CAMPBELL

I'd never tried any hair treatment products before and after researching through 'here' what was on the market I contacted Spex and ordered a few bottles of the Kirkland 'Signature' 5% Minoxidil. Compared to similar 'High Street' brands, this is 'very well' priced - believe me!

I didn't like the little dropper dispenser, but easily managed to get a spray top to put onto it, which I prefer and have been giving 5 to six sprays twice a day (in the morning and in the evening). Just lightly massage it in with my fingers - that's it, simple!

What I've found is, that 'if' there is some hair (even if it is disappearing and is very light) there, then this stuff seems to kick start it again! But if the hair has gone, then...there's no bringing it back from the grave!

Where I do have hair on the back and sides, it is 'very' thick. but the semi circular loss on top, where there is still some hair, has been 'boosted' again with this growth tonic. I'm a natural cynic and always sceptical about things until I can see the results for myself. There are pretty reasonable results in an area that looked like the hair had all but gone.

Will I be back to Spex for more. Absolutely! In fact, it says that 'X' amount will do you so many months (and is priced depending on how much you get). To be honest, I'm exceeding the time that the leaflet says it will last for and I'm getting the results. It's good value for money.

Right - bare with me please, because I personally like to see photos of things to back up what folk say, so I'm going to 'try' and upload a few before and after shots (before as in several months ago and after as in 'yesterday!'). Hope this helps other folk out there.

My game plan on this is that if I can get a substantial amount to grow, then hopefully I can 'afford' to then pay for some FUE on the front where all growth has gone. We'll see...

The AFTER 5 MONTHS photos (2) are the first ones. *Click* on them to enlarge.

Good on Gordon for going for it!! The pictures I've seen of him show him to look like he's done a few rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson, so he's had some kind of surgical procedure up top.

But again, fair dues to the gentleman. He has the available cash and the right attitude to see a problem and get it fixed - DONE!!

Jimmy Nesbitt's two procedures look GREAT on him!! The Daily Mail (UK National Paper) today (Jan 5) took the proverbial out of him for getting it done, lumping him in with other celebrities (Like Gordon Ramsey the Chef) for getting HT and calling them 'vain' and only thinking of themselves.

I am actually very proud of the 'wee County Antrim lad, made good' not just for his acting career but ALSO for being so true to himself and publicly saying that 'it's awful to be going bald as a man, and anyone who says otherwise is lying.' He had the balls to be proactive and do something about it, and has no regrets that he made the right move. Good for you James and also Gordon.

Must be a quiet news day for the Press I guess!!

I appreciate the prompt response and the links offered. Regards, Campbell.

Who would 'you' recommend I visit whilst in the City of Angels? I'm going to be in the vicinity for 3 weeks. Have done some research, but there's a lot of SoCal Surgeons listed, and I always like to build on my research (especially with HT) by hearing some personal stories

Thanks in advance Gents!! Campbell.

That's just put the biggest smile on my face hearing the GREAT experience, care and professionalism you've had with Feller and his team. By all accounts, "He's a great Feller!!" Enjoy the short term delights of NYC and the long term delights of your new hair!! Can't wait to see the photos (I'm sure I echo what everyone else reading this is thinking!). Regards, Campbell.

I think what was said about the hairline being a frame to one's facial features is a 'very' valid and important consideration and could 'make or break' a good HT. THANKS!

Gents, I did a search first just to see if this has been covered. If it has, then apologies.:rolleyes:

You know how different people have different frontal hairlines, so one person might have that triangular 'widow's peak' (like Count Dracula!) or another might have a straightish 'rockabilly' hairline, or another where the temples go deep with the hairline coming out like a pier into the sea (like Bogart!).

When you have your transplant, can you 'discuss' the style of the hairline you want? (I don't know what is possible you see). I guess it's almost like 'designing' a new hairline for yourself :cool:(so is that possible?).

Regards, Campbell

Amazing results - well done!!

Ryan, really glad for you there that you feel things have worked well in your favour and the results are pleasing. Any chance of you posting some before and after photos and more information please?

It's always good to get a balanced view of a practitioner's work. Regards, Campbell.

Well the search continues. Always a balance of cash flow for me (as I'm sure it is for many out there).

Sometimes I try to convince myself that that I'm 'not THAT bald..' but then (and this has just happened this morning), I see a pic of myself and I'm thinking WHAAAATTTTTT!???? is that really the back of MY head..? Damn the gene pool I've just been tossed (nature's lottery I guess). Then of course you hear the press going on about "Hey did you see Prince William's 'embarrassing' bald patch...?" Well frankly, it's 'not embarrassing' but...hasn't the world thrown such a negative slant onto hair loss (and hand to heart, I guess I'm a victim to that marketing if I'm honest).

Not sure if I'm vain in considering hair transplants, but...things have happened in my life that have reminded me that..."tomorrow Campbell, you might be dead." This life ain't a rehersal and frankly I'm not ready to look older than my boot size before my time!! so, if I can do something about it, then why not gents

But...(and of course it's a BIG BUT...), if I am going to voluntarily put myself under the surgeon's knife then I want to get it right first time. That's 'why' I'm in HERE...

As the Duke of Wellington once quipped, "Time spent on reconnaisance is seldom wasted..!"

If it would be of benefit, I'll pluck up the courage and post some pics of my noggin for folk/professionals to see (as just suggested). Regards, CAMPBELL.

It's disappointing to hear a lot of this, but at least it's giving me a more balanced view to make an informed decision. HT ops are not to be messed around with are they! or taken lightly. Thanks Gents for all the feedback and making the effort to get back. It's a great site! Cheers, Campbell.

Well, you can find the costings by approaching each surgeon for your own individual needs.

In my own personal case, based on strip surgery, and based on 5000 grafts over two sessions:

Dr's Farjo, I believe (Mick is to confirm this with me) would be around ??14,000 GBP in total.

Dr Devroye, around ??10,760 (I'm converting from Euros).

Dr Shahmalak would be ??8000.

But, as this site has shown, it's not a good deal if you end up with a hatchett job, so thorough research is a 'must.' Just like a dog isn't just for Xmas, well neither is a hair transplant! So the jury's still out on this one.

Those are wise and welcome words and I'm really taking that on board. And 'yes' finances do play a part in my decision making at this stage of my life. The research continues...

Well, I'm giving the guy the benefit of the doubt on that one (I know where you're coming from - as it is gimmicky/cheesey, ie: For One Night Only!!! etc).

But if he is just relatively new to the HT scene and with the economy is such dire straits, I'm assuming (rightly or wrongly) that he's having to build up his initial client base somehow, until his reputation in HT is established. It's a difficult one...

Then again, I might be very naive on this and totally off the mark, hence the reasons why I'm reaching out to the more experienced client base and professionals on this forum.

Something I should have done at the beginning, was post the current website for this Gentleman, and it's called Crown Cosma Clinic in Manchester. But I'm going to ask around (as I've been in correspondence with Mick from Farjo's).

http://www.crownclinic.co.uk/

That's ok, it all helps me make an informed decision, so I really appreciate all of your replies, thanks. Campbell.

Thanks Gents for your timely feedback I've been in contact with Dr Feller and H&W too a few month's ago (having been a passive spectator in here and found endless amounts of really useful information).

Even with the current economy and the UK Pound to Dollar relationship, the USA is 'still' (sadly) out of my pocket reach, for now. And that's why I'm looking at UK or 'this side' of Europe.

I was very impressed by Mr Shahmalak when I had a consultation with him, and my hair is dark and dense where I do have it, so I seem to be a good candidate for HT. But for my own peace of mind, I wanted to find out 'more' about his procedures and their outcomes from client's who have already been through his doors. And it is slightly worrying that no-one has heard of him now...

Maybe with time, some folk will read this and come through

Thanks guys. Campbell.

Hello, my name is Campbell and I'm based in the UK. I've been researching a surgeon in Bruselles, and two in Manchester, Uk (Dr Farjo and Mr Shahmalak).

It's been determined I need 5000 grafts over two sessions (with approx 4-6 month gap). Strip surgery. I'm a horse-shoe shape that a National hunt race horse would be proud of!!

I've been for an initial meeting with Mr Shahmalek in Harley St, London (who is also a practising NHS surgeon in NW England), has his clinic CROWNCLINIC in Manchester and has been a guest speaker on a number of occasions with the IHRS, of which he is a member).

I'm very close to making a decision (I cannot afford the visits to the US, so am looking closer to home).

Has anyone here had any direct experience with Mr Shahmalek and any feedback to give please, as I really want to get this one right.

Thanks in advance Gents, Regards, Campbell.