I started noticing hair loss the summer before my 21st birthday. Think it was happening for a while before then but I was living in blissful ignorance. A friend of mine told me my 'forehead was getting bigger' At the beginning I dodn't think it was true but after a few weeks and after comparing my hairline to photos in the past I noticed the difference. I immediately tried rogaine but found the it irritated my skin so stopped. About three years later the loss had progressed and I decided to shave my head. I knew straight away that it didn't suit me. My girlfriend at the time's facial expression said it all even if she was trying to be nice about it. I went back to longer hair for a year and then decided to shave it again. I kept doing so for three years or so. Then decided to grow it long and see where it was at. Numerous people told me it suited me better not buzzed down. The problem was that I knew it was receding and felt it was all or nothing. Either buzz it down or have a decent head of hair! That's why I decided to start researching HTs.

I think it has effected me more than I thought. When I had my head shaved i looked in the mirror but felt it really wasn't me. I always felt I had to justify the buzzed hair cut to friends and family as well as myself. I come from a long line of baldies but didn't expect to go bald in my early twenties.

Think Proscar is having an effect. Will hopefull save my crown for a number of years. Nizoral makes my scalp feel very clean but unsure whether it helps.

I am very happy with my hair transplant experience even though it is very early days. I am only a few days post op. The actual surgery went very well. Felt very little pain and the day even though lasting from about 9.00 until 18.00 seemed to pass quickly. I was tired at the end as didn't sleep very well the night before.

Dr Feriduni and his staff were wonderful. Everything was very well organised from taxis and hotels to everything on the day of surgery. Dr Feriduni is a genuinely nice guy who was very patient in answering any questions and explaing the whole process in detail. He also has a great sense of humour. He is a good listener and we both had a similir idea of what type of hairline to go with.

Luckily I have had very little pain so far. The donor area is a little sore and a little uncomfortable when I am trying to sleep but no major worries.

The amount of swelling post op was incredible. Started on first day post op and lasted until day 4. I got some strange looks from security at both Brussels and Dublin airport but no problems. Was let through with no hassel.

I will post my progress here regularly and will hopefully be happy with the final results! 

Proscar (propecia) and possibly try minoxinal (rogaine)

Either Nizoral or Revita shampoo

Even the feeling of doing something about hairloss is a positive. The worst thing I found about hairloss was the feeling of being helpless to stop it!

Do loads of research before considering a HT. I researched for about a year before hand.

Use the forum and ask loads of questions. The guys on there are great and have been through it all themselves.

Have realistic expectations and goals.

If you are going to have a HT prepare yourself mentally (know exactly what the prcedure involves and what the recovery takes) and physically (follow all pre op guidelines to the letter) before it.