Hi,

This is my first post on the forum, although I've spent a lot of time in the last few weeks/months researching hair transplants, including reading through this forum in depth.
I've taken Propecia for more than a year now (minoxidil for 2 years) yet my recession continues, and I'm close to biting the bullet and booking a procedure.

I have several questions;

1) Is the US still streets ahead of everywhere else?

I live in the UK, and from what I can gather there's not many great options over here. The one physician that this site recommended was pretty poor in helping me sort out a consultation, and after months of emails back and forth, all I was offered was a concultation in 7 months (after which they stopped replying to my emails).

Anyway, based on many posts on this forum the US seems streets ahead, although as many key posts are now several years old I wanted to confirm this

2) Is there a big variance in quality among this site's list of recommended physicians?

I understand there are some cowboys out there, and this list aims to show only the best ones, but within that list, is there significant difference in quality?
I understand I could go through the results sections and look at photos for each physician, but I find it hard to tell the difference in quality, even with this information.
Also, the list shows some physicians who are scarcely mentioned on some key sections of this site (e.g.the Results sections). How are they getting on the list when (for example) Dr Cole and Dr Epstein aren't on there?

My current plan is to use a (listed) physician in Florida as I could then take a nice holiday with the girlfriend afterwards in Miami and surrounding areas. However if there's much variance in quality on the list I may choose to go to NY.

3) Negating the chances of work colleagues noticing is a priority for me, but I can only take 2 weeks off - is this enough?
I'm thinking of an unshaven FUE procedure as being my best bet for this going un-noticed. However I have very fair skin and only 2 weeks off. This is a hard question to answer I know, but is this normally enough time (for scabs to fall off / redness to die-down enough to be hidden by hair-styling etc)?

Apologies if I'm repeating questions already answered on the site.

Thanks for any and all opinions offered.

Cheers,
Olly.

Olly,
Yes, an abundance of top HT docs are here in the states as well as Canada and a handful in Europe. The only UK clinic I've seen good results from is Farjo.

Regarding the variance in US-recommended clinics, it really comes down mostly to a matter of personal preference (hairline design) and needs (session size, FUE vs. strip). For example, H&W are known for very large session sizes but they do strip only and do require shaving. Honestly, you must do your own homework on finding the right doc for you and that will take much research and consultations.

You also should do your homework on FUE vs. Strip. If you need a large session, strip is generally the way to go. There are plenty of discussions on this forum regarding the subject.

Regarding recovery time, etc.: I wouldn't suggest planning a vacation with the girlfriend immediately post-op. There usually is a fair amount of frontal swelling that could have you looking a bit freakish and not wanting to go out in public (it lasts approximately 3-4 days). Also, while there isn't really much pain involved with HT recovery, there is discomfort (it is surgery after all) and you will have sutures or staples in your head.

Post-op redness can last up 6 months (mine did). I covered mine with native hair and dermatch.

So, post some pics. We can probably give you a more accurate assessment of what your situation calls for. Take care!

__________________
HT #1: Karamikian Unknown # of grafts Sept.2006

HT#2 Nov.23rd, 2007
Dr.Feller
Almost 3200 grafts via strip

HT#3 April 2010
Fue 200/side into temple points

HT#4 February 2011

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Feller

There are several very good hair restoration physicians in Europe, S. America, and many other countries. There is also number of excellent clinics in the United States especially here in South Florida. The recommended list of physicians is just a list, and does not mean that any doctor that is not on the list doed not get good results. Do your research and due diligence and narrow it down to a few and then do some more research. At some point you will need to follow your gut feeling and the recommendation of other patients. With 2 weeks off that should be plenty of time for complete healing to occur whether you have FUT or FUE. You would want to schedule the procedure at the beginning of your vacation to allow as many days as possible to recover.

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Dr. Glenn Charles is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

Dr. Charles,

While I doubt you were trying to minimize the credibility of recommendations being a member of the Coalition yourself, your above post incorrectly implies that our recommendations have no meaning. Our recommendations are much more than just a list.

Our prescreening process is quite thorough and only those who meet prove to consistently meet our high standards are approved for recommendation.

It's true that our recommendations are not a all encompassing list of all quality physicians in the world. However, those we do recommend have gone through a vigorous prescreening process and have proven to deliver excellent results.

Best wishes,

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Olly, Also, while Dr. Charles is correct in saying you will physically be able to go back to work, be aware that the redness can last for quite some time, especially if you have fair skin.

__________________
HT #1: Karamikian Unknown # of grafts Sept.2006

HT#2 Nov.23rd, 2007
Dr.Feller
Almost 3200 grafts via strip

HT#3 April 2010
Fue 200/side into temple points

HT#4 February 2011

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Feller

It would be necessary to see photographs showing what sort of area you want to have worked on, as well as how you wear your hair, before commenting on how well you could hide the transplant. If you only want a small procedure then it might be possible to hide it quite well if you can comb your hair down over the recipient zone.
Two weeks isn't long enough for all signs of surgery to fully disappear, and you must remember that it will be longer yet before the transplanted hairs, once they start to grow, start looking normal.

__________________
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I represent Dr Rahal. I can be contacted for advice and to arrange consultations.

Dr. Rahal is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

Hairthere,

Thanks for suggesting I should read up more on the FUE vs FUT issue - I thought I had read enough, but realise now that I made the
rookie error of reaching a decision too early! Taking into account the pros and cons (possible lower yield of FUE / suitability of FUT for larger areas etc etc), I believe FUE is the right option for me. I'm looking for a relatively low number of grafts, maybe ~1000, and am very keen on avoiding a noticeable change in appearance, so FUE seems to make sense. Also, I view this procedure as part of a long term plan - I want the option to either 1) let myself go bald later on in life and still look natural despite having the FUE or 2) get further procedures (either FUE or FUT) as my recession progresses.

On the holiday idea - thanks again for the advice, I'll definitely take things easy. With a low graft-number FUE procedure (I believe) there'll be no sutures and possibly less discomfort.

On the redness, I plan to do the same as you (i.e. don't want to shave before the procedure).


To both Dr Charles and Bill,

Thanks for the info on both recovery times and background on how the list of physicians is produced.


Finally, I've attached a photo of the front of my scalp(only area I currently have hair loss in), would be grateful for anyone's thoughts!

Thanks to all for your help,
Olly

Attached Images

HairPhoto.JPG (229.2 KB, 113 views)

Olly_77, In my opinion, the top 5 I would choose from are ( in no particular order )

Hasson and Wong , Feller , Shapiro , Rahal , Arocha.

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My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Feller

Hey Olly, Looking at your pic I can tell you 1,000 grafts will not be enough. 1k might restore the hairline (conservatively) but you're going to have to fill in the area all around your forelock for it to look natural. I would suggest, especially if you are set on going the FUE route, you contact Dr. Feller first and foremost. One of the posters on here named Spex reps his clinic and also lives in the UK, and has had FUE himself. I have seen plenty of examples of patients with similar loss to yours that Dr. Feller has worked on, so just do a search here.

Also, one thing to keep in mind regarding healing time with FUE: your donor area will heal up quicker, but the recovery time on the recipient site will be the same.

__________________
HT #1: Karamikian Unknown # of grafts Sept.2006

HT#2 Nov.23rd, 2007
Dr.Feller
Almost 3200 grafts via strip

HT#3 April 2010
Fue 200/side into temple points

HT#4 February 2011

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Feller

I have to concur with hairthere that a 1000 is not going to do much. You need about 3000 to 3500