uncjim

LEGEND

All the best Business Teacher. I'm a Wong veteran and my life it better for it.

UNC

Drew,

Just getting a dusting in the crown, in my opinion, is important. There's a world of difference between a thinning crown and a bald spot. If that can be addressed the first time around, with satisfactory hairline density, wonderful. I suspect there will be a balancing act here.

UNC

Hi Centurian,

I've had a combination of plugs and scalp reductions from 1979 through 1989. My repair journey with

Dr. Wong of Hasson and Wong began is 2002, encompassed three surgeries, and was completed in January of last year. Please check out Uncjim's Hair Loss Weblog here along with these links that I posted recently.

http://hair-restoration-info.c...66060861/m/663106881

http://hair-restoration-info.c...66060861/m/212105512

My repair surgeries were done outside the U.S. (in Vancouver) via strip. My advice to you is not to rule either out before looking into them thoroughly.

All the Best,

UNC

Your fantastic results was one contributing factor to my choice of Dr Wong!

Drew,

Makes my day!

UNC

Drew,

Congratulations, you're in great hands! From the excellent pictures you've decided to share (WAY TO GO) it looks as if you have ample and healthy donor hair, so I wouldn't be surprised if you end up with some Bobman results.

I look forward to your story. All the best and remember, it's a process that requires patience. Unfortunately, we haven't found a way to speed up the clock.

UNC

jonrctim,

The attach depicts my shock loss at the 3 month mark after my last surgery. I was told by Dr. Wong, after he saw the picture, that the loss was temporary and that the hair would grow back in a month or so. As it turned out he was right. Good luck.

UNC

I returned because the "getting as much as possible" didn't satisfy me. The approach was for as much coverage as possible during each procedure. I required a return of scalp laxity in order to harvest the additional grafts to get me to where I am today.

Pics of my scar have been taken, but I've found them to be unsatisfactory. I think the only solution is to shave the area, but that's not going to happen considering the condition of my donor area due to the punch grafts. My contribution has been allowing numerous people to inspect my scar up close and personal.

I was totally unaware of the graft breakdown controversy. If the clinic indeed promised this and they haven't come through, that's not a good thing. From my experience, this would be totally out of character for them.

No PGP, I'm not hurt by your opinion which yes, you have every right to express. I do feel an obligation though to set the record straight by conveying my experience. Of that I'm passionate.

We agree, if this post helps the community, that's a good thing.

UNC

By the numbers being there, I'm referring to the total number of grafts. I thought I made that clear. That's been public for years and what's been pointed to in reference to inflating the numbers as a marketing tool.

The breakdown of 1s,2s,and higher, as I stated earlier, was there for me during surgery and as the doctor stated, part of everyone's chart. Now that there appears to be a public clamoring for this, apparently the information will be forthcoming.

I agree with you, there is nothing wrong with someone sticking up for their doctor. As far as Dr. Wong appreciating it, he damned well better!

Spex,

Thank you. You're support and positive attitude is appreciated. You're a good man.

UNC

I want to explain my experience with Dr. Wong as clearly as I can, as I believe his integrity has been under assault.

A primary reason for the megasession is patient satisfaction. When I first met him back in 2002, very early in the morning, we discussed the approach for the surgery. I told him that, because of the distance I was traveling (from Connecticut), I didn't want to return. His words were, 'Then we'll get as much as we can'. This was the case in subsequent surgeries. The donor area was pushed to the limit that the doctor deemed safe. As my donor area is filled with circular scars from plug surgeries, my yield was far less than would have been the case if I had a virgin scalp. The appearance of the strip was hair, scar tissue, hair, scar tissue, etc. My total of almost 7000 grafts over three surgeries would have been at least 40, maybe 50% higher. Of that I have no doubt. So I think we could clearly categorize my procedures as megasessions. In all 3 cases, I ended up with a pencil thin scar. Today, almost 15 months after my final surgery, the scalp laxity has returned. If there are doubters out there, email me at uncjim@hotmail.com or send me an I.M.

Now, do I think it's possible that clinics could inflate numbers as a marketing tool? Sure I do. Do I believe this is practiced by Hasson and Wong? Absolutely not. The numbers are there and they make those numbers public. Is this good for their business? Of course it is. In the end, they're approach of doing the very best they can for their patients, i.e. being the very best surgeons that they can be, has also been very good for their business. If there had been something insidious going on all these years, or a slew of unhappy patients, it would have caught up with them and been exposed by now. As stated by Dr. Wong in this thread, there is information out there for the public to garner if the interest is there:

For the non believers a video presentation of the technique I use to harvest wide (2cm+) strips was presented at the last ISHRS meeting.

UNC

Hairhope,

LOL..thanks Man. Thank you also for the the kind words and support through the years. All the best to you.

UNC

I dont see the advantages for anyone but the clinic.

PGP,

Do you mean financially? In the case of Hasson and Wong, with their present pricing structure, they'd actually make more money if they performed smaller procedures, as they offer a discount beyond 2500 grafts. Small procedures for financial gain (keep them coming back) is an approach used by some clinics. This I know from personal experience.

I'm also of the belief that fewer surgeries, i.e. less invasions, is a good thing as there's less risk to the underlying tissues. Point being, if these megassesions can be performed with minimal risk of a wide scar, I see this as a very good thing. In my case, the scar is quite thin and satisfactory. That being said, the scar may not work for others. What's of primary importance for me is the head of hair that I have today.

UNC

Hi All,

More ME! Attached are 3 images (years 2002,2004 and 2009) showing the evolution of my temple work performed by Doctor Wong and crew. You can use the birthmark under the hairline as a reference. The total reconstruction encompassed about 800 grafts per side. Note also the pluginess of my hairline in the 2002 image. YAHOO!!!

UNC

Hi All,

More ME! Attached are 3 images (years 2002,2004 and 2009) showing the evolution of my temple work performed by Doctor Wong and crew. You can use the birthmark under the hairline as a reference. The total reconstruction encompassed about 800 grafts per side. Note also the pluginess of my hairline in the 2002 image. YAHOO!!!

UNC

Thanks again Eman. You're looking good My Friend.

I'm not sure where all of this is coming from. During the latter part of all three of my procedures with Dr. Wong, after all of the grafts were harvested and before Dr. Wong performed the final slits, there was a graft count posted for me to see. The count consisted of 1s and 2s. Anything above that was referred to as "BIGS".

UNC

Drew,

Does anyone know if Dr Shapiro performs temple grafts?

That's a great question for him. Don't be shy about asking questions directly. It's your hair and your life.

Thanks for the compliment. Somehow, they never get stale.

UNC

The Founders, in their wisdom, realized that making room for a new breed would be part of the process. Welcome My Brother. It's a rarified air that we breath.

"Temples 'n Crowns Forever" Bobman. "Temples 'n Crowns Forever".

UNC

Drew,

Don't discount Dr. Wong's hairline work, it's second to none. Check my blog.

As far as choosing one over the other, or who's better, etc., that's a choice you're going to have to make after doing your own level of research and understanding your needs. In my opinion, everyone's decision ends up being somewhat subjective. I concur with all of the members, both are fine doctors.

UNC

So without further due - the final graft count is.....

 

..............................

 

..............................

 

2068

Hey, now wait a minute. That was going to be my guess! I mean, I realize I'm a little late here, but...

Way to go Bill. I'm looking forward to your progress.

Jim

Manko,

WOW, it's been a while. Blog years have to be at least Dog years considering how long we stick around (most never come back) so in my estimation, we're looking at...

Thanks so much for the extraordinarily kind words. They mean a lot. All the best to you in whatever strategy you use to conquer your hair loss.

UNC

Eman,

I can feel your joy and I'm thrilled for you. As you stated, 6 months is early and your results, to this point, are fantastic. Way to Go!

UNC

Joe,

The area improved dramatically after the one year mark. At this point, 14 months, I'm not convinced that things aren't continuing to progress. I'll still wake up in the morning with the expectation of seeing the nape hair separated and the punch scars exposed. It just aint' there and I'm loving it!

This has been a very big deal for me and you were there from the beginning. To have had it taken care of has given me a huge sense of relief. I know you appreciate that.

Thanks again Friend.

Jim

"I've got those hup-2-3-4 occupation GI blues, from my GI hair to the heels of my GI shoes ..."

AMEN BROTHER!