Ozguy

Thanks Mick50. Finding this forum and then finding Dr Rahal was a godsend.

Hi jj51702 - you can check out details of my HT with Dr Rahal here:

Thanks Legend007. No, no refund was offered nor did they take any accountability. It appears that the clinic that performed the operation is no longer operates so I wouldn't know where to go to seek redress. Although there is a lawyer representing some of his patients that were disfigured by poorly done breast implants and I am considering reaching out to them to see if there is anything that can be done. In good news, I went on to have a 2nd hair transplant with Dr Rahal in Canada and that procedure was very successful and I'm still happy with the results 7 years later.

Well, the Doctor who performed my first hair transplant surgery has had his medical licence suspended. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4974222/Disgraced-Doctor-Blackstock-medical-licence-suspended.html

Thanks for the positive comments, d-mo. I'm really happy with the hairline and the work done on the frontal third (which is the only place I had work done). In terms of the scar, Dr Rahal did mention there was an issue, I think it's to do with the previous HT scar, and that the left hand side might have a slight bigger scar. At some point I could have it excised or perhaps FUE to fill it in. At the moment it doesn't worry me as no-one can see it. But I may address it at some future point.

Hi DRoyal, Apologies for not replying earlier, I just saw your post. I just went through the online consultation process and received a reply from Dr Rahal's office promptly. Have you managed to contact them now?

After been slack for the last few months, I've finally taken some updated pics. I am now in the seventh, month, in fact, I'm closer to eight months. To be honest, I haven't noticed much change, but last week I had two new pimples on my scalp, so I am wondering if that's new hairs coming through? The left-side scar is a little worse than the right-side scar, which Dr Rahal warned me about. Anyone know how to change the title of the thread? I'd like to make it something which reflects the entire thread.

I was also very unhappy with my consult at NHI - after my first appointment they sent a letter saying I was a higher Norwood pattern than I actually was. They said I was a 5A, subsequent doctors told me I was between 3A and a 4A. I am sure they did this to scare me into action. I just think they're going too hard on sales, rather than building a reputation and letting it stand for itself. I also took a real dislike to doctor I had my consult with. I must admit I did go back for another consult years later when I heard that doctor had left. The second doctor had a much nicer manner, but it still wasn't enough.

Hi MusoInOz, This is a great idea! The Australian HT industry needs a massive shake up and hopefully some improvements can start to happen. Like you I had appointments with several HT clinics and most of them were disappointing. I did follow through and have procedure and was underwhelmed with the response. In retrospect, they did so many things that raised alarm bells. BTW - Congratulations on you recent procedure with Dr. Rahal, I am sure the results will be awesome.

How did you manage to get there in just 25 hours? I took me 36, though the original flight was delayed, meaning I missed my connections and they rerouted me to go via Montreal, rather than Chicago as was originally planned. Anyway - absolutely best of luck! I'm sure it will all go perfectly and you'll love you results in a few months.

Best of luck with your HT - I am sure it'll go really well, and be a pleasant experience. Are you going to stay at the Foxbar Guesthouse?

Thank you very much Hariri and Taking the Plunge! I am extremely happy with the results, and very excited to see how much growth I have left in me. I already feel like this HT has been a success at only five months out. It's nice to be on this side of the fence, after my less than optimal previous HT. Thanks again

Hi DRoyal, What was the cost for the 4400 grafts? I can't remember the actual breakdown, but I think all up the whole experience, including travel, accommodation, food and of course the procedure was around the $20k mark. Bear in mind that I traveled at Christmas time, which is the most expensive time of the year to travel. Also, to get that amount of grafts in Australia you're probably looking at between $25k to $30k without of the other expenses. I think it was a bargain. How long did you stay in Canada for? I left on the 13th of December and I got back to Melbourne on the 23rd. It took about 36 hours to fly there, so I think I actually spent eight nights in Canada. Two nights before the procedure and six after. I think you could get away with five post procedure if you were in a hurry to come home. You look pretty freaky for about five days after the procedure and will probably just want to stay at your accomodation (I recommend staying at the Foxbar guesthouse - let me know if you need more information about that). Take lots of books, DVDs and your laptop as you can get very bored while healing. Also - if you are to fly, I highly recommend flying direct from Sydney to Vancouver and avoid transiting the US. I did transfer at US airports and it just added a whole layer of security and difficulty you don't need. Are you happy with the scar? I haven't checked the scar for awhile, but last time I did it was already finer than my previous one. I am about to get a haircut this week, and I'll take some pics of the scar after that and ost them here. I hope this all helps.

Here are a couple of pictures, just four days shy of the five month mark. The fourth and fifth month have been very exciting and I am extremely happy with the growth I've had so far. These pictures are taken at the end of the day, after I have been to gym and caught in the rain, so this is not my hair at it's best. But I think it shows how well the transplant is growing in. Overall, I am absolutely ecstatic with the results and look forward to the next few months when further growth occurs. In terms of the scar, while it's not painful or even sensitive at all. When I lean on the back of my head I am very much away of it. It feels like I am lying on something, which I guess I am, the scar tissue. Does anyone have any advice on how long it'll take to clear up? From memory, with my first transplant, it did take a full 12 months before my scar felt normal.

Hi DRoyal, Glad you're thinking of Dr. Rahal - I am so pleased with the results, I can't recommend him enough. I am just about to hit five-month mark and am extremely pleased with the results. I will be posting some pics soon. I took just over three weeks off work, including the Christmas and New Year's period. Dr. Rahal does require that you shave your head down, so expect to look a bit strange for a few weeks. I clippered the rest of my hair down to a blade three just before I went back to work. It brought all the hair to a similar length, but that did expose the scar. I used Toppik for awhile to disguise the scar, until my hair grew back. All in all, I'd say it took about three months before I was looking normal, and to be honest, I still haven't had a haircut since I clippered my hair on the third week post procedure. I am getting my first haircut on Saturday. Depending on your requirements, I would take at least three weeks off work, more if you have the leave. You might even be able to take some medical leave too, as Dr. Rahal will provide a medical certificate. Of course - I had 4,400 grafts, so my work was fairly extensive. If you needed less, you might be able to get away with less time off and it may be less obvious. Probably best to talk to the clinic to get a better idea of your requirements. Please feel free to ask me anymore questions and good luck!

Amazing transformation!!! I am just over four months post-surgery with Dr. Rahal and I have had a noticeable cosmetic improvement too. But seeing your pics makes me realise the best is yet to come.

Hey MusoInOz, Congrats on the movie gig! You're more than welcome to contact me privately to discuss my experience with Dr. Rahal

Congrats on your choice! I also think it was a smart move tying it into a larger holiday as Canada is a LONG way from Australia. I am sure you will be thrilled with the results. I have just passed the four month mark of my procedure with Dr Rahal and am very pleased. I've already had significant regrowth, that others have noticed and commented on. I'm very happy with how my results are going and I sure you will be too.

I agree. I felt really looked after when I stayed there. I think I was there for six or seven nights and had the place to myself the whole time. The manager/owner was really lovely and helpful, he drove me to do my grocery shopping on the first day and drove me to the airport on the final day. Nothing was too much trouble.

Just a quick picture of my HT at three months. Things are definitely starting to happen, but as you can see very much at the early stages. Judging by others photos this is the month when things begin to happen, so I hope the month four pics shoe significant growth.

I had a procedure with Dr. Rahal about two months ago and I followed the post operative instructions carefully. By the time the two weeks were up, most of the scabs had flaked off, they felt more like dust on your head. It only took one shower, one the fourteenth day, to remove them all.

You certainly won't get any argument from me. Dr. Rahal came to every post operative check up I had (I think I had five) and made time to answer questions personally. He dropped me back at my accommodation the night of the surgery, despite it being a five minute walk away. He wrote out the graft number breakdown personally. Nothing seemed too much bother for him. He certainly has a great "bedside" manner. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Dr Rahal for any future procedures!

Hi there MusoInOz, Thanks for your positive feedback . It's still early days but I am happy with the way things are going. And yes, I crossed half the world for the procedure because I really wanted to go to Dr Rahal, and to be honest if I hadn't gone to Dr Rahal I still would have gone to Canada for the procedure. My second and third choices for the procedure were also Canadian doctors. It is a long way to go, I think it was about 36 hours from door to door, but I am used to traveling. My only recommendation is to get the Air Canada flight from Sydney to Vancouver and avoid going through the US. Going through security and immigration in the US just adds an extra layer of complexity you really don't need, particularly on the way back. I'd be more than happy to have a chat with you about the experience. Cheers

Here is a picture from the 15th of Jan - at the one month mark. It's now exactly six weeks since the HT. I haven't got any current pics, I'll update at the two month mark. However, I have already been starting to get pimples on the scalp and quite a few hairs seem to be sprouting through. This started at around the five week mark. Last time it took about three months to see any growth. I was actually wondering if five weeks is a bit too early to see growth? Not that i am complaining...

Hi Hairlicious, Thanks for your comments on my thread about my procedure with Dr. Rahal. I'm happy to answer any questions that you have - I found the whole process to be really smooth. The worst part for me was the journey to and from Ottawa! Something you won't have to worry about! Have you got a date set for your procedure?