HairInRio

Pelange, yes, all the doctors in Brazil want to use WhatsApp. Very few, if any, returned voicemails left via cell phone. That was my personal experience not only with Dr. Pittella but with other prospective clinics as well. In addition to being free, WhatsApp offers a very good language translation service that I know was very helpful in my case (I speak some Portuguese but I was communicating in English with the doctor's staff). As far as scheduling the procedure, I believe it was a pretty fortunate set of circumstances. First, I was in Brazil for 3 weeks. Being in Rio means I was close to Vitoria where the clinic is located. Second, I had decided to go through with the FUE procedure, and I had decided that Dr. Pittella was a great choice. Third, my wife is Brazilian and my kids speak Portuguese. Dr Pittella manages a small clinic, and this Brazilian connection could have played some role, but it is hard to say. It was definitely somewhat of a scramble to mobilize and get the lab work done a week before, schedule the short flight and hotel, etc. But it was all worth it in the end. I received great care by a great surgeon and supporting team. They have monitored my progress daily for the past 24 days since the surgery (all via WhatsApp to which I post videos) along with periodic video consultations. In addition to all of this, Dr. Pittella is a good-natured and caring person. Melvin, I'd be happy to write a review when time permits.

I just want to thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I just completed FUE surgery with Dr. Pittella in Vitoria Brazil. We traveled 1 hour north by plane from Rio during our annual vacation from our home base in Los Angeles. 6,728 grafts on the crown and top. I did not need to reconstruct the hairline. Only one day in post-op but reportedly very successful thus far. I can’t say enough about my experience at Pittella’s clinic including the care and hospitality of the staff. I was likely sleeping through much of the surgery but counted no less than 6 people in the operating room at any one time. Very well resourced and efficient. I’ve never been to a doctor’s office that has a nicer interior design, complete with private suites, and I have ready access to clinics in Beverly Hills. Not that this is how one should research and choose a clinic but if you are looking at a quality surgeon comparable to Pittella then this could be a secondary factor. I can recommend him without hesitation. Thank you all for your guidance.

This is from an article published in Vanity Fair. Is Revela efficacious at slowing down hair loss, or is it snake oil? Should one replace monoxidil for Revela?

I'm really grateful to you guys. You've helped me understand how to select a clinic and get my priorities in order. The following statement by A_4_Archan was an epiphany, and it said again by Melvin in so many words: OK, I'll be calling Pitella on Monday to see in the rare case he has any cancellations over the next month. Otherwise, I'll wait and lock in an appointment far in advance. I have question about the medication: 1. I'm taking 1 mg Finasteride daily. Is this recommended by the forum to be optimal? 2. I was taking topical rogaine but switched to Revela. What is the forum's view on Revela? Efficacious or snake oil? 3. Any other prescription or OTC medication recommended in lieu of or in addition to the above two? 4. Two docs recommended Nutrafol vitamans. What do you guys think? 5. Based on the photos above, am I Norwood 4 or 3 Vertex? Thanks

To address Melvin's Qs: 1. State of hair loss. See photos below. Maybe Norwood 4 or 3 Vertex? I don't know. 2. Hairline. I'm OK with hairline. Would like to address crown and thicken/fill in on top if I have enough grafts to harvest. 3. Grafts: Clinic #1 ARTAS (said 1,800 to 2,000 grafts); Clinic #2 Neograft (said 2,500); Clinic #3 Neograft said 3,500. Obviously a wide range. All consults in Los Angeles. 4. Since researching methods on this website, I've jettisoned the ARTAS/Neograft method for manual FUE by a qualied surgeon I understand that, ideally, it is best to research this and not plan it around a vacation but the reality is that I won't be back in Brazil (or elsewhere) for another 12 months and have been losing hair at an increasing rate. I have submitted photos to Pittella for virtual consultation and will understand on Monday if he is even available. Will check out Leal as well. I have to believe there are great surgeons in Rio as it is a very large, modern city.

I knew that I was going to get strong recs for Pittella. I will consider him but I may not even be able to get on his schedule given my impending trip. Part of the allure in going to Brazil is the cost savings. From what I read, Pittella charges about $4.50/graft USD which is about the same here in LA (at least at one of my consults; other two were $6 and $8). Pitella has the reputation, but there must be very competent surgeons in Rio and Barra. The culture in Brazil, after all, has a vibrant consumer market for all manner of cosmetic surgery. I'm very interested to know if anyone either went to a Vinci clinic (there must be a dozen worldwide, and there is one in Rio) or knows them reputationally? I'm also interested in any other recs in Rio (Leblon, Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca, Botafogo or other neighborhoods). Thanks so much

Hello, I'm traveling to Rio next month and would like to ask for recommendations for a quality FUE clinic. In Los Angeles, I've done 3 consults which suggest 1,800 to 3,700 grafts are possible. Yes, a wide range. 2,500 on crown and 1,000+ on top/front. Hairline is fine and doesn't need work. I considered finding an ARTAS clinic (or Neograft) thinking it would reduce the due diligence I'd need to perform under the impression that outcomes would be fairly standard, but I have been disabused of that notion after reading posts on this forum. So I have turned to finding a reputable clinic in Rio or adjacent Barra da Tijuca area that do not use these robotic systems. I know that Pitella is a short flight away but want to explore quality options in Rio as a preference. There is a Vinci clinic located in Rio which is a global firm. Are they reputable? Any other specific suggestions? Thank you.