Buzz...

I welcome the opportunity to defend my stance on this issue. You make a number of arguments in your post, some valid, some not..

First you are probably right, due to cost constrainments this guy had to draw the line at 4000 grafts. Due to the high price Dr. Rassman charges it is unlikely most people would be able to afford his fees beyond this point.

Since he opted for full head coverage it is unlikely he wishes to return for followup transplants. If he was to do so he might risk temporary shock loss in the recipient areas if scheduled too soon, something I hope Dr. Rassman pointed out to him in their consultation.

As far as stretching issues, due to the high laxity of his scalp this would be unlikely. Patients with his degree take advantage of the condition to obtain as much as possible in their session, it is done everyday by the top surgeons.

As far as being older, the patient appears to be in his 40's, no an age in one would settle for accomplishing a thinning look , which I believe Pat may be able to verify. This can be attested to by the skin quality of his forehead, also note the sporadic full gray hairs which notes the gentlemen does not dye his hair, something someone in his age range is unlikely to do.

Due to his age, an age in which hair loss has stabilized, and stage of baldness there is not much more that can happen to him, so conserving for the future would be a moot point.

Finally, though 4000 grafts is a very respectable amount, it is inadequate in his case. Placing this many grafts in area of this size will only result in a thinning look, not exactly what one who opts for this procedure is after.

I am sure when his transplant matures he will be less than thrilled with the outcome and will eventually be forced to schedule another session in order to bring it up to his initial expectations.

All these thoughts, both yours and mine are pure speculation, not being privy to the consultation between the patient and Dr. Rassman. Perhaps Dr.Rassman advised him that the 4000 grafts would be sufficient, and not being informed the patient agreed. This is a likely scenario and one that can only be put to rest by interviewing the patient himself,no one else.

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1,000,000 FUT
DR. MOBOGO
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

Cousin,
can you please post here how old are you? I am amazed at how you think that you're making sense. I'll just debunk one way too obvious point and leave it at that before knowing more:


Let's assume that he isn't LOADED with cash--many people are--why did he go to Dr Rassman office? It' likely that he found him via the internet and lots of other great-but-cheaper doctors are one click away. In fact, why didn't he choose Dr. Rassman's partner who could have transplanted 8000 grafts with that price?
Maybe because he made the decision to go with the safer and proven option! Just like someone pays more for a Lexus when a Chrysler might have all the features and looks very good. Why do they do it? Because they want to and because they can!

Right on John, I think Cousins comments are clouded by his strong objection to his prices. That is fine to feel this way but to try to bring down his medical integrity for it makes no sense.

Its more than price of which I object. I happen to have a long time friend whom ended up with a nightmare of a transplant from this doctor a few years back. After a great deal of emotional turmoil he eventually had it repaired at another doctor, but had to endure it for over one year, wearing a hat everyday! I personally would never go to Dr. Rassman even if it was for free.

__________________
1,000,000 FUT
DR. MOBOGO
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

It is not that I object, Cousin, but I think it would be best if your friend presented some photos of his issues.

I just think that if you personally feel that way, that is perfectly acceptable, but I think it is something you should have shared earlier, not after several opposing viewpoints.

I just think the timing of your recent post is a little off.

I think some of your points were based on some speculation, but so are some of the other posts in this thread as well.

I can say that you have been doing a great job of really trying to educate others, so this thread has been a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Now that you have revealed your reasons/friends experiences, I understand.

I just think that we have ALL had our say, Pat is working on a resolution, so I think we should let this lie until we receive additional information.

Can we all agree to wrap it up with a agreement to disagree with Rassmans pricing/ disagree that pricing has no bearing on a Doc's practice?

It is the Yuletide season after all!!!!

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6721 transplanted grafts
13,906 hairs
Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

To be perfectly honest, I wish my friend would post his experience in this forum. I will surely mention this to him when we speak again, but I sincerely doubt it. The only accomplishment to him would be to relive the trauma of his surgery and get a few comments of sympathy. I believe he has just put this away as a big mistake and continued on with his life. Today thankfully he looks very good due to the repair surgery.

You are correct in all parties making certain assumptions, I would be very interested in seeing what this guys transplant turns out like, after all itsn't that the "proof of the pudding" Maybe Pat can get some type of followup on him.

As far as I am concerned this thread is a non issue, but if someone posts again to come to the good doctors defense I will certainly post a followup.

Have a healthy and merry holiday!

__________________
1,000,000 FUT
DR. MOBOGO
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

Cousin,

Just wish you would have let us about your friend earlier, we may have reacted differently to your views. I am sorry he had a unsatifactory result, who did his repair work?

In the future, it would be great if Pat could get more patient info up front ie: age, patients expectations and desires, doctors game plan for the future if any. This would help curb speculation and assumptions.

Never the less, it is always educational to debate, all in good fun of course.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cousin_It:
As far as stretching issues, due to the high laxity of his scalp this would be unlikely.


Cousin and everyone, I read a publication which you will find very interesting regarding scalp laxity and it relationship to potential scar stretching.

Look up Dr. Bernstein's website (bernsteinmedical.com) and pull up "under "Bernsteins publications" an article titled "Scalp Laxity Paradox".

It basically explains that a tight scalp is indicative of stronger connective tissue which binds the scalp to the submembrane or pericranium. Patients with this type of situation actually heal with a thinner scar than those with extreme or mushy laxity. The softer the laxity the less strength in the connective tissue which could lead to more stretching of the donor scar. Fascinating stuff.

Bernstein is one of the best in the world and this is one example why.

I just noticed this thread....sorry for a late response.

Here are my views on all that was written

1. Yes, Dr. Rassman's prices are high and I would personally warn patients that his pricing is are way above normal.

2. Sorry but posts such as "stop bitching about pricing" are ridiculous. Nobody is bitching...it IS a relevant issue regarding this doctor...but however, I agree that it's not relevant to his adequacy as a doctor

3. I believe there is no way to determine whether or not any other doctor in the world could have gotten more grafts than Dr. Rassman did out of this patient. Too many variables...and you know what? We can't prove or disprove it...it's only speculation. So the argument is self defeating...nobody wins, game over.

4. I believe Cousin_IT to be a new, but well researched honest helper of this forum and am personally glad to have him here. I'm certain he's not making up his friends experience just to prove a point. However, I will also state my opinion that his remarks about Dr. Rassman are more emotional than logical regarding this particular issue, and I'd further add, with some right to do so. I agree that if he posted that earlier, this discussion probably would have been different, but I think it's still a good discussion.

5. Nobuzz...interesting, I'll have to check out that article. Of course, without reading it, I only can add that Hasson and Wong among other docs have had patients doing scalp exercises for years, have yielded higher grafts as a result, and still maintained small, thin scars. Though this article may have merit, I have to add...the proof is in the pudding.

Hope this becomes a helpful and healthy part of the discussion

Bill

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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,

Nice comments on the overall thread, I would never go to Rassman myself due to his prices since there are many other great options for less as you point out in other threads about him. Why throw away the money? I just would'nt slam his work based on that.


The article I mentioned on Bernsteins site is very interesting indeed you will find. It sort of indicates that scar stretching is kind of a heriditary issue and may not have as much to do with scalp tension as the underlying connective tissue or lack thereof. (There is a name for this condition) It sort of means a great doc could do a great closure job and this patient could still have problems do to this condition. After reading this I concluded that the H&W scalp exercises are probably good for some but not all need it, maybe like this Rassman patient?

Check it out.