Do You Regret Your Hair Transplant Surgery?

The below question was asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums and answered by mattj, online representative for Coalition hair restoration surgeon Dr. H. Rahal:

I’ve been contemplating a hair transparent for 5+ years. I think in that time I’ve gone from a 2 on the Norwood Scale (26 years old) to Norwood 3 (31 years old) off a very rough measure – never taking Propecia (finasteride). I know some would be jealous who have it worse, and I appreciate your struggle, but I hate it how I have a full head of hair except my hairline has receded. It was after a breakup (7 year relationship) and heavy depression following I lost a lot of hair (~1 inch in like 2 months).

I want to bite the bullet, I feel very confident I’ve not been losing hair for a fair while. My reservations are this;

After years of research, I feel I really only want to see Koray Erdogan. It would cost $12k which is about 30% of my net worth! But how much would it mean. I’m single, and I feel this could really catapult my luck with ladies because I have big forehead, with a few bumps, and apart from that I’m fit.

I wonder if even though my hair loss has been very slow and stable, you never know what could trigger another episode. If I suffered from “shock loss” I couldn’t afford another one so soon after.

My last reservation is this – it will be obvious to people close to me – but I always deny everything, even though it is blatantly obvious to others if I’m lying – I’m not sure I could handle the denying.

I want hear from people who have been in a similar a situation with similar reservations. Did you regret it, or was it the best decision you ever made? I honestly feel it is going to be one or the other.

You seem to be in a good position to go ahead with a procedure and I think most if not all surgeons would consider you a good candidate. You’re similar to me in that you’ve reached your early thirties low on the Norwood scale without aggressive hair loss.

I want to address a few of your points.

1) I understand (probably more than most) what it’s like to have worries and self-esteem that is tied up in personal appearance. Confidence is the most important thing for attracting women, so if a major goal in your life is to get yourself a girlfriend then a procedure which improves your confidence is a worthwhile endeavor. Just remember that it is the confidence that is more important than the hair.

2) Shock loss is when hairs are lost (in the recipient or donor areas) due to trauma from the surgery. Hairs lost due to shock loss normally grow back. I just wanted to be sure that you understand what the term means. Facial or body hair should be seen as a last resort as those hairs usually differ in texture to scalp hair.

3) I told everybody important to me (and many who are unimportant) about my procedure. You’ll find it a much easier experience if you’re open about it.

My procedure was a huge success and I don’t have a single regret. My HT result has made me much more confident, but I know that personal development in other ways has been just as important in improving my life.

mattj
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David
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator

David aka - TakingthePlunge