DaveyJones

6 hours ago, kiwik said:

Seems like a rip-off to me. What exactly costs that much in this treatment plan? For that amount he could get a good FUE + a year of medication.

My thoughts exactly. This was roughly what my op cost

Hello fellow hair warriors,

I posted a few times a while back (circa 2018) before dropping off after undergoing a successful FUE operation. I really appreciated the advice I got from this community at the time and wanted to reach out for a good friend, whom I worry hasn't done his research (busy guy, but still).

We recently got talking about hair loss and I showed him a few photos of my before and after treatment. Nothing new to anyone here - FUE 3200 grafts and Fin 1mg daily (no sides, still on it, five years and two healthy kids later). Anyway, he was pretty impressed despite telling me I take way too many selfies of my hair.

He went to a clinic in the city he lives in, and they basically proposed the following treatment for a total of 7000usd (albeit over several sessions spanning several months):

Advanced Laser Therapy:
a) Laser sessions to break down DHT blockage, with varying frequency over 12 months.
b) Supply of 320mg Serenoa Repens (Saw Palmetto) to maintain DHT inhibition.

Orally Disintegrating Tablet (O.D.T) Minoxidil:
Dissolvent tablet placed under the tongue to dilate capillaries and promote hair growth.

Serenoa-based Shampoo and Serum:
a) Shampoo to thicken hair shaft.
b) Leave-in serum to protect cuticle and minimize hair shedding.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment:
a) Plasma Rich Platelets to rebuild the environment surrounding the follicle.
b) Induce new follicles by alchemizing epithelial cells (stem cells) around the follicle.

I would appreciate any advice or insights the community can offer regarding the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of this treatment plan. I haven't done a lot of reading since 2016 but my understanding was that the Holy Trinity of Minox, Fin and FUE were really the only things to consider (with clinically proven results). I realize some people choose not to take Fin and totally appreciate that, but I was surprised this wasn't even suggested by the clinic, which leads me to believe that my friend didn't see an actual doctor, but rather a "specialist."

Would he be wasting his money? 

5 hours ago, jonnyalex said:

4.5 month waiting list in my case. 

Thanks for your reply johnnyalex. I see you went to Asmed first for a larger initial operation. Have you found the second pass to be useful in terms of density, nuance in the hairline etc?  

Fantastic results. How long is the waiting list with Keser if you don't mind?

Thank you all for your swift and helpful replies.

Kimura50, I had actually just checked out your great early result prior to posting here. Seeing it again was reassuring.

Payam, I wouldn't like to judge your result prematurely. It seems you are well on track but somewhat disappointed by the experience at the clinic.

I guess I can surmise that Dr Bisanga, while also using techs,  has a more hands-on approach, both during and after the procedure. I have seen that he is willing to remedy unsatisfactory results and provide post-operative care and counsel. That speaks volumes.

So both having great FUE results in general, it seems Erdogan wins out financially, but Bisanga comes out on top in terms of a more personal experience and availability post op. 

Food for thought. Thanks again

Dear All,

I realise this is an oft-repeated question, and that there are similar debates/questions on other forums, however, I wanted ask your valuable advice on these two surgeons as pertains to my personal situation in 2018, seeing as some of the other comparisons date back a few years and both doctors have published more results since then.

This forum has been an immense wealth of information and here I am, like many of you have been in the past, on the verge of booking my first HT, and taking that definitive step... I would welcome any advice .

I'm 35 years old, and a Norwood 2.5. I have a naturally high hairline (which can be rather typical of people with long, slender heads like mine) that receded a bit from when I was around 24 to around 29 years of age. It has been pretty stable since then and I do not have any noticeable diffuse thinning in the mid section or crown area. It's really a case of having a receding temples and a hairline that is about 8-8.5cm above the eyes.

I don't think anyone looks at me and says "Hey, look at that bald/blading dude", however, I'm unhappy with my "mature" hairline and want to act now rather than making what may be a significant physical change later on.

Basically I have been looking at a FUE procedure with Dr Bisanga for a while now, and after having consulted with him, I had a pretty good feeling. He recommended between 2300-2600 grafts and designed a hairline that would lower the current one to 7cm above the eyes, while also filling in the temple points. He said I would look silly going any lower, particularly in later life. I tend to agree, but secretly wondered what a 6.5cm-above the eyes hairline would look like

Aside from his reputation as an excellent surgeon, being a discrete person, I was attracted to the idea of a procedure where I could drive there and back right before taking a rather long holiday, thus avoiding public transport/planes and colleagues for a substantial amount of time (I have a lot of leave saved up and could potentially take 4-5 weeks off for a summer holiday). This was the cherry on top with Bisanga.

However, after having discovered this site, I have noticed more and more impressive results from Dr Erdogan in Turkey (a destination I had initially crossed off my list for fear of not wanting to be seen out in public, let alone taking a plane). I started thinking to myself, ok, this guy clearly has taken care of his marketing, and seems to have a bit of a rockstar approach to hair transplants, he only does FUE etc. But basically for profiles like myself (FUE hairline work only) he has a lot of impressive results under his belt.

In the last couple of weeks I have seen a few (albeit only a few) mediocre results (among many very good ones) from Bisanga (a botched right-temple graft/a few very thin results etc.) which have got me second guessing somewhat. 

Money isn't really an issue and I would be a fool to make it so when it comes to having an HT. So whom would you choose in my situation? 

Once again, your advice would be greatly appreciated.