SuperC

I think part of the difficulty I'm having with the idea of prioritizing experience and results is that I start to feel like I should be identifying the very best surgeon in the world and spending top dollar, or not bothering at all. But I also know there's no objective measure of surgical skill to compare, and analyzing the tiny percentage of results reported to this forum doesn't seem like a good method of making a subjective determination either. With very few exceptions, the work reported here by patients is all pretty impressive and I think I'd be happy with nearly any reasonable result I've seen here. So I sort of get stuck in a loop in indecisiveness, if that makes sense. Very interesting suggestions! Thank you for your comment. Are you saying to use finasteride for 6-12 months before having my procedure? I've never heard that suggestion before, so if I'm understanding you correctly, can you elaborate a bit? To be clear, I'm not expecting finasteride to do anything more than slow down the hair loss process over time. Dr. Bisanga is overseas, I believe. I am in the US and am not willing to fly to have the procedure. 😅

Hey Melvin, thanks for the reply. I've only just started finasteride a month or so ago, actually. As for the hairline, I want one that would be better suited for some traditionally feminine hairstyles than a typical male's hairline would be, if that makes sense. Mostly just the things I described -- softer edge and a bit more rounded connections to the temples. Sorry, I'm not sure how to explain better. The image below is one I shared with Dr. Rahal's representatives, so maybe it will help? Please understand that I'm not expecting this exact result, it's just an example that happens to be "M-shaped" like my current receding hairline, so it seems like the right direction, if that makes sense. Hey, TorontoMan! In my research, I've become quite familiar with your case and amazing results! I appreciate you providing your thoughts. That really helps, and I completely agree with what you've said. Something just keeps me from pressing the final "submit" button on the forms. 😂 I will read what you've written a few times and try to internalize it, because I know you are absolutely right.

Update: I've scheduled my procedure! --- Let me preface this by saying that I understand all of the common advices made on these forums, e.g. there are no guarantees, no "right" or "wrong" decisions, and that only I can decide for myself what is best for me. I know that even the best surgeons can produce lackluster results. I know that distance and price should not be the primary factor in choosing a surgeon. I know that every case is different. I know all this. 🙂 --- With that out of the way, I am posting this in an attempt to overcome some anxiety associated with scheduling my procedure. I tend to get "analysis paralysis" when making big decisions because I like to have all the information and sometimes I just feel like I'm overlooking something huge. I know some anxiety is normal, but I've been unable to submit the scheduling form for nearly a year now! I could use some help. 😅 So here's my situation. I am 37 years old and have finally had enough of not feeling confident without a hat on. I'm ready to do something for myself! I don't need a perfect hairline or supremely dense hair, just a less-jarringly-receding hairline that I can actually work with instead of just covering up. My hairline has not changed much since my early 20s, and I am now on finasteride 1mg/daily and plan to stay on it indefinitely just to be on the safer side. I know the hair loss never completely stabilizes, but I'm confident that I'm not going to go "completely" bald, even if I weren't on finasteride. As for surgeons, I've considered quite a few, and had consultations (all via video call) with several. My current top pick, all things considered, is Dr. Rahal. He does FUE and designs excellent hairlines, which is all the work I need. While distance is not a major factor in choosing the surgeon, he is within driving distance for me and I am not willing to fly to have this procedure. Another consideration is that I am looking for a softer, somewhat androgynous hairline style (e.g. softer edge, more rounded temple connections, etc.), compared to many of the more rigid, masculine results I often see on this forum (which look fantastic, they're just not for me). I've spoken at-length about this with Dr. Rahal's representatives and it sounds like an easy accommodation. Here are some images of my current hairline, and information from Dr. Rahal's office. I would appreciate any constructive input that might help me pull the trigger on this. 🙂

Can I ask who the surgeon was?

I understand, and thanks for the information! I don't believe I have any questions that James hasn't already answered, but if I think of any, I will certainly let you know.

I've spoken with James over a video call, and then a lot via email (he's been very patient with me 😅 ), but I've not spoken directly with Dr. Rahal yet, if that's what you're asking. At the time of my consultation, that was not an option.

Thank you! I've been meaning to schedule something for a while now, but my nerves get the best of me. Big decision. 😅 I enjoy seeing results from Dr. Rahal and hope you will continue to share them regularly.

I am also planning to schedule with Dr. Rahal soon. I'm a little nervous about booking it, but I've asked everything I can think of and feel like I've got the information needed to make a decision. Watching this thread in case any new thoughts or concerns come up. Edit: Just realized this post is a year old. 😅

I know it's a long shot, but I'd love an update on this one.

Please name the clinic.

I think Dr. Rahal consistently designs natural-looking hairlines. I'm planning to schedule with him soon for this reason. From his bio page: From what I've seen, most of the other popular surgeons here do equally impressive hairline work, like Dr. Konior, Dr. Hasson/Wong, etc. If you haven't already, I'd suggest checking out the recommended surgeons list and looking at their work for yourself.

As far as the consultation is concerned, Dr. Haber meets directly with his patients to discuss the entire procedure and answer any and all questions himself. I had a video consultation with him recently and was very pleased with the entire call. However, like many hair restoration surgeons, he does not perform the entire procedure himself.

I would love to see an update on this!

Would love to see an update on this!

I would really like to see an update on this!

Not necessarily. At the end of the day, I think what matters are results.

I don't personally see an issue with a hair restoration surgeon offering other services. I want to know that they do good work, and lots of it.

I am considering scheduling my procedure (FUT, ~2500 grafts, hairline only) with Dr. Haber, but I'm having trouble finding much in the way of recent results on this and other forums. Many other doctors seem to have far more patients posting on the "Hair Restoration Results Posted by Patients" subforum (whereas Dr. Haber's mostly seem to be from about a decade ago), and they also seem to have higher-quality before/after photos on their HairlossLearningCenter.org profiles. I met with Dr. Haber recently and really enjoyed talking with him and felt confident, but I'm a little hesitant to schedule when recent examples of his work seem to be so sparse. Can I get some input or feedback to help me decide if this is the right surgeon for me?

I am also interested in an update!

I know it's only been a few weeks, but I would appreciate an update on your progress.

I did not know this. Thanks for sharing. Yes, her experience working with Dr. Konior is one of the biggest reasons to have her do the procedure. Money is an important factor, and I do only need hairline work done. Thanks for the recommendations! Dr. Konior is booked until sometime in 2024.

Oh, right! Thanks!

Sorry, what are NWs?

Thanks for the guess! I will try to find out if I don't decide to go with anyone closer to me. For an extra $2/graft, I'd probably just go with Dr. Nadimi, though. Same here. Really solid work. I think I'd be most confident going with her, but at some point, I have to draw the line financially (otherwise I'd go with Dr. Konior!). Added to my list! He's a little further away, but definitely still within driving distance. I believe I've read that his team places most of the grafts. I could be confusing with with another doctor, though. I'd definitely want the doctor I choose to do the work themselves as much as possible, and I know Dr. Nadimi extracts every graft and places them all herself as well. She told me she does more, but not in a single day. At 2,500 grafts, she says I will likely need to come in the following day to finish up (which I'm not a huge fan of, but I understand the reasoning). Cost is an issue, but more in the sense that I feel I should try to find the best value among top doctors, rather than pay top dollar for the very best, if that makes sense. I understand that I get what I pay for, though. Luckily, this site is loaded with information and first-hand experiences to help me make the most appropriate decision for me. Right now, my second choice is Dr. Haber. Some don't seem to like that he supposedly doesn't just do hair transplants, but neither does Dr. Nadimi, in fairness. Dr. Panine's work looks very good as well! Honestly, the only thing deterring me a little with him are the way the donor sites look. Those punch holes are no joke! I don't know anything about anything, but post-op donor site images from his patients just make me a little hesitant.

I've heard about them as well. Do you happen to know how they do pricing? It's weird that exact costs are not discussed more on this forum. I know they are subject to change, but it's a major part of the decision.