Question about FUE yield

[bighair]

My understanding is that there is greater yield from FUT over FUE. However am I right in saying that is comparing a total FUT procedure vs. a total FUE procedure?

Surely if you combine them you could have a huge yield? What I mean is could you have a mega session FUT done. And then subsequent to that have FUE done using the remaining areas on the back of your head (above and below your scar) as your donor area?

The reason I ask is cause when I see people after an FUT done I cant help but think that there are loads of hair on the back of head that surely could be used in some other way (such as FUE)

[35YrsAfter]

Yield with FUT and FUE depends upon the patient, doctor's skill and the level of technology used during surgery. Working at Dr. Cole's office I have met patients who have had hair transplant surgery at other clinics who have a terrible yield from strip surgery. I have also seen great yields from strip. The same holds true for FUE. Among those great and terrible yields from strip, I have also seen mega strip scars where donor hair that could better be used on top is used to repair the strip scar so that it isn't noticeable.
I have never seen a strip scar that didn't jump out and grab my attention once a patient's head is shaved. Hair does disguise a good strip scar well, as long as the hair is kept reasonably long.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's clinic in Atlanta
Cole Hair Transplant
Phone 678-566-1011

[bighair]

But could you have an FUE transplant done with say 2000 grafts.... BUT ask to leave a strip for future use as an FUT?
Maybe take the FUE hairs from the lower back of the scalp or something like that?
Failing that can you use an area for FUT that has already been harvested for FUE?

Essentially Id like to fill in my temples now with FUE but Id like to have the option of full FUT later.

[35YrsAfter]

But could you have an FUE transplant done with say 2000 grafts.... BUT ask to leave a strip for future use as an FUT?
Maybe take the FUE hairs from the lower back of the scalp or something like that?
Failing that can you use an area for FUT that has already been harvested for FUE?

Essentially Id like to fill in my temples now with FUE but Id like to have the option of full FUT later.

We commonly see patients do the reverse. They get a strip first, then FUE to soften their hairline or graft into the strip scar. I don't see any reason why a patient couldn't get FUE first, then a strip. Dr. Cole gets great yield from FUE even into scar tissue. I think yield depends heavily on the doctor and the healing technology used. If you absolutely have your mind set on strip, PLEASE call me and I can recommend a few doctors who we trust that do strip all of the time and will increase your chances of a satisfactory result.

[bighair]

Actually what Im thinking now is fix my hair line with 1500-2000 grafts FUE. Then potentially get FUT in 5-10 years time. Perhaps by then technology will have changed and I wont need to get FUT, but the key point is I want to get FUE while at the same time knowing I am not ruling out FUT for later.

[35YrsAfter]

Actually what Im thinking now is fix my hair line with 1500-2000 grafts FUE. Then potentially get FUT in 5-10 years time. Perhaps by then technology will have changed and I wont need to get FUT, but the key point is I want to get FUE while at the same time knowing I am not ruling out FUT for later.

Before strip, doctors used a 4mm punch to remove grafts. This left round white scars that are commonly referred to as shotgun scars. These scars IMO look worse than a strip scar on a shaved head. I know of patients who have had strip surgery after this early type of 4mm punch harvesting where the doctor pulls a strip riddled with shotgun scars. In the right hands this procedure can be successful. I can't think of any reason why under normal circumstances an FUE patient couldn't later get a strip. The results from 4mm punch surgery never looked natural and it's a mystery to reputable top doctors why hair restoration surgeons continued to place plugs even though the results were horrible. Just a little side rant.

[sausage]

Bigstar,

I agree with you in 5-10 years, I'm sure technology will have change by then. Both procedures have great results. One thing that is nice about FUE is you can cut your hair short. You can cut your hair short with the FUT also but you may have to keep it a certain length to cover the scar.

What technology is 5-10 years from appearing?