mayaban

Hi Mayira. I would like to know why you didn't choose Dr. Sareen when you already had good review of the clinic, it was FUE more advance than fut and that too for the fraction of the cost? Was it because of distance?

Thanks

P.S. I am planing to get my hair transplant done by Dr. Sakshi Sareen.

Hello people!

 

This thread will document A-Z of my first hair transplant. I found a wealth of information from here in HRN and this thread will attempt to give some back to the community, especially the newbies who are looking to shop some new hair.

 

I am 33 years old in a week, from Chennai, India. A Norwood 4A. Not depressed. Don't want to get married. No social pressure. I am doing the transplant just for the aesthetics. (You can find my hair loss story in my profile. A rather long and possibly a boring entry with a lot of unnecessary information)

 

Sources of research - Online communities. Mainly HRN. Couple of my friends, who have done hair transplant and a dermatologist relative who himself was doing transplants for a while.

 

One of the two friends had an FUE of 3700 grafts for a meagre 75000 rupees (tempting deal) from Sareen Hair Clinic, Delhi. 5-6 months post op, he has got very good results already. The other one had a combination of Strip Surgery and FUE (Doesn't remember how many grafts. Nor the cost) from Dr. Ramachandran, chennai. He is 2 years post and has had poor results. The dermatologist relative recommended, Dr. Renita Rajan from Chennai. I did not consider her as she virtually has no credible experience in transplants and my relative gave me too many contradicting information to consider his suggestion seriously.

 

How I picked Dr. Radha Rani - In my mind, there is no doubt that Strip surgery has to be the first surgery. I considered only from the list of recommended doctors from India on the forum. It automatically eliminated Dr. Bhatti. Dr. Madhu does more than 1 surgery per day. Which is not ideal. Dr. Kapil Dua has a chain of clinics. Which again I am not a fan of. In fact, I think he has a panel of doctors operating on different patients. That left Dr. Soni. Has good reputation as a skilful surgeon. I have some reservations with him. I wouldn't go in detail and slander. So, I leave it at that. Finally, it was actually a simple decision. I had always felt Dr. Radha was the one from day one. It's just one of those gut feelings. Nevertheless, these are some excellent reasons to choose her.

 

1. Has documented good results over the years, barring a few cases.

2. Highly regarded on the forum. At one point as the best strip surgeon in the country.

3. Runs her clinic ethically. No advertisements. No agents.

4. One surgery a day. She is very hands on. Does majority of the work by herself.

5. She speaks very good English. Very good interpersonal skills. I suppose that's a bonus for the overseas patients.

6. Well qualified staff. Some of those talents imported from Bangkok at great cost, she says. (I am sure most know she was trained by Dr. Path for a year)

7. Charges 60 per graft. No other hidden charges.

 

PreOp preparations - I believe in doing things right, so I would know I have done all I could from my side. A surgery needs your body in the best possible condition. It aides in good recovery as well. I am generally a fit guy. Athletic. The last 8 months though, I have had a lousy lifestyle. No excercise. Indulgence in junk food. Once in two weeks drinker. Random, occasional smoker. I decided to get the body in order. I am getting operated tomorrow. One month exactly prior to tomorrow, I stopped drinking and smoking. Started a detox routine. (Cucumber, mint (only yesterday I realised I ve been using coriander thinking it's mint. Quite an intelligent boy I am. Anyways, I hear coriander is good too) and any fruit I have on that day) Worked out every single day. Unfortunately, I couldn't get my sleep back to normal. I ve been having trouble sleeping well the last one year or so.

 

I am attaching pictures of my hair as of today (Before and after shave). I did the PreOp consult with the Dr. while I was half way through this post. That is what is coming up next. But, after a short samosa break. Stay tuned folks!

 

PS: Il do a quick Strip surgery vs FUE.

 

Why choose Strip over FUE?

 

1. Grafts are always taken from the safe zone.

2. Transection rate is at its least. While FUE s transection rate can at best match Strip (by only by the best of the hands), but never overtake it because of the blind technique involved and a long list of other reasons.

3. Transplant is a long game. When you plan for 3 surgeries over the next 20 years, it is important to optimise the usage of the limited donor area. FUE can cause damage to the near by grafts.

4. All these limitations can be minimised to the lowest possible extent and have an amazing output from an FUE when you choose an excellent surgeon. But, the golden rule is to keep FUE as your last surgery or when the area to transplant is small. My plan is to get two Strip surgeries and the final one an FUE.

 

Note: All my writing on different doctors I considered are strictly personal opinions based on my research. It is not necessarily a fact. I might well be totally wrong about them all and all of it in general. I apologise if I have crossed a line at any point. I am more than willing to correct the post if any untoward writing is pointed out.