PCC

Hi All, I came across literature from several years back (mid 90's?) on this practitioner, DBA "The Florida Hair Transplant Center" with offices in Orlando and Clearwater. I never went to him and with all I've learned here am relieved that I didn't. Advocated scalp reductions as a "safe and effective proceedure"(AARGGG!) I don't think he's around anymore but was curious if anyone had any experience or knowledge of him, especially other "HT vets" in the sunshine state. Even if he is still practicing he obviously is not counted among the top independent docs which says a lot. Phil

I actually started a post this past summer when I inquired if anyone had information on Matt Lauer. I think it is a sure bet although I feel he looks very good. He does still have the big thin spot at the crown. I've also wondered about James Caan and Kelsey Grammer. Nicholas Cage seems to wear a hair system much of the time. I've seen pictures of him in private life where he looks completely barren in front. In his latest movie, his hair is drastically different. The actor Hector Elizondo of "Chicago Hope" is very bald and wears a system in some roles, although I don't think he does in real life at all. The most recent that comes to mind is "The Runaway Bride". However it looks very natural on him, the hairline is visible, and the appearance is appropriate for a man his age. Phil

I started receeding rapidly in my mid teens and surely the front/top would have been completely barren by the age of 22-23 if not for my proceedures. (What fun during the "big hair" and looks obsessed 80's!) My father still had thick hair when he passed away. However there are two balding uncles and a grand uncle all on my mother's side. I am an only child although two male cousins always have had gorgeous heads of hair and have only recently started to thin a little in their late 30's and early 40s. Phil

Re Troy's posts: By all means, go on with your life after a brief period of recuperation and healing. The new hair will come in due time. You do have one of the best as far as a doctor and you should feel reassured about that. Just try to avoid "romanticizing" about hair restoration making life perfect, solving all your problems, etc. An improved appearance and resuling confidence can certainly help but those traits have to come from within. Re Robert's post: I am well aware of the many derogatory, hurtful, and sarcastic references to "hair plugs" in the media and entertainment. The most recent was in the commercial about identity theft which was otherwise very funny. You are correct in that these are almost always the brainchild of "those who have hair down into their eyebrows". But for those of us who have suffered the snide jabs are no laughing matter. Phil

Medkram, Yes, it is possible to have incorrectly placed graphs and/or the old larger "plugs" surgically removed, broken up into follicular units, and then redistributed. That is one of the needs I am facing. The process is described in great detail in the section of this site devoted to corrective work. PCC

I especially have to laugh when they promote their seminars and promise "appetizers and 100 free graphs". To those of us who have "been through it" or anyone with a warped sense of humor that lends itself to some really sick jokes!

Hi Ken, Your experience closely parallels mine. Check our my post "Sharing my story" for the details. I think you and I are in the same boat and I know exactly what you are feeling and going through. Yes, I know all too well the funny looks and snide comments/questions, mostly from men. They are disconcerting and discouraging. I am also exploring options for repair/refinement, evaluating the top independent docs here in FL, and realizing that my donor supply may allow only one more. I think it's probably inevitable but I still dread the thought of it. Phil C.

Hello Dr. Rose, Can your "ledge" technique be employed to improve/reduce old donor area scarring from previous proceedures? Phil C.

Young Loser, Although I am now in my early 40's I began losing my hair at 16-17 so I feel well qualified to respond. Your feelings are very normal and natural so don't feel like you're alone. Please know that we care! Everything cited by Robert I experienced like difficulty beginning to date, self consciousness about going away to college, questions/comments from others, no longer wanting to swim, the list could go and on. As I have said before I find it very refreshing now that younger guys are accepting their situation to the point of shaving their heads. This was definately not the case during what I fondly refer to as the "big hair" decade of the 80's. Yet I know that this look is not desired by everyone and for others hairloss is extremely traumatic. I also agree wholeheartedly with Robert that hair restoration is not a "cure all", especially in regards to depression. I know that all too well from my proceedures! Becoming as emotionally and physically healthy as you can be, through diet, exercise, and maybe even some counseling will put you in the best possible state to eventually address the hairloss issue. PCC

Hi Everybody, I concur that these claims are inappropriate, unethical, and unrealistic, especially the one about regrowing a "full head of hair". Yet this is exactly what I believed when I was young, uninformed, and desperately searching for a solution to my problem. PCC

Hello All, I am in agreement. If one looks at the profiles of the surgeons from the two nationwide hair restoration conglomerates, it seems like most of them have backgrounds in vastly different branches of medicine like ER, neurology, or even psychiatry. Maybe they are burned or forced to leave their given field and are looking for something they perceive as an "easy out". Some of their younger doctors may be a safer bet as they could represent emerging talent who will go out on their own once their contractual obligations are satisfied. PCC

Harve, Your experience parallels mine in many ways. I am a veteran of 5 HT proceedures spanning my late teens to early 30's. See my post "Sharing my story" for details and my resume. The last was 10 years ago, the surgery and recovery took a lot out of me physically and emotionally, and I swore "never again". The results however ended up being an improvement upon the earlier work and here I am now at 41 considering further refinement/correction to the hairline, improved density in front, and reduction of old donor scarring. I have concerns about how much usable donor I have left. I dread the thought of it but realize "one more" may be inevitable. Now though I have the benefit of a great support like this site and owe it to myself to consult with one of the top independent docs.

Hi rsanders36, I can really empathize and relate to your situation. However I'm not sure if what you're experiencing is shock loss from your first transplant or the normal progression of male pattern baldness. Of course, you know by now that transplants do nothing to prevent further hairloss. When I first started losing hair as a teenager it progressed like wildfire. At the ages of 16-17, I completely lost my bangs and my frontal hairline receeded at the temples. Although I could no longer wear my hair parted down the middle and feathered back (which those of us who grew up during the late 70's and 80's know was the style then) the density in front was still fairly good. Although this certainly didn't look normal for a teenager back then, when I look back at old pictures I would have been very satisfied if my hairloss had just stopped at this point because it would look perfectly appropriate for me now (early 40's). Fast forward one short year to my senior year in High School (ages 17-18). The density in front had drastically thinned out and what was left was limp and flat. I had an elaborate "combover" routine with a comb, brush, and hairspray and "bad hair days" were common especially with our infamous Florida heat and humidity. My hair looked awful as evidenced by many yearbook and graduation pictures being ruined and I couldn't do anything to make it half way presentable. I was so embarrassed/ashamed that I did not go to my senior prom, let along having difficulty getting dates. My first hairtransplant proceedure was at age 19 to begin restoring the hairline and frontal area. Of course, the rear half of the top and crown started to go in subsequent years. I think my experience is typical of how rapidly hairloss progresses, especially the early stages. I will repeat the advice of others that in your situation you should begin the medicinal regimens of Rogaine and/or Propecia to attempt to supress the "normal" progression of hairloss and keep more of what you now have. PCC

Hello All, I want to thank Ashley for her kind and supportive comments. The parallels between hairloss and weight are definately something I can relate to. My wife constantly tells me that my hair "is a non-issue" to her, although it certainly is an issue for me. Likewise, I am not particularly bothered by her weight, although I know she is uncomfortable about it. I guess when you commit yourself to someone for life it includes loving them "for them", imperfections as well as assets. However, being overweight or obese carries with it physical health implications that hairloss clearly does not. For this reason I encourage my wife to diet and exercise. Indeed, it is "what's inside" that really counts. Sadly though in the world today there are individuals who if they don't like what they see outside they're not going to give what's inside a chance. This is especially true professionally and is an ongoing concern to those of us who have had prior hair restoration results that we are self conscious of. Hair restoration, like any other form of self improvement, is never going to solve all one's problems. Any "issues"and stressors are still going to be there. If done properly though (especially corrections/revisions), it may help our outlook on dealing with those issues. What that said, I want to add that the status and image of baldness in society has changed drastically for the better since I began losing my hair as a teenager and young adult in the 80's. I think the tide began to turn around 10 years ago. There are many examples of this but one very good one is the TV actor Micheal Chiklis (SP?). When he was "The Commish" back in the early 90's he was just a portly guy with thinning hair, kind of nerdy. Fast forward to the present with "The Shield". With his now completely shaved bald head, buff body,and shades he plays a very cool, tough, macho character. I never used to accept the old line of "Bald is beautiful" but now it really can be and cool! Personally, I think he looks fantastic. Many of us would probably love to be able to do this now but for obvious reasons could not. PCC

Hi Everyone, I'm not sure if this should have gone under the forum on Questions and Answers, but could someone clarify the relationship between Drs, Shapiro, Rose, Charles, and Keene. It's obvious they are friends and colleagues and there is some kind of affiliation or partnership. But it is not clear to what extent, from a legal and business perspective. I know the others go to Dr. Shapiro's office in Minnesota regularly to train and do surgeries. Are they part of one group or do they all own and operate their individual practices? PCC

Hi Everyone, I'm not sure if this should have gone under the forum on Questions and Answers, but could someone clarify the relationship between Drs, Shapiro, Rose, Charles, and Keene. It's obvious they are friends and colleagues and there is some kind of affiliation or partnership. But it is not clear to what extent, from a legal and business perspective. I know the others go to Dr. Shapiro's office in Minnesota regularly to train and do surgeries. Are they part of one group or do they all own and operate their individual practices? PCC

Hi Arfy, I want to commend you on your wisdom regarding the realities of surgical hair restoration as demonstrated by your many posts. I think we veterans know all too well that it is not a "cure" for hairloss (and neither are the medicinal regimens when you think about it). I concur that younger males considering proceedures must understand this. I blame the slick marketing of the HR conglomerates for promoting questionable results and expectations. Men with luxurious, flowing heads of hair in a variety of styles are depicted engaging in physical and social activities often accompanied by attractive women. The implication is that a "pre baldness" level of density and coverage has been recreated. If they are indeed real patients and not actors/models, I would like to know just how much work they had and what was the extent of their hairloss. Of course, a "full head of hair" is relative and means different things to different people. The illusion of coverage may not be the best choice of words as the hair is very much real. I prefer to think of mature men who may not have the most full, thick, or gorgeous hair but don't "look bald" either. I think this is a more tangible concept. I accept that even under the best of circumstances and with the latest technology, I'm always going to be a balding guy. My coping abilities about this at 41 are much different than at 21. I couldn't care less about my crown but would like refinment of my prior work, especially improving the hairline and more frontal density. PCC

Hi Guys, Thanks for the insightful responses! I think it is safe to assume that Matt Lauer has had work done, although he may not be willing to admit it. I thought that it was interesting that when questioned he would only say that he "would never go with plugs". As we all know that no one is doing plugs anymore, this response was not altogether dishonest! I agree that Billy Bob wears a hairsystem and I think Nicholas Cage does also. I have seen pictures of both where they were completely bald on top. The densities look too thick to be HTs. However I think their hairsystems look fairly natural and are appropriate for their ages and appearance. Here's a couple others I have thought of as possible suspects for HTs. Kelsey Grammer: He has always been a balding man but over 20 years of Frazier and Cheers his hairloss doesn't seem to have gotten any worse ( hasn't receeded further down the sides or back etc) and he seems to have a little more up front than he used to.However, he has kept his hair shorter and experimented with a beard a couple times both of which can affect overall apperance. This certainly could also be explained by the medicinal regimens of Rogaine and Propecia. James Caan: Someone else here mentioned him recently and I recall not complimentary. Seeing him now on "Las Vegas" his hair obviously is not curly and wavy like earlier in his career. It is fine/thin with a high hairline (which seems exactly where it should be on men beyond a certain age) and little bit of crown showing through in back. However he doesn't "look bald" and I think this is perfectly appropriate for a man his age. PCC

Per the HCM website, Dr. Dan Didocha, who has had several very glowing recommendations in these forums, is one of the HT surgeons who is now affiliated with them. From what I have read here, he either seems to have mulitple offices or to have moved around the country quite a bit (Michigan, Atlanta area, Colorado). PCC

Hi Gillenator, Your unfortunate experience shows exactly why I never went with a hair system. Most of the men I know, especially the ones who are gracefully accepting their balding, would never ever do that. I am a profuse sweater, especially during yard work season here in hot and humid Florida. Of course, my head is covered by a hat for protection from the sun during these times. I shower and wash my hair twice a day this time of year which would make a system even more out of the question. As previously reported I also serve as a volunteer firefighter and have to laugh when I see the Hair Club ads and website portraying "supposed" firefighters wearing the systems on duty! We wear a bulky fire helmet, an air mask, and a nomex protective hood. The thing would be ruined and be pulled or fall off upon removing all this gear! However, isn't Hair Club also getting into the surgical hair restoration business. Don't they now have a couple of they claim "renowned" HT surgeons working through some of their sites out west? PCC

Hello All, This is in response to the topic of pictures being deceiving but also ties into my post of celebrities who may have had hair restoration. I was checking out Bosley's website (out of curiosity to see if they had any new surgeons)and who happens to be their latest celeb spokesperson/patient but Pat O'Brien of "Access Hollywood" fame. I have always thought he had very thin, fine hair but never completely bald on top and looking very appropriate for a man his age. Of course Bosley had the before and after pictures but to me they were very inconclusive as to whether he actually had anything done. The "before" was under very stark lighting and looked like a mug shot, which may be the case given some of the controversies about him recently. His head was bowed and his wisps of hair were combed straight forward/down, which of course exposed and accentuated the barren areas. The "afters" were essentially publicity shots from the TV show. He was shown from the front only and even then not a close up and in subdued lighting. The hair was swept back and up and it looks as if he colors his hair and/or uses something like Toppik to give more of an appearance of fullness. It just shows that we shouldn't put much stock in pictures alone which can be easily manipulated. In his comments, O'Brien swore that his proceedures were "so easy and didn't hurt at all" Those of us who have been there know that is also a skewering of the truth. PCC

Politik/Guy and Wallywonka, Thanks for the insightful responses to my post. I can't believe that in almost 100 views no one else has any ideas or observations about Matt Lauer! Oh well, it has only been two days. This can't be a forbidden topic as others here have speculated about well known celebrities who may have had hair restoration. Quite ironically on 6/1 just two days after I posted this there was a story on "Today" about HTs. (Did any of you see it? It featured Dr. Bernstein and two of his clients.) Guess who introduced and narrated the segment? Could this be merely coincidental? I only saw an online video recap so I don't know if Matt disclosed anything personal. I don't recall him ever admitting or discussing it, unlike his colleague Al Roker who has been very open about his experiences with gastric bypass surgery. My intent here is not to spread gossip but if he has had proceedures, I think this exemplifies an excellent outcome and the work of a gifted surgeon and team. PCC

Hello Everyone, I know this subject has been touched upon before in the forum but does anyone know for certain about Matt Lauer of the "Today" show? The search function of the site is not working for me tonight and I can't recall any references to him in particular recently. He is literally in the limelight daily and his hair has changed a lot from 10 or even 5 years ago. If he did I think it looks very good. Obviously he doesn't have "rock star hair" but I think most of us have realistic notions about what HTs can and can't accomplish and couldn't care less about that anyway. The coverage, density, and height/shape of the hairline look very appropriate for a man his age. I understand that we should not base our decisions on who "the stars" go to. They have unlimited financial resources and could certainly take several weeks off or longer to recuperate from proceedures and remain out of the public eye, as opposed to those of us with more conventional lives. It is more important to chose a provider with impeccable credentials who will work with us as individuals and is skilled at addressing our concerns and goals. PCC

N.Y. Boy, There have been several posts on this site regarding this Dr. within the past couple of years. All you have to do is enter his name under "search". PCC

Hi Fizzy, I read your posts with great empathy. I too began losing my hair in my teens. This was absolutely devastating to me emotionally and socially, especially growing up during the "big hair" period of the 1980s. So your feelings are perfectly understandable and please know that you are not alone! Your comment of "What the hell am I supposed to do?" echoes how I reacted. I began getting hair transplants at a young age because I was in a panic and didn't want to accept the limited alternatives back then. Obviously I didn't have a great resource for education and support like this site back then! It has worked out OK for me but this doesn't mean that I would advise you to do the same. I would certainly follow the advice that the others have presented you already. There are factors that can cause early hair loss other than the genetic/hormonal "male pattern baldness" and these are best evaluated and treated by a competent family doctor or dermatologist. The preventative measures like Rogaine or Propecia can help you slow or stop the hairloss and keep more of what you have. PCC