Below is a summary of my experience with an organization that I thought was a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta (Alpharetta, GA).

At this point, I omitted names to respect the privacy of organizations and individuals.

This is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic. I want others to read about my experience. This clinic did not give me informed consent and they humiliated me.

I'm in the process of consulting with several colleagues and family members who are attorneys and physicians to discuss what or if any mistakes were made. I just want my money back and nothing more. I'm not here to besmirch the doctor's reputation. Overall, I had an engaging conversation with the doctor. The doctor is a talented physician and this is evident by some of his patients' results. Although, I will admit that a few points stated during a phone conversation I had with the doctor were not palatable to me.

I became suspicious of the clinic after they would not disclose to me what punch size will be used to remove my donor hair. During my initial consultation with the clinic, the doctor examined my donor hair and told me how many hairs on average I had per follicular unit. Knowing this information, one would assume that any experienced FUE doctor can provide an answer when asked what punch size will be used to remove the donor hair. In the weeks before my scheduled surgery, I asked the clinic twice what punch size they will be using. They would not tell me. The consultant eventually told me that if I wanted the doctor to use a specific punch size, the clinic would not be responsible for the results. This is not an acceptable answer. I am not being given informed consent if they do not tell me or give me an idea of what punch size will be used. Furthermore, I was deeply disturbed by the answer that the clinic gave me.

I then decided to visit with my own physician to discuss what the clinic had told me. My physician told me that I have a right to know what punch size they will be using. My physician also told me something else, which after hearing troubled me even more.

After my initial consultation with the clinic, I called back to ask about a risk that was not initially disclosed to me. I was told by the consultant that this was something I don't have to worry about. After hearing this, I felt comfortable enough with the clinic to go ahead and book the surgery. I found out later from my physician that the person at the clinic was wrong in telling me this information. My physician told me that the risk in question is definitely something I should be concerned about.

The second time when I called the clinic to ask about the punch size issue, they asked me if "Person X" from "Company Y" provided me with any information. I told them no and that I learned about this information after reading through several posts on another message forum (other than this one) in which individuals wrote statements claiming that the clinic uses large punch sizes. Additionally, the clinic then emailed me asking that I forward any correspondence with the person in question to the clinic.

At this point, I had enough. After learning from my physician of a risk that was not disclosed to me (which was dismissed by the consultant as something that I don't have to worry about), and the clinics consistent refusal to not disclose what punch size will be used, I decided to cancel my surgery.

It wasn't hard to find "Person X". All it took were a few google searches and I eventually found his number listed on a web site for "Company Y".

Although "Person X" couldn't tell me much, I was surprised to learn that this was due to a legal agreement between "Person X" and the clinic. From what "Person X" told me, he can't speak about them and they can't speak about him. If this is due to some legal agreement, then the agreement was not honored by the clinic because they mentioned "Person X" to me.

After they mentioned his name to me, I had to track him down to try and get some answers.

I called the clinic yesterday to find out about the status of my situation and when my money will be refunded, the consultant I spoke with told me that I will not be refunded. Additionally, the consultant rudely told me that "He" is not refunding my money.

Clearly, the ethics of honesty and integrity were not practiced in my experience with the clinic. I was not given informed consent and they humiliated me.

I forwarded "Person X" the email from this clinic in which they ask me about him and I explained my story to "Person X". This clinic connected me with "Person X".

All the events in my situation have been documented. If there is something I can do within the law to receive my money back, then I will work within the law to do so.

This is my experience with what is supposed to be a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta. My voice will be heard. Again, this is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic.

Below is a summary of my experience with an organization that I thought was a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta (Alpharetta, GA).

At this point, I omitted names to respect the privacy of organizations and individuals.

This is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic. I want others to read about my experience. This clinic did not give me informed consent and they humiliated me.

I'm in the process of consulting with several colleagues and family members who are attorneys and physicians to discuss what or if any mistakes were made. I just want my money back and nothing more. I'm not here to besmirch the doctor's reputation. Overall, I had an engaging conversation with the doctor. The doctor is a talented physician and this is evident by some of his patients' results. Although, I will admit that a few points stated during a phone conversation I had with the doctor were not palatable to me.

I became suspicious of the clinic after they would not disclose to me what punch size will be used to remove my donor hair. During my initial consultation with the clinic, the doctor examined my donor hair and told me how many hairs on average I had per follicular unit. Knowing this information, one would assume that any experienced FUE doctor can provide an answer when asked what punch size will be used to remove the donor hair. In the weeks before my scheduled surgery, I asked the clinic twice what punch size they will be using. They would not tell me. The consultant eventually told me that if I wanted the doctor to use a specific punch size, the clinic would not be responsible for the results. This is not an acceptable answer. I am not being given informed consent if they do not tell me or give me an idea of what punch size will be used. Furthermore, I was deeply disturbed by the answer that the clinic gave me.

I then decided to visit with my own physician to discuss what the clinic had told me. My physician told me that I have a right to know what punch size they will be using. My physician also told me something else, which after hearing troubled me even more.

After my initial consultation with the clinic, I called back to ask about a risk that was not initially disclosed to me. I was told by the consultant that this was something I don't have to worry about. After hearing this, I felt comfortable enough with the clinic to go ahead and book the surgery. I found out later from my physician that the person at the clinic was wrong in telling me this information. My physician told me that the risk in question is definitely something I should be concerned about.

The second time when I called the clinic to ask about the punch size issue, they asked me if "Person X" from "Company Y" provided me with any information. I told them no and that I learned about this information after reading through several posts on another message forum (other than this one) in which individuals wrote statements claiming that the clinic uses large punch sizes. Additionally, the clinic then emailed me asking that I forward any correspondence with the person in question to the clinic.

At this point, I had enough. After learning from my physician of a risk that was not disclosed to me (which was dismissed by the consultant as something that I don't have to worry about), and the clinics consistent refusal to not disclose what punch size will be used, I decided to cancel my surgery.

It wasn't hard to find "Person X". All it took were a few google searches and I eventually found his number listed on a web site for "Company Y".

Although "Person X" couldn't tell me much, I was surprised to learn that this was due to a legal agreement between "Person X" and the clinic. From what "Person X" told me, he can't speak about them and they can't speak about him. If this is due to some legal agreement, then the agreement was not honored by the clinic because they mentioned "Person X" to me.

After they mentioned his name to me, I had to track him down to try and get some answers.

I called the clinic yesterday to find out about the status of my situation and when my money will be refunded, the consultant I spoke with told me that I will not be refunded. Additionally, the consultant rudely told me that "He" is not refunding my money.

Clearly, the ethics of honesty and integrity were not practiced in my experience with the clinic. I was not given informed consent and they humiliated me.

I forwarded "Person X" the email from this clinic in which they ask me about him and I explained my story to "Person X". This clinic connected me with "Person X".

All the events in my situation have been documented. If there is something I can do within the law to receive my money back, then I will work within the law to do so.

This is my experience with what is supposed to be a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta. My voice will be heard. Again, this is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic.

Ain't that a beyotch. It is so disturbing that this sort of business practice still goes on. Clinics and doctors preying on the public. Thank you for sharing this and hopefully anyone considering this place will also do their homework and realize the danger of this clinic. Obviously your money is a huge issue, but thank the heavens you did not actually go thru with the procedure and be scarred for life.

As far as your cash refunded, it sounds like you have a team of players that will get the ball rolling in the right direction legally. I hope it all works out for you.

MbM


side note: Dr. Feller seems to be the highest regarded FUE doc on this site, you might contact his office for some advice and/or consultation. Good Luck!

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My Hair Loss Weblog - Dr. Rahal

Sorry to hear of your atrocious experience w/ this "esteemed" clinic...

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*A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics*

1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash.

Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician.

Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death!

Martinet, what was the additional risk that your physician mentioned to you. was it a general risk associated with FUE that anyone else is at risk for?

At this time I do not want to discuss anymore information other than what I have posted; however, I will keep this board updated on my situation as I consult with legal to determine if anything can be done so that my money is refunded. If not, at least my voice will be heard so that others are aware of my experience.

The risk that I was told about from my dermatologist is hyperpigmentation. He cautioned that this is a risk for me because it's already visible on my face and forehead.

In my cancellation letter to the clinic, I encouraged the clinic to speak with my dermatologist so that they could verify my concerns. Keep in mind, I originally went to meet with my dermatologist to get his opinion on the use of different punch sizes. I wasn't prepared to learn about the hyperpigmentation risks. Also, my dermatologist is a well known cosmetic surgeon where I live and he used to perform hair transplants.

Everyone is not susceptible to this risk. It really depends on your skin type and tone. My physician told me that this is a risk that I should be concerned about because it is a condition that I already suffer from.

When I asked the clinic about this risk, the consultant dismissed it. The consultant went on to tell me that people with my skin tone are good candidates for this surgery. This is what prompted me to go ahead and proceed with the surgery.

When I eventually notified the clinic of my decision to cancel the surgery, they tried to rectify the situation by telling me to first undergo a small test session. By this time, I had enough with clinic's:

- constant refusal to disclose what punch size will be used

- them telling me in the first place that the risk in question is nothing to be concerned about

- the clinic insinuating that I had contact with someone who I never knew prior to them mentioning that persons name to me

Ask your yourselves, why would you submit to a test session with this clinic after going through all of this?

My experience is thoroughly documented.

I want my story to be heard. This clinic was not candid with me, dismissed my concerns as trivial, and in the end they treated me with no respect.

Best of luck, of course, and your story should be absolutely be heard; I hope that in time you feel comfortable enough to disclose more information (specifically the clinic in question), for the sake of future patients who may very well get a direct benefit from the caveat.

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*A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics*

1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash.

Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician.

Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death!

martinet,

Welcome to our forum community.

Reading experiences like this only confirm why full disclosure, accountability, and transparency is vital - which is why our patient based community is so important.

I see no reason why a clinic wouldn't divulge the punch size they use to extract grafts. Furthermore, surgery always comes with risk, no matter what anyone tells you.

Generally speaking, there are a handful of clinics who are hyping the benefits of FUE without ever discussing the risks or how they've overcome them. This to me is heavily problematic. See my conversation with Dr. Feller about the benefits, risks, and potential problems with FUE. See also Dr. Rassman's balding blog on What Doctors don't want you to know about FUE.

I really wish however, that forum members would either fully commit to sharing their experience or leave well enough alone. Leaving out critical details that will leave members guessing is highly unfair.

I suggest therefore, that before you proceed any further, that you either fully commit to sharing all the detail or that you leave well enough alone and fight this privately.

I hope everything works out for you.

Best wishes,

Bill

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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.

Bill,

The risk that I was told about from my dermatologist is hyperpigmentation. He cautioned that this is a risk for me because it's already visible on my face and forehead.

In my cancellation letter to the clinic, I encouraged the clinic to speak with my dermatologist so that they could verify my concerns. Keep in mind, I originally went to meet with my dermatologist to get his opinion on the use of different punch sizes. Also, my dermatologist is a well known cosmetic surgeon where I live and he used to perform hair transplants.

When I asked the clinic about this risk, the consultant dismissed it. The consultant went on to tell me that people with my skin tone are good candidates for this surgery.

I want to reveal the clinic's name; however, I first want to consult with legal before doing so. If after speaking with legal in the upcoming week, they tell me that I can reveal the clinic's name, then I will do so.

I would also like to add that I went in for an in-person consultation with this clinic. During which time they saw my skin tone and took photos.

...i edited my earlier post - the post right before your request asking that i talk about the risk - and included the risk in that message as well...

There have been alot of complaints about this clinic. Your not the first one. Was the risk keloid scaring?