bezane

Again though Michael, I thnk 6000, even bad grafts, would have some serious volume coming up. If a guy like Loria or Elliot or the Bosleys are so bad, then I would believe they're ripping us off on top of it. Even with the better surgeons, we grow to trust them and assume they are transplanting what they say. But those other quacks are just making money. Currently a surgeon like Hasson would take a donor area from ear to ear. Back when Loria did Jon, I would bet he did a small patch. It just makes it easier for them to sew up. While they suck as doctors, I doubt they would want the hassle of opening up a gaping hole in the back of your head. I bet they screwed him on numbers big time. So I also bet he has donor area left. At this point the only option is to have some great procedures done to cover it all up, or, a possibility that is not talked about on this forum, a "reverse procedure." A doctor that will go around and remove bad plugs that cobble or pit, with the hope that once that is achieved, Jon has the option of shaving his head without too much bad going on. Sounds crazy, but I once thought that would be better. Nice fashionable shaved bald look. Would be interested in others weighing in with facts not spec or conjecture about this possibility.

Can't imagine 6000 grafts from anyone and you have minimal results. The Loria/Bosley/Elliot thing is suspect. I suggest you go have two consultations on donor hair availability and then get measured for what can be done. Not only are those surgeons bad, but they're also cheats. My first very bad transplant was suppose to have 500. My subsequent fix doctor counted 50!!!! Don't get me wrong. It only takes 50 very bad corn row plugs in the front to ruin your life. But I was grateful I was hustled on quantity. I suspect you were as well. If you have enough donor for one or two large sessions, something tells me you'll be okay. A case like yours calls for H&W. If nothing else just talk to them first and go from there.

Being a resident of Las Vegas, my take is that you're right on, on this Pat. In previous posts I stated that I thought Dr. Williams response here about that patient complaint situation was inadequate. Although he waivered on being "responsible", he did in his statement hedge that a tech was kind of to blame and was replaced. Bottom line was that Dr. W was not being diligent in regards to his overseeing of the procedure. Here's my current and only concern with Dr. W and his Medical Hair Institute: It is a beautiful office, but I'm wondering if they have more than one surgery going on at a time? And in conjunction with that concern, the Dr. lists FIVE other locations in the southwest. Is this because he himself travels and does the surgeries at those locations? Are other doctors employed at the Medical Hair Institue? What are their backgrounds? What is the standard they must meet? When consulting is it CLEAR if anyone other than Dr. Williams is doing the surgery? Is Dr. Williams goal to create a large network of transplant sites like some other large CHAINS? All that said, I will say that based on what I've seen here in Vegas, that Dr. Williams is doing some very top notch work and if he promised to oversee a procedure from beginning to end and top to bottom, I would not hesitate to reccommend him as a surgeon. In the end, what is his NEW protocol? If that is demanding on one him as a surgeon, is he willing each surgery day to be up to the task? Thanks Pat for keeping on it. With some offices expanding due to demand and Doctors training under the wizards of the industry (think Doc Shapiro and brother for example), I think it's fantastic that new surgeons are being brought up to speed and unleashed to further help the dire need for competent procedures. The twenty or so we all talk about can't be the only ones to take on the entire population. So in my opinion, some of the questions I listed are not only directed at Dr. Williams, but are necessary and relevant as we all demand more and more from each artist.

Dr. Keene looks best in a dress. Heard Shapiro's legs are kind of mediocre.

I spoke with Dr. Keene in regards to the website, the internet, pictures etc. And her point was one of being somewhat disinterested which I interpreted as a very positive thing. I think she feels too much internet presence is like advertising which she is totally against. She has a very full life, zero office time besides surgeries and consultations. She's aware from time to time what transpires here, knows the pics on her website probably don't measure up to her work, but I think she fancies herself as being a plastic surgeon that would like a stellar reputation based on referral. This is not only a desire but a unique perspective of not being involved in the tit for tat comparisons of other doctors, and furthermore, wanting to be anywhere, but in the middle of any debate. Some doctors choose to spend their time differently. Lots of good doctors out there, but amazingly apparent is that the percentage of first-rate HT surgeons is drastically lower than any other field, cosmetic or otherwise. Like I said before, I like Dr. Keene because I have confidence in her ability to pay close attention to me while I'm in her operating room. As far as technique goes, if that's a concern, then a doctor should not be considered at all. Anyone considered should have nothing but the state-of-the-art techniques at their disposal. Because some revelations are new to US, doesn't mean you base a decision on discovering that a doctor already employs this strategy or knows about it. We should assume they do. Here, meaning on a website as good as Pat has put out, you should learn who's who, where they are, read and seek out sound advice, and then visit perspective doctors. Only then will you KNOW. I also visited Dr. Alexander. He seems to be great.

Hey Johnnie....I'm not on Propecia because I don't think there's much to save. So why be on the drugs? Dr. said it could prevent thinning on the sides so I don't have to go lower but I don't think so at this point. I'm going for a pretty full look now. I was never bald when I started. But a lot of hair keeps falling out. Some guys think it's shock loss, but a lot of is just continuing balding. Yeah, it might happen faster but, I have the feeling we're in denial just like our initial balding. We just don't want to admit it. I've actually had compliments from people before my procedure the other day. Slicked back thinning look. Some people thought it looked cool. So I'll continue the style, just less thinning. If you think you have a lot of hair worth saving, get on Propecia. But the quality of your diet and skin has to figure in it. Stay tan without too much sun. It makes a world of difference. Stay in shape. Doesn't have to be thin and muscular. could be stocky, but whatever it is, look good in it and be confident. The regimen I'm talking about is Nicholas Perricone's diet. I wouldn't sign up for his program, just read one book and get the idea. Fish oil, bright green vegetables and antioxidant berries. If you cut out the sugar and eat just that for a week you'll be amazed how good you look. I imagine it helps your head and scalp the same. Add a little bit of vitamin D (sunlight) and your off to the races. No way I'm going through all this crap and not getting stylish. Got to have the look. As shallow as it sounds, we all look like or resemble someone famous. Look at the magazines. It's often said the only difference between you and them is a damn good stylist. Hair, teeth, skin, body, clothes that fit and make you look good. It's a package. We're all so hellbent beaten to death by our heads that we forget everything else. Be confident. Get it together. If you're going to be out of shape, then be out of shape like James Gandolfini. Look at the style. He's got something going on besides just being famous. Some girls go nuts over that look. Some don't. But they all respect it. Just my take on it. Learn to walk in every room like you own the place. And if you have bad teeth and you think the hair is expensive, forget it. But I'm told that people notice your smile/mouth/teeth more than anything. Then shoes man, remeber the shoes. Good luck all. There's so much more we can do while we're waiting for the hair to fill out. And if you're addicted to the hat, look good in it. Try different hats. Some cool stuff out there that happens to be in style. You don't have to be looking like a pig because you're uptight about the hair and put on some ugly baseball cap. Everyone here knows the torment we've all suffered brought on by a cruel social way. Concentrate on feeling great. We're here, so we can take care of the hair, we know that, positively. Let's get back all that wasted time and grab a few brass rings.

Hey johnnie...sorry you went through the uncomfortable ordeal at the funeral. I apologize not weighing in on the matter. A flimsy knit/cloth close fitting black beret is the way to go. While still being a hat it softens the appearance. A small white bandage somewhere near your ear and slightly visible sends the message that you gashed your head on something. I've been known to be somewhat of a guru about social graces and fashion faux pas' and acceptances. Truth is, you were man enough to get there for your responsibilities. No excuses necessary from here on out. A bit about vitamin regimens. Any heavy omega-3 is good. Straight flax seed oil out of the bottle is great but the food you eat will bring a glow out. Read Nick Perricone Salmon regimen. Basically Salmon twice a day with bright green veggies and strawberries or blueberries with nothing else but water and two 8oz. servings of fresh OJ will get the job done and rejuvenate a tired face. It will also get the body tight. While Perricone addresses mostly the idea of anti-aging, it's also called a 3 day face lift, but all in all, do that for a week each month forever and you'll stay fairly ripped, slightly tanned without sun and have high energy. Good luck Johnnie.

Are you the real Buddy Ebsen? Transplants after the age of 80 or death are usually not recommended. Anyway, She's doing all the best stuff. Blades, closures etc. But the point is, that adding density to existing real hair is unpredictable. How do you know that hair you have left is staying? Are you on a proven propecia regimen? I'm not. I'm just going with the fact that just about everything I have will go. Just don't go by her website. Go see her. She'll show exact pics that will coincide with your situation. Without starting any problems with some excellent doctors that are great and part of the coalition, she's setting a standard that will be difficult to match. Remember, no matter how good they are, when game day comes, will your surgeon's regimen and work ethic stand up? That will become the new prevailing question in this game. The techniques are out there and available to them all. Looking through a microscope for ten hours four days a week takes a special person. A monster in the patience department, a tenacity that will answer any challenge. It sounds a bit strange, but that's what I want is someone that's with me through thick and thin for ten hours. Tireless. A self assured attitude that they are the best and need to prove it each day. No resting on laurels. Go to Tucson, look her in the eye. And beside seeing an absolute knockout of a woman in every way, you'll see all that's required to get what you need. Every case is different. And we should all hope to be seen that way. Best of luck.

Greetings everyone. Just back from Tucson. Piece of cake. Dr. Keene never leaves the room. Places nearly every graft. Dispenses great drugs. What can I say. Let me nit pick. Maybe if Doc charged more she could have one of those slick op rooms with 42" flat screens, black and chrome everywhere, macadamians in the sterling candy dishes etc. etc. Lunch was not great. But they did their best to accomodate me with my strict no meat/high protein diet. I think I slept through it all, but remember everything if you get the feeling. Kind of out of body. No pain. Went to dinner that night, the next night and slept comfotably. 2500 grafts, little crown work to go. So I figure two small to moderate more sessions or one large one. Up to her. This was my third. One botched corn row hustle from NuHart in '94 (forget Bosley,remember those butchers?), a fix and 600 additional micros from Unger '99 and another 700 micros from him also '99. And now the real deal. The assistants are all very experienced, average 7 years there and personable. For most it's too early to tell but with my experience, I know that I'm loaded up. Total time....ten hours. Go there. You won't be the least bit disappointed. Thanks to Gorpy for encouragement.

Greetings everyone. Just back from Tucson. Piece of cake. Dr. Keene never leaves the room. Places nearly every graft. Dispenses great drugs. What can I say. Let me nit pick. Maybe if Doc charged more she could have one of those slick op rooms with 42" flat screens, black and chrome everywhere, macadamians in the sterling candy dishes etc. etc. Lunch was not great. But they did their best to accomodate me with my strict no meat/high protein diet. I think I slept through it all, but remember everything if you get the feeling. Kind of out of body. No pain. Went to dinner that night, the next night and slept comfotably. 2500 grafts, little crown work to go. So I figure two small to moderate more sessions or one large one. Up to her. This was my third. One botched corn row hustle from NuHart in '94 (forget Bosley,remember those butchers?), a fix and 600 additional micros from Unger '99 and another 700 micros from him also '99. And now the real deal. The assistants are all very experienced, average 7 years there and personable. For most it's too early to tell but with my experience, I know that I'm loaded up. Total time....ten hours. Go there. You won't be the least bit disappointed. Thanks to Gorpy for encouragement.

Hey Gorp, I go next week. You must be showing signs of some serious hair by now.

So, a week until I blast off to Tucson for a HT. While I've gone through a couple of procedures before, I've never flown after. Dr. says to not fly for 24 hrs. after surgery. How about other concerns like airport security? Do they make you strip in front of everyone? Then evryone stares at you like the elephant man? Some experiences in this matter might be insightful. Or should I change plans and drive the six hours?

So, a week until I blast off to Tucson for a HT. While I've gone through a couple of procedures before, I've never flown after. Dr. says to not fly for 24 hrs. after surgery. How about other concerns like airport security? Do they make you strip in front of everyone? Then evryone stares at you like the elephant man? Some experiences in this matter might be insightful. Or should I change plans and drive the six hours?

It seems more and more that young ADULTS in America claim to be KIDS. A 24 year old has been legal for six years. If you're bald at 24, who says you can't get a HT? The only thing doctors will say is you will probably need more work, or get on meds for a year. But why not operate on a young adult and try to correct being a BALD KID!!! H&W has some damn good credentials, just like many airlines. Even if your story is true, one crash and burn is not going to ruin everyone's opinion. But I doubt that's the case. Your approach and demeanor in addressing this forum is totally shoot first instead of discussing the issue. Yelling FIRE in a crowded theater is not the way to get your message out there. I'm sure your head will be fine.

Based on the pictures provided, I think they look very good. But that said, I think the quality of the "one year" pictures themselves really suck. They are dark and just show a general far away look. The post op pictures have pretty good lighting. With that in mind, I give the Doctor an "F", for the simple reason that if he had weeks to post some pics and that's what he put up, then I'm inclined to feel a bit fleeced. Just show your work. It looks to be okay, so show it UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Sorry Doc, but if you didn't realize the extreme difference in lighting between the two sets, especially given the circumstances at hand, then I would have to believe you're not ready to work on our community.

That may be true Gorpy, but your surgeon places most of the grafts and for the most part never leaves the room. So that point may further fuel the debate. AndI'm looking forward to sharing your same results!!!!

We may not be in the same situation Z. I have some transplanted hair and a hairline that's not too bad. After my consultation I decided on a Doc (Keene) that doesn't buzz the recipient area. She feels a 10-14 day recovery should be adequate. Truth be told though Z, I've been waiting too long to do this and I'm going for it. Any aspect of my life I can rstart I figure, but I don't want to go on in my state of mind. Go for a consultation, and talk it over with the Doc. Only way to make a plan. But there's no way to do it without at least taking a full 14 days after surgery. The hairpiece thing is a "no way" for me. And to get one that works will be a huge additional cost. Worse case, plan way ahead. Take a leave of absence. See what the Doc says.

You're a lucky guy. You found this site before doing stupid things. Best advice, read this entire forum and look at all the photos. All the answers are there. The shorthand, get on proscar asap, be prepared to spend between 20K and 35K over the next couple of years. Count on 10K a procredure. Spread them out if you like. I doubt it can be done cheaper. I wouldn't even try. Save money on everything else in your life.

Okay. Here's my conclusion, while a bit of a generalization, I think it works. And probably the reason most men are getting bad or sub par HTs. Great surgeons don't even have marketing. You have to find them. I was blown away by some of Dr. Keene's patients for eample. Like I said before on this forum, I asked her why the pictures on her website didn't even come close to the stuff she's doing down there in Tucson. She shrugged her shoulders. She's not interested in asking a client to go get filmed water skiing, and then scoring the hot babe by the roaring fire. It's all silly to a surgeon. Can you fathom Dr. Jarvic (famous cardiologist that invented the first artificial heart) running an ad with a guy in ICU and then 3 months later jogging around the track!!!!! The surgeons in the coalition have the coalition. That's the extent of the marketing. An approach that holds their feet to the fire while getting down to the nitty gritty, where you can read extreme examples of bad and good and even hair splitting complaints like mudpuppy's. You decide. But it seems to me that you can choose a surgeon from the coalition blindfolded. And I think that's Pat's intent. So don't think his position with Dr. Williams is that severe. It's more Pat's rep than the Dr. W's. The Dr. gets patients from other resources than the website here. Pat lives and dies by this alone. And H&W will bank a few more millions off of Jatronic. But how many of those guys are unhappy?

I just had a brief back and forth via email with Dr. Williams when choosing a surgeon back in January. I live in Vegas for 1.5 years and hear all good about him until now. I never made it to see him because I fell in love with Keene and Hasson, chose Keene.....just because based on a complete toss up it would be easier for me. I've seen Dr. Williams patients here, they look good. What I see a problem with is embarrassed1, should have taken this approach: I hate the procedure you've given me. I need my expenses paid to go to Vancouver for a consultation and subsequently have a procedure done there. Total cost with accommodations....could be up to 20K. From Dr. Williams standpoint.....cheap!!!!!! If I were Dr. W, I would even go there with embarrassed1. The mention of technician failure and their subsequent firing or parting of ways is the smoking gun. C'mon, was the consultation with that tech? Was the the check written to the tech? Was the sub par work by the tech reviewed during that procedure in stages? If it were me embarrassed1, I mean if I were the surgeon, I'd pick you up in a private jet, get you to Hasson, hold your f#%*en hand, and buy you the best Prime steak in Las Vegas. because being part of this here community is worth a whole lot more than that. 5,000 refund? Small amount of money. Good thing there's no lawyers on here that chase ambulances that could cloud the mind with visions of revenge. Go to Hasson embarrassed, pronto. Take care of this. Your life is too valusble to spend another second with this. God is great. Pat is great, not quite as great but great.

The HT thing is always treated by "us" as a dirty little secret. Not here on this site thanks to Pat's great work, but a guy shops a car to death to get the best deal and to feel most comfortable and on and on with major appliances and so on. The medical field in and of itself is one of the least scrutinized fields there is. While the term "second opinion" is used by many, the actuality of doing it is another matter. When it comes to HT, the main issue is ignorance. This site isn't hard to find. But men get so scared when looking for a surgeon that they see or hear an ad on TV or radio, get the nerve up to make an appointment, and go through it with their eyes closed. They just hope that when they come out the other end it's all okay. The slick promotional stuff becomes just a quick reference point in their brain. They don't always want to lay out a strategy. More and more men are finding which end is up, and that's less because of a change in their attitudes and more because of more of us getting top notch work done and giving them recommendations. We're all able to spot a "sales job" in just about every aspect of our lives. All those slick ads do contain all the warning signs, but our ignorance and shame makes our focus one dimensionally. If you buy a large screen TV and pay $500 too much or it's yesterday's model, no big deal. But it amazes me that people, myself included (high IQ, 2 masters degrees, not bragging, just making a point) will let a stranger pull out knives, punch holes in our heads and relocate parts of our body to other areas, and not give it more scrutiny than a fifteen minute watch on an infomercial. And when that Bosley commercial is over, some other product comes on the air and we dismiss it as junk. There is a psychological reason for our minds to juxtapose clear thinking with outlandish impulse. It's called panic and fear. Something like baldness that we can't control and is no fault of our own, is one of the most mind altering dilemmas known to man. Men will hardly ever ask questions face to face of friends, relatives and associates. We are embarrassed. So while many here call some of those promos slick, I think they're transparent, obvious and silly. But what mindset are you in when viewing it? The laundry list of "beware" signs is unecessary, although amusing, once anyone has gone far enough to find this site.

C'mon ifloss. You are a straight male. Call me prehistoric. Call me antiquated. Call me a pig. But is there really a choice of gender when choosing a massage "therapist." Please. Execute me, but I could never have a guy feel me up like that. Not that there's anything wrong with it. And is it really therapy? I thought it was just a way to get a kind of "safe cheat" in on the girlfriend. I live in as Vegas. A massage "therapist" on every corner. Quite relaxing. I used to be blind and lame but now I can run and see. Thank you "Jade" for your excellent body work and "therapy." I consider myself highly evolved but when Rebecca touches me (I'm on a first name basis with my physician), it frustrates me. And if Dr. Keene reads this I'm sure I'll receive my deposit back and have to make that trip to Minneapois after all. But seriously guys, I too advocate the big breast theory.

Went to Tucson the other day for a consultation. Someone had told me to go up to Minneapolis to consult with Dr. Shapiro before I did anything. So I was was happy to learn that Dr. Keene and Dr. Shapiro have a close working relationship. While I'm certain that Dr. S is ultra top flight, another travel day outside my area isn't necessary. Anyway Dr. Keene exceeded my expectations. Her website pictures are second rate compared to what she's doing there. She has some patients that are off the chart perfect. She told me she just hasn't gotten around to updating. She cut to the chase. Never slammed the previous surgeries, just offered a wealth of positives. I could tell she's all about boosting confidence. And whie she is polite, smart, great looking, perfectly manicured she has a swagger and arrogance. She knows she can get it done. The negative was that compared to other experiences, the price seemed like a bargain. So immediately your guard goes back up. I looked at her and she read my mind and said she knows she shoud charge more but right now, that's the rate. Tucson is convenient for me so that also factors in. Dr. Shapiro is also close with Dr. Williams in Las Vegas. Right in my backyard. Right now I'm leaning toward Keene. My physician is female. My cosmetic dentist is female. So to say that I'm comfortable with females is true even though it's a silly bias. She wants to do 2400 grafts in the front and is chalenging me to come forward on the hairline here and there. Her reasoning was very sound. Anyway she educated me quite well. Her approach is simiiar to all the masters but unique in some ways. She advocated drugs just to be sure that the sides don't drop or the crown although she doubted it would. Great experience.

Went to Tucson the other day for a consultation. Someone had told me to go up to Minneapolis to consult with Dr. Shapiro before I did anything. So I was was happy to learn that Dr. Keene and Dr. Shapiro have a close working relationship. While I'm certain that Dr. S is ultra top flight, another travel day outside my area isn't necessary. Anyway Dr. Keene exceeded my expectations. Her website pictures are second rate compared to what she's doing there. She has some patients that are off the chart perfect. She told me she just hasn't gotten around to updating. She cut to the chase. Never slammed the previous surgeries, just offered a wealth of positives. I could tell she's all about boosting confidence. And whie she is polite, smart, great looking, perfectly manicured she has a swagger and arrogance. She knows she can get it done. The negative was that compared to other experiences, the price seemed like a bargain. So immediately your guard goes back up. I looked at her and she read my mind and said she knows she shoud charge more but right now, that's the rate. Tucson is convenient for me so that also factors in. Dr. Shapiro is also close with Dr. Williams in Las Vegas. Right in my backyard. Right now I'm leaning toward Keene. My physician is female. My cosmetic dentist is female. So to say that I'm comfortable with females is true even though it's a silly bias. She wants to do 2400 grafts in the front and is chalenging me to come forward on the hairline here and there. Her reasoning was very sound. Anyway she educated me quite well. Her approach is simiiar to all the masters but unique in some ways. She advocated drugs just to be sure that the sides don't drop or the crown although she doubted it would. Great experience.

Hey Bob....Did Hasson put you on any drugs or was he sure that you dropped everything already?