the B spot

Hi JD-- no I have not seen the work in person. However, people I know and trust have expressed their confidence in the methods and results achieved by both. Again, I think it best when patients have questions or comparisons regarding a clinic or two the best medicine is simply seeing patients in person. That will settle any doubts or confirm them. Take Care, Jason

Hi Paddy, Dr. Bisanga does excellent work, as does Dr. Mwamba. Dr. Devroye is also rapidly becoming more noticed as well. His approach seems to be very similar to Dr. Shapiro's. I know James has done his best to put you off Dr. Bisanga--and that is fine as one patient to another---it is always a good thing when another person looks to pass information to avert a possible problem. However, what you should do is simply ask the clinic to provide you with some patients who live near you or arrange to have them have 2-3 patients meet you in person in Belgium--take a look at the work that way. Then make a decision. Either of these 3 clinics do nice work--I think Dr B and Dr. M are a bit more aggressive than Dr. D (from what I have seen) but there is nothing wrong with the quality of either of them. Hope this helps, Jason

My 1st at 28 So, "I!"

I have edited my post to say 8-10 months--which is what it should have read in the first place. It is certainly feasible in certain situations to go back in 5-6 months later, but generally speaking it is better to wait at least 8-10months. Good catch on that imiss, it was an error on my part (still working on low brain cells after finals ) Anyway, the longer you wait between surgery is certainly going to benefit you by allowing full healing, full growth of the transplanted hair, and an opportunity to do scalp exercises. Take Care, Jason

Great post Dr. Feller. Thanks for sharing some of your family history Joe--you should be proud. God Bless, Jason

Hi Frosty--took a look at the pics--- I will run them by Dr. Shapiro to see what he says. Given your age and level of loss, we could be a bit more aggressive, but I am not seeing more than 3500 grafts--- I think we would concentrate on building out your temples/the area behind the forelock/the hairline--then go back into the vertex to accentuate your existing hair. You still have quite a bit of native hair and regardless of whom you choose to go to, any HT work will need to be done that takes into consideration future loss as well. Getting a HT "right" is using the proper amount of grafts to accomplish the desired result--- I can understand using more grafts like the others have suggested---but just because your 36 does not mean you will not continue to lose-- and that must be kept in mind. Take Care, Jason

Hey Frosty--- if you could send me your pics to jason@shapiromedical.com --- I need to see your face and where your hairline is in relationship to your eyebrows and I also need a better idea of exactly how deep your temple recession is. Now that I know your age, we can be more aggressive in approach, something 2000-3000 grafts is likely acceptable, but until I run the pics past Dr. Ron I do not know. Take Care, Jason

Hi Frosty--how old are you and are you on any meds? You still have a nice amount of hair--- depending on your age you could add some density behind the hairline/temples---but it should be strategic and with long-term in mind. Once I get the information from you I can comment further. Jason

It depends, if you are going back into the same transplanted area 10-14 months is acceptable. If your transplanting a completely different area maybe 8-10 months (strip) The same above applies for FUE with the exception that if going into a new area --- a couple of months should be fine--just depends on how often you want to shave down. Hope this is what your looking for, Jason

We like it Dr. Feller. It should be noted that your willingness to share your tools and not shroud them in secrecy is the exception to the norm. The tool works well and reduces hand fatigue. I know Dr. Shapiro will be sharing his thoughts soon, as others have--(He can do all the heavy lifting technical talk =) Thanks Again, Jason

I want to point out that I would strongly advise against doing any strip surgery. The result posted would be even better if the patient could buzz his sides down further to minimize the contrast between the thin hair on top and thicker hair in the donor. Any surgical option I mentioned was with FUE only in mind. I wanted to clarify that, as well as reiterate what some others have said that buzzing down should be the first option. Take Care, Jason

Hi cd--- if you could post some pics of your current loss, it would be helpful. The guys have already mentioned a couple of options for you. With the right approach, there is possibility of recreating a hairline that frames the face and goes back a bit to allow a short, buzz cut look which can look better than shiny bald on top with hair on the sides. Additionally, combining a natural hairline with a great hairpiece is an option as well. You get the benefit of both a natural hairline and density. However, if you are a true NW7 many times we are just too limited to achieve any real cosmetic difference--but I would have to see some pics to determine this. Take Care, Jason

Hi John_Locke---I would suggest visiting with Dr. Bisanga who is located in Belguim as well. You should be set after consulting with both of these clinics. Take Care, Jason

It's never enough You will be fine--your HT doc will tell you when your being too OCD about your hair......the math is always right, everyone can only do what their donor will let them. Take Care, Jason

LOL--I do have a tremendous wife--she was my GF for 8 years. I know, shame on me for spending so much hair time online. It just gets ahold of you.

I have a special place in my heart for LMS--I know he just wants to "do good" and prevent others from making poor decisions--he has no financial stake in this, and while he might get a little crazy , I know he means well. I think the level of comfortability with HT's is at an all-time high. I think many of us feel a HT is a viable option and act accordingly. However, I talk to so many young men who just do not understand the commitment a HT comes with. Most patients need or must have at least 2 procedures. The down time and mental fortitude to go through this over a period of 2-3 years is high. It is difficult to forecast financial status over 2-10 years as well. There are those who have done a HT in the mid-20's, only to find they need one at 35, but do not have any money. Scarring. Regardless of where you go, there are some patients who scar poorly. You must understand that is a possibility before going through with a HT. I know we often turn people away who have unrealistic expectations or who stake their hopes on one "life-changing" procedure. HT's should NOT be the first answer--- meds and buzzing down should be the 1st option---HT's should only be an option after much research and contemplation. I have a 20 year-old cousin who begs me to take him up to Minnesota and restore his hairline via FUE...No Way. Cut it short and get back to me in 5-6 years. My point is people should take steps to live without surgery first. Then after much research, possibly go forward. Take Care, Jason

Dr. T has posted his work on this site and others. I realize compared to others, he does not have the amount of photos, but, sometimes word of mouth is good as well. His work is as good as anyone's. That is straight from Dr. Shapiro. Additionally, you would be hard pressed to find a more modern or technologically advanced hair transplant facility. If you have narrowed your choices down to 2 doctors, you would certainly be in good hands with Dr. T. I hope this helps! Jason

See? Just when you start wondering if people really listen to others......we get this. If you have such a wonderful girlfriend, why are you getting a HT? You should be inventing more ways to feel "bad" so she can make you feel "better" PS--Your fine.

Hi Balboa--at 5 months, you seem to be coming along fine--I can see some short hairs in the hairline. At this point, you are just in the waiting phase, so it is nice to see your hair looks pretty good for the middle of the growth phase. I am wondering about all of the small bumps I see in your hairline? I think someone else complained about this as well.. I never heard any response. Have you asked about this? Take Care, Jason

Nice look mate! Not sure about the mohawk as the "best" look, but you have hair now--go crazy!!!!! If you touch the crown with a little nanogen or dermatch, while your still growing in, you will look even more dense!!!! Take Care, Jason

I just want to point out that mega-sessions and density are two different issues. For mega-sessions, the issues are the time grafts are outside the body, handling of grafts, donor tension, and future progression. For density, the issues are graft survival, proximity, scarring/ridging and future loss behind the high density transplant. Additionally, densities are not all the same--50 fu's of 1+2 hair grafts is not the same of 50 fu's of 1+2+3 hair grafts, so do not be so quick to discount 40-45 fu's in a given sq cm--look at the graft and hair count to determine the actual density. You must look at the patient's hair characteristics as well... patients with thick, coarse hair when transplanted at 45--look like 65, other when transplanted at 45 look like 35 all due to hair characteristics. All things considered, Dr, Shapiro does 40-50 on a regular basis, and occasionally will exceed that for a select few patients. However, we have seen that in almost every patient, the need to "selectively tweek" a hairline or temples results in a 2nd HT--almost ALWAYS--based on that, there is no need to push a higher density--we can then use a minimum # of grafts to truly make a result spectacular, without being beholden to specific # of grafts. (If we do 50 first time, then add 10-15-20 in areas that the patient and Dr. Shapiro feel necessary, the result is great, without doing too much in a given area)--ie--the patient would notice no difference btw 65 or 80--so 65 will meet the patients goals. There are other schools of thought on this, but our results are proven. We want to maximize every graft, use the minimum # of grafts to attain the desired result, while always keeping an eye on future loss. On another note--I want to point out that a particular doctors methods are exactly that his or her methods---no one is forcing anyone here to go to a particular clinic--for those doing research the ultimate test is seeing patients in person--that will erase any doubts as to whether a doctor is for you or not for you. Additionally, while cost is a factor, it is not the only factor--if you narrow your decision to 2-3 doctors, then weigh cost vs travel vs comfortability. Take Care, Jason

You would go there Tubs... J

Hairloss and our battle to fight it should be out in the open. For whatever reason, our society has placed a very unmanly stigma about "bald men" in general, especially the lengths we go to cover up our baldness, including hair transplantation. I have known, dated, and I am related to, many women who have undergone plastic surgery. It is very accepted for women to have breast implants, tummy tucks, etc... and be very open about it. But, generally speaking, these are areas of the body women want others to notice (I know, insert you best "big boob" jokes here) As guys, we do not want people to "notice" our hair---quite the contrary, we want people NOT to notice our baldness..which is something altogether different. We need more men to be open about this issue, having great HT's and wearing great pieces/systems, or doing nothing at all... because everything is shrouded in secrecy..it prevents the passage of knowledge to those who are not interested in HT's from understanding that there are tremendous results from the methods I have described above. Take Care, Jason

Hi AznGuy---I want to commend you on your excellent photos from all angles and different lengths. With that said, I believe you should strongly consider either #1. Not doing a HT, or #2. Using FUE to target the areas behind your existing hairline and mid-scalp regions to provide density and coverage. There is ALWAYS a chance for you to advance to a higher NW--In your case, given your age and level of thinning-- you look like you might go to a NW4-5...possible a 6 ---you would need to monitor your lateral humps (your sides) to see if they fall, etc... as you go forward. With the amount of native hair you currently have, I would be against your doing a strip surgery at this time. Your situation brings to the fore the battle between when to decide to go with strip or FUE. Let me preface my following comments with this: Fue has been over-hyped, over-sold, and in many cases, under-delivered. However, when approached and performed correctly, FUE represents an opportunity for some to forgo the necessity of a strip scar and still retain the ability to buzz down to a lower cut or if the level of baldness continues, either do more FUE or switch to strip. Looking at your situation: 28, still retaining a nice hairline, thinning throughout the middle of the pattern, some concerns with temple recession and losing the laterals---doing 2000-2500 grafts will likely only "hold the fort down" for the immediate future. There is no forecasting science, only a well-educated approximation of where you might end up. In your case, getting on Propecia, waiting 6 months to see where your hairloss goes, doing research on methods, making an informed decision is your best bet. My personal opinion is that you look great now, get on Propecia, rock that buzz cut, and add some concealer like Dermatch or Nanogen (just a little!) to make your hair look thicker--forget about the HT for now. Please ask as many questions as you like. Take Care, Jason

Excessive Caffiene and Smoking are thought to factor into patients who experience poor growth. This is pre and post-op. Excessive sun exposure to grafts during the first 3-4 months is thought to contribute as well. After your grafts are secure, it is unlikely that working out will harm them. As far as alcohol goes, again, after a couple of weeks post-op should not have any real effect that I have heard of. (I say the 1st couple of weeks b/c I have heard too many stories of people going on post-HT getting drunk and banging their heads!!!) And yes, THAT can contribute to poor growth Take Care, Jason