Can I just have a Normal head of hair?

[skeptic1]

This is the first post I've ever done, anywhere.

This subject is hard because who likes to talk about going bald.

Every time the subject comes up I just get annoyed! I am forty years old and my hair is receding quickly.

I tried finesteride and although it kept the hair from falling out it had a side effect that no man ever wants to have. I know it says it only happens to a small percentage of males, but if you fall in that category you figure out which one is more important.

Rogaine created itchiness and a rash and I stopped using it.

Now I am back to watching my hair thin in the mirror and I can't stand it!

I've been reading this forum for a couple of months and now I'm really considering a transplant. I really want to do it, but I don't want anyone to know, is that possible? Right now I am pulling my hair forward and covering my scalp and some people don't notice I'm going bald (although I don't know how.) So my optimistic hope is that I can have surgery, spend two weeks in hiding and recover, and then continue with the combover until it thickens up... if that's possible.

The questions I have pertain to hiding the process from the public. I own a business with employees, I spend time at my kids school, and I have a large group of friends and family that I spend time with. I'd rather not go through this process in public, is it possible?

Do you have to shave your head for the procedure? Can the regrowth process be hidden?

Would appreciate any and all feedback as this is a subject that has created lots of internal strife and my window for potentially addressing it privately is quickly closing.