How Can I Tell How Many Grafts I Have Pre Surgery ?

[Andrew11]

Question in thread title.

How can i know for sure how many grafts i have and how can any specialist know without opening the back of the head? I

 

[Mike Jacob]

Hello Andrew, can you be more clear? Do you want to learn how many potential grafts you have in your donor area or do you want to know how many grafts you have already received?

 

[Andrew11]

Yes of course my apologies, how do professionals know PREOP on a virgin scalp how many grafts exactly we have. I got quoted aprox 6500 by them takin measurements and all and was just curious

 

[Andrew11]

Wow, 6500 grafts are way too many men, you might wanna be careful there. Usually, there is a break down of graft number for each Norwood Level. You check your Norwood Level to see in which category you fall. Once you see that, there is an average number of grafts necessary for that group. Every person is different, so your number might be a little higher or lower but usually around the average. If you are Norwood 7, I can understand 6,500 grafts but then you wouldn't probably have enough donor's hair. If you are less, then definitely you won't need that many grafts. You can use this to find out what your Norwood Level is.

If you want to, send your pictures here and we can all give you our opinion, a lot of veterans here

I am currently a nw3 with slight thining in the vertex. I am trying to map out a way where i can always get a hair transplant even if i would fall to nw6. I felt like 6500 plus beard (maybe 1000-2000) can get me a nice result if ever i would fall that low. My plan for a hairline would be a conservertive one with coverage just at the top of the crown and id leave the mid and lower part of the crown empty and shave the sides and back. Ive been a nw2 since i was 16 and a Norwood 3 (v i guess) since i was 20. I am currently 24 with no change since than but want to keep playing it safe with my "hair design" that im keeping in mind

 

[Andrew11]

Wow, 6500 grafts are way too many men, you might wanna be careful there. Usually, there is a break down of graft number for each Norwood Level. You check your Norwood Level to see in which category you fall. Once you see that, there is an average number of grafts necessary for that group. Every person is different, so your number might be a little higher or lower but usually around the average. If you are Norwood 7, I can understand 6,500 grafts but then you wouldn't probably have enough donor's hair. If you are less, then definitely you won't need that many grafts. You can use this to find out what your Norwood Level is.

If you want to, send your pictures here and we can all give you our opinion, a lot of veterans here

The question is more how can i be sure if i have 6500 grafts ... is there anyway to find out besides estimation

 

[Andrew11]

To be honest I am very impressed by your dedication and the way you think about this. Then to answer your question, you should focus on your donor hair, back of your head. If you go conservative with your first surgery, I think you will have enough for the future. As long as your back is strong, you can have surgeries.

As for the beard, I wouldn't recommend it, even if you want it to fill for density, it is a little risky and I don't think you will need that. If you ever realize your back is thinning, you can use Finasteride/Minoxidil and get your surgery and then you start worrying about the rest..

Thank you ! Yeah we have to have a gameplan before of course ! I am supposed to get a 2500 graft hairline at rahals clinic next year. I think beard grafts are ok as they are thick and are good fillers. I have been quoted an estimation of a possible 6500 grafts to use (for now and future) im just seeing how i can be sure i have this number.... i am guessing after the first surgery they will be able to see but im not sure we have this technology where we can see beforehand lol