Thanks, Sean! It was cool to see Dr. Rahal with the ARTAS in action.

Matt from Dr. Rahal's office has started a thread about Adamo's case.

So whats the cost of Artas Compared to neograft if we are talking about 3000 grafts?

Although I wouldn't need anywhere near 3000 grafts (maybe a quarter to third of that), I come to the forum for the first time with a similar question to twinspark's: What is the range of transplant costs for Artas or SAFE vs other FUE or non-FUG surgical methods. I live far enough away from FUE practitioners that travelling blind for even a consult is not an option. I had a couple of experiences with FUG a good while back and know that cheap is generally not good, while expensive is not better and may even be involved with deceptive practices (thinking back on an L.A. area facility). In particular, I am wondering about Dr. Harris's (CO) price structure, since he appears to be one of the two closest to me. Thanks,

I assume the research on FUE has been seen, but just in case there is a 2010 review article on the NIH website from the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery: Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2956961/

I just received an e-mail from Shapiro Medical. They are now using the Artas! : )

To clarify - we offer the FUE procedure via Artas as well as our SAFE system technique.

__________________
I'm employed as the lead medical tech and surgical manager for the Shapiro Medical Group. Feel free to ask me any questions.

YouTube: Shapiro Medical Group's Videos

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

The ARTAS is a good device. I looked at it for my office, but currently unable to implement it. For one, I would need a dedicated room I currently do not have available. THe traditional FUE technique in my hands Does the job well and very efficient.

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

It is definitely an interesting machine. One thing that is important to mention that no one has is it is FDA approved. I don't think any surgeons hands are? Definitely a good tool but actually it is not any faster than manual extraction.

The most promising thing about it is a reduction in transection rate. It proved in clinical trials to consistently produce a transection rate of < 2%. Compare that to the best surgeon out there in it is unmatchable (realistically 10-12% at best).

So just to leave an example, if you are worried about donor availability: If you got 5000 FUE grafts manually, it is safe to assume at least 500 grafts transected. Take the same procedure and it is GUARANTEED that the number drops to a maximum of 100 grafts lost. That is an extra 400 grafts that can be utilized. Then we just rely on the skill of the surgeon to place the lines and angles correctly. However, the price is currently unattainable for the average person.

Possibly in the future we can see generic devices produced that could actually reduce the cost compared to manual FUE. Most doctors out there charging 10$ per graft for ARTAS and $8 for FUE. I know Rahals price is 7.50$ for FUE and 8.50$ for ARTAS, but he claims that there is no difference in result with the two procedures. But it may be insignificant to the eye at this point.

No matter what machines and robots they invent, Its all for the sake of the surgeon's comfort in order to make his job easier and allow him to get more patients in a week. When it comes to final outcomes and yield, Manual FUE is still the best. Best FUE surgeons in the world are still using it such as Bisanga, Lorenzo and Feriduni (who once used SAFE motorized tools and then went back to manual because of poor yields). Manual FUE requires surgeon's stamina and talent. I would never want to be drilled lol.

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Plug removal + 300 FUE temple points- Dr. Maras (HDC)- July 1, 2013
Scar Tricopigmentation- Dr. Koray Erdogan (ASMED)- May 3, 2013
2500 FUT (Hairline Repair)- Dr. Rahal- July 26, 2011
My Hair Treatments:
1- Alpecin Double Effect Shampoo (Daily)
2- Keratene Alphactive Retard Capsules (Once a day)
3- MOPC world Minoxidil 5% + Azelaic Acid 5% (Once a day)
My Rahal HT thread http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.co...ne-repair.html[/SIZE]

Hariri,

It's interesting to read your posts because you have strong opinions that they often come across as if they are facts.

Sometimes you speak on behalf of physicians as if you know them and have in depth conversations with them on a regular basis. Maybe you do with many of them but I know you haven't done so with Dr. Shapiro, yet you post as if you know why Dr. Shapiro acquired the Artas or why we switched from manual sharp punch to the motorised SAFE system. As I understand it, you don't like any motorised fue tools, and you have every right to your opinion. Are all docs using any type of motorised tool - sharp or dull punches put in the same category? While I believe there is only one dull punch, there are several variations of the sharp motorised punches. Do you remember the much hype about the Feller cordless sharp drill? Is he being lazy using motorised tool or is he innovative?

Dr. Lorenzo, God bless him, is about the hardest working man I know who punches and takes all the grafts out himself not to mention planting all the grafts too. He works long hours and is quite passionate about his work. I know he's tried the Feller drill but I wasn't aware he's tried the SAFE system. Did all three purchase the SAFE system, try it for awhile then decided against it or just one of them? That part wasn't clear to me. How many patients did he/they try it on? When I visited all three clinics few years ago, they hadn't tried the SAFE system so it'd be interesting to get their opinion on it. I'm not disputing these top docs's reputation or their work or the fact that you like them. I like all of them too. When you speak to each of them, can you ask them about their yield? What is their percentage of patient satisfaction with their FUE? I know Feriduni has 4-5 techs that are skilled at punch/extracting, just as Dr. Feriduni is but I know yield can be compromised with any FUE procedure regardless of the technique. I'm sure they will tell you that while they strive for 100% yield on 100% of their patients, they don't have it. There's a fundamental difference between dull and sharp punches. You should find out the difference and why some choose dull as oppose to sharp. The top clinics tend to produce the most consistent results, thats why they are considered tops. For consistent results and for best yield at our practice, we converted to the SAFE system and acquired the Artas, not for anything else.

__________________
I'm employed as the lead medical tech and surgical manager for the Shapiro Medical Group. Feel free to ask me any questions.

YouTube: Shapiro Medical Group's Videos

Follow us on: Facebook

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

I cant speak on behalf of hariri but it is true that dr feriduni once used a motorized punch for some time but switched to manual. He actually told me this in my consult. I wont say exactly what punch it was as im only 80 percent sure but will double check and get back to you.

Lorenzo also has used the Devroye punch in the past(there is a video of him using it) but now favors the dr. C(you know who im talking about) manual punch. Same as dr. Feriduni.

Not sure if dr bisanga ever tried motorized punches but he does use manual now. Dr de reys also has a dislike for motorized punches as you cannot 'feel' the feedback the punch has on the graft which can prevent transection.

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Links:

Revamped Advantages/Disadvantages of FUE. Myths dispelled. Educate yourself

Everything FUE. Manual, motorized, ARTAS, NeoGraft, physician details and more

What can FUE do? Norwood 1-6 examples, scar repair, crown work, eyebrows, hairlines etc

Hair Transplant Basics. Must read. Constantly updated. Content loaded.