Vinny1980

Hi Cant Decide, I had some pretty deep recession in the temples, but I think the Propecia and Rogaine combo allowed me to retain quite a bit in the vertex over the past 8 years. I became a master of my own hair also, as I learned to cut it myself (butchered by barbers in the past) and with the combination of the styling, cover-up spray, and wearing it down I did a pretty good job of covering it up. I will be posting some pics up shortly though, so you will be able to see where he put them. Thanks for the kind words!

just posted bud, check it out. Sorry for the delay.

Ok guys, I want to thank you all for the kind wishes and all the wisdom you all shared, if it wasn’t for this forum I really wouldn’t have had the confidence to make this decision (I’m an OCD planner and am very risk-averse). I'm so paranoid right now with my grafts, I just put some hydrocortisone on the recipient area and now I am paranoid that I shouldn't have touched it! First couple of days make you bonkers man!!!! I'm trying not to look in the mirror but damn dude, there is hair on my head man! It almost brought tears to my eyes! Here's my story: After various consultations and research into different doctors and consultations, I decided two years ago that I wanted to think about having a transplant. I narrowed my search to three doctors and finally decided to go with one should the opportunity arise and then I waited an entire year and forgot about it. Then recently an opportunity opened whereby I would have a few weeks to get this done and also will already be on travel for a friend’s bachelor party in a foreign country close to India. I literally was so damn tired of spending so much time trying to mask my bald spots for so many years (sorry for the negativity but it just was something that really bothered me). I narrowed it down to 2 US doctors, Dr.Pathomvanich, and Dr. Madhu. After careful deliberation, I decided that Dr. Madhu was the guy for me, after numerous emails (I bothered them quite a bit and they were very diligent and polite in answering my questions). I've never been to India before, but was very excited and nervous. I spoke to the assistant at Dr. Madhu's office and they confirmed everything. In the online consultation they recommended 2800+ grafts. I was going to tell no one and go by myself (as I didn’t want anyone knowing). As you can see in my profile I have been fighting baldness for the past 10 years and really am finally ready to take the next step. I arrived in Hyderabad and the city was much cleaner and also less crowded than what I thought India would be like (I’ve been to other comparable countries so I assumed it would be similar). I am a very friendly guy so I might be a bit na?ve but I felt comfortable going to the ATMs and taking money out and felt safe walking around at night (dodging day time traffic well that’s a whole different story). I first met one of his assistant doctors and she was absolutely fantastic and despite a huge line of people in the waiting room, she really was patient with me. She really helped me understand what was going on and was just absolutely fantastic, she also spoke very good English so I could communicate really well. I met Dr. Madhu and he seemed like such a nice honest man (I know people and he is a genuinely good man). I really felt safe and my anxiety just went away. They ran a few tests for my scalp and also did some blood work and vitals. They told me that I would probably be able to get 2700-3000 grafts. He was very confident and I had no doubts and only excitement after our meeting. The big day: I woke up early and went in the early morning. There was absolutely no traffic on the roads and it was pretty empty out there, very calm, and peaceful. I walked in and waited. I started to get a bit nervous again as I waited in the waiting room and was greeted by another new Doctor. I mentioned to him that if they gave me some type of relaxant medication they would probably have to double it as I am just have a hugely high tolerance for meds. I wasn’t sure if he understood me and well I wasn’t confident using my 1 week of Rosetta Stone Hindi to try to bridge the gap so I just followed him. Then I met Dr. Madhu again and well just his presence calmed me down tremendously. I sat inside and he instructed me about the procedure and BOOM we were off to get started. I sat down as they took the strip, he guided me to a room and showed me how they get the grafts and I then sat in a chair. The two ladies were working on me and implanting the grafts (sorry if my terminology is a bit off here but you get my point). I tried to crack a few jokes but I’m not very funny and I’m sure something was lost in translation. In the background I heard the nice sounds of music and they were humming away to these upbeat gentle tunes. I had no idea what the singers were saying on the radio but I know it wasn’t Hindi as my Rosetta Stone skills would have hopefully identified it haha, but the music was very nice. Indian music is very upbeat and beautiful. But to be honest, the only downside was I wish that I was able to watch some TV or something as I got a bit bored and restless during the procedure. That is probably because I have a super high tolerance for anxiety meds and meds in general so if they gave me something to relax me it probably wasn’t enough. Then Dr. Madhu came over and told me that they actually were able to extract 3100 grafts and we could use them, so we did. Afterwards I sat with them and met with Dr. Madhu again, he showed me my hairline and he said it went well, which made me feel so happy! Then they gave me some instructions and told me to come in for a hair wash. They then got the nice security guard to escort me back to my hotel (the streets now were full of cars and crossing is a bit scary so I was glad), plus the security guard was a sweet old man. I got back to my hotel and well started typing this. I currently feel pretty good and am hoping that I keep feeling this good (wrote at the time). I woke up the next day and felt ok, but the pain meds started wearing off and it hurt a bit, but didn’t have any swelling. I just laid low and hung out in the hotel room and watched a bunch of movies. I took the pain medication Dr. Madhu gave me and I am sure it helped for the inflammation as it is a pretty potent NSAID. But my head hurt so I called them up and they told me to just take more of the same medication which helped but it was definitely not as strong as a vicodin (see below). The pain was manageable for me though. The next day I went in for the hairwash and it was fine, the staff was so nice and they answered my post-op questions. Dr. Madhu again was pretty great, we had a conversation and I was on my way. Advice: Most people in Hyderabad speak Telegu and some speak Hindi, but many can also speak English very well, but like in other foreign countries you have to be patient and speak slower. I would try to learn a phrase or two or three though as it was helpful and also made things fun. Just come with a good attitude as India well is India so well some things just work differently and in some cases are slower, so if you can’t deal it may not be for you. As stated above, if you don’t have a high tolerance for pain or just prefer something stronger (you don’t get vicodin/opiate medication in India or at least I don’t think) you may want to fill a script just in case prior to going. I stayed at the Bestwestern which was literally almost right across the street almost from his hospital. The hotel staff is really a fantastic bunch of people, very kind, and very nice. Nice TVs, AC, and comfortable beds. I had an issue with the discount I was supposed to get but I eventually worked it out. I went over to the Daspalla for my last day as my girlfriend is coming back with me and I wanted to have a bigger room with some restaurants. It really is a beautiful hotel and well worth the slight increase in price, especially if you would like to spoil yourself. Oh yeah, my US banks only allow me to pull out $1000 USD a day (think it is standard), let's say that is 44K rupees. Also if I have a Citibank account and go to a Citi ATM, I can take all of it out at once. BUT if not, let's say I use a Citibank ATM card at a Standard Indian Bank ATM then I can only take out 10K at a time. so to get my 40K max a day, I have to conduct 4 transactions. I found that out while I was there, so I would advise you to plan accordingly if you plan to pay in cash which is what I did ( as stated below please don't ask me what their credit card policies are, I don't know, ask them). Alright guys, I’m still getting into the swing of things but will post some photos on my profile when I get back. I tried to be very detailed so hopefully this helps you, as Dr. Madhu was a great decision for me (but I will let you know in 6-12 months.......man I hope I all these little guys on my head come back after they fall out, as I've grown quite fond of them). Again I'm an American guy who has been to many foreign places but never India which is awesome and I’m going back, hopefully with some luxurious looking hair haha. I really need to see more of the country). I’ve tried to be as detailed as possible here. There is a ton of information on his website, so please don’t ask me any administrative questions with regards to Dr. Madhu’s office's pricing, payment,etc. His office is very responsive and not to sound like a jerk, but I have gotten some questions like pricing that are clearly available on his website. I hope this helps you guys, Dr. Madhu 2 thumbs up! Hopefully in 12-18 months it'll be another two thumbs and two toes up!

I actually went for the tourist visa, don't ask me why as this all was last minute. I actually know nothing about hyderabad so actually I just picked the one recommended by Dr. Madhu on his website. There are actually two, one budget and one 4 star called the daspalla. I will keep you posted man, very very nervous but yes excited.

I am actually going to get it done next week! So I will definitely let you know!

Thanks for the advice HairSprint, I'm going to get it done with Dr. Madhu. yeah I'm just a bit confused as to what warrants another transplant and currently am trying to look at photos of before and afters of similar hairlines. I just want to make sure I am able to ensure that the line isn't too aggressive as i would hate to have to come back.

I am getting my HT done in India (I'm not from there) and am a bit nervous. I just had a question and also wanted to solicit any advice as the knowledge base here is huge and I have learned a lot. Every consultation I was asked my expectations and then the surgeon drew a line and I examined it, but they asked me about my expectations. I would really appreciate if some of you experienced posters gave me some advice. -I am 30 and have been losing hair since I was 20 (you can see my pics in my profile). I won't be having anything done on the crown area as it doesn't bother me much and feel that propecia and minoxidil will hopefully let me hold onto it. BUT I want to make sure I don't need to have to have another HT done for hopefully 10 years, is that realistic? If asked should I ask for something more conservative? Meaning not pulling my hairline farther down towards the front of my face? Also if that is the case, what about the temple region? I'm sure the Dr. will know what to do, but just to understand if my expectations are realistic to a certain extent? Perhaps its the nerves talking but if I get this done and have to keep getting it done. In summary, what can I ask or do on my part prior to the surgery to help encourage this result? I realize that each outcome is different and its tough to tell, but I just want to make sure I'm not spending a ridiculous amount of money and making secret CIA style trips abroad to have touch up work done. Once i get this done I'm not going to be able to go back. Thank you all for your support and kind intelligent advice.

Hi guys, Thanks for the responses. GoodResult I haven't actually gone yet. I will figure out how to blog my results. So far, I've just put a small deposit down to reserve the date and am figuring out a timeline (when I need to be there, when I am comfortable to leave as I would like one more day of rest before hopping on a plane). Very nervous about going to India, but Dr. Madhu's recommendations on this site lead me to be confident that he will indeed give me a great result. I still have to figure out payment, like how to get that many rupees out of the bank, have someone guard me as I walk over there with a sack full of money haha, just kidding I know it won't be that scary. I will definitely keep you updated as I think this will be a good as I'm not Indian and haven't seen too many non-indian pictures on his site. I do have a question though on expectations of a hairline but I think that is a separate maybe I should post that here. Every consultation the surgeon drew a line and I examined it but they asked me about my expectations. I would really appreciate if some of you experienced posters gave me some advice. -I am 30 and have been losing hair since I was 20 (you can see my pics). I won't be having anything done on the crown area as it doesn't bother me much and feel that propecia and minoxidil will hopefully let me hold onto what i have left back there for hopefully 5-10 yrs. BUT I want to make sure I don't have to have another one done for hopefully 10 years, is that realistic? If asked should I ask for something more conservative? Meaning not pulling my hairline farther down towards the front of my face? Also if that is the case, what about the temple region? I'm sure the Dr. will know what to do, but just to understand if my expectations are realistic to a certain extent? Perhaps its the nerves talking but if I get this done and have to keep getting it done. In summary, what can I ask or do on my part prior to the surgery to help encourage this result? I realize that each outcome is different and its tough to tell, but I just want to make sure I'm not spending a ridiculous amount of money and making secret CIA style trips abroad to have touch up work done. Once i get this done I'm not going to be able to go back. Thank you all for your support and kind intelligent advice.

It's been a while until I've been back. Thank you all again as I've been reading posts and this knowledge transfer has been amazing. So something came up in my schedule and I've gotten some free time and decided to finally pull the trigger and go ahead. I've consulted a few surgeons in the past, but after reading and also with my current travel preparations I believe Dr. Madhu Pathuri will be my best choice. I'm currently finalizing the details, verifying they have a slot the one week I am free, asking follow-up questions, and figuring out how to pay them as I don't want to be carrying a duffle bag full of rupees especially since I haven't been to India before. I still have a few follow-up questions for them: 1) I sent updated pictures to them and am awaiting a consultation on grafts (previously a year and a half ago they recommended at least 2500 grafts and most doctors did), I uploaded them to this site in my album 2) Also I have to pay extra as I DON'T WANT PPL TO KNOW I HAD THE SURGERY, so I plan to pay extra to not shave my head and also for absorbable sutures 3) I believe they provide accommodation so I am finalizing how much time I need to be in India so I can book my ticket for the appropriate amount of time 4) Payment info, they don't take credit card so i am very nervous about how to pay them promptly and properly but also to make sure I am not walking around India with a sack full of rupees as I haven't been to India before. If any of you have any experiences or advice on the right questions to ask or advice in general please let me know. I will definitely be trying to keep you all posted on my experience and progress! I do have one question, as I have received mixed opinions as if you see my pictures I have a receding hairline in the front, but also on the front sides I am thinning. I have received opinions on if they should graft into the sides, in terms of practicality and also in terms of aesthetic appeal.

Thanks WB280, that's actually very helpful. Maybe I'll think it over a bit as if shaving helps the doctor then it's definitely something as I would want the best result possible.

I wasn't saying that the price was relating to the quality of work, in fact I didn't talk about a pricing schedule at all, I simply had a question on the optionality. I was curious as from my consults that I've done, the options that Dr. Madhu provided were givens. In the sense that all the doctors I spoke to didn't ask you to shave your head nor were there sutures that needed to be removed. Therefore, I was more curious as to perhaps if the procedure differed from a typical FUT transplant in the states. It appears from what you're saying, that the procedure is the same it's just that the reason one pays extra to have Dr. Madhu work on a Shaved head could be due to the fact that it requires a bit more time. Well if that's the case thanks for the feedback.

So I was wondering, I've done a few consults and have also done an online consult with Dr. Madhu. Dr. Madhu actually shaves the heads of his patients or you have to pay extra to have the procedure done without having your head shaved. I've never heard of this before. Is this at all common? I wouldn't ever want to shave my head as I'd like to use my hair to coverup the implanted regions. Also he charges extra for absorbably sutures, meaning if you fly in for a procedure you probably need to pay the extra for the absorbably sutures. I was wondering if this is all common place or if this is a bit of a reflection on the differences between the quality of work you can get done in the US as opposed to abroad in places like India.

Another interesting update, I went to see another HT doctor earlier this week and got a completely different opinion! I went to go see Dr. Bernstein as he comes highly recommended from this forum and from a few of my friends. I went to see him and it was an extremely quick consultation for 175 bucks, but he's well respected and I really wanted his opinion. He took a quick look at my head and said that my temporal baldness especially on the sides was a concern, but that I should NOT get a hair transplant. Two reasons: 1) He said that due to my balding on the sides it's hard to predict how much hair loss I will have in future years and that I could lose a considerable amount of hair. 2) He said that the side balding also is a concern due to the fact that the donor strip will get smaller with time. He recommended that I up my Finasteride to about 1.5ish or 1/3 of a 5mg pill and to start using Rogaine solution not the foam everywhere not just on the vertex. I respect the fact that he told me not yet as it was honest, but WOW I wasn't expecting that. Now I have so much more to think about, not about who to do the procedure but also whether to have it done at all! Now guys, all the doctors I've seen have been some of the best and come highly recommended. But seriously how confusing is that? Doc 1=1800 grafts front and sides very progressive Doc 2=1200 grafts front, more conservative no real sides Doc 3= DON'T DO IT Man, I realize that a major portion of this procedure is art and style not just straight forward mechanics, but these extremely divergent opinions on something that is so important emotionally and financially to me at this point in time is difficult to process.

Thanks for the opinions guys, I'm really learning a lot here: Future_HT_Doc 1. Currently both docs said that they'd like to stay away from the crown portion. it's held up well with the propecia and I also just started using Rogaine on it recently. 2. Personally I like the facial framing idea you mentioned, the vertex for me hasn't really been something i've been focused on or a concern currently. 3. Ideally coming back for a second procedure in 5 years isn't a problem but the thought of going through this process again in 2 years isn't very appealing as I just would like to worry less about the way my hair is going to look in 2-5 years due to natural balding with age. I'm going to be 30 and just would hope that in 2 years or so that I won't regret getting the surgery or it's outcome. And Jason thanks for your thoughts as well. I looked into FUE, but to be honest currently I'm still looking for employment so the FUE prices I've looked at appear to be just way too expensive. FUT really seems like the only procedure I have a chance of affording when the time is right. I've scheduled two more consults with doctors recommended here on this website. So I'll post their feedback as well. But thanks again, your thoughts are much appreciated and gave me some more things to think about. As currently I really want to understand what the outcomes of these options will be for me 1 year from now, 2 years, and 5 and 10 years from now on the way my hair will look and also the financial cost layouts expected in order to maintain this. It's very kind of you guys to take the time out and offer your advice. Thanks again.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I have posted an album of my hair loss and I'll continue to do research. Any comments/recommendations/thoughts are much appreciated.

Update 3 Doctors now please see last post. I just first and foremost want to say that this site is awesome and I've learned so much from your posts on here so thanks for that. I'm 29 and use propecia and have been balding for the past 10 years. I'm finally ready to get a transplant although money is a bit tight but I'm ready. I then went to Dr. Cohen for a consultation and he drew the lines and recommended 1200 grafts, didn't really want to touch my sides of my head too much above my sideburns. He couldn't really show me any pictures of younger patients that he has done with my Norwood class 3V or anyone who had the front portion of the sides of their heads done either. Overall, I thought great he's honest and conservative. I'll have this surgery and then it will look natural and I won't have to have another one in a long time. Then I went to Dr. True for a consultation and it was a great experience, he had some pictures of people similar to me who have a Norwood class 3V with some balding on the sides above my sideburns. He recommended 1800 grafts and it looked great, he even said they would but some grafts into my sides of my head above my sideburns and take care of that. He also said when you have this surgery I might have to get more work done in 2-5 years. So now I'm confused, I really liked the line and the number of grafts that Dr. True recommended. But I'm worried that it's too aggressive and I'll have to come back in 2 yrs and get more work done due to its aggressiveness. But the lines were perfect, I would love to have hair where those lines were! Dr. Cohen recommendation was less grafts and the hairline was much higher and not much grafting into the sides. It was conservative, but that's not such a bad thing. I would prefer not having to have the surgery again so soon or something that looks wierd in a year or two. But it also leads me to think is it conservative also because a lot of the people he does work on are older? So I don't know what to do. Any thoughts??? 1200 or 1800 grafts?