I'll add this about the plastic surgeon (e,n&t doc) that I know, as I go to his clinic, which is mostly a spa specializing in facials, etc. along with some plastic surgery now; for him to laser a small tattoo I have on my ankle from college.

The young ladies working there look at all have let him do their tits when he got back, so maybe he practiced on them. But, my point is he went and trained for a year and came back ready to do it.

While he is a good doctor, with a good rep., I'd say my choice would be the top guy. My wife is getting her eyes fixed and she's going to the best one around. I suppose for 25% less she could go to this doctor. I'm not saying he wouldn't do excellent, but still he hasn't been doing it long.

__________________
100? 'mini' grapfts by Latham's Hair Clinic - 1991 (Removed 50 plugs by Cooley 3/08.)
2750 FU 3/20/08 by Dr. Cooley

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Cooley

Current regimen:
1.66 mg Proscar M-W-F
Rogaine 5% Foam - every now and then
AndroGel - once daily
Lipitor - 5 mg every other day
Weightlifting - 2x per week
Jogging - 3x per week

I am intrigued by this thread. My background is Ear Nose and Throat in which I did my residency. After that I, like many doctors-probably the fellow you are discussing-did a one year American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. Now there are lots of fellowships, and doctors, like everyone, learn at different rates. At the end of my year, I submitted 1974 op notes--thats a ton of experience. Nevertheless, most doctors, me included, learn the most in the first 20 cases that they do completely by themselves. So I will say that it is prudent to go to someone who has a few years "under his belt". Having done 2800 facelifts, 2000 eyelids, 450 noses, 300+ hair transplants, I can say that I am significantly better than I was in 1996 when I just completed my fellowship.

However experience isn't everything. Times change, and so do procedures. For example, I learned just at the end of minigrafts and small plugs which worked well for my fellowship director during his 20 years of experience. However, now, we do true follicular unit grafting and use custom made 0.7mm blades to create sites for the grafts, which are dissected by staff using Mantis microscopes only.

So in picking doctors to consult with, look at a variety of things. One should be how much experience they have had, another is whether they have evolved their technique over the years, another is results you see at their office or posted on sites like this, and finally, the doctor ought to be someone you think has an honest and realistic approach to the services he offers.

We try to put forth an open and honest approach to potential patients, but recognize that some patients will NOT be candidates. They may have unrealistic expectations, other medical issues, or occasionally not enough donor hair for the treatment they need.

We would rather NOT do surgery until both the patient and doctor are prepared, than to sell someone something that is not appropriate for them.

So, do research on sites like this, check out the doctors' sites for before and after pictures, and go for consultations with the doctor in person.

Good luck,

Dr. Lindsey www.lindseymedical.com

__________________
William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS
McLean, VA

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

Dr. Lindsey,

I wondered about your response on this thread. For a physician to do 300 HT's in 12 years is really not demonstrating a lot of experience in my opinion. Here you state 300, but on your website you mention that you have over 1000 satisfied patients? Not to put you on the spot, but this sites main purpose is for public accountability of physicians. Welcome to the forum.

Let me comment on the previous posts
1. It is critical to train with a reputable, up-to-date physician who performs many surgeries.

2. A good surgeon can learn the technical aspects of doing hair transplant surgery in a one year period.

3. What they can't learn quickly is what to do or not to do on a broad range of patients. The experience of doing many cases over many years and having the opportunity to see the results years later is critical.

4. Our staff is a very important element in our ability to get the results that we achieve. It takes a long time to train a new staff person. They must work regularly to keep their skills intact, as we all do.

__________________
Drs.Tessler & Aronovitz, P.C.

NN,

Thanks for the welcome. To review my comments in other blogs, I did very few hair transplants while I was on faculty as an assistant professor at the University of Virginia and subsequently George Washington University. I was mainly a reconstructive surgeon. But after going into private practice in 2001 I began to increase my hair practice. Dr. Tessler's comment is correct that a new surgeon doesn't have the experience to know how to avoid problems and may not have seen his results "grow in". Dr. Tessler's comments also address staffing requirements. To get back to your query, it took me several years to get 1. consistent staffing and 2. consistent calls for hair work. Now I feel that we have reached the point where we have EXCELLENT staff using all microscope dissection, and a track record of highly satisfied patients--some of whom post on this and other sites. Lastly, I proudly acknowledge the large volume of facial plastic surgical patients that I have worked with and include them as satisfied patients. And I have stated that I am transitioning to focus on hair, now that the staffing, track record, and business demand is allowing.

You brought up a valid issue, one that I have addressed elsewhere as well on this and 2 other sites. I hope that this helps.

Dr. Lindsey Reston, VA

__________________
William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS
McLean, VA

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

All hair transplant practices talk a good game. Almost all claim to be "the best" or "pioneering". However, I find a very precious few actually post thier RESULTS on a regular and ongoing basis.

All the very worst clinics in the world PRIOR to internet exposure tauted their "experience", "credenitals", and "training". And these clinics produced some of the most pitiful results in the history of the hair transplant industry. These clinics, in fact, had a strangle hold on the field until independent clinics with a drive to excel broke their monopoly through consistent use of the internet.

Consistent posting of patient results along with full transparency is the modern measure of an HT clinics worth. That's the whole purpose of this site and ones like it.

Credentials and training are necessary to obtain licensure and a basic level of competence, but thanks to the internet they are no longer enough. NOW, doctors have a positive duty to participate on forums such as this one to demonstrate the level and CONSISTENCY of their skills.

MOST HT clinics shutter at this reality and shy away. Why do you think this is?

__________________
Feller Medical, PC
Great Neck, NY

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

Providing Hair Transplants and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatments

Thanks to all the doctors who have taken time to reply to this post.Not forgetting the members who have posted as well.
Its good to see what the doctors think and have to say on certain issues and questions.

Again many thanks.