I've been losing my hair since I was around 15/16, and I'm 30 now- NWIII, thin on top with a heavily receded hairline (think a bit more advanced version of Jude Law's hair today). I've been reading up on treatments and options for years, and started out trying unproven treatments (like viviscal) before settling on minoxidil and propecia for the past few years.
Anyway, now I'm at the point where I would like to restore my hairline. I cover it up (with mixed results) using toppik and hairspray- without that, I would easily look 10 years older. Like a lot of people here, the daily challenges include having my scalp exposed by simple things like strong winds, swimming pools, and helmets. Luckily, my hair loss seems to have stabilized since I started using propecia.
So I recently went in for a consultation with Dr. Sean Behnam, and I've done a lot of research on his background and talked to some of his patients. His online reviews and his credentials are impressive... But he seems relatively unknown in the hair transplant community (based on my perusal of all the message boards and IAHRS all).
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should look for in a hair transplant doctor? I'm going to get a second and maybe 3rd opinion, but I really liked my experience with Dr Behnam (and at this point might be a little biased when I meet with other doctors).
Dr Behnam estimates that I could use 1500-1700 grafts in the strip procedure, and that I have really thick donor hair (Hispanic background). He only does one patient a day, and spends the first half of the procedure entirely hands on, after which three technicians work on the patient for another several hours while he continues to monitor/assist/etc. He gives a 7-page document of instructions for after the procedure, and gives his cell phone number so that his patients can contact him any time. Also he gives 10 laser therapy treatments afterwards and periodic check ups following the surgery. Overall the professionalism and the knowledge - both from him and his consulting staff - were incredibly informative.
So I would like to hear from more doctors in the next month or two and schedule a procedure for December (when I can take 2-3 weeks off work) . Any thoughts on this doctor or others? By the way, I live in Southern California if anyone has any recommendations..