It has now been 1 year since my hair reconstruction surgery - it was a 100% success.
I first started considering hair reconstruction surgery in the summer of 2008 when I scheduled my first consultation visit. After spending 45 minutes with the doctor's marketing representative, I began to get interested in the procedure but felt a bit uncomfortable with the sales pitch. Then in the fall of 2009 with a steady deteriorating hairline, I began my search again. Living in the Washington DC suburbs, I visited a few more surgeons in the Washington DC area. On my next consultation visit I met with the doctor's marketing person who tried to be my friend and close the deal with discounts if I signed up today. I then met with a third surgeon that gave me some comfort in his ability however I had some concerns with his bed side manner and questioned whether his approach was right for me. I was very apprehensive about how the scar from the donor area would look and during the procedure whatever hair I had left was not shaved off.
After continuing my research, I found Dr. James Vogel located in Owings Mill MD just outside Baltimore. I scheduled a consultation meeting where I met with his nursing assistant and Dr. Vogel. Dr. Vogel and his staff were very informative, professional and patient. As I was very concerned with the scaring in the donor area and after my visit felt that Dr. Vogel's approach addressed my concerns.
The day of my surgery, I arrived at 7am and was met by his staff. They made you feel comfortable and relax while explaining the agenda for the day. I left his office at 2:30pm having 2,100 grafts as the procedure had only mild pain. The next morning I was able to travel to North Carolina and then a few days later flew to California for the week. The first 2 days after surgery there is pain from the donor area which makes it difficult to sleep and swelling in your face as the anesthesia flushes from your head. By the 5th day, one would have to look very close to see any results of the surgery, and if they did they would see small scabs.
Now one year later, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made -- I should have not waited as long, but by waiting I did find Dr. Vogel. Dr Vogel's approach and skill in creating a very natural hair line, spacing and angling the graphs resulted in my hair looking very natural.
I highly recommend Dr. Vogel and his staff for hair reconstructive surgery; you will not be disappointed.
