Transplant surgeons report 40% more efficient consultations when patients arrive with standardized pre-op density data. Instead of spending the first 20 minutes on visual estimation, your surgeon can review objective measurements and move straight into surgical planning.
This 12-week protocol builds the complete data package that turns a first consultation into a productive planning session.
What Surgeons Need from You
A typical first consultation involves the surgeon visually assessing your hair loss, estimating your Norwood stage, evaluating donor density, and proposing a graft count. Every one of these steps benefits from pre-collected data.
| Data Point | Without Tracking | With Pre-Consultation Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Norwood stage | Visual estimate (subjective) | AI classification with photo evidence |
| Rate of loss | Patient's verbal description | Measured density change over 6-12 weeks |
| Donor density | Quick in-office check | Multiple readings across donor zone |
| Recipient density | Quick in-office check | Zone-by-zone density map |
| Medication response | Patient's memory | Logged treatment dates with density readings |
The 12-Week Pre-Consultation Protocol
Weeks 1 to 2: Establish Your Baseline
Start by capturing a complete baseline of your current hair status. Photograph five areas: hairline (frontal), temples (left and right), crown, and mid-scalp. Upload all five to myhairline.ai.
Record your current Norwood stage. For reference, common graft requirements by stage are:
| Norwood Stage | Typical Grafts Needed |
|---|---|
| Stage 2 | 800-1,500 |
| Stage 3 | 1,500-2,200 |
| Stage 3V | 2,000-2,800 |
| Stage 4 | 2,500-3,500 |
| Stage 5 | 3,000-4,500 |
| Stage 6 | 4,000-6,000 |
| Stage 7 | 5,500-7,500 |
Also photograph your donor zone (the band of hair across the back and sides of your head). Donor density determines how many grafts your surgeon can safely extract. The safe extraction limit is approximately 45% of available follicular units.
Weeks 3 to 4: First Comparison Point
Repeat all five photographs under the same conditions as your baseline. Same lighting, same distance, same time of day. Upload and compare against your week 1 photos.
If you are currently on any hair loss treatment, log the treatment name, dosage, and start date. Finasteride at 1mg daily halts further loss in 80 to 90% of users and produces regrowth in 65%. Minoxidil produces moderate regrowth in 40 to 60% of users. Your surgeon needs to know your treatment history and response.
Weeks 5 to 6: Mid-Protocol Check
Take your third set of comparison photos. By now, you have three data points showing density trends across a 6-week window.
This is the minimum data needed for a productive consultation. If your appointment is within the next two weeks, you can proceed with this data set. If you have more time, continue the protocol for the full 12 weeks.
Weeks 7 to 12: Extended Tracking
Continue biweekly photo sessions. Each additional data point strengthens your progression trend line. By week 12, you have six or seven data points showing exactly how your density is changing.
This extended data is especially valuable if you are on the boundary between two Norwood stages. A single snapshot might place you at Stage 3, but 12 weeks of tracking might show you are progressing toward Stage 4, which changes the surgical plan significantly.
Donor Zone Assessment
Your donor zone is the most important variable in transplant planning. Take close-up photos of three areas within the donor zone:
- Center back: The densest area, usually above the occipital bone
- Left side: Above and behind the left ear
- Right side: Above and behind the right ear
Average donor density varies by ethnicity:
| Ethnicity | Average Follicular Units per cm2 |
|---|---|
| Caucasian | 200 |
| Asian | 170 |
| African | 150 |
| Hispanic | 170 |
| Middle Eastern | 180 |
These readings help your surgeon calculate the maximum number of grafts available for extraction without creating visible donor thinning.
Building Your Consultation Data Package
Before your appointment, compile the following into a printable format:
- Timeline photos: All baseline and comparison photos in chronological order
- Norwood classification: Your AI-determined stage with supporting measurements
- Density readings: Zone-by-zone density for both recipient and donor areas
- Progression rate: Whether density is stable, slowly declining, or rapidly declining
- Treatment log: Current and past medications with dates and dosages
- Cost context: Familiarize yourself with typical costs per graft in your region. In the USA, expect $4 to $6 per graft. In Turkey, $1 to $2. In the UK, $3 to $5. In Europe, $2.50 to $4.50.
Questions Your Data Helps You Ask
With objective data in hand, you can ask targeted questions:
- "My donor density measures X follicular units per cm2. How many grafts can you safely extract?"
- "My tracking shows I have lost Y% density over 12 weeks. Does this rate of loss change your approach?"
- "I am currently Norwood 3 but progressing. Should we plan for a Norwood 4 graft count to future-proof the result?"
These specific questions, backed by data, produce far more useful answers than generic questions about "what you recommend."
FUE vs. FUT: What Your Data Tells You
Your pre-consultation data may influence the procedure recommendation. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) has a recovery time of 7 to 10 days and produces small dot scars. FUT (strip method) recovers in 10 to 14 days with a linear scar.
Both procedures achieve 90 to 95% graft survival rates. Your surgeon will use your donor density data and graft requirements to recommend the approach that best fits your specific case.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hair transplant decisions should be made in consultation with a board-certified surgeon who can evaluate your individual case.
Start building your pre-consultation data today. Get your free Norwood classification and density analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze and arrive at your consultation with the data your surgeon needs.