MHR - Leavitt or Barusco

[MWRM3]

Hey all. I am new to the site and currently researching a HT. I have been to Bosley and MHR for consultations and am leaning towards MHR. I am curious if anyone has an opinion on Dr. Leavitt or Dr. Barusco. I am in Florida and would probably use the main Maitland office of MHR.

 

I appreciate any feedback and help. I have been researching for a while and am about to take the plunge.

 

Thanks.

[MWRM3]

Hey all. I am new to the site and currently researching a HT. I have been to Bosley and MHR for consultations and am leaning towards MHR. I am curious if anyone has an opinion on Dr. Leavitt or Dr. Barusco. I am in Florida and would probably use the main Maitland office of MHR.

 

I appreciate any feedback and help. I have been researching for a while and am about to take the plunge.

 

Thanks.

[Guest wanthairs]

MWRM3...

 

WAIT_TAKE A DEEP BREATH....

Do not even think about going to either of those expensive rip-off butchers. I have seen total horror stories from both places, I even personaly know one HT doc that worked for MHR and he quit because he was horrified at some of the practices. If you live in Florida and you want to stay in Florida you have much better choices....

1. Dr Paul Rose, Tampa,

2. Jeff Epstein, Miami,

3. Alan Bauman

4. Bernard Nausbaum

5. Glenn Charles, Boca Raton

 

There may be others that I have not mentioned. I used Jeff Epstein and would highly recommend him. These guys will be much cheaper and do a far better job

 

All these guys have references you can meet. You can look up their clients on this site and they are constantly scrutinised to hold the highest standards. DO NOT GO TO MHR or BOSLEY. You can google both of those places to find multiple complaints, lawsuits etc....Please take this advice, so you can save money and heartache later on.....

 

Good luck, stay on this site as you will learn alot....It may be helpfull, if you can post pics and your goals. Hopefully you are also on 5% minoxidil, Nizoral shampoo and Propecia..

Good LUCK !!!!!!!!

[Guest]

MWRM3, Welcome to the forum.

 

I agree 100% with wanthairs.

 

I don't know where you have been doing your research but it hasn't been here!

 

We do not endorse either Bosley or MHR, no way no how.

 

Wanhairs gave you some a list of doctors that are recommended on this forum that are in Fla.

 

So step back & start doing your research here.

 

You can thank us later.

 

Beware...you have been warned!

[the B spot]

No MHR or Bosley boys here----- although Leavitt might actually be a compentant doc.

 

However, once you have to massage his massive ego with cold, hard cash and you overpay for his underwhelming services, you might have been better off to seek out a highly respected independant doc, pay less, and increase your risk of success!!!!!

 

Take Care,

J

[nobuzz4me]

The fact that your are on this board, you will likely be saved from the HT predator chain mills. Listen to the veterans.

[MWRM3]

Thanks for the information. I am a bit concerned with the forum but will continue to do my research - both here and other places on the net. What continues to baffle me is that no one one here can even muster up one good thing to say about MHR. I understand that they may be hair mills, but if they were truly that bad I would think they would have been forced out of business by now.

 

Can you guys give me an estimate of what you think a HT should cost? I think I am about a Norwood 3 or 4. Most of my hair loss is on the crown, with some on the front. Bosely says about 1400 grafs and MHR says about 2500. I am not yet comfortable enough to post pics, but I can tell you that my goals are to just stop the "shining" on the back and have my head a bit thicker.

 

I am very interested in making the right choice and will continue to do the research. I appreciate the other doctors and will be sure to call them first.

 

MHR touts their "patented tools" a bit. Does anyone know anything about these items?

[Guest wanthairs]

mwrm3

 

All you have to do is type MHR on the find feature on this forum or any others to find plenty of raging mad customers. I bet you'd be hard pressed to even find one complaint anywhere on the web with the other doctors I wrote above. How much were they charging you per graft? Was it going to be strip surgery or FUE? Have you been on meds for a while (propecia and Rogaine)? Ive not heard of their patented tools. And im still not impressed. Go to a doc who will provide you with real people to meet and talk to and that has no complaints.....

[Eman]

One of the reasons these two companies do not go out of business is because most guys do not share their experience about the bad surgery they have had. They are embarrassed and want it to remain secret especially if it is a bad job and many won't speak up and simply want to hide their "mistake". And the mills charge double that of a reputable doctor.

 

That is what these forums are intended for. To bring to light the good and the bad, to educate someone so they can make an informed decision, and to share experiences, information, and anything else pertinent to HTs.

 

You can jump on the slick hair mills infomercial bandwagon and have your surgery done there, many on this forum have and they will freely share their experience with you, or you can educate yourself on this forum and with the proper knowlege in hand make a better decision. Your choice

 

eman

[MrJobi]

Hey

 

Don't listen to us, do a search and listen to people who actually went to these firms and hear first hand.. Go to the major associations and see who they recommend.. It's your head not ours but look at the results of the people on here.

[MWRM3]

I am listening - VERY CLOSELY. I just want some concrete documentation to follow. All I have seen so far is the recommendation of a few doctors who seem to be interconnected - similar to Bosley and MHR. I am curious as to the origin of the site and if this site has any affiliations with the doctors being reommended.

 

I am VERY open minded and want to selet the right location for my HT. I appreciate all the feedback and want it to keep coming. It is helping and I know it will assist in a better decision.

 

I have sent a note to Dr. Rose, so I will see if he gets back with me....

[MWRM3]

I asked this earlier, but I am curious what you all believe is an appropriate price for a HT. I am somewhere between 1400 and 2500 grafs. Thanks

[Guest]

Average cost per graft is $4.00.

 

2500 grafts = $10,000

[Guest wanthairs]

I paid exactly $10,000 for 2900 grafts all inclusive of meds and aftercare, etc from Jeff Epstein.

[Guest wanthairs]

Read the main page of this site which explains who, and how this site was started, and yes the doctors are affiliated. These doctors are selected haveing to prove that as a matter of routine procedure they use the most upto date techniques in the world. If they even get one complaint, invariably they are booted off this site by the Sites Founder.

[Aquarius]

Who you decide on is up to you. Weather or not you are a candidate is also for you to detemine.

I unfortunately have first hand information and have seen the destruction and stolen lives created by the likes of MHR. How they stay in business is a good question. I think it is the legal system in concert with the blind eye given by the medical board that provide an atmosphere that allows them to exist.

It also seems perculiar that everyone I have spoken to has been quoted 2,500 grafts and great results.

I don't think they have a pattern on anything but gross rationalization and semantics. But I have heard that there is a doctor there that made his own multi- bladed knife. .... Here's the kicker . For the recipiant area on guys that have too much hair.

[Rhodeman]

MWRM3,

 

Do yourself a favor, listen to the folks who have provided you the names of the docs that you should consult with. They can help you a great deal if you're willing to listen. Talk with some of the docs recommended by this site before you overpay for less than desirable results.

 

If you go to the other forums, you will see certain docs names continually pop up with favorable comments, & other places [MHR, Bosley to name a couple] with associated horror stories. There's obviously a reason for this.

 

Going to MHR or Bosley is like going to the casino. You hope to win, but be prepared to lose.

[MWRM3]

Aquarius - I love the You Tube post. Just GREAT!!

 

I have already contacted several of the docs recommended earlier and am anxiously awaiting a response.

 

So everyone is aware, I am not sure "overpayment" is the right categorization....MHR seems to be right in line (in fact a little less) with the prices indicated by folica and wanthairs.

 

I appreciate the information and honesty. I am looking forward to speaking with tehse other doctors and making a very informed decision.

[Bill - Seemiller]

MWRM3,

 

As others have already directed...it would be in your best interest to stay away from MHR and Bosley.

 

Do yourself a favor and use the "find" feature of this forum and search for Bosley and MHR and see for yourself. Unfortuately, most people have had more negative than positive experiences.

 

Bill

[PCC]

MWRM3,

 

Where in Florida are you? I am only a 45 minute drive from the Orlando office of MHR and probably would have gone to them if not for the knowledge I've gained from this network.

 

It seems like that location has moved around a few times, most recently from Heathrow to Maitland and there are a couple other consult only sites. Does Leavitt even do proceedures or is he reserved solely for their "celebrity patients"? There is a DJ for one of the Central FL radio stations who promotes having gone to them. It would be interesting to see his results. Barusco seems to have been there a while now but I haven't heard anything specific about him good or bad. There was another young Dr. who floated between the Orlando and Tampa offices but he has since left. That can't be a good sign.

 

I think you would be better served to stick with one of the top rated independent docs.

 

Phil

[YoungGuy]

You asked how come Bosley and MHR are still in business if nobody has a good word to say about them. Simple; they advertise a lot. The good HT doctors & clinics tend to work by word of mouth. The surgeons there usually do one procedure per day and even with just word of mouth advertising, they have their hands full. But the downside is, they're just not as well known.

 

Bosley/MHR work for volume - they air flashy infomercials and do 2-3 patients/day/doctor (hence the term "mill"). They butcher a lot of people but the fact remains that they're the only ones known to the general public. 90% of people out there who are thinking of HT think of MHR/Bosley because they simply don't know anyone else who does it and can't tell the difference. At least, not the first time they do it - once they get butchered, they usually smarten up and do their research.

 

Think of the difference between a woodworker who makes custom furniture & Ikea. The woodworker will produce much better stuff at a similar price, but you don't know about him so you go to Ikea. Same principle, except in case of surgery making a bad decision is a LOT more painful.

[AndrewYoung]

I've been away for a bit and I know that this will inevitably lead to getting blasted (it's okay I am used to some of it by now) but hears my thoughts -and they differ with many on this board.

 

Research all the methods, consult with a few doctors, check their methodology and go in for a consultation with a couple doctors.

 

As everyone here points out time and again, there are a lot of very qualified, top notch independents. I am not hear to knock anyone but don't be afraid just because someone is associated with a so-called chain.

 

There are some very good doctors there too and the power of their network (shared marketing expenses, greater visibility) is simply a way for them to make it more affordable. Call it marketing the hell out of it or whatever you want but there is some basic business advantages to an increased pool of marketing costs being shared.

 

I went to Dr Pauls at MHR in Denver and I am very happy with where I am at 3 1/2 months after. Not there yet but getting better every day!

 

Short answer, look at the photos of, and talk to, former patients and be real comfortable with the doctor you choose - regardless of their affiliation or independence. It's kinda like Lasik only different. You only get one set of eyes and you only get one head of hair so research fully, be completely comfortable with your choice and feel confident that you are making the correct decision for you.

[MWRM3]

Thank you all for your honest advice and recommendation. I did additional research, consulted with a third doctor and took the plunge last week. I will say that experience was not bad at all! I had a very delightful experience and have been pleased with the care and results thus far.

 

Dr. Barusco at MHR in Maitland did my transplant of 2196 grafts. I was originally scheduled for 2500, but we discussed it before the procedure and he believed I would be best served by a smaller number. I appreciated his candid assessment and the fact that he did not simply "upsell" me bacause I was there for the procedure.

 

The cost was consistent (actually somewhat less - including all meds and follow up) with what we discussed on this string. The MHR admin staff, medical staff and doctors were EXCELLENT and I would recommend them highly.

 

I know this site is considered "anti-MHR," but my experience was nothing less than exceptional. I took my time and researched the issue in great detail. I knew the scapel used, the grat tool, the microscoprs, the medicine used and any other detail I could find. I asked questions during the procedure and believe Dr. Barusco and MHR did an outstanding job.

 

I understand why many may feel the "mills" are no good, but my experience is exactly the opposite. I will keep you posted on my progress and look forward to some new sprouts of hair in the coming months! Thanks for all the information, help and advice. Though we agreed to disagree on doctors, this forum continues to be very helpful and informative!!

[thanatopsis_awry]

Best of luck with the results MWR...do you have any post-op pictures to show? Often the quality of the future, ultimate results can be well diagnosed based off of post-op pics!

[MrJobi]

Hi

 

I wouldn't say this site is ANTI MHR but when you get emails from former patients speaking about their poor experiences it doesn't look too promising.. Of course there are good docs out there but it is the minority from what we have seen and heard.