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rottun, I understand where you are coming from. I researched several Doctors and went with the one I felt was best. If one said 2500 hairs and the other said 800-1000 grafts (at 1-4 hairs per follicular unit) then the quotes are close in hairs, but not in price. I was quoted 2,800 to 3,000 hairs (because I have fine blonde hair). The most expensive was $8k and the cheapest was $2,700. Trust me, price was secondary, but it was a factor. I ended up with 1,205 fu (1 hair fu in the front hairline and 2-4 hair fu units behind those)for a total exceeding 45 fu per square cm.

The price I was quoted was the price I paid. I did not get an itemized statement, so I don't know the breakdown of monies paid. Ask for the total price. If someone quotes you 4 to 7k, that is what any consumer should expect to pay, not, "oh yeah, bloodwork is $300 and not included in the quote".

I liked the sales guy Mike with PAI. I almost went with PAI in Nashville, but Dr. Paul Rose had a better reputation and was a lot more resonable than PAI. Dr. Fisher never called me back, so I wouldn't know about him. Remember, this is elective surgery... you don't have to do this, it is your choice. I say talk to several reputable Doctors before you commit.

I am 4 months since my 1205 FU transplant in the front 1/3 and I don't see any obvious hairs sticking out. I do have an overall appearance similar a 5 o'clock shadow. I have no redness, but I can tell where the new hairline will be. Just as defined as a 5 o'clock shadow with my face.

02Rips... I noticed that you provided an e-mail in your last post. Did you ever get an answer to the repairs on old scars? When I had my transplants at Dr. Rose's office in Tampa, he noticed a mass on the back of my head (donor area) and did not want to cut into it, so he used another area for donor hairs. Later, I had the mass removed by a MD in Nashville. The scar he left was ok, but I got spoiled by how well Dr. Rose's work.

I had a procedure done 3 months ago, my hair is cut really short, and I had several people really look at the scar, but were barely able to tell that anything was done. Look up pics on this site refering the "ledge closure" technique.

Mr. Deeds, I got prices from MHR & PAI. I went with Dr. Rose back in August. I got a Dr. with a better reputation (he develops new techniques to advance hair loss procedures) and a much more reasonable rate. PAI rep sent a follow up call, I told him who I went with and he highly respected Dr. Rose's work.

Glad to hear it Troy. I'm 3 months and 7 days post op by Dr. Rose. I can see a 5 o'clock shadow, but very few hairs are coming out. I'm confident the results are going to be great, I have given up looking though. I will start to think about it again in 6 weeks or so.

I'm a fan of this site and the bald truth radio show.

Dr.'s poke the holes, which determine how the hairs are placed and in which direction they will grow.

the graft calculator on this site was a big help to me. My front hairline (areas 2 & 3) was between 30-40 cm2. I wanted a mature hairline for a Norwood class 2a and ended up getting 1200 grafts (35per cm2).

I have read many posts on this site from hair loss sufferers in their early 20's. I am 36 now and I remember my hair receding at 19. Friends would look at my thinning hair at 24 and then my hair loss stopped for around 6 or 7 years. I went on Propecia, just in case it started again. I have always heard to look at your mother's father (or brothers) to see what the future may hold. I just thought I would share this.

I have read many posts on this site from hair loss sufferers in their early 20's. I am 36 now and I remember my hair receding at 19. Friends would look at my thinning hair at 24 and then my hair loss stopped for around 6 or 7 years. I went on Propecia, just in case it started again. I have always heard to look at your mother's father (or brothers) to see what the future may hold. I just thought I would share this.

I waited 10 days post op, as did specs. 5% once daily.

"Go with the doctor u initially planned on." by finallyfree How does a post from October to a December surgery seem last minute? For me, as far as my first choice, I'm happy that I found this forum and didn't go with my first choice! Also, a better example of Elementary Psychology would be to not telling someone that is excited about a decision they have carefully arrived at that they be "sick with worry over the coming months thinking that maybe you would have been better off with the other doctor."

Anyone heard of Dr. Dan Hale in Tennessee?

Yeah. Thanks to people on this site for sharing. You guys are the real deal!!!

Danger... I am not a Dr., but I did go to Dr. Rose. Have you called his office with this question? He is really good about returning phone calls.

Markcia is dead on. Once I talked with Dr. Rose on the phone, I didn't want to go to anyone else. I was thinking about 3 different Dr.'s and my gut was the deciding factor. I would go to Dr. Rose again, if it ever became necessary...

I'm not a doctor, so here is my experience with cost. I did visit several quality doctors (not recommended on this site) before I had my procedure. Price was a concern, but not more of a concern than quality work. That being said, when I locked into the Doctor that I did, 2 other offices said they could drop their price or do a few hundred extra FU's. I didn't go with them, I just found it interesting. At the end of the day, we don't HAVE to do an elective procedure.

My experience with numbness lasted about 6 weeks. I had a HT on 8/31/05 and all is back to normal in the transplanted area.

I just had a prodcedure done with Dr. Rose 8/31/05-- 1205 FU-- and would go back to him if I ever need the procedure done again. I visited 5 clinics over 6 months of trying to decide, found this site, and felt comfortable with Dr. Rose from the start. Hairs are starting to grow and none of my friends knew that I had anything done (NC 2). I am most impressed with the donor area scar!! I don't know what he did, but the scar looks great. Just waiting for the hairs to really sprout!

At least call Dr Paul Rose in Tampa. I am also 36 ane just had 1205 FU done by him-- very happy with the results. I live in Nashville TN (yes I drove 700 miles to see him). I searched serveral places and he was dead on the mark with his analysis. He treated a 30 square cm area with around 30-40 fu per cm2. I am not saying go with him, it is just that he will call you back and give you real numbers. Use the graft calculator on his site under animations. You can play with the number yourself.

I don't think that 200-250 grafts will make much of a difference in appearance, if that is all you need now, maybe wait until you need 900 or so. By then who knows what medical advancements we will have to choose from. Listen to Mahair! Great advice. I have seen a range from $3-$7 per Follicular Unit. Don't confuse this with MicroGrafting as I almost did, before I picked Dr. Rose from this site and read many posts.

Robert, Thanks! Better % than I thought, as I feel that all of the variables you mentioned in your post apply to me (ie. skilled Dr, tech, no scars). Sutures were removed on Monday (12 days post op). Dr Rose in Tampa did the procedure and I am very satisfied so far. Another Dr. in TN removed the stiches and complemented the closure and work. I have a little pink to red tint, but nothing that my existing hair line doesn't cover. I did have 1 whitehead on my scalp yesterday... I hope that wasn't an FU being rejected? Oh well... The hairs are starting to fall out, I started Minoxidil.