Haberson

Hi all. I've felt I should update my original post. I somehow found this community when I was at the height of my hair loss anxiety and it lead me to a solution that has worked for me. I apologize that I'm not one for sharing photos, since I know from experience that that is really helpful in considering a person's experience/results. I have before photos from just over a year ago (and the Dr snapped some as well), but I haven't shared. Perhaps in the future I'll post the before and after. In summary, though, the results have been excellent. I know many people are in the NYC area and could be considering Feller or Wesley. Here's why I made the decision. I got an FUT in April 2014. In my situation, I would need to return within a week to work. I could wear a hat but it would still be conspicuous. As such, I decided that Feller's method of shaving the recipient area and using metal staples was not for me. Let's consider that both doctors are perfoming essentially the same procedure, but for some reason you walk out of one clinic with a punk haircut and staples in your head, whereas at Dr. Wesley's patients have none of this. I received roughly 2100 grafts front to mid/crown. I found that immediately after the area had healed of its follical red spots (about a week), I basically had this surprisingly helpful coverage. So while I continued to heal and while the donors took root, i was able to continue styling my hair normally (which was medium length, longer on top with some bangs) and enjoy what felt like a helpful concealer but was, in fact, my "new" hair. This would have been impossible with 2-4 inches of my front scalp shaved - regardless of the staple removal. I think that's a serious consideration. Cost-wise, I barely recall a difference which means that Wesley was very much in the ballpark. 10-15k. I don't recall if it was through Feller's site that I was instructed to begin an online consulation with Spex (I think that's what he's called - british guy), but I did submit and never heard a response. Similarly, I recall not hearing back from Feller's office, whereas I had easy and reliable contact with Wesley's office. In fact, they had an opening/cancellation which allowed for me to get a procedure within roughly a month to 45 days of my first phone call. This was part luck, part professionalism. As for the results, I'm rather thrilled though I know it's not a lifetime solution. I think over time age will start winning thos battle again, but I have a personal sense that it will be 10-15 years before I experience that level of concern - to where I might consider some work on top. I'm 40 now. Additionally, let me point out that the hair in front, while designed perfectly and placed sensibly, is a bit "different". I have relatively thin, dark brown hair. It takes some getting used to the new hair and it's tendencies. Let's say that area has its own personality now, but it works. It's a bit wavy when it gets long, I can still comb it forward, but it's "naturally" leaning up and back - if that makes any sense. I actually used to style some of my hair forward to, mostly, cover a receding hairline. Now i have no real shame in showing my hairline, having it be percectly clear - which happens when your hair styled up and back. So, while there's a bit of a learning curve, I have no complaints - I would take this any day over how things used to be. About my healing/progress... I don't really feel I experienced any shock loss. The 30 day rogaine regimen made my scalp a bit dry, but no real loss of new hairs. If I was losing old hairs, I wasn't noticing because the new coverage from just the "baby" hairs beginning to grow was a helpful improvement. Within 10 days I felt good, within 3 months I felt great, within 6 months I was already pretty amazed, and that 6-12 month run was the sweet spot, leading me to a confident state of hair happiness. Listen, my problems didn't go away - but i no longer had to worry about this, experience anxiety and self esteem, and have it distract me from other things. I can look in the mirror and feel good, not bad. It's that simple. As you can read from other posts, Dr. Wesley has an undeniably wonderful bedside manner. You'll be well taken care of by he and his staff. I see they have a new office space, I'm sure it's wonderful and has energized the staff. I will say that there was a time, probably when I was half-under and half on happy pills, that some of the support staff - I felt - was a bit too light hearted. Don't get me wrong, I think a light sense of humor is required to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. This is over a year ago, but I do recall having a sense that at one point or for a brief stretch (since it is a long procedure) some medical staff seemed too jocular, a bit TOO relaxed, if that makes sense. I think part of it is that they have done their job so well for so long. They truly are relaxed and performing their expertise. I just thought it was worth mentioning, it's so long ago that I don't recall the exact details. All in all, the peformance of the staff was superb. Anyway, I hope this might help anyone considering a NYC area surgeon. My experience was a 9/10 as are my results. I don't know how i found this forum but I connected with the content, trusted the experiences described, and was able to make an educated decision about who to turn to. It's important to read through and cross reference any name you may see on a banner ad or print ad in your local lifestyle magazine. Hope someday to get to post pictures. Thank you, Dr. Wesley.

Thanks, grateful, for chiming in. That's a reassuring piece of information. Happiness is what this is all about!

Wesley definitely appears to do beautiful work, and yet it's impossible to know what true results to expect. Not knowing what $ to expect adds even more anxiety, and I feel the need to schedule procedure within 2 or 3 months.

I understand this might not be the most tactful question (or first post) but as I'm deliberating and seriously considering both doctors Feller & Wesley in/near NYC I have to ask some forum users if they could shed light on the following. Feller is highly recommended and I might very well go with him after a consultation, but I may be able to get in earlier (and I've got some other life events to plan around) with Wesley (who also seems to do amazing work). My problem with Wesley is the potential cost. I love that Dr. Feller publishes his cost guidelines, I haven't managed to find any info here or elsewhere regarding what to expect with Dr. Wesley. I would probably go FUT, and though I know costs can vary greatly I would love a ball park idea. Since Wesley seems to do beautiful work and is literally on Park Avenue in NYC, I sort of expect him to do 2000 grafts for 15k (at least) whereas Feller appears to quote 10k on his site. Am I wrong? I know cost should not be the final determining factor in this decision, but maybe it can be with 2 equally excellent doctors? I'm fine with the $100 consultation fee, but it is a 2-3 hour drive for each doctor, so I wouldn't mind somehow getting a sense of this info before starting to log consultation miles. If anyone has any idea, kindly assist me on the forum or private message. I know it's a sensitive topic. Of course feel free to wish me luck actually pulling this whole thing off. Kudos on the forum as it's been a great resource thus far. Thanks to all who contribute.