’ area. If we do a hair transplant and any of it does not take, we will replace any hair that did not grow at no charge. However we sometimes find that it is not a failure to grow, but the progressive hair loss that one has. Most complaints, when they are given, are the results of further hair loss. In our medical group we have no pride that supercedes the interests of the patients, so the answer is yes, if you want me to personally look at you and we decide to do more transplants, then I would be honored to be your doctor. To deal with the progressive nature of hair loss and to hopefully put an end to recurrent surgeries, the drug Propecia would be an important additive to your treatment protocol, particularly for the crown in someone like you.

I’ve had crown surgery, having made the mistake of having three scalp reductions to reduce the size of the bald area. By bald spot was a 3 inch diameter circle before the scalp reductions and a 3 inch diameter scarred circle after the scalp reductions. I eventually had 1600 grafts put into my crown and now I am normal. When I am in bright sunlight and my hair is web, my crown appears thinner than I would like. My bald spot used to get a sun burn before the transplants were done, but since the transplants there have been no more sunburns.

I look forward to speaking with you.