yourcoach

Thanks for pointing me to the right spot. I thought it was likely that I must not be looking in the right place. Carl

I was wondering if the Montreal meeting was over and most are back home. I didn't see anything anywhere, but has anybody posted a report on what went on, what was learned, etc...? Carl

I was wondering if the Montreal meeting was over and most are back home. I didn't see anything anywhere, but has anybody posted a report on what went on, what was learned, etc...? Carl

Thanks. I'm heading straight to the bait and tackle shop based on your recommendation.

I recently had a HT consult where I was told that I was just about an ideal candidate with the exception of my scalp laxity. I was not told that it would in any way keep me from moving forward. Meanwhile, to improve the laxity I have been doing scalp stretches that many of you are familiar with. I was wondering if anyone has had success improving laxity with other methods, or are the scalp stretches about all there is to be done. I'm just trying to do whatever is reasonable to improve my situation. Thanks, Carl

I recently had a HT consult where I was told that I was just about an ideal candidate with the exception of my scalp laxity. I was not told that it would in any way keep me from moving forward. Meanwhile, to improve the laxity I have been doing scalp stretches that many of you are familiar with. I was wondering if anyone has had success improving laxity with other methods, or are the scalp stretches about all there is to be done. I'm just trying to do whatever is reasonable to improve my situation. Thanks, Carl

In your weblog, you talked about this being the first of 3 anticipated procedures. With things looking so good, are you now thinking you are done? Carl

Bill, When I had my consult with Dr. Griffin, I didn't have any frame of reference, so no I didn't ask too many follow up questions after he gave his recommendation. To be candid, I've eliminated Dr. Griffin fairly quickly based on price. I've spoken to a number of other coalition practices and all of them are significantly less expensive. I can't see any reasonable rationalization to pay his much higher fees, as compared to other docs at the top of their profession. Carl

I've spoken to a few other practices on the phone, but the only other in-person consult I had was with Dr. Griffin here in Atlanta. I had that consult very early on in my process, before spending the many hours on this forum researching. From other posts regarding Dr. Griffin, I understand he is often fairly conservative on how large a session he likes to do. Compared to Dr. Cooley, Dr. Griffin suggested about half as many grafts. I believe Dr. Cooley's assessment is much more accurate. He uses a high power, close-up camera to evaluate both my donor and recipient area. Dr. Cooley's suggestion was also in line with phone consults that I had with a few other practices. Carl

Bill, I wasn't sure whether to put this post here or in the questions and answers section. Please feel free to move it to that section if you think it is a better fit. Carl

I drove up to Charlotte to to see Ailene and Dr. Cooley. They were high on my list based on multiple conversations with Ailene, the messages and phone calls exchanged with patients found on the forum, as well as seeing in person results of patients, and the many positive posts about Dr. Cooley. The visit only enhanced my view of the practice. I was there almost 2 1/2 hours. Most of the time I was with Ailene, but had as much time to talk to Dr. Cooley as I wanted. It was good back and forth conversation. I didn't feel lectured, preached to, or like I was being sold something. Even though Ailene has been dealing with patients for a long time, she solicited feedback from me on my experience with her and the practice. With prior permission with the patient of the day, I was allowed to observe some of a procedure. This is going to sound like a backhanded complement, and I don't mean it that way. It appears that when you spend your money with them, your money is all going to the science. The one other practice I visited had faux finished columns, fountains, high end furnishing and art work. If that sort of stuff is important to you, this probably isn't the practice for you. I'm guessing they wouldn't disagree with that. Ailene said they were about to move into a new office space, but I'm guessing that they will not look to put on a show with there office. It would match the character of the practice. The equipment they use and the measures they take to make the patient feel comfortable and well taken care of are top priorities. For anyone considering Dr. Cooley, I would be happy to answer any questions about my experience. Carl

I drove up to Charlotte to to see Ailene and Dr. Cooley. They were high on my list based on multiple conversations with Ailene, the messages and phone calls exchanged with patients found on the forum, as well as seeing in person results of patients, and the many positive posts about Dr. Cooley. The visit only enhanced my view of the practice. I was there almost 2 1/2 hours. Most of the time I was with Ailene, but had as much time to talk to Dr. Cooley as I wanted. It was good back and forth conversation. I didn't feel lectured, preached to, or like I was being sold something. Even though Ailene has been dealing with patients for a long time, she solicited feedback from me on my experience with her and the practice. With prior permission with the patient of the day, I was allowed to observe some of a procedure. This is going to sound like a backhanded complement, and I don't mean it that way. It appears that when you spend your money with them, your money is all going to the science. The one other practice I visited had faux finished columns, fountains, high end furnishing and art work. If that sort of stuff is important to you, this probably isn't the practice for you. I'm guessing they wouldn't disagree with that. Ailene said they were about to move into a new office space, but I'm guessing that they will not look to put on a show with there office. It would match the character of the practice. The equipment they use and the measures they take to make the patient feel comfortable and well taken care of are top priorities. For anyone considering Dr. Cooley, I would be happy to answer any questions about my experience. Carl

I feel very fortunate to have found this forum. In my month or so of research using this forum, I have probably learned more than a year's worth of research without it. On some of the posts that I have read there have been the occasional reference to some other forums. I hope this isn't an inappropriate question to ask here, but will you share the names of other forums that are worth taking a look at? Thanks, Carl

I feel very fortunate to have found this forum. In my month or so of research using this forum, I have probably learned more than a year's worth of research without it. On some of the posts that I have read there have been the occasional reference to some other forums. I hope this isn't an inappropriate question to ask here, but will you share the names of other forums that are worth taking a look at? Thanks, Carl

I just started taking 1/4 of a 5mg Proscar every other day. I've heard about the possible sexual side effects. After what period of time should the side effects kick in if they are going to. What I mean is, if I don't sense any side effects by week three for example, can I be fairly certain that I am in the clear as far as side effects. One other question. Other than the sexual side effect, are there any other side effects that I should be aware of? If so, I have the same question for any other side effects as I did for the sexual side effect.

I just started taking 1/4 of a 5mg Proscar every other day. I've heard about the possible sexual side effects. After what period of time should the side effects kick in if they are going to. What I mean is, if I don't sense any side effects by week three for example, can I be fairly certain that I am in the clear as far as side effects. One other question. Other than the sexual side effect, are there any other side effects that I should be aware of? If so, I have the same question for any other side effects as I did for the sexual side effect.

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

Thank you for your reply. I enjoyed your post under the subject "Make the decision..." on August 16. I would be interested in a similar analysis of the doctors on my list. I would also like to know what is your basis for your evaluations? Thanks.

I've been doing my due diligence before making a choice of surgeon. I have narrowed it down to Cooley, Shapiro, Epstein, Hasson, and Charles. I am having a frustrating experience in some of my conversations with some of these practices. A few of these practices insist they should be at the absolute top of any list. Other say they are in the top 2 or 3, other make no such claims. The "exceptionally proud" very often label the other doctors as good, or competent, or the ultimate back handed complement, a good guy. I know a certain amount of this is subjective, and I know some doctors are universally accepted as being among a the best. I have a hard time separating employees that going to far expressing their pride in their doctor, and those that have an equal opinion, but take a more low key approach. For an individual looking to make a choice of surgeon, when and how does the difference show up between an excellent surgeon and "elite" surgeon?

I've been doing my due diligence before making a choice of surgeon. I have narrowed it down to Cooley, Shapiro, Epstein, Hasson, and Charles. I am having a frustrating experience in some of my conversations with some of these practices. A few of these practices insist they should be at the absolute top of any list. Other say they are in the top 2 or 3, other make no such claims. The "exceptionally proud" very often label the other doctors as good, or competent, or the ultimate back handed complement, a good guy. I know a certain amount of this is subjective, and I know some doctors are universally accepted as being among a the best. I have a hard time separating employees that going to far expressing their pride in their doctor, and those that have an equal opinion, but take a more low key approach. For an individual looking to make a choice of surgeon, when and how does the difference show up between an excellent surgeon and "elite" surgeon?

I just brought home my first bottle of Proscar 5 mg. I'll start splitting the pills in quarters tonight. I saw this year and half old thread and I thought I would check in to see if anyone who was going to try the quarter pill every other day approach did it, and find out the latest thinking on this.

Thanks for your reply Dewayne. I am not asking about the validity of doing "mega" sessions. My first question is about team size and fatigue issues. Some practices are doing large sessions with fairly small teams, some have large teams.

I have been doing my due diligence, reading thread after thread that seem relevant to me and are talking to the five practices that are still on my radar. Those doctors are Cooley, Charles, Hasson, Shapiro and Epstein. To paraphrase on one of the people from one of the practices, you need a team of at least 7 or 8 to do a large session of 3,500 grafts and up in order for fatigue not to be an issue. He said rotating around a smaller team, even if they are very good, fatigue will come into play. Obviously this is coming from one of a couple of practices that have a larger team. Is this a widely accepted point of view? If not, what might the counter argument be? Has anyone put together a list of good questions that you should ask any practice that you are considering using? I think I have generated a fairly good list base on reading so many in the great threads on this forum, but I thought I would check if anyone has but together a list in case I might be missing something.

I have been doing my due diligence, reading thread after thread that seem relevant to me and are talking to the five practices that are still on my radar. Those doctors are Cooley, Charles, Hasson, Shapiro and Epstein. To paraphrase on one of the people from one of the practices, you need a team of at least 7 or 8 to do a large session of 3,500 grafts and up in order for fatigue not to be an issue. He said rotating around a smaller team, even if they are very good, fatigue will come into play. Obviously this is coming from one of a couple of practices that have a larger team. Is this a widely accepted point of view? If not, what might the counter argument be? Has anyone put together a list of good questions that you should ask any practice that you are considering using? I think I have generated a fairly good list base on reading so many in the great threads on this forum, but I thought I would check if anyone has but together a list in case I might be missing something.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. One of the reason that I posed the question is, after listening to to the various doctor interviews, reading a bunch of forum posts, visiting Dr. Griffin here in Atlanta, and talking to a couple of other doctors' representatives from a couple of other clinics on this website and one not on this website, I am seeing much more that is the same, and very little that differentiates one doctor from another. Have there been any prior threads that do a lot of this comparing and contrasting different sugeon's strengths, weaknesses, and differences? Carl