thewizard

I had a H/T with Dr. Beehner in April and I can say that the man is a true professional. It was my second H/T and it was a far better experience than my first. There was hardly any pain and 2 months after the surgery the numbness in my scalp was gone and I returned to normal feeling. The donor scar is very thin. In fact I went to get a haircut two months after the surgery and my stylist couldn't even tell.Dr. Beehner was honest and didn't pressure me into anything. His staff was wonderful and very professional. Anytime I called his office everyone was helpful. I chose the combination approach and had 33 % coupled FU's and 67% FU'S. I chose this approach and was not pressured at all by Dr. Beehner to make this decision. He would have performed an all FU surgery if that is what I wanted. I am 4 months post op and am seeing hairs starting to spout. p. I chose Dr Beehner after visiting several Doctors that are mentioned on this site. I feel I made the right choice for me. I spoke to several of Dr. Beehner's patients before my surgery and they all had good things to say about him. I was skeptical but I must say anything you heard positive about him is true. Look at his credentials and talk to his patients you will not be disappointed.

The average is 2.0 hairs per FU but can range from 1.6 hairs to 2.8 hairs per FU. Since it takes about 9,000 to 10,000 hairs to create the illusion of a full head of hair the more hairs per FU the less FU you will need to create this illusion. Yes, its an illusion cause your scalp originally had 80,000 to 100,000 hairs at one time. So for example if your hair density is 1.6 hairs per FU you would need approximately 5600 to 6250 FU @ 4.00 PER = $24,000. If your density is 2.5 hairs per FU you would need 3,600 to 4,000 FU. Of course there are other characteristics that will determine your density like fine or course hair, color of hair and the hair shaft diameter. If you have alot of 1 and 2 hair grafts and not enough 3 and 4 hair grafts for the central area behind your hairline most of the recommended doctors on this site will use coupled FU'S to add some density to the central portion of the scalp. I have been researching transplants for a few months now and I still don't know what a coupled FU is? Most of the doctors using all FU's will say its cut under a microscope and maintains the follicular family but I suspect its a fancy name for a minigraft. If there is a doctor who reads this maybe he / she can explain the difference between a coupled FU and Mingraft. If the two grafts are cut under a microscope and are approximately 1.00 mm to 1.25 mm what is the difference between a coupled FU and a minigraft?

my previous post assumes that the person is a Norwood 5a to 6. If you are lower you will need less hairs but remember unless yopu take propecia you may become a Norwood 6 or 7 and will need that many hairs over your lifetime

After doing research for my own hair transplant I believe that to achieve an appearance of a nice head of hair you would need approximately 8,500-10,000 hairs for a person with coarse hair, and 10,000 to 12,000 hairs for someone with fine hair. The question of how many FU's varies upon hair density. If someone has density of 2.0 hairs per FU , which is the average, then the number of FU's needed would range from 4,250 to 5,000 for coarse hair and 5,000 to 6,000 FU's for fine hair. Multiply $4.00 per FU by how many you will need and this will give you the cost of a hair transplant. Of course if you want to complicate things more what if your density is 1.5 hair per graft? You will need 7,000 or more FU''s and the donor area may not have that many. You then have to leave the crown area bald. It gets very complicated. This is why transplants are good for men in their 40's and 50's because those men would be happy with a mature hairline and adequate coverage, The younger men on here think the transplant is a cure and its not.You cannot get the same density as you had at 20 years old its impossible.

WYZKING, I have been doing research for a hair transplant for about 3 months now. Look at this site and try to select someone that's on the recommended list. Make sure you read the post cause they are extremely helpful and will give you alot of insight into the surgery. Also interview each doctor cause after all he or she is working for you. You should consider traveling if you cannot find anyone you are comfortable with in your area. After months of research some of the doctors that are highly regarded by their patients on this site are: Drs. Hasson and Wong- Vancouver Dr. Ron Shapiro - Minnesota Dr. Sharon Keene- Arizona- Dr. Paul T Rose- Florida- Dr. Bob Bernstein- New York Dr. Limmer- Texas Dr. Rassman- Los Angeles I am sure there are other excellent surgeons on this site but these are the ones most often talked about. Iwill make my decision in the next few weeks. I have narrowed my choices down to two Dr. Rose and Dr. Wong. Its a tough decision to make but its one I want to do right since I will live forever with the results. I am comfortable with both surgeons. Good Luck and do your homework don't rush into anything.

I am considering a 2,000 FU HT with Dr. Rose. Can anyone who had surgery with him tell me about the results? Is it better than you expected?. How about density? Better or worse than you expected? Was there any hair loss due to shock? I would like to hear from patients who are one or two years from the surgery, This way I can get a better assesssment of the results.

I met with Doctor Rose yesterday in NYC. I have to tell everyone on this site how impressed I was with him. Not only is he a true professional and very knowledgeable but also a caring person. He spent almost an hour with me answering all of my questions and explaining in detail the all FU procedure. He was honest and open about the procedure and even showed me the instruments he uses and explained why he prefered one instrument over the other. He carefully explained to me all of my options given my donor supply, the characteristics of my hair, the diameter of my hair shaft and hair color. I have had two consultations with other physicians in the NY area who are both recommended on this site. By far Dr. Rose consultation was the most open and comprehensive. Any potential candidates who are contemplating a hair transplant in the NY area owe it to themselves to have a consultation with Dr. Rose. He is a true professional with outstanding credentials and he is on Pat's list of recommended physicians. [This message was edited by thewizard on December 08, 2002 at 04:43 AM.]

I met with Doctor Rose yesterday in NYC. I have to tell everyone on this site how impressed I was with him. Not only is he a true professional and very knowledgeable but also a caring person. He spent almost an hour with me answering all of my questions and explaining in detail the all FU procedure. He was honest and open about the procedure and even showed me the instruments he uses and explained why he prefered one instrument over the other. He carefully explained to me all of my options given my donor supply, the characteristics of my hair, the diameter of my hair shaft and hair color. I have had two consultations with other physicians in the NY area who are both recommended on this site. By far Dr. Rose consultation was the most open and comprehensive. Any potential candidates who are contemplating a hair transplant in the NY area owe it to themselves to have a consultation with Dr. Rose. He is a true professional with outstanding credentials and he is on Pat's list of recommended physicians. [This message was edited by thewizard on December 08, 2002 at 04:43 AM.]

Noreaster My E-Mail is Dave79564@aol.com

I am interested to hear from patients who had a transplant from Dr. Beehner.

Doctor I think its better aesthetically speaking of course, to spread the grafts out more like in the 2nd picture. After all when someone tells us 20, 25 or 35 grafts per cm2 that is fine, but is no substitute for seeing the results.I feel in the second case the patient can tell you to go back and fill in here and there. The first patient is sort of the point of no return. If you don't like the dense look you are stuck with it till the next surgery or maybe more.The thinner look you can live with, it doesn't look disproportionate.

Doctor in my opinion its a better look.Much softer on the eye. How many grafts per cm 2 did you use compared to the first gentleman. Doctor I also want to personally thank you for contributing to this site your threads really help us understand the whole process better.

Doctor that is very good work. It is impressive the density in the front third of the scalp. What percentage of the 1800 grafts actually took? That is the most important question don't you think?. There is some controversy upward of 25 grafts per cm2 as you are aware since you are an active participant on this site. I am wondering doctor you seem to take the scalp and split it into 3 phases. In the second and third phase will you decrease the grafts per cm2 or will you continue using the same amount. Personally spaeking of course I rather see the 1800 grafts spread out over the first half of the scalp then go back later and fill in. But I know from reading your threads you feel its much better to complete one area then proceed forward.

Noreaster a couple of days ago I posted a topic on the same question you just asked. How many grafts per cm2 does it take to get decent coverage. What is that number. Of course I understand different people expect different looks. I am 49, I want to look like a 49 year old with a decent amount of hair not John Travolta at 25!!! Another question I would like answered is do you densely pack in the front and top then gradually reduce the grafts per cm2 as you get near the crown. Does that blend correctly? I have read on this site where a few people had 6,000 to 7,000 grafts if that is what it takes I think people should know before they start the process. I believe most people when they start the HT process think that 1500- 2000 grafts will be sufficient. Then they see after the transplant that it is not enough and go back for many more HT. After reading the numerous threads on this site I am getting to think that this is a life long committment at a significant cost. If it takes 6,000 grafts @ 5.00 that is $30,000. Would most people start if they knew it would cost that much? It will be interesting to hear from other patients and of course surgeons on this subject.

I am in the process of completing research for my second hair transplant. The first HT was to the frontal region and I had 500 grafts. I am planning to have an all FU procedure in the next few months. I would like to know from the surgeons who perform all FU procedures how many FU grafts in total will it take to get nice coverage? I am 49 years old Norwood VI with an average 2.2 hairs per FU and fine texture. Is it 20, 25 or 30 grafts per cm2, and on an average size scalp what does that come to in total grafts. How many thousands?

I am in the process of completing research for my second hair transplant. The first HT was to the frontal region and I had 500 grafts. I am planning to have an all FU procedure in the next few months. I would like to know from the surgeons who perform all FU procedures how many FU grafts in total will it take to get nice coverage? I am 49 years old Norwood VI with an average 2.2 hairs per FU and fine texture. Is it 20, 25 or 30 grafts per cm2, and on an average size scalp what does that come to in total grafts. How many thousands?

Now I am really confused...all the proponents of FU transplants are now saying 10 % is acceptable...who determines that cutoff....in a few months from now will someone say 70% fu and 30% larger grafts are acceptable ...as long as the larger grafts are cut under a microscope and the follicular familes are kept...I guess it all comes down to the basic concepts that 1) The doctor you choose cuts under a microscope 2) He / she is well respected in the Hair Transplant Community 3) HT is his only practice 4) The doctor uses a single blade to cut the donor area. 5) He is sincere and upfront with his evaluation It seems to me the debate of some minigrafts with FU'S are a matter of opinion and up to the patient to decide but one cannot bash another doctor for a different approach because that doctor chooses to use larger grafts sprinkled in with the FU'S as long as he meets the above criteria . Am I missing something here?

I am somewhat confused by the great debate between minigrafts and Fu's. For months now I have been reading on this site how FU'S are superior to minigrafts. Some respected surgeons perform a blending technique where FU's are used for the hairline, crown and crease areas and some minigrafts that maintain the follicular families are used on the top of the head. I have read numerous times that this doesn't achieve natural results and that the FU'S are the only way to have a transplant.In April of this year Dr Beehner made a case for blend grafting to achieve density and still maintain naturalness. Many regular participants to this site stated that this is outdated and that FU'S are the best way to go. What disturbs me is that I now have read two threads from people who had transplants by prominent surgeons renowned for their work with FU'S only. In both cases the patients said that two one hair follicules were inserted into one site to achieve density, and in the other two two hair follicule units were inserted into one site to achieve density. Is that FU's or minigrafts? If its minigrafts then why are doctors saying they perform all FU' s when they are not. If you use minigrafts that maintain the follicular family and they are 2 to 4 hairs why is that different than inserting two one- hair or two two -hair follicules into one site. I would like to here some discussion on this issue. I am not paid by anyone or have any ties to any surgeon I am just trying to make a decision for my second HT but I always find information that is contradictory like this. If FU'S are so good then when you see pictures of patients why don't you ever see them with the top of the head showing In most cases its always the front. Is it a density issue? Evidently, it must be when surgeons using all FU's feel the need to put two grafts into one site. I made a mistake the first HT I don't want to make a second mistake but I feel like you can never make a decision because there are always hidden factors that are never mentioned at consultations. Like using multiple grafts in one site... opps I forgot they are FU's so that makes it different than mini's or does it. Let the debate begin!!!

I am somewhat confused by the great debate between minigrafts and Fu's. For months now I have been reading on this site how FU'S are superior to minigrafts. Some respected surgeons perform a blending technique where FU's are used for the hairline, crown and crease areas and some minigrafts that maintain the follicular families are used on the top of the head. I have read numerous times that this doesn't achieve natural results and that the FU'S are the only way to have a transplant.In April of this year Dr Beehner made a case for blend grafting to achieve density and still maintain naturalness. Many regular participants to this site stated that this is outdated and that FU'S are the best way to go. What disturbs me is that I now have read two threads from people who had transplants by prominent surgeons renowned for their work with FU'S only. In both cases the patients said that two one hair follicules were inserted into one site to achieve density, and in the other two two hair follicule units were inserted into one site to achieve density. Is that FU's or minigrafts? If its minigrafts then why are doctors saying they perform all FU' s when they are not. If you use minigrafts that maintain the follicular family and they are 2 to 4 hairs why is that different than inserting two one- hair or two two -hair follicules into one site. I would like to here some discussion on this issue. I am not paid by anyone or have any ties to any surgeon I am just trying to make a decision for my second HT but I always find information that is contradictory like this. If FU'S are so good then when you see pictures of patients why don't you ever see them with the top of the head showing In most cases its always the front. Is it a density issue? Evidently, it must be when surgeons using all FU's feel the need to put two grafts into one site. I made a mistake the first HT I don't want to make a second mistake but I feel like you can never make a decision because there are always hidden factors that are never mentioned at consultations. Like using multiple grafts in one site... opps I forgot they are FU's so that makes it different than mini's or does it. Let the debate begin!!!

Doctor first let me express my gratitude in your active participation to this site. You definitely educate all of us with your numerous messages and you help bring important issues to the forefront. I have seen some photos of your HT patients and they look great and I know a few of your patients and they are very happy with your work. I do understand about dense packing of up to 30 -35 FU grafts per square centimeter in the front third of the scalp to achieve density. Are you then saying that a successful full transplant that is aestically pleasing to the eye would take approximately 6000 fu grafts. Since the average scalp area is approximately 200 square centimeters. If you front load the transplant with more graphs in the front than the back 2/3 area, how does that look aestically. I have seen some HT on men that have all hair in the front and hardly any in the rear and I must say it doesn't look that great, too much skin showing in the rear and crown area. No one seems to answer the question of how many grafts are needed to achieve decent coverage throughout the scalp that will look good for a Norwood 5 -6. Also, I have read alot about FU vs Mini graphs and agree that FU are the way to go in the front hairline, crown and sides but what is the drawback of using them on the top middle portion of the scalp, do you lose that much naturalness when Mini or micro graphs are used in this area. Thank You.

Doctor first let me express my gratitude in your active participation to this site. You definitely educate all of us with your numerous messages and you help bring important issues to the forefront. I have seen some photos of your HT patients and they look great and I know a few of your patients and they are very happy with your work. I do understand about dense packing of up to 30 -35 FU grafts per square centimeter in the front third of the scalp to achieve density. Are you then saying that a successful full transplant that is aestically pleasing to the eye would take approximately 6000 fu grafts. Since the average scalp area is approximately 200 square centimeters. If you front load the transplant with more graphs in the front than the back 2/3 area, how does that look aestically. I have seen some HT on men that have all hair in the front and hardly any in the rear and I must say it doesn't look that great, too much skin showing in the rear and crown area. No one seems to answer the question of how many grafts are needed to achieve decent coverage throughout the scalp that will look good for a Norwood 5 -6. Also, I have read alot about FU vs Mini graphs and agree that FU are the way to go in the front hairline, crown and sides but what is the drawback of using them on the top middle portion of the scalp, do you lose that much naturalness when Mini or micro graphs are used in this area. Thank You.

Jeff, I know Dr. Feller is on Pat's list but that is all I know. I am trying to get information from patients who had a H/T from him before I set up a consultation with him.

yes he is on the list

Anyone had a HT with Dr. Feller?

Anyone had a HT with Dr. Feller?