What a shame that vanity allowed someone to risk their life in the hands of a questionable surgeon. Some surgeries are not only invasive they can be dangerous Sounds like this Doctor does not have a good reputation and was recommended to have his license suspended. I doubt cost could have even been an issue here, so why not the best?

Interesting post. Just highlights the fact that elective surgery is not to be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, complications occur in even the best hands. Idiosyncratic reactions have been reported albeit rarely. All surgeries carry a risk and patients should be well informed.
Ricardo Mejia MD
Jupiter Dermatology and Hair Restoration

__________________
Ricardo Mejia MD, FAAD
Jupiter FL
Hair Transplant Network recommended physician; photos

there are always risks with surgery and this is why someone needs to consider all factors before getting a HT.

__________________
JOBI

1417 FUT - Dr. True
1476 FUT - Dr. True
2124 FUT - Dr. True
604 FUE - Dr. True







My views are based on my personal experiences, research and objective observations. I am not a doctor.

Total - 5621 FU's uncut!

on the drs disclaimer when the question is asked
are you allergic to whatever, say the local anaesthetic and you`ve never had a local before,what happens then.
if you do have a reaction do the drs have a first aider available during surgery or is this the risk you take.

Hello Guys,

I had my my first hair transplant in april 2007 and the next one has been planned for dec 2007. After reading this article, I am scared whether I should have my next hair transplant.

Please do advice on this.

Regards,
Bunty

Dont compare apples to oranges. You have nothing to worry about (as long as you choose the right surgeon, of course)

Go for it.

If I believe everything I read in the newspaper and think it will happen to me, I would be afraid to walk out the front door.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where we always do not know the details of a story irrespective of a good or bad outcome. Threfore, I would be very careful in interpreting what is posted. Yes it is a shame the patient died. On the other hand, do we know anything about the patient, is she a smoker, an alcoholic, a diabetic, was she on coumadin a blood thinner that can lead to bleeding complications. There are too many unknown factors that increase the risk of a complication to pass judgement.

In no way am I trying to defend the doctor, but rather point out the unknown possibilities and facts which we are not aware of.
If any of the members who advocate their hair doctor on this site learned their doctor had an inexplicable patient death from a hair transplant, would he automatically be a sleazy terrible doctor? Every coalition doctor that is recommended has the potential for an unknown unforseen complication. We all try to minimize the risks and complications by constant learning, education and knowledge that assures our patient safety first. We are fortunatethey they have not occured. Yet any surgery no matter how little has risks.
Choosing a well qualified, board certified physician experienced in the field of hair restoration surgery and screened by this site should give you additional comfort in your choices.

Ricardo MEjia MD
Jupiter FL

P.S. A small personal vignette to illustrate my case. Many years ago I was scheduled to perform a skin cancer surgery on the scalp of a middle aged man. He never showed for his appointment. I called his house to advise him of his missed appointment. His wife informed me he died that morning of a massive heart attack. Now imagine if his heart decided to wait a couple of extra hours, and he showed up for his appointment. There is the possibility he could have died of the same heart attack in my office or worse during surgery and yet, I had nothing to do with it.

__________________
Ricardo Mejia MD, FAAD
Jupiter FL
Hair Transplant Network recommended physician; photos

Well, thats an interesting story you present, and the very thought of a HT surgery being equal to the risks of her tummy tuck/liposuction is indeed an absurd comparison, and agreed, there were risks involved with this woman, Ms. West. What I find most interesting about this story (and I hate celebrity news/reporting but this story was more than that, its tragic and also highlights the risks of more invasive procedures) this woman had been turned down for surger before, showing that the risks were evident to at least one other doctor, and another interesting tidbit about the doctor who performed the surgery, California was recommending suspending his medical license for multiple DUI's, which strikes me as, again, the apples and oranges comparison.

What does his driving record have to do with practicing cosmetic surgery, must one adhere to some sort of higher standard than us ordinary mortals who likely would not lose their jobs for multiple DUI's? (Well, some of us)

It's not like a drivers license is needed to perform liposuction and be on Oprah Winfrey. And the Dr. Adams response towards the other surgeon was indicative of someone who had other issues as well.

After rereading this, I think you were bullsh*tting me the first time.