garet

Please tell me, who are these FUE surgeons you speak of, and where are they? Please give me a couple of names. I live in Asia now, and the best surgeons here do only FUT. Most of the doctors I spoke with will only do FUE for eyebrow transplants or scar restoration. I will be in Canada next spring, and could possibly take the trip into the states if that is where the best affordable FUE doctors are.

My doctor recommended 2,500 grafts because he will focus primarily on the hairline and front third of the scalp. The middle of the top isn't as crucial and my crown doesn't need anything. I began taking Proscar which may slow that loss down (though I'm not convinced Proscar will do anything). Anyway, I'd like to know more about these "pencil thin scars". Can you please recommend a surgeon? See the attachment of these scars. They look somewhat thin too, but I'd hate to have scars like these long smiley faces on my head, even if I didn't totally shave it.

I think I rushed into the idea of getting a HT. A friend of mine told me about someone he knows who had it done, then I began thinking about getting it done myself. I did a lot of research for a week before going for my first consultation and scheduling a date for the HT. Then, I did more research and got discouraged because I find so much conflicting info regarding FUT and FUE, and much of the this dueling information depends on which hair loss website you go to. Some seem to be more positive on FUE while others are more positive on FUT. I think I'll just do a little more research and wait a few more months. If I get it done in six months instead of next month, perhaps I'll need 2,700 grafts instead of 2,500. Not a major difference. If it weren't for the scar from the FUT method, I'd do it tomorrow. As for FUE, it's just a financial impossibility unless I cut the number of grafts in half... In the meantime, I'll try to minimise loss by taking Proscar, though that apparently doesn't help at all for receding hairline, correct?

Time to revive this thread, since I am having cold feet about the HT myself. I'm considering canceling my HT appointment in October for the following reasons: 1) After a HT using the strip, FUT method, a very short haircut or buzz-cut will never again be possible, unless one doesn't mind a long, smiley-face scar showing through the short hair. Two HT doctors told me this as well. 2) If I opted for the FUE method (not the method of choice on this site, contrary to other sites) the scaring would be more tolerable, and I probably could get a very, short haircut, though probably not a buzz cut. Unfortunately, there is no way I can afford the 10,000 + USD that 2,500 grafts with the FUE method would cost. I know FUE is a viable option, but too expensive. So what to do....looks like I have to postpone or cancel my upcoming HT appointment until I'm sure I want to go through with it.

Yes, most of his patients are asian as you can conform if you look in the photo gallery. Having mainly Asian patients doesn't say anything about the quality of his work, so I'm still looking for more info from his patients

The assistant doctor who answered my questions was very knowledgeable and helpful, but like you, I would've liked a few more minutes with the doctor directly. I guess the $35 consultation fee is reasonable, though perhaps the cost could be deducted from the surgery, just as they don't charge extra for the medicine during surgery. Anyway, now I have enough information to make my decision. I'm still in the middle. The only concern I have left about the surgery is whether or not the benefits of the thicker hair outweigh the drawback of the scar and not being able to wear my hair sort as a result of the scar.

Ok, I think I was misunderstood. I wasn't referring directly to Dr. Path. He is obviously one of the best surgeons around and his assistant, Dr. Oravan was very helpful. I was referring to the general practice at most clinics of having consultations with someone other than the main doctor doing the surgery. Based on other people's posts, now I understand that this is common practice. Thanks for informing me. Now I will make the decision abut the best HT option.

The pro FUE website and forums I'm referring to can be found below Hair Loss Help One of the most popular threads is: (promotional link removed) This site has a similar style to this one, though it's definitely appears to promote FUE as a preferred method, contrary to most information on this site. Makes me realise that sponsorship plays the most important role in which type of procedure any site favours.

One thing that REALLY turns me off about about visiting potential HT surgeons is that many of them have salespeople do the consultation. AND they charge money for that "privilege". The fact that I have to pay money to meet with someone wearing a white coat, who isn't even a doctor, to tell me I should do the surgery is rubbish. Of course they tell me I should do the surgery when they will get $8,000 to $10,000! Even if the doctor is good, if you want to discuss a surgery, you should meet with doctor personally, not their salespeople or assistants with white coats.

Though the website claims that it only recommends qualified doctors, why do these doctors have to pay in order to receive a recommendation? There are certainly enough adverts on the site already. Due to the fact that doctors must pay a fee to be recommended, the selection of HT doctors is partially based on payment. This raises a legitimate question regarding conflict of interest. How much do the doctors have to pay per month to be recommended? It is also worth noting that some HT sites push the FUE technique, while this site is more biased toward the FUT technique. Much of that bias is related to the doctors who are recommended (and pay to be recommended) and what their specialties are. These are all legitimate questions.

This is a good point. I did notice that some of the testimonials on his site, supposedly written by Australians and Americans, were written in broken English. I did verify that he used to be part of Dr. Path's team. I had a consultation with Dr. Path and one of his doctors that did the consultation confirmed this. Dr. Pong is tempting because it is about 40% cheaper than Doctor Path. Too bad there isn't more feedback about him.

Good points. Thank you for clarifying for me.

How about the scar? How noticeable is it? I may get an HT with Dr. Path next month but I'm still undecided because of the scar. I'm worried that it will show through if I get my hair cut short.

I'm scheduled to have a HT around end of September with a recommended doctor on this site. I know there are several doctors who work with the main surgeon during surgery. I was concerned about who would be responsible for which tasks so I asked one of the staff who confirmed that the main doctor makes the incisions, but his helper doctors often plant the grafts in the incisions. Is it normal practice for the doctor's helpers to plant the grafts? Should I be concerned? I'm paying a lot of money and I prefer for the doctor with the most experience to do the detailed work such as planting the grafts. Another comment about the staff. I went back to the doctor's office because I had some more questions, but the same staff who did the consultation answered all of my questions. She was very helpful, but I feel a little put of that the doctor didn't meet me even for one minute, as i know he was in the office. I need reassurance about my concerns from the doctor himself, not his staff.

I just called for an appointment with Dr Pathomvanich and it cost 1,000 Baht (about $35) for the consultation. Is it normal to charge for a consultation? I'm surprised they charge anything since, as a potential customer, I'd spend $6,000 to $10,000.

Ok, now I'm getting confused. I just joined another hair loss forum because I want to get as much information as possible (I won't mention your competitors name here). This forum also has thousands of threads and members and is set up in a very similar way to this site. It also has doctor recommendations. This other site, however definitely is slanted toward the FUE procedure. Many of the same surgeons are recommended, including ones who only do FUT, but there is a lot more information, threads, photos and testimonials specifically related to the FUE procedure, almost the opposite of this site. Any comments?

If I were to take Proscar and or Rogaine and experienced a lot of shedding, then stopped taking them, would the hair grow back? I'm scared to try Proscar or Rogaine because I'm nervous that the once the hair sheds, it won't grow back whether I stop or continue taking them. Also, I'm still unconvinced from photos that these drugs make any more than a minor difference.

Thanks for clarifying that. I have one more question. Why does this site seem to mainly recommend surgeons who use the FUT method and not the FUE method? Do FUE surgeons tend to avoid belonging to this site because they get poorer patient reviews?

Please forgive me as I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but if the recommended doctors have to pay a monthly fee to stay on the recommended doctors list, how can the readers be confident that any negative posts about any of the recommended doctor's work won't be censured? Are people allowed to make negative posts about experiences with a recommended doctor? Also, it is possible that some of the best doctors might not get any publicity on this site for not paying a membership. Getting an HT is a huge decision to make, so I want to be sure I'm getting the best, unbiased information Quote: "Those physicians who are chosen for recommendation based on their merits contribute a monthly sponsorship fee to pay for the cost of running this community."

I have a receding hairline with a IIA on the Norwood scale. See photos below. From what I've read, Propecia and Rogaine don't prevent or reverse hair loss in the front. Does anyone dispute this? Also, I'm very skeptical that either of these drugs work well. The statistics I've read are only mixed in terms of effective regrowth of hair, and often no better than a placebo. But, I'm still desperate enough that I might try them haha. Just a waste of money?

If anyone has had experience with Dr. Pong, please discuss it here. His website is very professional, and the photos on his site look like he does good work. I'd like to know more

I've noticed on this site that most of the senior members are recommending FUT. When I do a random search on google or youtube, there is a lot more information about FUE, as it seems to be the latest type of HT and in trend. FUE seems more common nowadays in the USA too/ Perhaps the reason that some doctors in foreign countries don't offer FUE is that they are already skilled at FUT and don't want to go from being experienced in one method to a novice in another? Perhaps it's a business decision. What are your thoughts about that? I've read seen considerably more examples of FUT surgeries gone wrong than FUE's gone wrong.

Dr. Pong is in Chiang Mai, Thailand and charges considerably less than Dr. Path ($2.00 per graft). I understand Dr. Pong was trained by Dr. Path., but he already has years of experience on his own. Anyone have any thoughts on this? You can see my hair loss in the top view below. I think I'm about a II or a II on the Norwood Scale

Thank you for the advice. I'll post a picture here.

I'm planning on getting a HT before the end of this year. I've been researching the FUT and FUE methods and can't decide which one to go with. I'm leaning toward the FUE method because I won't be left with a long scar, however, I've read that the FUT method produces healthier grafts. I've listed a few advantages and disadvantages of each method as I understand them. I'm interested to read feedback from people who have tried these methods. Follicular Unit Grafting (FUT) or "Strip technique" Advantages: * Fut grafts are often more healthy than FUE grafts * Much less expensive than FUE method Disadvantages: *long thin scar on the donor area (scalpel is used unlike with the FUE method) * Longer period for donor area to heal *Much more expensive than FUT Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Advantages *No long linear scar (No scalpel used) *No limitations on activity after the procedure (Less time to heal) Disadvantages: * Almost double the cost of FUT method *FUE grafts are less healthy Of course there are many more advantages and disadvantages for each method, but these are the ones that stand out.