Given my excellent treatment at Feller Medical I feel I owe it to everyone involved to write a short review to appraise their work as well as to help others!!


Background

I first noticed hair loss at age 18 and started visiting clinics when I was 20. I first went to a clinic in Harley Street, London. Before the doctor even introduced themselves to me they remarked to their partner, right in front of me, ‘awww he’s just a baby’. Young guys are even more vulnerable in this industry, not only because of the added desperation caused by the pressure of their age group but also because most of the good/’ethical’ surgeons will not think twice about operating on young guys and, of course, often with good reason. Still, what an A-HOLE, I thought, how condescending. The next day I went to meet a consultant for a large chain with operations all over the world. This guy recommended nearly 4000 FUE and told me exactly what I wanted to hear. So, for the next 6 months I was set on going with this company. It was a gut feeling that prevented me from eventually going with them (sleazy adverts and an overtly sale-sy and ostentatious ethos; WARNING: DO NOT BE SWAYED BY A FANCY BROCHUE/ADVERT/WEBSITE SHOWING SOME GUY WITH THE HAIRLINE OF A 12 YEAR OLD, this in NO WAY reflects the quality of the surgeon[s], it is manipulative and is that the kind of practise you want performing your surgery?!). This type of surgery was SO wrong for me (if you want to why, just ask). During this period I came across Spex, contacted him, read the book, read numerous threads on this forum and other communities (bald truth), learnt about relevant governing bodies like the IAHRS etc and got educated. Luckily, before I made any drastic mistakes.

I then decided I would give Propecia (I already used Minoxidil) a shot after avoiding it for years given that it was my only hope of keeping my hair long term. I just became so depressed that my life was not worth living, so what were risking a few side effects compared to that. Luckily I reacted well with no side effects whatsoever. Attached are results after 6 months. They look better than they actually were (‘the art of illusion’) because the forelock had not assimilated with the rest of hair to the extent that it looks as though it had there, but nevertheless pretty dam good. I had since learnt of Dr. Feller’s stellar reputation through all the educational resources mentioned above. I headed for a consultation in London, May 2012 and went from there, planning a hair transplant for August (21 years of age [22 in 3 months]).

In the planning stage of surgery we reached a good liberal/conservative compromise by keeping a conservative hairline but allowing for temples angles to be brought out (triangles on the side of my head). This planned for future loss and provided the appearance of a youthful hairline. I had paid for 2450 grafts but because of my excellent donor area about 2600 were harvested and transplanted in the end. I don’t actually have any post-op pictures because my camera has broken recently so I will let Dr. Feller or Spex upload pictures if they so wish. I will be happy to upload pictures of growth if anyone requests that I do so.


Review

I am not qualified to pass judgement on a hair transplants surgeon’s skill with great insight. All I can say is that if you do your research via reliable hair transplant veterans, governing bodies, communities and books you will see that it does not get better than Dr. Feller! He really is the best of the best (he even owns patents on many of the surgical instruments used in transplant surgery). You will find numerous, high quality, consistent and proven results as well as praise from other industry professionals whom also have stellar reputations. All I know is that I was comfortable throughout (physically with painkillers and mentally with light-hearted conversation about popular culture and with music playing throughout); my donor area has been beautifully closed and is healing nicely (only at 7 days post-surgery); I have planned for future loss; I was carefully listened to and have the hairline I wanted (in addition to layering in grafts at 1 graft per follicle at the front of the hairline a nice kind of mini zigzag effect has been created for an extra natural looking hairline) and I was taken care of pre/post surgery with clear instructions for both. As a person you will notice that Dr. Feller is tremendously respectful. His character has all the qualities of a good friend: approachable, genuine, down to earth, charismatic, intelligent, good listener, honest and thoughtful. As a hair loss sufferer himself he could emphasise well with me and would give me knowing look when I said I hated that ‘mohawk look’ and he would understand what I meant when I would reference the ‘island look’ (hairloss around the forelock). His business ethics are also a testament to his character. He could push patients to do FUE when they should in fact be using the strip method. The former would be more profitable. However, the newest method is not always the right method.

The practise, which exclusively performs hair transplants, was well kept and the technicians were professional, attentive, warm and charming. I was provided with water, a free lunch and even a blanket when I was a little cold in the air conditioned surgical suite. The practise is situated within a decent neighbourhood (Great Neck, NY) and there are many hotels a short taxi ride away. I stayed at ‘The Andrew’ which I would highly recommend. I was even given a surgical rate when I mentioned Dr. Feller.

If you are deliberating over doctor options for surgery the service of Spex may be something to consider. If your time at Feller Medical is the product, then Spex (who liaisons with the practise as a consultant), is, in a way, the service. Spex is a well respected independent hairloss mentor who gives advice, of any kind, to hair loss sufferers all over the world. Although Spex will assist you free of charge with whichever route you choose to take the advantage here is that he has personally had surgery with Dr. Feller and can therefore vouch for and advise you on anything you can think of. If you are an international patient, particularly if you are from the UK, he is especially useful in providing advice on travel logistics as well as the general logistics of the whole hair transplant journey. Overall he is an exceptional, long term support system who makes the process FAR less daunting and infact rather enjoyable, I found anyway. As most of you may already know, Spex is a super cool helpful guy.

All these elements factored in are why I rate my Feller Medical experience as outstanding. They are a testament to Dr. Feller not just as a surgeon but also as a doctor. He ensured my welfare by taking care of all these different dimensions of my hair transplant experience, short term and long term. I would have no hesitation recommending Feller Medical and Spex to anyone considering hair restoration. I have no regrets whatsoever and will defiantly be returning again should I need another hair transplant in the future.

I do realise that reviews, by definition, are critical and therefore on the whole consist of pros and cons but there really was nothing else I could ask for (short of the absurd). I did not even have to pay for the extra 150 grafts even though I offered to.

Many thanks to all those involved, I am over the moon - so far!!!

Attached Thumbnails

         

       

Nice write up and also reflects my incredibly positive consultation in London in May and surgery 16 days ago.

Propecia worked well for you!

__________________
FUT 2000 hairline / frontal third grafts with Dr. Feller.
July 27th 2012
*Incredibly positive experience!*


*Propecia March 2010 - Present

*Nizoral 2% shampoo - once a week since October 2012.

*Kirkland 5% Minoxidil foam, twice a day - started January 2013

Seven seas cod liver oil capsules 1 per day - October 2012 to present

Avodart once a week - started March 2013.

((Minoxidil 12.5% cream, once a day- March 2010 - January 2013))

.

Everyone who has the pleasure of meeting Dr. Feller describes him as a warm, charismatic and caring physician. I look forward to meeting him one day myself.

Congratulations on your excellent experience!

__________________
David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant

I am not a medical professional. All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

View my Hair Loss Website

Thanks for a great write up!

josh606, I am glad you had a positive experience, but I would like to respond to David's (TakingThePlunge) comment.

Sorry David, but I have to strongly disagree with this statement. I found the exact opposite to be the case, as have many others on this board (this is well documented in several threads).

As much disdain as I have for Dr. Feller, I try to stay away from commenting on any of his threads, but I had to respond to your "Everyone" statement.

I wrote about my experience here, so I won't go into it again.

Personally, I found him to be very unprofessional, rude and defensive, and having met with him twice, "warm, charismatic and caring" are not words I would use to describe him.

I had read some of these sort of negative comments before I met him so I had no idea what to expect, but he was great both times I met him. He was very informative and helpful in both the consultation and the surgery. I can't speak for my results yet but I'm very happy with everything.

__________________
FUT 2000 hairline / frontal third grafts with Dr. Feller.
July 27th 2012
*Incredibly positive experience!*


*Propecia March 2010 - Present

*Nizoral 2% shampoo - once a week since October 2012.

*Kirkland 5% Minoxidil foam, twice a day - started January 2013

Seven seas cod liver oil capsules 1 per day - October 2012 to present

Avodart once a week - started March 2013.

((Minoxidil 12.5% cream, once a day- March 2010 - January 2013))

.

TommyLucchese,
I'm honestly glad to hear that you had a positive experience.

Dr. Feller seems to be a very polarizing guy, with people having strong feelings about him one way or the other.

I have found that to be the case too. Each to their own I guess!

__________________
FUT 2000 hairline / frontal third grafts with Dr. Feller.
July 27th 2012
*Incredibly positive experience!*


*Propecia March 2010 - Present

*Nizoral 2% shampoo - once a week since October 2012.

*Kirkland 5% Minoxidil foam, twice a day - started January 2013

Seven seas cod liver oil capsules 1 per day - October 2012 to present

Avodart once a week - started March 2013.

((Minoxidil 12.5% cream, once a day- March 2010 - January 2013))

.

Hi Josh.

Looks like finasteride is working really well for you as your hair appears a lot thicker now.

Sounds a good all round positive experience and very detailed write up.

Have you any pre op and immediate post op pics?

__________________
2 poor unsatisfactory hair transplants performed in the UK.

Based on vast research and meeting patients, I travelled to see Dr Feller in New York to get repaired.

I'm glad you found your meeting with Dr. Feller to be a positive one. I can see how his personality can instigate some polarizing. I found him to be very confident during our consultation, even a bit too confident which may come off as tad cocksure. I decided to jump ahead into the surgery despite this. I'm glad I did, because overall, the experience was great with him, and so far I'm pleased with the surgery. But I'm still in the early stages so I will just let the results speak for themselves.