N-6

Yes transection and yield are different. With FUE, its not necessarily taken from the safe permanent zone. So my concern (once I'm tapped out via strip) includes yield of FUE. I dont know if docs can predict the extent of baldness/thinning with reasonable certainty and if they are taking out grafts via FUE from areas that may or may not thin, then that makes the predicted yield rate somewhat suspect in the long term. It seems to me that the yield rate in the long term for FUT is much more certain. Thoughts?

Hi, this may vary by each individual physician, but what are standard transection rates and yield rates for FUE? how does this compare to FUT?

Bill/RCWest, both docs I consulted with are well-credentialed. There just seems to be a pretty big divergence (nearly 1000 grafts) in the amount of grafts that one doc thinks he can get versus what the other doc thinks he can get. This will probably be my last strip and both docs acknowledged that so I would like to get as many as possible (because I sure do need them) BUT I dont want to take an overly aggressive approach and wind up with scar issues. Decisions, decisions . . .

Yes, both of the consults were in-house.

Hi All, I've undergone several FUT procedures, all performed by the same doc (Doc 1). I'm looking to have one more. I had a consult with Doc 1 and the max grafts he said could be obtained via FUT would be in the low 1000s. However, I also consulted with another doc (Doc 2) and he said about 2000 grafts could be retrieved via FUT. The consults were done within 6 months of each other. I really don't understand why there's such a discrepancy between the two docs, other than one being more aggressive. This may be my final FUT so I'm looking to maximize the amount of grafts during this upcoming procedure but I also don't want to push the limits and substantially increase the risks of the procedure. All feedback is appreciated, physicians are always welcomed to chime in. Many thanks.

Thanks for your responses. Dr. Simmons and Dr. Beehner, its great to hear feedback from physicians on these technical issues. I, as a layperson, may have some information and an opinion but it is the physician with specialized training, knowledge and practice who can help prevent the spread of misinformation, thanks again.

I'm with Megatron (great name btw). It makes sense to me that stick and place would be the better technique because the grafts are placed immediately which can possibly do two things - one, not give the incision the opportunity to close (which would obviously prevent placement of the graft) and two, not allow a doc to miss an incision. Do you think these possibilities are greater with pre-made incisions?

Thanks for your feedback guys. I dont know much about the IAHRS and AHLA other than preliminary stuff I mentioned but definitely have heard of Spencer Kobren (nothing negative from what I can recall). It can be challenging choosing the right physician because this industry is not technically regulated. Then there are organizations that recommend certain physicians based on their own criteria. What organization has stricter criteria? I dont know that yet. Of course, what are the credentials/education/experience of the people who are doing the selecting on behalf of each organization? I dont know that yet either. Then there is the issue of monetary contributions by physicians to the organizations who recommend them. I dont know that either. Sometimes it can feel like lobbyists/politician situation. Its all a very subjective process. All that said, I'm thankful that there is a lot of public information out there and opportunities to consult with physicians and their patients privately to help us prospective patients make an informed decision. Thanks again.

Can someone explain difference? Does one method give better yield than other? Which is more common? Thanks.

Hairthere, from my research, it looks like Dr. Law is not very visible on forums which is not necessarily a bad thing and may just be the way he runs his practice. He's 1 of only 7 NY docs in IAHRS, right alongside some of the docs that you suggested. I'll keep gathering info on docs. Thanks for response.

Hi, does anyone know anything about this surgeon? He is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS). According to the American Hair Loss Association, membership in the IAHRS is "an elite credential in this field". I don't know if American Hair Loss Association carries weight but its worth for me to investigate. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I have not been on in awhile but thank you all for your responses. Question-I'm not familiar with terms "pre-made lateral incisions" versus "stick and place" technique as mentioned by Dr. Simmons. What is the difference? Can someone please clarify? I understand the convenience to patients by not shaving; just wanted to ensure that one method (shaving/not shaving) is not generally recognized to have a better yield than the other. As a paying patients, I want the most hair possible out of my procedures. Thanks again and Happy New Year.

Thanks guys for your feedback. The Hasson article is from 3 years ago, I wonder if the same justifications still apply today. It would be great to hear from some physicians on both sides to see how to feel about this currently.

Hi, to shave or not to shave that is the question . . . Basically, is there a general medical consensus among physicians in the hair transplant community that shaving the target area pre-op yields better/same/worse results than those who do not shave pre-op. I understand that if you're a skilled surgeon you should obtain favorable results but what I'm truly interested in is a physician's medical justification for shaving or not shaving pre-op. Does it really make a difference in the ultimate outcome of the patient? Any info on this topic, especially from physicians themselves, is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks for your response Bill. I know FUE is more expensive because, as I noted my original email, it is more labor intensive. However, I would think with the advent of Dr. Feller's new tool which increases speed of FUE procedure and makes it less labor intensive, you would expect his (and any other clinic using same) prices for FUE to drop correspondingly but as far as I know they have remained same. I dont understand why. Also, by all accounts, FUE's yield is sub-par to FUT, yet FUE is usually double the price of FUT. This is also hard to understand.

I was wondering if someone (preferably a physician) can explain a little as to why FUE is so expensive compared to strip. Its a newer procedure with a yield which doesnt appear to be as high as that of strip yet more is charged for FUE. I have read about FUE being more labor intensive than strip for the physician but, for instance, a new tool is introduced by Dr. Feller which would appear to make FUE less time-consuming (for his clinic at least) but it appears that prices will remain same there. All comments are welcome.

I was wondering if someone (preferably a physician) can explain a little as to why FUE is so expensive compared to strip. Its a newer procedure with a yield which doesnt appear to be as high as that of strip yet more is charged for FUE. I have read about FUE being more labor intensive than strip for the physician but, for instance, a new tool is introduced by Dr. Feller which would appear to make FUE less time-consuming (for his clinic at least) but it appears that prices will remain same there. All comments are welcome.

Dakota, I'm one month post-op.

Thanks guys for your replies. Now, the waiting begins . . .

I hope so. I can't discern whether it is what people refer to as pitting or whether it just reflects incisions which have not yet healed. Thanks for your response Something.

Oops here is right hairline, don't know how to attach multiple pics. Sorry.

Hi, thanks for your response. Attached is a pic of my left and right hairline without flash and below overhead light. I haven't raised this with my doc yet. I'd rather not mention his name for now if that's cool. Please let me know what you think. Thanks so much.

Hi everyone, I'm one-month post-op my third procedure. Shedding has occurred. When I look closely in my bathroom mirror and tilt my head a certain way, I see tiny holes along the frontal part of my scalp, which is were the transplant occurred. Is this what people call pitting? Is this normal for someone just 1 month post-op who has shed? Thanks for reading.

Hi everyone, I'm one-month post-op my third procedure. Shedding has occurred. When I look closely in my bathroom mirror and tilt my head a certain way, I see tiny holes along the frontal part of my scalp, which is were the transplant occurred. Is this what people call pitting? Is this normal for someone just 1 month post-op who has shed? Thanks for reading.

Bill, I found a stylist who has lots of experience cutting and styling around donor scars which is what I was looking for. He understood my concerns and did a great job. Thank you for your response.