Hi All,
I am looking to get a procedure done during Christmas this year and after having done a fair bit of research, I narrowed my list down to Hasson & Wong and Shapiro Medical Group (SMG).
I have been in touch with both clinics, but am having trouble deciding which one to go with, so I am hoping I can get some help here!
The way I see it, it's not exactly an apple-to-apple comparison - which is making the decision a little tricky:
1. Doctor:
SMG: Given my preferred schedule, I can only book with Dr Paul Shapiro and NOT Dr Ron Shapiro himself. (Is this something I should be concerned about?).
vs
H&W: I haven't specifically spoken to Mike about who would perform the procedure on me (I will confirm that later today). Between Dr Hasson and Dr Wong though, is there a general preference/recommendation?
2. Strip vs FUE / # Grafts:
SMG: Given my relatively young age (27), Matt (Zupon) recommended that I get on to Propecia and let the meds work on my top and crown area, while we focus the procedure on to the hair line. As such, an FUE would be the way to go - given the relatively low number of donor grafts required for this first procedure (Matt recommended 1600-2000).
H&W: Mike was not so 'pro-FUE' (partly coz H&W does not offer FUE procedures?) and said Strip would be the way to go. He estimated 3500-4000 grafts on the hairline and top core (leaving the crown for Propecia to take care of).
So my options are:
A. 1600-2000 graft FUE with Dr PAUL Shapiro
OR
B. 3500-4000 graft Strip with either Dr Hasson or Dr Wong
My question then is - which option should I go with? I need to confirm my booking at either clinic in the next day or two - so I'm a little pressed for a decision - but I'm having trouble deciding between the two!
Also - SMG may not have a slot open at my preferred schedule at all (even with Dr Paul Shapiro), while H&W has confirmed a slot for me. Not that I think that should be a big part of the decision, but it is a consideration nonetheless....
Another small factor - given the difference in the number of grafts recommended - the procedure would be about 25% cheaper at SMG than at H&W (Again, not a big consideration in my mind).
Any help / advice will be much much appreciated. Thanks a lot all!!