Robert Niedbalski, DO

Schedule a consultation with a hair restoration specialist ASAP. Protecting the hair you have is paramount to achieving optimal coverage and provides more options in the long run. This is particularly true because of your age. Ideally the shedding process is slowed or stopped. Hair takes 4-6 months to show results after therapy is started. 

Kybella outcome is largely dependent upon the dosing. For best outcomes with Kybella patients should expect a series of treatments. Optimal results are seen at 4-6 months. A larger area usually requires more product and more treatments. I would recommend returning to your original provider and express your concerns. Good luck!

Price per graft can be misleading, but it does allow patients to choose a lesser outcome that is within their budget. Ask for an estimate of the number of grafts to achieve the goals you are after (i.e. restore hairline, reduce loss to crown, improve general thinning or fill in scar). The answer should be a range such as 1800-2200 and dependent on the goal of treatment. It is important to appreciate there are fixed costs such as the expense of the OR, staff, and materials and supplies dedicated to the procedure. Not all physicians are equally trained and experienced. Consider the number of procedures your provider has performed and review before and after photos of patients from their offices. Additional things to consider include follow up, post-therapy instructions and support, and your level of comfort with the provider and staff. A great surgeon, excellent team, and support throughout the process is a value that is not reflected in a price per graft. We do use graft pricing to construct an investment guide for our patients, but the emphasis is always on overall outcome and meeting or exceeding expectations. 

You may be correct that for optimal improvement you do not have enough coverage to achieve the results you are seeking. Hair restoration is a slow process and takes months to appreciate full benefit of a transplant. Some things you may want to consider to support the growth is ACell, PRP, and even a newer product called AmnioFix. These therapies are injected directly into the scalp and bolster follicle recovery and health. The follicle is the structure within the scalp that actually grows the hair. Some follicles grow 1, while others can grow as many as 4. As the follicle declines it will grow smaller hairs for a shorter period of time (a process called miniaturization) and eventually stop. Augmenting your surgery may give you a more robust response. I encourage you to follow up with your provider as you heal and remain open to adding more coverage in the future if you want more coverage. 

Hi Justin,

Have you seen an ophthalmologist or had a medical evaluation to address why you have rubbed your eyes? Some people have allergies or dry eyes or other eye problems that should be identified and addressed first. If this is due to a learned behavior (i.e. self-soothing for anxiety or unconscious habit) it would be helpful to ensure the behavior is stopped before investing in an intervention. Assuming there is no underlying eye problem and the behavior stopped you may want to consider micro needling with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to improve appearance of fine lines and skin tone. A consultation with a provider in your area can help guide your decision. A good skin care routine that addresses the under-eye can also help.