itsabouttime

http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=765

Just got back from surgery, pretty out of it and in some pain but thought I'd write a quick little review here. Everything I read about Dr. Rahal and his team were an understatement. It's hard to comprehend how good everyone there is at their job until you go through it yourself. The friendliness and professionalism of everyone, Dr. Rahal, Adrian, the Technicians, Theresa, was just great. the inevitable future surgery (hopefully not soon) will definately be there. For now, can't wait for this pain to go away and start growing . Pictures upcoming of course, I'm gonna go try to get my mind off this pain. Cheers,

Just got back from surgery, pretty out of it and in some pain but thought I'd write a quick little review here. Everything I read about Dr. Rahal and his team were an understatement. It's hard to comprehend how good everyone there is at their job until you go through it yourself. The friendliness and professionalism of everyone, Dr. Rahal, Adrian, the Technicians, Theresa, was just great. the inevitable future surgery (hopefully not soon) will definately be there. For now, can't wait for this pain to go away and start growing . Pictures upcoming of course, I'm gonna go try to get my mind off this pain. Cheers,

About $3.5/graft. Ye from all the results I've seen here and on other forums, FUT graft usage seems to be a lot more efficient at this point.

Well, after another week of nonstop research, emails, consults, discussion and reflection, I have decided to go with Rahal after all. I looked around all the boards online and saw umpteen results. FUT is definately the way to go for this procedure, and Rahal is one of the best choices. Procedure is booked for May 15th for 3000-3500 grafts starting from the front and moving towards the back without wasting too much on the crown at this point. 4000 grafts FUE for mainly crown work with Armani was just a ridiculous consideration for so many reasons. Anyway, now I wait in anticipation. Will definatly get a blog started etc when the time comes to contribute to the community as results are great to see when doing your research. Thanks for all responses and care.

Still seems like the strip procedure is my best bet at this point for a big first sitting. Would rather not waste any donor supply with potential FUE mishandling. Of all the strip doctors I've reviewed so far, Rahal seems like the best bet, although I haven't spoken to H&W yet.

Ye it seems for the first big procedure strip might be best, but not sure if I really wanna be scarred like that...maybe it's not that much of an issue. Will look into the other guys thanks.

Interesting, he does BHT too, I have a ton of that....will have to look into this. Thanks.

Zone 1 for me is fine, Zone 2 could use some work, and it's most zone 3 and 4 that are the problem...for now anyway. I am quite nervous about doing 4000 in one sitting with FUE cause it's apparent that might waste some grafts. Still, even 3000, not having the scar would be nice. I see lots of happy patients online from both docs...Armani's campaign is definatly more aggressive. Still not sure who to go with...essentially, they will give you what you want anyway, I could go to Armani and say I want this many grafts here and here, I don't have to do 4000 there if I don't want to obviously. This board is obviously gonna be mroe biased towards Rahal anyway for so many reasons...hard decision overall...

I did book with Armani but have not left a deposit...yes I agree about his consultant, I'd think more fondly of Armani if I did not discuss anything with that kid...Armani's only hurting his practice with that individual...anyway. Been on prop 3 months now, was on minoxidil for a bit, going back on soon. What's the graft limit of the strip procedure in one sitting? How about FUE? Here's the pic. Making this decision really comes down to trusting that the grafts left over aren't enough to cover the rest of the potential balding and leaving the crown alone for now. Still seems inconsistent that 4000 grafts can cover all this, and 3 or 4000 more isnt enough to cover what could also be lost in the future. http://hairnetwork.newrosoftmods.com/groupee_files/attachments/8/4/6/8461029853/8461029853_top.jpg

Firstly, yes I was wrong, Rahal would be a strip procedure, I apologize. Thanks for all the responses. notgoing2gobald, your response addresses my concerns really well and sheds some nice light, thank you. I am realizing how emotional I am getting about this whole thing and it's clouding my judgement. Deep down it's obvious I am trying to convince myself that I can restore all now and everything will be okay, it might...but as much as I feel I'm willing to make choices now on "maybes", I probably won't have the same mindset 20 years down the road. Perhaps this whole Armani situation is jumping the gun. I walked out of there thinking wow I was just told what I wanted to hear, what do these guys think I'm a sucker, and yet, it still manifests in my decision-making. Regardless, I have some thinking to do, but, it does seem to be a common theme in hair restoration in all boards etc that it's not a good idea to throw too much into the crown... Now, I do have one question however. In my situation, looking at my head, if, 4000 grafts is enough to cover all of this, then, I fail to see how 3-4000 more is not enough to cover other hair loss...that would mean I would have to lose an amount equal to or greater then the balding areas now, which just based on the size of my head seems unplausable. I can't help but look at it like that...

Right, he does FUE and that is what I discussed with him...? Perhaps I'm missing something here?

Rahal is not strip, both are FUE... Right distance shouldn't be much of a factor, but it's slightly considered when assessing post-op factors, in this case neither doc will be "next door" so it's cancelled out.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding but there seems to be an inconsistency in what you're saying. You're saying results are greater then ethics and so therefore rahal is greater then armani...although...rahal is the more ethical one in general.... Also, I can take then from your comment that you're saying rahal has more proven world class results....does armani not as well?...

Should also mention that Armani's 4000 graft recommendation is at 20-40/cm2.

Hi, I have read all the information here and other boards about both doctors, but some input would still be nice. I'm 25, NW4ish with a pretty strong hairline and some temple recession, areas 3 and 4 are really bad. Rahal said he would only do 3000 grafts for now, while Armani said 4000 is fine. Both estimated around 7-8 thousand donor supply. My lineage isn't that bad, mom's side males are fine, dad and one brother have also bad areas 3 and 4 with an ok hairline and temple recession. Of course, Armani's ethical standards have been called into question almost everywhere online, but it seems to be more for hairline packing, which doesn't apply to me as they agreed my hairline is fine for now. Both doctors want to put about 1000 grafts in Zone 2 as the middle area of that part is bad. Rahal wants to keep going and stop at the crown pretty much for now and hold off from using any more grafts. Armani wants to keep going and close off the crown right away. At this point I'm a little confused to be honest. From the research I've done I don't know if it's really necessary to be as conservative as Rahal wants to be considering my genetics etc. But also, Armani's team/the whole situation there is pretty annoying, I've felt sales-pitched from the moment going in there, which is just ridiculous considering this is a situation where people are going with open wallets saying in not so many words "please help me now", and the consultants job is simply to sit there be nice and make people comfortable...apparently Armani's consultants think they're selling used cars...anyway, that's just my opinion... I felt comfortable with Rahal and Adrian. Although I don't know if it's necessary to be that conservative, I want the best possible surgery I can get now considering my donor supply, and think that can be more then 3000. Also, Armani's clinic is here in Toronto which also makes things easier. I know there are tons of reservations about Armani with hairline etc but again that just doesn't apply to me. If I can get 4000 done now and even have only 3000 left for the future, with the hairline not having been touched and the crown and top filled in then why not. My dad is a NW5 at most and I do not have any genetic propensity for complete baldness where its just the sides and the back. I made it very clear to both that the only factor I want influencing the extent of my surgery was future consideration. Sure Armani could be being more aggressive for money, but Rahal could also be more conservative for money and spread out over a few surgeries what can reasonably be done in 2. Again, my dad is in his late fifties and he will never go completely bald on top... I would like to have my mind made up soon however as I do have a booking with Armani somewhat soon. The fact that I don't get to speak to him or see him right away, and who knows where he is at any point in time doesn't sit well with me either, but, Rahal is far from me too so not that much different. Armani of course is also a little more expensive but also 30 minutes away from me. I'd say I'm probably leaning more towards Armani now. What do you guys think?

Oh and another thing, the condition of my hair has improved, especially at the front. It feels tougher, looks thicker. I blowdryed my hair back today and had to struggle to see the emptiness at the top...it really wasn't like that a week ago...again maybe I'm coming out of a shedding period...still can't wait to see what potential lies in prop months down the road, not to mention the surgery for the front and middle.

second pic

Just started a week ago, today after my shower, I realized I had to tilt my head a little bit more to see the damage in full...a certain area near the middle there is noticeably thicker (I look at my head quite a bit). It could just be a coincidence, maybe I'm just coming out of a natural shedding period or something, maybe I'm just seeing things in hope, but it does seem like a difference to me, and it was noticed in the mirror, so I took a pic to contrast with a pic I took a month ago. Also, a few days ago, I noticed an abrupt shift in how I felt. Sitting down one day a few days after I started prop, I got comfortable to work, and noticed I felt a little dizzy and out of it. Was wondering what was going on, had enough sleep, lunch, etc, then I remembered the prop. It was weird, I get a feeling like that every so often now. I'm also feeling a bit more moody and emotional. I wanna play it off as a all in my head but I'm having trouble doing it. I sincerely am more emotional. I don't know, maybe it's a hormonal shock, maybe I'm very susceptible to its effects...I'm pretty sensitive to all drugs, alcohol for example. I'm pretty lightheaded now for example, just feel out of it and my head is pretty heavy. Been like that most of the day. Is it possible to just be really susceptible to its effects, which I guess would be a good and bad thing. Another thing is I'm also overheating, usually at this thermostat temp I'm ready to freeze, I'm pretty flushed and hot. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun in anticipation, but does anyone see the difference in the pics? Just to mention as well, I will be getting my transplant in april with Dr. Rahal. thanks

Just started a week ago, today after my shower, I realized I had to tilt my head a little bit more to see the damage in full...a certain area near the middle there is noticeably thicker (I look at my head quite a bit). It could just be a coincidence, maybe I'm just coming out of a natural shedding period or something, maybe I'm just seeing things in hope, but it does seem like a difference to me, and it was noticed in the mirror, so I took a pic to contrast with a pic I took a month ago. Also, a few days ago, I noticed an abrupt shift in how I felt. Sitting down one day a few days after I started prop, I got comfortable to work, and noticed I felt a little dizzy and out of it. Was wondering what was going on, had enough sleep, lunch, etc, then I remembered the prop. It was weird, I get a feeling like that every so often now. I'm also feeling a bit more moody and emotional. I wanna play it off as a all in my head but I'm having trouble doing it. I sincerely am more emotional. I don't know, maybe it's a hormonal shock, maybe I'm very susceptible to its effects...I'm pretty sensitive to all drugs, alcohol for example. I'm pretty lightheaded now for example, just feel out of it and my head is pretty heavy. Been like that most of the day. Is it possible to just be really susceptible to its effects, which I guess would be a good and bad thing. Another thing is I'm also overheating, usually at this thermostat temp I'm ready to freeze, I'm pretty flushed and hot. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun in anticipation, but does anyone see the difference in the pics? Just to mention as well, I will be getting my transplant in april with Dr. Rahal. thanks

Thanks for the honest responses. I have been using rogaine for 2 years now. Also, the spironolactone, which is basically a topical propecia, I used for 1 year. I predict they slowed things down quite a bit, but without much regrowth. Of course, after the surgery, I have no problem taking propecia if need be. Perhaps by goals are a bit unrealistic this time around, but I'm sure I'd be happy with the significant difference now, until the second go down the road.

Ye I'm bracing myself for possibly more grafts needed, whatever it takes. I just hope it fills in nice. I'm really curious how results look under light, as pretty much all pics I see everywhere seem to be done just right. thanks.

Hi everyone, firstly of course, thanks to everyone who took/takes the time to make this community what it is, pretty much all information I've explored since starting this journey came from this site. Now to my situation - I'm 24, started noticing things brewing at 19, throughout the stressful 4 years at university, I had quite drastic shedding. It has been almost 2 years since then and things are just now starting to slow down. I have been on rogaine for 2 years, and was on spironolactone for 1 year, ending 1 year ago. I am fortunately now in a position, finally, to remedy the situation. I will not let finances be a hindrance, financing or otherwise. I also refuse to wait any longer, I understand that at this age, I will probably require another surgery down the road, but that is fine. I've made peace with the fact that this is a situation in my life, and will continue to be. I have no problem taking the necessary steps to accomodate this fact. Another surgery 10 years from now is just fine. I would like a full head of hair restored, of course it won't be as thick as my younger years, but even under light, I don't want odd-looking visibility of scalp. I hope this is realistic, as the hair on the top of the sides of my head and the back are still quite thick and dense. I'm from Toronto, and after lots of research, it appears that Dr. Rahal is the best bet. I am ready to take the plunge, and had the online consultation with Dr. Rahal. My pictures are included below. He recommended 3500 grafts for hairline and all the way to the back. It would be great to hear what you all think about the situation, Dr. Rahal, my level of balding, whlie tieing in your own experiences. Thanks again.