wolfsatplay

Good God!!!

Thought maybe I'd throw this out there for some feedback. I am very close to getting a HT done at H&W who told me they could bet hopefully get 4000+ grafts. Then I looked at Dr Radha Rani who is becoming more and more recognized as a top HT doctor. And although i am not making my decision based on price it has to be considered. H&W would be 18k Dr Radha Rani $4k, plus trip fl to India 1.5k total 5.5k That's a 10k difference. It begs consideration. I know H&W is world class. I get it. And I wish I could see more of Dr Rani's results. So chime in. Love to get some thoughts or experiences with either. cheers w

Appreciate all the feedback everyone!

Thanks for your reply. Yup I def need to have a face to face with FUE dr's. Any reco's? I'm in Toronto and would have to fly there yet, which I don't mind. But preferably, in North A... cheers w

Sorry for the lame Clash reference I am an NW5 My research has been on going for 4 months on what is the best plan of attack for my case. By all accounts, it seems as if FUT is the best way to go. I've had estimates from 3800 to 4500 grafts for a first pass. I'm sure than would mean a second pass down the road with a minimum 1500 FUE. However, if I was to go with FUE first, the figures I've gotten (Via pictures sent) are a little lower - 3000 to 3800 which would also mean a second pass but I may not have enough left to do a second pass for FUE. (Although, I love Dr Hakan Doganay and Erdogan's work) So, it seems (even though the strip scar scares me) It's probably the best way to go in my case. Does this seem logical? And are there any doctors that are better known for the strip scar closure techniques? Or does it come down to the way you heal? cheers w

Yup, and I need to ask more questions. Lesson learned.

Ahhh, that would be the total for the first procedure. He or they never talked about a second but I mentioned i might want to get a 2nd session with FUE down the road. I should've and will ask him how many grafts will I have left.

Not sure i understand your question?

First off, if you've got a thick beard, then consider yourself lucky. It's basically like getting free hair. I'm not fortunate as you I really have no beard. It's stubble at best. And yes, I have considered Dr Hakan Doganay. I'm back and forth between him and H&W, (Dr Wong) except I think I'll get more grafts via FUT w/H&W. I just dread the strip scar

Thanks. Yeah, i figure I'll need 2. My plan was to go strip first at 4000 G, then a second session down the road with 2500 FUE. I would go FUE for both but I just don't think I have that many grafts for two sessions of FUE. Happy growing.

I think I'm well within average. Medium density. No dr yet has actually measured my density - both did it with their eye and experience. Both were FUT Dr's. I tried to set up an app to see Dr Konior but had to call to cancel, although I did send him pics and he got back to me quickly saying 3500 to 4000 might be achievable as long as I had realistic expectations about coverage.

Thanks for clearing that up. I had to read it a few times, only because it's not too often in my limited experience that a dr gets so technical.

Yeah, you're right. If u don't mind me asking how long ago did you have the FUT surgery? In my case, I've been told by more than one dr that FUT is the better way to go.

This is from a dr who took the time to respond in a very detailed response I got just by sending him pictures and asking what approach he might take. I respect a dr who takes his craft this seriously, but the truth is, I'm still trying to figure it out. Can you guys out this in layman's terms?? I hope he doesn't mind me posting it, I felt it was Dr, who obviously takes his craft seriously. PS. I've x'ed out the dr's he was referencing but they are well known FUT dr's. Dear xxxx The choice between the FUT and the FUE technique has to be done depends on the desire to avoid a linear scar. The price is also lower with the FUT technique. Recently, I reduced the amount of the FUE grafts from 6€ to 5€. And finally to 4€ per graft. Nevertheless, the price is lower for the FUT technique because it is possible to achieve a more important quantity. With this technique, we can reach 3000 grafts minimum in one day by almost all the patients. Often, it is possible to reach 3500 grafts. But I am sceptical about the automatic ability to reach 4000 or 4500 grafts. A few years ago, I discussed with Dr xxxx, and I asked him how it was possible for them to reach such a number. And he answered that he reached the same amount of grafts as me, so, a number around 3000-3500 grafts. Also, he told me that Dr xxxx reaches the 4500 grafts or exceptionally… Anyway, it is easy to demonstrate that it is (unfortunately) often impossible. We know that the density of the follicles is of 60 to (rarely) 100 grafts per cm2. Let's calculate how many cm2 we should need to reach 4500 grafts. 4500:100=45 cm2 4500: 60=75 cm2 Also, we know that the length of the strip is between 25 cm and 28 cm. So, the width of the strip has to be of 45/25= 1.8 to 75/25=3 cm! Usually with a good elasticity we use to take 1.3 to 1.5 cm rather than 3 cm! For example 1.5 *25*80=3000 grafts… The only way to increase artificially the number is to subdivide the grafts. So, increasing the number of grafts (and the price) but not the number of hair… When we use the FUE technique and when we exploit the all donor area it often turns on around 3000 to 3500 grafts in two days. In your case, I would opt for the FUT technique. You can consider two separated surgeries by a period from 8 to 12 months. For example 3000 grafts the first time, and 2500 grafts the second one. If you prefer to opt for the FUE technique, the proposition is the same, but this time in two days of surgeries. And the last solution may be a combo. I mean, the first day we could reach 3000 grafts to 3500 grafts with the FUT technique. And, the day after, we could reach 2000 grafts with the FUE technique. It has the advantage to provide a higher number in two days. But the handicap is that we have to shave the donor area and the scar of the FUT becomes visible… Regards,

So, I thought I'd share my experience consulting various doctors regarding my situation. I am an NW5 looking for a HT in Dec, but still I still don't know what technique is best for me. And I have been fairly thorough in my research. Anyway, i had a face to face consult with a rather well known FUT doctor, who suggested with scalp laxity exercises, he could get 4500 to 5000 grafts. I was happy, but felt it was a little optimistic. I then sent pictures and had a skype consult with a shall we say, up and coming FUE dr, at least on this forum, who suggested, "there is no way you have 5000 FUT grafts, maybe 3000 at best". I told him "are you suggesting that one of the best FUT dr's in the world is wrong?' And he said, " I used to do FUT and there's no way you have 5000 Grafts. Now I understand some dr's are going to differ in their judgement but that seems like a quite a bit. And it was quite a surprise the way he just said it so matter of factly. Confusing to say the least.

Looking good. From what I've read and having communicated with Dr Villnow through his rep Nick, Dr Villnow is an ethical Dr. with high standards, and does great work.

Obviously anyone who has had FUT has to get their stitches out. I am just curious where people went. I can't get anyone from my family to do it because it's supposed to be a surprise. I was going to get the clinic to take them out but they will be closed (christmas holidays) and I've heard a few stories about nurses (not seeing sutures in a head very often) ripping them and causing it to bleed. So, what should I do? Am i being paranoid? Should I ask a few doctors clinics beforehand or a hospital, if they would do it??? W

Would love to see the back just to have a look at the scar, if possible. But overall it does look good.

Yeah, i don't think it is either.

Sorry 'bout the typo 'romaine'. I don't rub leafy green plants on my head. Anyway, I was using more rogaine than was prescribed. (Not purposely) I stopped in late June. But I used it for two days last week because I thought my headaches were subsiding....and now their back this week with a vengeance but i've also been on fin but only .5mg EOD, so it's not a lot: I'll just have to stop everything and start up with just romaine and see what happens. It's prob not wise to keep starting and stopping with fin but i have no options. Thanks for replying by the way: rogaine could be the culprit but i'm not sure it is. cheers, m

I started on a 1mg finasteride in February. I believe there was 120 pills in the bottle. I started a new bottle in July and got bad headaches. I even stopped taking my supplements biotin and msm to see if that was the problem it wasn't - i stopped using romaine - it wasn't the problem: so I'm pretty sure it was the new batch of finasteride. I checked with my pharmacy and it was the same company (a reputable one) both times. It seems that after 4 months I wold develop headaches... Anyone else, get headaches all afternoon and into the night? I guess i could try proscar and cut it into quarters (only because it's the real stuff) see if I have the same sides. If I do, then i'll know i just can't take it. Just wanted to bring this up in a post, in case, and I'm sure there are, other people who might be going through the same thing. Cheers, Wolf

Yeah, i'm in the midst of consulting with Doganay, Lorenzo and Erdogan ($$) but it's so hard doing it from thousands of miles away

Yeah, I tried to look into Dr de Reys but he was booked solid until the new year Feb/March: Same with Basingwa. And I get basically four weeks off in December/Jan so, I'm looking need to find someone for December.

LOL I think that is a valid point, as far as I know their long time techs do the work now. I believe one of them (or two) trained under Dr De Reys.

I am also considering Dr Hakan Doganay and Dr Demirsoy as well. I have been on some of the international forums, too and both have very good reputations and results. I think both are Although, my mind is on information overload right between deciding on FUT or FUE and where to get it done....