Coalition Surgeons

Pat - Publisher of this Community · #1 **Top** 11-16-2006, 06:09 PM

Many physicians claim to be true pioneers in advancing hair transplantation. But no informed person would dispute that Dr. Bill Rassman is a true pioneer in refining and widely advocating the adoption of Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation.

For his significant contributions to the advancement of hair restoration surgery Dr. Rassman was awarded the highest honor in hair restoration surgery in 2004 - the "Golden Follicle Award".

The innovations that he fought for, such as microscopically prepared follicular unit grafting, are now widely accepted and practiced. Myself and all other patients who today benefit from natural follicular unit hair transplantation owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Rassman, directly or indirectly, for fighting the good fight to make this procedure the acknowledged "Gold Standard in Hair Transplantation".

Dr. Rassman has always been willing to point out when the emperor had no clothes even when it made him unpopular with his colleagues. He was willing to put himself in the line of fire for what he believed in as a major in Vietnam. As a hair restoration physician he once again stood up under fire and was finally awarded the Golden Follicle Award.

Dr. Rassman has also been a true pioneer in using the Internet to educate patients about cutting edge hair restoration techniques. His New Hair Institute website is an incredible resource for any person considering hair transplantation. Today he continues to be on the cutting edge of online patient education and authors the most popular and respected hair restoration blog on the Web ??“ the Balding Blog.com.

In addition to embracing and promoting follicular unit grafting, Dr. Rassman defied the skeptics by pioneering the Megasession in 1992-4. He was the first to do 2000 grafts, 3000 grafts and 4000 grafts in single sessions. To those who over a decade ago said it couldn't be done he replied ??“

"Those who say it can't be done should not stand in the way of those who are doing it every day."

- Dr. Bill Rassman

Today large and high density sessions are almost common. On the day I visited Dr. Rassman and his staff were performing such a larger megasession of 4,000 plus follicular unit grafts. The patient had extremely high laxity in his donor area, which enabled Dr. Rassman to remove a very large donor strip that was 29 cm long by 2.1 cm wide.

He used a single blade to remove this strip and he then did a trichophytic closure to minimize any visible scarring. The technicians then trimmed this strip carefully into 4,185 one, two, three and four hair follicular unit grafts, which were then placed across the top of the patient's entire balding area. The entire procedure, including lunch, took only seven hours.

To see the highlights from this impressive surgery, click here.

Given Dr. Rassman's long standing reputation for doing high quality megasessions of follicular unit grafting, both the quality of the work and the speed in which it was completed were not surprising.

Dr. Rassman's reputation truly precedes him and his surgery and patient results confirm this. I believe he should be an elite member of the Coalition. Any second opinions?

the B spot · #2 **Top** 11-17-2006, 03:57 PM

I like Dr. Rassman's work, little concerned with the donor strip removal in one piece
(For such a large strip, I thought Doc's usually removed the strip in 2, or 3 sections)

The reason for this is that the doc can check how well the scalp closes.

For example, what if the 2.1 cm wide (which is HUGE) did not close easy? Yes, I know the patient could easily return for scar revision, but it is a thought.

In 2 or 3 sections the doc could start at 1.8 and check how much tension is on the closure. If that is too tight, down to 1.5 if very little tension, up to 2.1
Not a big point, but a point.

In viewing Dr. Rassmans site, I believe his hairlines are suited for older men, however, they do look natural in most cases.

I think the biggest turn off (for me) is the idea that Dr. Rassman charges 10.00 a graft for the first 1800 grafts, 4.00 thereafter, but offers a substantial discount for the other-wise unamed docs at NHI.

Pat, I am NOT saying that Dr. Rassman isn't worthy of Coalition Membership. I just truly believe that he will find little support here, especially when H&W, Ron & Paul Shapiro, Feller, Rose cost less then NHI's unamed/unknown Doc's.

To put this in perspective I will use my 3100 graft session as a measuring stick:

3100 with Rassman himself would have cost me 23,200

Of course, this is only my opinion, and why I do realize the need to keep adding Doc's to our membership, 10.00 a graft represents an inflated sense of standing within the HT community, at least on the internet, and is not in line with some of the greatest HT surgeons in the world.

I apologize in advance to anyone I offended, as I have merely offered my opinion in an effort to offer my viewpoint as Pat requested.

I would support Dr. Rassman for inclusion in the Coalition should others offer support for him.

Bill - Managing Publisher · #3 **Top** 11-17-2006, 08:58 PM

Nice Review Pat. He does seem to meet the qualifications for the coalition, however...

Quote:

I think the biggest turn off (for me) is the idea that Dr. Rassman charges 10.00 a graft for the first 1800 grafts, 4.00 thereafter, but offers a substantial discount for the other-wise unamed docs at NHI.

Ouch...is that true? Even if he is as qualified as the other coalition docs...why would anyone go to him at $10 per graft when other top well known world doctors are charging $4.50 per graft. I don't believe the price charged per graft is a consideration to become part of the coalition, but maybe it should be? Perhaps my annoyance at the corporate price gauging of the world is getting in the way here, but I have a big problem with people/corporations charging WAY too much for a product, even if it is a good one, especially when competitors are charging much less and are more well knowned.

Bill

something · #4 **Top** 11-17-2006, 10:35 PM

I dont think there are doctors better known then Rassman. Bill no offense but, "even if he is as qualified as the other docs", i think that statment should be the other way around. He is the reason why the industry is where it is today.

So, maybe he charges $10, i'm sure he is very busy as one of the few that continue research, and i'm sure he gets clients for the prestige he has earned. But to exclude the guy that is a pioneer is a tough crediblity call...

John_in_NC · #5 **Top** 11-17-2006, 10:55 PM

$10 to us might seem a lot, to someone it's a joke. Supply and demand rules.

the B spot · #6 **Top** 11-18-2006, 06:18 AM

Something and All,
Yes, Dr. Rassman is why HT is where it is today.
I know that many Doc's hold him in the highest regard.

I will NOT argue his skill or contributions to the industry.

However, we as members of the Coalition are focused on education, accountability, and "options"

Surely if a new member was planning a visit to one of the MANY poor clinics in California, a visit to Dr. Rassman would be in order, especially if the prospective patient was unwilling to travel.

However, does anyone HONESTLY feel that after some of us step in with opinions or information AND a new member does some research and finds that Dr. Hasson, Dr.Wong, Dr. Ron Shapiro, Dr. Feller, and other current members of the Coalition are performing OUTSTANDING HT's and transformations DAILY, for the same or lower prices than the "in-training" Doc's at NHI, and substantially lower costs than Dr. Rassmans costs, will consider him?

I have two problems with this:
1. Admitting Dr. Rassman into the Coalition, is basically admitting every Doc he has on staff at NHI. I understand that Pat trusts Dr. Rassmans skill (which I FULLY support), but the subject of Dr. Rassmans "other" Doc's must be clarified.

2. While I do not feel it is my place to determine a man's worth, I will find it difficult to recommend Dr. Rassman, as will many others, based on his cost vs. the cost of those considered by many to be the leaders of the HT industry by peers and patients worldwide.

As many of you know, I take the inclusion/exclusion of Doc's in the Coalition very seriously. What we are doing here is important and has lasting long-term ramifications. I do not want to set up a situation where patients are being advised to "go elsewhere" for a Doc that is include in the Coalition based on cost/noteriety.
I think we might be setting Dr. Rassman up to fail.

Of course, these are my OPINIONS. If a patient wishes to go to Dr. Rassman himself, he or she will receive an ultra-refined HT, of which I am CERTAIN.
If my Coalition brothers wish to overwhelmingly include Dr. Rassman and NHI in the Coalition, I will support them 110% without any reservations.

I am only voicing an opinion, per Pat's request. This is NOT an indictment/rejection of Dr. Rassman, just one perspective.

Pat - Publisher of this Community · #7 **Top** 11-18-2006, 06:18 AM

I hear your concerns regarding Dr. Rassman's premium pricing. Such a price would be cost prohibitive for many of us. But in the land of the one million dollar outhouse (i.e. California realestate) and high paid celebrities some would not hesitate to pay to have Dr. Rassman with his reputation do their surgery.

Dr. Rassman also likes our online community and intends to promote it in his popular blog. He also wants to be in the Coalition among his colleagues such as Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Shapiro.

Therefore I felt he deserved to be in the Coalition. But it will be up to patients to determine whether his fees are merited.

the B spot · #8 **Top** 11-18-2006, 06:23 AM

Sorry Pat, my post and yours must have arrived at the same time.

By all means, if Dr. Rassman can accept the issues that will inevitably arise about his fees, the he should be included.

I like the idea of his presence here as well.

I would like clarification on his staff at NHI.

I hope no offense is taken, and I hope you understand I am no way questioning your approval of Dr. Rassman, just raising some concerns.

Thanks for understanding
J

Bill - Managing Publisher · #9 **Top** 11-18-2006, 07:58 PM

Hello to all,

This is a great discussion and it's great that we can all discuss these issues of concern. Being that I've never really been into History, and that is true for just about all topics, I don't have any prior knowledge of Dr. Rassman or what he did or didn't do to pioneer hair transplantation to what it is today. That being said, I have to acknowledge my ignorance on the topic of his experience.

I will say this...it does surprise me, however, if that is true, that he was not one of the first members of the coalition and is only being considered now. Of course, I recognize that there are a number of factors that could have prevented this until now, but either way...I'm surprised that Dr. Rassman has not had more publicity on this forum or other forums for that matter. I admit, I haven't looked up every doctor to see how much information there is...but it's not a name that jumps out at me like other doctors do. Therefore, at the very least, from an observational standpoint, he is NOT as well recognized by patients as other doctors. I do not argue, however, that he may be just as competent.

Either way, the cost does throw me...maybe this is just my personal vendetta against ANYONE who is WAY overpriced for anything. To me, I consider it price gauging and I personally have a problem with promoting any business, doctor, company that would charge well over the "competetive" price. Not to mention...it is typically the one who charges more, if they are successful that drives up the price of other companies/clinics, etc. Rarely do prices come down, but they always go up...this is how inflation works. And if Dr. Rassman has enough demand, other physicians might be so inclined to raise their fees, leaving the lower and middle class S.O.L!

As far as qualifications go...he seems to meet the criteria for the coalition...but I can't endorse him as part of the coalition...my conscience just wouldn't be clear if I did. But whether he is or isn't admitted, is up to you. However, as long as I'm around on these forums, I'd never recommend and always warn anyone about going to see a doctor that is well overpriced when they can go to a doctor (with equal skill) that is less than half the price.

Of course, just as B-spot...I offer no disrespect to Dr. Rassman as a physician, however, I seriously question ANYONE who feels the need to charge way over the competitive price. I don't intend to start a war with these statements...but I do have strong opinions on it.

Bill

John_in_NC · #10 **Top** 11-18-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill:
Either way, the cost does throw me...maybe this is just my personal vendetta against ANYONE who is WAY overpriced for anything. To me, I consider it price gauging and I personally have a problem with promoting any business, doctor, company that would charge well over the "competetive" price.

He is competitive. If he had priced himself out of the market he would have lowered the price. We say don't let price determine the doctor, so why shouldn't this apply to him? You have to realize that $30K-$40K for many guys is nothing, and for that they get some assurance; apparently he is great doctor with consistent results.

They are different priced lawyers, accountants, plumbers, so why shouldn't we have tiered HT doctors? If you can't afford it, go to a lower priced one, or don't have it at all. After all it is an elective procedure.

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