the B spot

PP, did you have a strip session of 900 grafts? Also, could you clear up your perspective of open-mindedness with regards to his performing a HT to your specifications? I am glad that you are not experiencing any noticeable redness or soreness, but to be perfectly honest, with only 900 grafts, you shouldn't. How old are you and what is your level of baldness? Just asking because of the small session. Congrats and keep us posted.

Scoop, honestly 1000 grafts will probably cost you about 5 to 6000. The reason for this is many clinics have a minimum surgery cost. 1000 grafts is almost nothing these days unless you are lowering a hairline or closing temples. What I would suggest is to start propecia if possible, or seek the advice of an ethical HT surgeon. You might be better served waiting until your hairloss progresses further in order to try and forecast it properly. Then you can do a session of 2500 to 3500 for 10-14,000 so your price per graft goes down. BTW, did someone tell you that you need 1000 grafts or are you guessing? Perhaps you could post some pictures so we might have a look? Either way, welcome and make sure you look around and ask many questions before you make any decisions.

Welcome! Congrats on a sucessful surgery with Dr. Lehr. Shockloss is a concern for anyone getting a hair transplant, especially when you transplant between or very near existing hair. The good news is that over the next 3 to 4 four months your hair will come back. The bad news is more than likely some of those hairs will not. Those hairs were more than likely going to be lost in the near future anyway, so hopefully it will not be much. If you lose hair around the incision wound on the back of your head, that should come back over time as well. I hope this helps!!!! Settle in, wait, keep us updated, and congrats again!

Good advice Hoping! Typically flat fee stuff doesn't interest most established lawyers. In addition, the typical response to these claims is "free" repair surgery. We all understand that a limited amount of grafts exist, but most people outside the industry truly have no clue to how the process SHOULD work. I would contact the clinic and ask for them to foot the bill at another clinic first, just to see what type of respose you get. I would also send certified mail initially just so they know you are serious, and you are building your case. After that I would physically go to the clinic and demand a response. Tell them if they don't, you will stand outside with a protest sign. In Chicago, that means a lot!

Kansas, to take this a little further, why would anyone even want 100cm/2 as a result of surgery? Anyone who has done homework knows that anything truly upwards of 60 to 75 could be considered a waste! Some of these claims are ridiculous in nature and are nothing more than marketing techniques. Joe will have to answer this, but I think H&W does 70 to 80, but only in carefully selected zones that provides density in the proper places. Alvi Armani is noted for doing some top work, but also is just as well known for closing the temples of young men, without any ability to forecast future hairloss. Calling Mrs. Cleo doesn't help either. I have read his material and pored over his website as well. I really have no issue with him as a surgeon, other than his approach to placing "too youthful" hairlines on young men who 15 years down the road are going to be completely screwed due to lack of donor hair. I say this not to cast dispersion, but in response to the reality that everytime the Armani clinic comes up, we revisit this same topic. Of course, as a someone just starting to look, you are doing the right thing by looking around and asking questions.

ALL, in reading over this particular thread, I find that I posted somewhat of a jocular response to Mahairs comment. I of course thought that his comment was meant to be comedic in nature, and to remind us that we should do our homework. With that said, reading the response to this I can see that it was not received in this manner, nor was it very funny. There a many unscrupulous people that belong to the various professions, mine included. Knowing this we should all be diligent in our research to find those who truly care about operating in an ethical manner, first and foremost. My attitude toward this forum has changed over the past few years. I believe all of us that have had successful HT's have a responsibility to share our experiences and caution those who jump into untested waters. Conversely, those who have not had successful experiences should be able to find some solace here, while sharing their misfortune in an educating manner. There are those who will say that perhaps we are taking this a little too seriously. Consider that no true recourse exists for those who have been wronged. Calling a hairmill in response to a thread posted recently only served to bolster my idea that this forum and others like it are indispensible. Anywho, thanks again Pat the new info looks great.

Look north my good man, toward Canada (H&W) or Minnesota (Shapiro) before settling for any doc in California.

Kansas, what clinic in Illinois did you go to? Let us know, and maybe we can launch a telephone campaign against them First thing though, you should post some photos before and after and your scar, as well.

Thanks for posting your results Damo! You know, it is amazing sometimes what subtle differences can accomplish. It looks as if you grafts were place in order to combat your receding hairline and rebuild a hairline that will be age appropriate. Did the HT fill in all of the bald spots? No. But your case hopefully can show others the benefit of not wasting grafts by lowering hairlines unecessarily and also keeping a few in the bank for later. Thanks Damo, your new "doo" is looking good my man!!!

Energize, take some time to read the educational material posted on the website homepage, which can help you when you get on the phone with a clinic. This Crown clinic has 2 doctors performing HT's so 5 a day is completely outrageous. I did call back and ask the receptionist if they had any microscopes, and she asked why they would need them to do a HT...... 'nuff said. I am not in any way attempting to deprive anyone of their "just do", but this place truly irritated me. I think once I finish law school, I just might make a living hunting some of these people down. Seriously though, all of us should start calling out these clinics for unethical and out-dated procedures. It would be nice if this nice doctor was flooded with calls everyday, asking about his methods.....

Hey Guys, I think perhaps the most important thing being overlooked here is graft placement. What we need to focus on is the skill and artistry of the physician in properly angulating and placing grafts. Let's face it, we are not getting back to 18, but for some the illusion of that is all that is needed. Sure we see guys with excessive donor achieving amazing results, but for those like me, we need to spread our allotment around in the correct manner in order to get the best result. I think I might have 8000 grafts max, so with 200 cm/2 to cover it is imperative that the proper plan be drawn out for me. I think a front 100 cm at 45 to 55 and a crown of 30 to 40 is going to make me look pretty damn good. Either way, each of us needs to make sure we do the math and truly understand what coverage we can get, and go from there.

Congrats Bank!!!!!!!!!

Energize, I took the liberty of calling this clinic, just to see what information I could glean from them. Everything went OK, right up to the point where I started asking for satisfied patients that I could contact, and I asked how many HT's the clinic had performed. I also inquired as to the type of equipment being used, and how long each staff member and doctor has been on board. At this point a person simply known as "John", who identified himself as a (something) doctor got on the phone. He said he has been doing transplants for 20 years and can produce tremendous results. I asked what type of equipment and instrumentation he uses. I kid you not folks, this is his reply, "Why are you asking all of these questions, you can get all of that on the website", and hung up the phone. Now i'm pissed. I call back again, and ask to speak to John, he isn't there all of a sudden. This is a hair mill. I do realize that the attractive pricing does grab you, but to work for $2.00 a graft tells many of us a few things: No Staff and outdated equipment, untrained or second rate physicians, and a willingness to put anyone in the chair. I would say that the potential for butchery exists here, do not go. Please take this to heart. The sad part is many others will not take the time to benefit from this forum and ask these questions. Apparently, business is so good for these quacks, they are opening up a new clinic in Philadelphia. It sickens me that a clause in the law allows these types to forever scar others and get away with it. "Realistic Expectations", doesn't cover it anymore.

I would imagine it is difficult to pick up the ladies with Joe and his appropriately styled quaff in the vicinity Anyway, you guys have a great time and keep posting updates!!!!!!

All of you guy's look out!!!!!! Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, go out drinking with Joe.... I heard all of those transplanted grafts left him with a hollow leg...........

I use Nioxin, in between my rotation with Nizoral, which I use twice a week. It makes my scalp feel great and really seems to strengthen my hair. I have no real proof, but it seems to work for me. I think instead of regrowth, you should look for "retainage" first, and any regrowth will be that much sweeter!!!

Mahair, that should help weed out all of the bad ones!!!!

Hoping, exactly my thoughts, my friend. However, I do think Gorpy was simply trying to steer this young lady to an ethical surgeon, where she can be told the exact same thing, to wait until she is older to even consider a HT. Either way, it is good advice, and everyone should be happy, including a fortuitous young Jodie. Cheers!!!!!!

Bank, great response to this thread my friend Mahair, great point about those that have good HT's. It's funny this thread came up today. I was just talking to my father about how getting a HT is really NOT a young man's first option. The dedication to having additional surgeries, financial considerations, and REALISTIC expectations all seem to be major issues not looked at as a younger man. At 29, I am by no means older, but I did spend a few YEARS researching, before I actually committed to the plan designed by Dr. Shapiro. I realize that I am going to have 3 surgeries (if possible) to look the way I want to look... I had a base built with my 1st HT, I will expand that on the 2nd, and then hopefully put the finisher on the 3rd. Do I regret my HT, no, not really, but simply because I have reasonable expectations, and I know how to do math (Remember in high school where they said Algebra could save your life?)That is the beauty of this forum, in that we can all bring our perspectives and ideas to hopefully point others in the right direction. In asking a question: During your 3 month stasis period, do you doubt the decision to have the surgery? Would it help to have someone who went through the same thing to talk to? As a man it is difficult for me to go to my fiancee, or Dad, and say,"Boy, I am not sure I made the right call here." I have to tell you guys, that it is difficult. Fortunately, my life is so busy that the time flew by, but there were moments!!!!!!Anyway, I hope to achieve hair freedom in the coming years, and I think my Dad is going as well. Great Thread!!!!!!!

Bank, I think you have the right guy doing the crown, that's for sure!!!! If you have the ability to move 8,000+ grafts out of your donor area, you should be fine with the plan you have set up. 3000 in the crown, properly placed, should at least give coverage at 15cm/2 at the thinnest and 50 cm/2 at the fullest point. I would not spread them evenly, rather, I would divide the crown into 3 equal parts (going down)and pack the top part with 1500, then 1000, then 500 (hypothetical #'s) because as your hair grows out it will lay over and cover up any thinner parts. If you have 90 cm/2 to cover, divide that into three equal parts, to get density numbers using 3000. I think instead of an overall density of 30cm/2, I would choose to position the hair so that when it grows out, I can basically arrange it to look fuller. I am sure Dr. Wong has spoken to you about placement, for this very reason. Just make sure you look at someone who has a large area that has a density of 30 to 35 cm/2, before you opt for the "sprinkle some everywhere" approach!!!!!

Jason_d ---Honestly, it seems doctors argue back and forth on closure methods. I had staples, and wanted a doctor that used staples, period. I think any other methods used display a greater propensity to allow stretching, etc... I know I looked at Dr. Konier, and I think I remember he uses a dissolveable closure method that produces good results, but given my choice I like the idea that staples securely hold the closure in place. I think what you need to look at is your normal level of physical activity, and try and determine if a doctor that uses stitches is right for you. Oh, and that includes sex as well In response to your question about everyone on the forum: There are some members that work for clinics, and by far most do not. Each person brings a unique experience and perspective, as noted due to session size, and doctor, etc... I think most members would dislike it if a new person like yourself found an overwhelming amount of negative feedback, as opposed to what you are currently finding. That would mean that we are not doing our best to give back. Trust me, negative feedback is here, you just have to look for it. Your response is telling me that perhaps this forum has done its job by calling out doctors, and steering patients in the RIGHT direction. As a fellow sufferer I completely understand working the courage up to even consider a HT, let alone finding a forum that only detailed the very worst experiences and constantly contained terrible results. This forum will absolutely jump all over any doctor that does not do his or her job, period. It is just nice to know that those posts are getting fewer and fewer as people like yourself find your way here, BEFORE they go through with a HT. Good Luck on your journey and continue to update your progress!!!!!!! BTW-- negative feedback is also positive feedback if used in the right manner by people like yourself.

Absolutely Bank , I am merely looking at it this way only because every patient is not a candidate for these sessions. What we do agree on is the effect this new market share is having on other clinics by raising the bar. I think what we will see is clinics that "only" do 1500 to 2000 graft sessions start to rethink their strategy. BTW, you starting to get excited yet? Thanks Mud!!!!

Bank, where are you at in Illinois? Maybe after your surgery we can meet up and talk shop a bit? I moved over the border to Indiana, but I am only 30 min from Chicago. PM me if you want.

Dr. Hasson, Thank You for taking the time to answer the questions raised by myself and others, and for expressing your views here. Myself and many others have been astounded by the results yourself and Dr. Wong have produced in the past years. I can appreciate not settling for the "standard" and truly pushing the limits of science and technology. In regards to the timeline, what I meant was the ability to view patients that have undergone 2 larger sessions versus the "one pass" techniques employed by you and Dr. Wong, coupled with other clinics raising the bar to include larger sessions. Of course, I am referring to patients like myself; those who plan to do 3000+ sessions consecutively, and who benefit from the Frechet/Tricho closure methods that your practice and other "top" clinics now use. (my strip at 1.25cm x 27cm long yielded 3100, so a 2cm strip of the same size would have yielded 4300+ with ease) I am aware of your tremendous success as I have combed (no pun intended ), through the photos of your patients with great relish. I think we might be arguing too fine a point, and it may be moot, but philosophically a difference exists. That might be that many doctors cannot physically or mentally perform such sessions, they are unwilling to provide the equipment or staff necessary as well, or simply do not agree with sessions of that size. If that is the case, they will either step up to providing larger sessions, (3000 to 4000), or fall by the wayside. Regardless, your results are amazing, period. I think I would enjoy a conversation or two over a pint, should the occasion present itself. Thank You again, and continued success.

PF, if Seattle is conveniant for you, I would suggest a little trip north to H&W, where you can get an opinion from one of the best Dr's in the world. I have never heard of the doctor you have mentioned, but with H&W so close, it seems like a no brainer to at least check them out. While I am sure that your doctor is a fine physician, perhaps a visit to a clinic where success is proven. Just my opinion, hope this helps. Good Luck with your search.