Davis91

Hi Bill Sorry just a couple more rounds on this at least in my mind. You equate Dr. Bloxham to the same way a technician works on every procedure. Therefore, is it standard practice for at technician to remove the strip, make the holes and basically do all of the procedure? How would this affect results? Is this a change in the way the practice was assessed by you originally? Why will it enhance his practice and make it better? I completely agree, as most people would, that if informed consent is given that is great and that issue is put to rest. The question is now one of standards that this site--as a major consumer advocacy portal that sets specific standards for membership, offers to resolve consumer complaints, and acts as a de facto watch dog for the industry--creates and follows. I for one applaud the on-line hawks here who did not let the issue go once the original post was quickly archived out of public view. This is the type of consumer-led action that creates better outcomes for patients. Going forward, the HairRestorationNetwork may wish to revisit its operating procedures in terms of a) how it evaluates clinics B) reveal which objective standards and subjective ones that it uses to continually reevaluate doctors for membership (clinic practices change over time), and c) ensure a listing of all updated changes in practice standards that it deems will inform the readers of this forum (going beyond the "well they ask for consent so it is fine in our book.") Thanks

Hi Bill Sorry just a couple more rounds on this at least in my mind. You equate Dr. Bloxham to the same way a technician works on every procedure. Therefore, is it standard practice for at technician to remove the strip, make the holes and basically do all of the procedure? How would this affect results? Is this a change in the way the practice was assessed by you originally? Why will it enhance his practice and make it better as you suggest? I completely agree, as most people would, that if informed consent is given that is great and that issue is put to rest. The question is now one of standards that this site--as a major consumer advocacy portal that sets specific standards for membership, offers to resolve consumer complaints, and acts as a de facto watch dog for the industry--creates and follows. I for one applaud the on-line hawks here who did not let the issue go once the original post was quickly archived out of public view. This is the type of consumer-led action that creates better outcomes for patients. Ironically enough Bill, your old consumer-hawk, now long gone from this community due to a hard-to-watch public divorce, had put a post on his new site exactly predicting the rise of this type issue (techs vs. doctors, informed consent, etc.) in the quickly expanding universe of hair transplant physicians,and advocated exactly for this type of consumer-led action in order to lead to a better result. That is what seems to have organically happened in these posts. Going forward, the HairRestorationNetwork may wish to revisit its operating procedures in terms of a) how it evaluates clinics B) reveal which objective standards and subjective ones that it uses to continually reevaluate doctors for membership (clinic practices change over time), and c) ensure a listing of all updated changes in practice standards that it deems will inform the readers of this forum (going beyond the "well they ask for consent so it is fine in our book."). I am not buying a brand when I go for a HT. I am buying a procedure with all the details it entails, and it would be great to be as informed as possible in advance through sites like yours. Thanks

Hi Bill I'd like to chime in with a suggestion. What seems to have been established is: -Dr. Feller and the new Dr. Blox are ONE unit with a protocol that MAY have Dr. Blox do as much as say 90% of the actual cutting and poking and supervision. -This condition did not exist before (e.g. when you reviewed the qualifications for Dr. Feller to join this community/be recommended by it). It exists SINCE Dr. Blox joined Dr. Feller's practice recently. -On your "CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A HAIR RESTORATION PHYSICIAN" portion of this forum you have among other criteria: "Excellent patient results demonstrating a high level of artistry and naturalness throughout, as well as excellent growth rates.;" and "Reputation of the physician amongst colleagues and former patients;" and "Length of time the physician has been performing hair transplantation;" and "Medical training, depth of background, board certifications, honors, credentials, lectures, and published articles and books." -Have all or some of these criteria been vetted for Dr. Blox? Has the SINGLE UNIT of Dr. Feller and Dr. Blox been assessed for these? If so please let us know the procedure you used to assess some or all of these and the results. If not, perhaps you should notify patients that the conditions you originally assessed Dr. Feller's practice have changed and you can no longer verify that past performance equals future results due to protocol changes. Knowing Dr. Bloxam's commitment to patient's advocacy over the years on this site I personally do not doubt his desire. However this is not the issue. It is now a question in my mind of being assured that this site's oversight and commitment to excellence is being followed.

Nice pattern and result. Congrats. What was cost?

This is a really excellent pattern. While it is true that meds could add to the final result, when his hairloss progresses, he will not look unnatural. Lucky patient to have this pattern designed for him.

Hi Dr. Lindsey Totally fascinated by this. Thanks so much for sharing(and to your patient!) Some questions: -maybe its just the video but it seemed like you took the punches from sort of a straight line across the scalp so the cumulatively the stitched up area kinda looks like a solid strip. I know that isn't really the case, but it might be good to film again as the stitches come out? -How does the tool avoid any transection? -I assume it was 1000 MFUE grafts and not hairs? So was it about 50 punches? -Forgive me for asking but your tech Stephanie wasn't wearing a mask--almost all the clinics I've seen/visited have their techs wearing a mask around the cutting board--just curious. THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING THIS CASE!

Thanks Blake I hoped it would be interesting but not too many replies. Really hopeful that Dr. Wesley might pop on at some point to clarify if his new technique would leave the same scarring fibrosis under the scalp and potentially limit multiple sessions.

Hi Dr. Lindsey Fantastic case. I have a question for you--in a lot of your photos of grafts placed just after procedure, it seems like they are sticking straight up. I always thought the idea was to place them at an slopping angle to mimic roofing tiles in a sense, e.g. shingle effect. I recognize as hairs grown the weight of the hair falls forward, but I wondered if the illusion of density was added by placing grafts more horizontally than is in your photos. Perhaps you could kindly clarify. Thanks for being such a great poster of your work!

Hi folks So-- 1. mFUE: eliminates transection rates of FUE as it is like an old punch but with new instrumentation and you sew it up and get 1 mm (hopefully) scarring; linear scar elimination, and say you need 3,000 grafts you might have about 166 (at 18 hairs each punch) 1 mm linear (or vertical) scars in your safe zone spread out, allowing you to wear your hair short. Disadvantage: still leaves (like FUE) a zone of fibrous scar tissue spreading out around the 166 theoretical scars, making getting future hairs tougher. Strip quality results though in terms of lack of transection , etc. 2. Piloscopy (as I understand it from Dr. Wesley): goes under scalp, grabs the fatty grafts, virtually no transection, strip quality results, no scar. 3,000 grafts still means 3,000 punches, but it just leaves a thinned out area like traditional FUE, but no visible external trauma. What about though a zone of fibrous scar tissue around each sucked out graft beneath the surface? Does it make it harder to go in around those grafts later to get more, like traditional FUE? 3. Strip: big scar, but still relatively virginal scalp tissue above and below scar. While I personally see a very boutique approach emerging for the needs of each patient, I am wondering about the strip quality nature of Piloscopy (Scarless FUE), vs the strip quality nature of mFUE (different type scar vs. FUE). Has this been discussed??? Piloscopy was the other big new piece of technology/technique to emerge recently. Thanks

In any event I don't think one should have less sexual activity because they are worried about baldness. If you are an sex addict sure, but because of potential hairloss? Nah. Go enjoy life.

I had it about four months after my transplant. Winter time reaction. No effect on outcome. First ten days are critical to a HT success. At worst the growth may delay a little. Go see a dermatologist ASAP.

I've been there on holiday. It is considered a resort town during high holiday season and attracts a ton of Russians and Balkans types, who tend to be tall and pale. Stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast, very laid back and friendly. You can probably fly to Germany and take a Lufthansa flight down there direct.

What an amazing transformation. I guess the last question is to find out the concert so we can learn more about Dr. L's taste in music

Thanks for everything you do Joe, you do look happy in that video. Nowadays you just look like a Mad Man.

An excellent example of a great result, age appropriate and pattern appropriate for his level of loss at that stage in life. Also good hair characteristics and grafts.

I agree that the thread should be kept open until it plays out, whatever that means. I trust the moderators to determine when that is. I hope the patient finds some peace here. I assume he is removing not all of the grafts planted but just the horizontal front "aggressive" plane and blending into the rest including adding some new singles to soften the appearance. It seemed from the pre-op photos a better plan would have been a conservative approach of 1500-1800 grafts to stabilize the hairline because the patient looks to recede to an NW4-5 later, and his pre-op photos show a normal recession pattern. I wonder if the patient saw any other HT doctors pre-op for a graft quote? Sorry if I missed this.

I agree that the thread should be kept open until it plays out, whatever that means. I trust the moderators to determine when that is. I hope the patient finds some peace here. I assume he is removing not all of the grafts planted but just the horizontal front "aggressive" plane and blending into the rest including adding some new singles to soften the appearance. It seemed from the pre-op photos a better plan would have been a conservative approach of 1500-1800 grafts to stabilize the hairline because the patient looks to recede to an NW4-5 later, and his pre-op photos show a normal recession pattern. I wonder if the patient saw any other HT doctors pre-op for a graft quote? Sorry if I missed this.

That looks lie Dr. Rahal. It looks like you got about the right amount of grafts for your level of hair loss. It looks like you may lose more hair in future so hairline was appropriate. As to charging more if you ended up with more than the amount of grafts, that is simply his clinics policy. Other clinics may not follow the same rule. At this point try to relax and follow the instructions.

Hi Joe, I think I only asked because even if I have a really good or a fundamentally flawed assumption/question, I know you will give a straight answer either way. Also, I always wanted to use the line "say it an't so Joe!" with you.

Cool thanks for the reply and explanation.

Can't Hey pal, you deserve to have an explanation from the doc. You are still there right? The community is behind you so why not get a better explanation? And what other factors are you referring to? Remember you are supporting others on here, who might have a similar circumstance one day. Thanks

Hi Joe, I almost never, ever, ever think about questioning your before and afters as they are some of the best in the business if not the standard bearer. But why are some of the direct comparisons different shades? You can definitely tell--look at the blue background and they don't match up, nor does the patient's skin tone in some. This minor difference could make a big difference when looking at temporary SMP, as it could make it look fuller. Just sayin'....say it ain't so Joe, say it ain't so!

Even if this were the final result it would give him a natural thinning pattern and a re established hairline that looks ok cut short. I'm going to call this one not bad for this stage.

I mean as it is "under the scar "-- what would cause a little tiny scar on the outside and strong scar tissue on the inside ?

Can't Congrats on your new grafts. Can you please detail a little bit about the scar tissue issue. How does it limit the number of grafts in particular? Thanks