Sna

UPDATE: I had an appointment with Dr. Arocha in Houston, Tx. I must say, Impressive. Here is a little background: Again, I have only done minimal research and consulted with the main commercial companies. After reading this forum, I decided to wait and get on propecia for a year. Then I consulted with Dr. Arocha today. First, I was impressed that he consulted personally. I sat with him for 1 and a half hour and quized him. He was very receptive and candid. He said I have extensive hair-loss and said I was a norwood 6. Then he recommended 2500-3000 to do the temples, hairline, and top (not the crown). He said he would like to frame my face and let propecia try to regrow the crown (though his happens in 1 in 4 patients). If i decide to do another surgery, that is my choice, but he insisted that framing was key. I had never had a doctor point out my temples. He had a very valid point. They are thinning and in the years to come, if I get this procedure, it will look un-natural if I dont address this. Again, his candid opinion went a long way. Then he showed me at least 5-10 patients with no less than 20 pics before and after. So after 30 min of talking, he photographed me and we talked about my case. He said since I may be interested in full coverage, 4000-5000 will be needed. He pointed out my crown and the swirl and said that will require a skilled eye to get the "swirl". I agreed, I mean it was right there on the picture. Then, this was a huge step, I asked him for past patients contact info. He was able to get me a few and will get more when he asked their permission. I spoke with 2. The first (and forgive me I will not get into the details of the conversation bc i respect their privacy) spoke EXTREMELY highly of him. He had SERIOUS extensive surgery and was extremely open and honest. I quized him and he had all the right answers. Plus, he had a surgery a year ago as well as a follow up recently thus allowing me to seen 2 stages on the same head (which is SO valuble). Then I spoke the second patient. He had less work done but again, 2 surgeries. He again, spoke very highly of the Dr. and was more than helpful and forthcomming. Talking to a patient, I think, is invaluble. You get a real unbais opinion. These arent pic, this is the real deal. I am seriously considering proceeding. However, like I said, I have only researched this a week and I HATE that this is impulsive. But patient 1 has research this for almost a decade, and patient 2 researched for 2 years (plus he was very close to my age and related to me very well.) Plus it should be noted both patients went BACK to Dr. Arocha for a 2nd treatment bc they were satified, both year post op. In a sense, I supposedly have extensive research from these two kind gentleman. In any case, I saw remarkable procedures done. As for the Dr. - very down to earth. We talked about a wide variety of topics and life. From what I have researched (I would say in the past week I read about a min 5 hours a day on the topic) the surgery is pretty much universal. So the difference is the Dr. That is the KEY difference. If I decide to go through with this, I will keep the forum updated. Plus, in the forum, I have seen numerous pics of patients and must say, they are pretty damn good. Please let me know feedback.

Thin- I am also in the houston area and looking for a HT. Yours look amazing! I have an appt with Dr. Arocha today actually. Would appreciate if we could touch base and talk. thanks in advance!

Hello, I am in the Texas area and am also looking for agood Dr. for my possible HT. DId you see Dr. Arocha or Dr. Bearrera? Who did you end up going with? thanks in advance. Sna

I read your post that you had work by Dr. Feller in NYC 1/8/08. Do you have any advice? Are you happy with the work? I am new to the forum (ID: Sna - I post under my pics and new member) I am goign to be in NY soon and am seriously considering Dr. Feller. Thank you so much in advance. Sna email: crash_x@hotmail.com

WOW!!! I LOVE this forum. Guys, thanks for the support and advice! This place is like a goldmine. The feed back has been GREAT. I also posted my pics (which I shoulda done on the same post, but Im still learning.) It is under "my pics" by Sna. I went to the hair transplant network and saw 2 doctors 1) Dr. Arocha and 2) Dr. Barrera (link: http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Consult-a-Physicia...list.asp?StateAbr=TX ) I got a prescription from Bosley of all places for Propecia, so I will start that now. The thing is, I am a medical student. I am headed to NY to work in clinicals in the hospitals. That is why I want to do this procedure now. But, I can go early and see Dr. Feller who is very highly recommended. I will be working 60+ hours as a slave to the man. When I told the Drs. this, all of them immediately changed their stance and started getting technical with the language. The talked to me about the levels of hormones with Propecia and such (i dunno whether to test me or what) but who cares. I am a patient and I want the best results. Also, I based on some members questions, I am look for "decent" coverage. by that i mean looks good, but i dont expect top look 21 again. That, with propecia, i suspect bc of my wavy hair, i can do ok. If i am still unsatisfied, then maybe back for a 2nd surgery, but baby steps is key. So, again gentlemen, thank you so much for your advice and please, keep it comming. If you have any advice, or question, check my profile and feel free to email me. Thanks guys and, best of luck. Sna

I have just started my research and consultations (10-08) regarding HT. Here are top and back veiws. I am a Norwood 5A and told to optimal coverage by 2 clinics 1) 2400 2) 2500-3000 3) 2500-3000 Please feel free to comment or advice or point me in the right direction. thank you in advance

Hello- First I would like to say this is an amazing forum. I was going to be impulsive and then reading some of the info on here slowed me down and made me think - which I am eternally thankful. Everyone seems so supportive and honest, it is very refreshing. About me: I am a 29 year old male. I have been losing my hair for about 5 years. It has gotten to the point where I want to do something about it. I had the opportunity to start Propecia 4 years ago...but passed (regret it now) so am going to get on in this week. I am a Norwood 5a classification and have visited 3 clinics in the Houston area. I was told by all the clinics I have very good donor area and dark, slightly curly, thick black hair so my results will be pretty good. I personally took this for a grain of salt bc lets face it, marketing and they will tell you what you want to hear. This is the first time I have had time to do something for me. I have a very busy public occupation and I have some down time (2 months) in which to do something. This is only the first week I have done research and, thank you again forum, you kicked some sense into me and told me to slow down. I pretty much put everything on pause and have just been reading. I would, however, love to do this in the next month, but do it right. So any feedback or advice you can give me would be great (linking me to previous posts or sites, etc). I am willing to fly (which I read is a must to get a surgon you trust) but a trip to consult, then a trip to do the surgery...is that how it works? Thank you in advance. I will upload my head pics for your consideration. 1) Bosley - Dr. Crawshaw since 1996. Now I have read some of the comments on Bosley and am now very hesitant about trusting them. He adviced 900-2400 FU. He advised I start propecia right away. There is so much info opposing Bosley on this site, I am leaning to no go. 2) Hair Club - Dr. McCellan since 1988 with over 10,000 surgeries. He was pretty nice older Dr (61 I beleve). He said my scalp flexability is good and donor density is above avg so I shouldnt have a problem in that respect. He also said if I were his son, he would advice maxing this out so I could possibly get the results in 1 surgery. He said bc I want complete coverage 2500-3000 FU. He also adviced Propecia asap. This company only does 2 HT a day max. 3) Medical Hair Restoration - Dr. Recasens - I dunno how long, he was in private practice in Atlanta and recently moved to Houston (5 months ago). So I am weary about that. Plus with all the negative feedback on MHR (mainly a previous Dr.) I was sceptical. I did find his publications and resume to be impressive. He has a new technique of scalp closure which I got a copy (Knotless, Layered, Single-Suture Skin and Scalp Closure - Dr. Jaime Recasens MD, PhD, Cosmetic Dermatology, April 2008, Vol 21, No 4). I have a copy of it is anyone is interested. In any case, they filmed a surgery, and such, but I dont know how much to beleive. He advised 3 plans. The first being the most aggressive of 3000 FU. Plan B - 2200-2500 leaving the vortex in hopes that Propecia will rescue that. Plan C 2500-3000 FU with a better hairline. Thank you in advance for any help or advice you may provide. I look forward to hearing from everyone in hopes of gaining knowledge and open honest communication. I am reading so much on this site, it is simply dizzing, but better than flying blind. Thank you. Sna