Hair of the dog

Absolutely incredible result...........

High Spirit I would echo what the guys are saying and don't restrict yourself just to the UK. Use the forum to research as much as posiible before jumping in. I travelled from the UK to Dr Alexander in Phoenix and his office made it so straight forward, it was a piece of cake. Many top US clinics also offer travel incentives to help with flight costs. Cheers

Hi TB Do yourself a favour and go to Heathrow and jump on a plane to a coalition doctor. I also went to Dr Alexander and flew directly from T5 to Phoenix with BA, it is very straight forward and I am very happy with my results. In all likelihood you will probably end up paying less for the same number of grafts by going to the US, even including the air fare and travel costs. Plus you will get a first class HT. Cheers

Good luck Buffalo, although you won't need it, Dr Alexander is an excellent surgeon and up there with the very best. I had 2600 grafts with him last November and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Cheers

Hi JS Did you ask Doctor Alexander specifically about shaving? He did my HT for me without shaving and I was back at work after 2 weeks and no one suspected a thing. Also he used sutures on me, not staples and these came out after a week. Cheers

Thanks for the reply Spex. I am thinking I should maybe discuss my options with the doc when I start planning my next "hair trip" to the US! When scheduling with Dr Feller, does he need to know before hand if you want strip or FUE or can this be decided on the day when he asseses your situation? Cheers

The scar from my one and only strip session with Dr Alexander is excellent (so far!). I know I will need work in future and am wondering if I should: a) have some smaller FUE sessions so as not to jepordise the scar I have. I have heard that scars from second strip sessions are not always as good. or b) get fully "stripped out" then look to have some FUE into the scar. I am very impressed with what I am seeing and hearing coming of SMG's FUE offerings. Anyone else have this dilemma or offer any opinions? Cheers

Hi TTP I think I am about 8 weeks in front after surgery with Dr Alexander and we have the similar hair breakdowns. Just thought I would let you know I had quite a burst between 20-24 weeks and my hair seems better on a weekly basis. Think you will see some real exciting activity in the next weeks, it's a great feeling. All the best.

Hi Just to add my endorsement of Dr Alexander. I went with him in November last year, so about 6 months now and I am thrilled with my results so far. Like others, I would say my my scar is virtually undectable. I had existing hair but Dr Alexander was happy to work on me without shaving, I had 2600 grafts in the frontal 1/3. I travelled from the UK and Dr Alexander gave me some compenation for my flight and also paid for my hotel. I was back at work after 2 weeks and only my wife knows about my transplant. No one, family or friends has ever suspected a thing. IMO he is a first class surgeon and his results speak for themselves. Hope this helps.

This is a great question, anyone done this? Definately something I will consider when "stripped out".

Hi TTP I am just 18 weeks out from surgery with Dr Alexander and I had the exact same worry. My breakdown was pretty similar yours, I had 647 single grafts, 1920 doubles and only 11 3+ hair grafts At the minute I getting quite a bit of growth coming through and I am feeling quite optimistic about things. Dr Alexander said he had packed the grafts in quite tightly and I can already see a "cosmetic" difference. The growth and hairline so far looks totally natural. I am sure you have similar exciting developments to look forward to, but it is a real b1tch waiting for it! Hope this helps. Cheers

Hi Deppmode I would suggest narrowing down your choice to your top 2 or 3 docs and then asking the clinics if the doc can call you to talk through your pics and answer questions. The docs I consulted with were all happy to do this and if gave me a good idea for who I would feel more comfortable going with (and definately helped me rule one of them out ). Other things to consider are whether you want a doc with a conservative or more aggresive approach, and other factors such as are you prepared to shave down. Different docs can have different viewpoints and research is the key. All the best.

In my opinion it's best to get on meds early to preserve what you have and hopefully improve things (which it did for me). After my procedure with Dr Alexander I was back at work after 2 weeks (with the help of some Dermatch) and no one suspected a thing. Dr Alexander didn't insist on shaving my recipient area and this was a massive help for me in disguising I had had work done. Cheers

Hi Irish I am from the UK and was in a similar situation to yourself, and was just looking for clinics in England. That was until I found this great site. The more time you spend on here, I think you realise that by traveling, you improve your chances of getting a top rate HT from a world class surgeon. Don't be put off by the travel aspect, and as many people have implied on here, you will most probably get a far superior result (IMO) and pay less overall, even including travel costs. I am 13 weeks post-op with Dr Alexander in Phoenix and had the same worries, but the travel and experience was a piece of cake in the end. Dr Alexander's staff made things very easy for me, arranged and paid for my hotel accommodation (in a very nice hotel) and also offered me a travel incentive/discount to help with the cost of the flight. A 10 hour flight is a small sacrifice for a great result. All the best.

Hi all Just wondering what people's thoughts are on using fake tan spray on the recipient site and face 3/4 weeks after a procedure? I have read a lot of posts saying the grafts should be secure after about 10 days. I am quite fair skinned and thought this might be a way to try and hide the lingering redness. I am going to ask the doc before but has anyone given this a try?

Hi all Just wondering what people's thoughts are on using fake tan spray on the recipient site and face 3/4 weeks after a procedure? I have read a lot of posts saying the grafts should be secure after about 10 days. I am quite fair skinned and thought this might be a way to try and hide the lingering redness. I am going to ask the doc before but has anyone given this a try?

Thanks for all your kind and re-assuring words fellas. After over 6 months of research I decided on Dr Alexander, and I was, and still am very happy and confident with my choice. With regards to FUE, I don't really see it as an option for me as I am looking at 2500+ grafts, add on top of this the reasons Clive mentions. I am happy with strip and haven't buzzed super short since I was at school. The FUE doctor claims wide strip scars are the norm, that tricho doesn't really work and can kill follicles in the donor area. He also claims strip procedures can create unnatural "hair growth direction problems" around the scar. I suppose as Spex says though.....if he only does FUE....what would you expect him to say? It just puts small doubts in the head.

Hi fellas I am booked in for a strip procedure with one of the coalition docs but when surfing the net I have come across websites like this: http://home1.gte.net/dschrode/ I have also found myself getting newsletters from a well known FUE doctor, he really critises strip procedures and points out lots of disadvantages with having one. I am still planning on having my surgery but these things put doubts in your mind. Should I be worried?

Hi fellas I am booked in for a strip procedure with one of the coalition docs but when surfing the net I have come across websites like this: http://home1.gte.net/dschrode/ I have also found myself getting newsletters from a well known FUE doctor, he really critises strip procedures and points out lots of disadvantages with having one. I am still planning on having my surgery but these things put doubts in your mind. Should I be worried?

Thanks for the advice B spot, I also appreciate the fact that you can acknowledge the quality of another doc. I do feel good that I am at this stage, and also getting closer to the real excitement of booking the day!! As you guys have said, whichever way I jump I will be in great hands.

Thanks fellas, that gives me a lot of confidence that I am on the right lines with the 2 docs. I am traveling from Europe, so consults have only been through photo and phone consults. Looking at between 2000-2500 grafts but am prepared to go up to 3000 if the doc things I need it when we meet. Might end up being a toss of a coin or even which flights are most convenient in the end!

Hi all, first time poster here and hoping for some help! I have been doing my research for months and been glued to this forum. I have had consultations and have narrowed down my choice of surgeon to either Dr Alexander or Dr Ron Shapiro. I think I am a NW3 and am looking at having my hairline and frontal third done, strip procedure. Given the choice who would you experts choose out of the two? Also would I expect any difference in the quality of the result from one or the other? I am pretty much torn, Shapiro seems the established pioneer and always consistent, but Alexander's photos just blow me away. Thanks for your opinions.

Hi all, first time poster here and hoping for some help! I have been doing my research for months and been glued to this forum. I have had consultations and have narrowed down my choice of surgeon to either Dr Alexander or Dr Ron Shapiro. I think I am a NW3 and am looking at having my hairline and frontal third done, strip procedure. Given the choice who would you experts choose out of the two? Also would I expect any difference in the quality of the result from one or the other? I am pretty much torn, Shapiro seems the established pioneer and always consistent, but Alexander's photos just blow me away. Thanks for your opinions.