And It Begins...my Hair Restoration Story So Far....

Impresaria

I'm your huckleberry.
I just returned from New York for my appointment with Dr. Osei-Tutu of Osei-Tutu Dermatology in Great Neck. I was not really surprised at her diagnosis -- both my mother and grandmother are completely bald, so being told that I have androgenic female pattern baldness was pretty much what I expected. I have microlocks and I have noticed thinning, loss of volume and a slowly receding hairline over the past two years. Throw in some traction alopecia due to a few aggressive lock re-tightenings and regular old peri-menopausal hair loss (and did I mention that I'm stressed the hell out?) it's just a recipe for disaster. All of that aside, I found the trip to be worthwhile. Dr. Osei-Tutu was knowledgeable and personable. She normally doesn't do scalp biopsies during a consultative visit, but since I was from out of town she took a few plugs (right temple and left side in the back) and ordered labs in my home state (Virginia). Outside of normal iron levels, she's looking for estradiol, DHEAS, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol levels.

Sigh...I am conflicted about the whole thing. On some level I was hoping that this would skip me completely. On the other hand, I'm glad that I have resources (namely, great medical insurance) that can help me hold on to what I have, something that my Mom and Grandma didn't have access to. I still have to wait for the biopsy and lab results and then Dr. Osei-Tutu will contact me to discuss treatment options with a quote for a hair transplant. She told me upfront that if the scalp biopsy from the back shows any sign of hair loss that a transplant would probably not be the best long term solution. Basically, I would be paying to transplant hair follicles that would eventually fail. That's just sad. I'm really trying to be optimistic here so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am a viable transplant candidate. I'll keep you all updated with my eventual treatment plan and possible hair transplant situation as it unfolds.

Th first pic is today and the other three are how I generally hide my hairline.

WIN_20171005_18_48_15_Pro.jpg WIN_20170620_11_35_00_Pro.jpg WIN_20170929_14_34_32_Pro.jpgWIN_20170727_11_50_31_Pro.jpg
 

Impresaria

I'm your huckleberry.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I hope the biopsy results indicate you are a hair transplant candidate. Stray positive.

I'm on pins and needles waiting for results. I know that the derm I went to has pretty expensive hair transplant rates so I'm searching for other options if I can't meet her price. I'm so frustrated that I feel like shaving my head but I've put so much effort into growing my locks and might end up losing it all anyway.
 

ilong

God's Own
I'm on pins and needles waiting for results. I know that the derm I went to has pretty expensive hair transplant rates so I'm searching for other options if I can't meet her price. I'm so frustrated that I feel like shaving my head but I've put so much effort into growing my locks and might end up losing it all anyway.

@Impresaria - stay prayed up and try not to be anxious (I know - Easier said than done) Keep in mind some Hair Specialists offer free consultations. You may want to read some of the posts and reviews of lhcf members who had hair transplants, for additional resources. If you are near New York, I believe there are several options relatively close. Also, don't limit yourself to a specific geographical area.Hair transplant recipients often travel to another city, state and even country for the procedure. So widen your geographic search.

Don't shave your head, take each day at a time and don't give up. As long as you have strands -FIGHT!!!!
 
Top