Hello Guys,
I am doing my bit to contribute to this forum which has given me so much.
After meeting few doctors, extensive research, feedback and savings, finally I got my HT done from Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Bangkok on 16th April 2009. Total 3800 grafts (8192 hairs)
Please go through my blog for the experience and few pictures of before and after surgery. I am happy with the overall experience so far.
To tell my fellow Indians, why and how I chose Dr. Path? Although regular reader of this forum for past 2.5 - 3 years, I never asked any questions before because all my questions were already answered here to someone else queries.
Well, first it was around 2.5 - 3 years ago I saw a TV program covering HT. After that I started my research over net and at that time there were only 2 doctors were part of ISHRS list from Mumbai (6 from India) Dr. R and Dr. D. Now there are several. Later I learned about coalition of surgeons here.
First I met Dr R, also took his cyclical medicines which are Minoxidil and Propecia and few vitamins which worked on my to some extent however few things I could note with him is that level of transparency, avoiding references saying I value privacy, arrogance in this case denying growing importance of such sites for educating hairloss to the people, saying that all is crap over there etc. or accepting fact that hair loss patients are so well informed with this knowledgebase. Later on anyway I read more about him on this forum not to mention here what it was.
Second Dr D, more of cosmetic and less HT expert at that time, he avoided or gave ambiguous answers to my several questions.
2000 grafts (Around 1,20,000 Rupees)was the calculation for my HT (there is not much of difference in my baldness in last 2-3 years) and looking at other reports I knew that it will not be sufficient to my bald cover. I decided to postpone my HT till I find right surgeon.
On this forum I could see the transparency, accountability, knowledge sharing, feedback sharing, recommendation of doctors and it's process etc. however for an Indian (at least me) getting HT done from surgeon in US/Europe was out of scope for economical reason, so only two Asians options left.
I wanted to be in experienced, safe hands as my bald cover going to cost me bomb so it's a huge investment and again donor areas are limited. So no option of trial and error, I have to take my call after evaluating all options. I narrowed down on Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Bangkok, none of the Indian doctors at least I couldn't find at his level in terms of experience, work and recommendation. In terms of finance for 3500-3800 grafts he could be costlier by one lakh over Indian Dr's, however for the reasons mentioned above I chose him and I happy with extra money spent.
I will keep my progress updated on my Blog.
Bye for now.