I was once told by a girlfriend, when I was about 26 at the barbershop, that I was starting to lose my hair. I had never really thought about it. By the time I turned 30 I could see a creeping back of the temples and a thinning in the immediate front. It bothered me.

Hate it. My thoughts on my hair loss started to consume me so I wanted to do something about it.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

Now that my first HT has fully grown in and just four weeks out from my second HT, my hair situation has settled down.  Most of the time I'm confident in my hair.  Certain lights bug me because they cut right through to the scalp --- thus the reason I had a second HT.  Now four weeks out from my second HT i think I'm slightly thinner than pre-2nd HT (but probably not noticable to others).  I can't wait for the stuff to grow in.  I truely believe that at that point my confidence will be at the point it was pre-progressive balding.

Propecia works the best for my crown. Results are yet to be seen on the hair transplant, but I am optimistic. I just hate the long waiting period.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

The first HT was a great foundation for the second HT.  The outline of my hairline from the first HT and being able to style with only hair products (i.e. non concealers) has been terrific.  The combo of a few HT from qualified surgeons and daily Propecia has done marvels for me. 

The hair transplant experience was very comfortable. The waiting, shock loss, pimples, red scalp, constantly wondering if it "worked", are tough at times. Sometimes I see the outline of where the grafts were placed and want to jump for joy at what is to come. Other times I wonder "what the hell have I done to myself." But now that I'm almost 2 months out, the pinkness is gone, shock loss seems to have stabilized, and I swear I see new hair coming in, I'm much more comfortable.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

Very satisfied with both my first HT and my expected results from my second HT. 

Propecia. So far hair transplant as well. (updated July 16, 2007). So far the hair transplant is growing as planned. It is a rough road and only going through it can you understand it, but now that I'm starting to see real results it seems like such a short time. I absolutely recommend turning back the clock w/ a good hair transplant surgeon. Someone asked me in a blog message recently about propecia. I can tell you it has thickened my hair in crown a substantial amount and I never had any sexual side effects to this date.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

Still recommend Propecia and HT.  I hated using Rogaine the short time I used it, but have never tried the new foam product.  My balding was mostly in the area where I had both HTs and my crown is relatively strong with just the use of Propecia. 

Currently I'm in the having to hide it stage. I think I have been able to do so. Only four people in my life know (girlfriend, hairdresser, sister, and mother).

(updated July 16, 2007)

Now that I'm at almost 7 months PO, I am starting to see a real difference. Some lights hit it and "shine" right through, but in some lights I look like I have a full head of hair already and I can notice some thickening on the way. At this point, and I don't know when I could do so b/c of work constraints, I will probably have a future procedure to thicken in a few areas, but the other day I got a haircut from my hair stylist (she knows about the hair transplant) and she declared that when combed right "you can't see any of the thin spots anymore." That is pretty cool compliment to get.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

I'm currently in the waiting stage, again.  At week four post 2nd HT with Dr. Limmer, I've had a few pimples, but there really is not much hiding to do. Funny thing, though I've lost a few of the existing hairs from the 2nd HT, the grafts that haven't jumped ship provide somewhat of a cosmetic disquise.  Now at four weeks out second HT, I think onlly a HT doctor would be able to tell (and he'd have to examine me pretty close). 

My first HT gave me a ton of confidence and the confidence to "finish" the job with a second HT. 

TBD on hair transplant. My gut feeling is I've done the right thing and if hair loss bothers you as much as it did me, then go for it. I see no reason whatsoever to not be on propecia.

(updated July 16, 2007) - I see no reason not to get a good hair transplant from a qualified surgeon who is ethical. I had a great expierence, but that is b/c I did my homework. Do your homework. Pick a qualified surgeon. Go for it.

----- Updated Feb. 16, 2009 after Second HT ------

Get a HT from a qualified Dr. if you are a good canidate.