Graft placement

[Brav989]

I was curious during HT's, if most doctors place 100% of the grafts themselves, or if the tech's do a certain part, or what % exactly I'm curious? I know the tech's did some on my head at least, but I was asleep for 90% of the entire procedure.

[Brav989]

I was curious during HT's, if most doctors place 100% of the grafts themselves, or if the tech's do a certain part, or what % exactly I'm curious? I know the tech's did some on my head at least, but I was asleep for 90% of the entire procedure.

[Gorpy]

Depends on the doctor. Some techs place 100% of the grafts. Others just help some. Each doctor has his/her own preferences. It is pretty much the industry standard that the techs place the grafts. I personally have a problem with that, but many seem to do a good job.

[Brav989]

So that brings up the question..what the hell do the docs do besides poke the holes and cut the strip on the back of the head?

[Gorpy]

Good question.

[rpm]

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

[Gorpy]

Brav, read Dr. Keene's opinion on why she feels it is important that she place the grafts and not the techs. You'll see alot of different opionions on this, but I like the fact that if I'm paying 10k for a procedure, the doctor performs and/or supervises all of it.

 

Dr. Keene

[Robert_]

There are quite a few physicians that allow techs to place grafts. Some patients feel a bit apprehensive about this and that is fine. Personally, I believe that a well-trained and experienced technician is perfectly fine placing grafts under the physicians' supervision (many of my own grafts were placed by Dr. Cooley's very capable technician).

 

This is one question to write down before you enter the consultation. Ask whether or not the physician places all of the grafts or just some of them and supervisises the rest of the procedure. Ask why/why not they do it this way. It's all in part of doing the research.

 

Brav989,

 

In my own experience, Dr. Cooley was placing the grafts along the hairline while his technician was placing them further back. Different physicians may do it differently.

 

-Robert

[Down_under]

I strongly think that the Doctor should carry out majority of the surgery. Placing grafts is very important in a HT, i think it needs skill ,the graft should be placed well in order to grow.b

[Guest]

Originally posted by Brav989:

I was curious during HT's, if most doctors place 100% of the grafts themselves, or if the tech's do a certain part, or what % exactly I'm curious? I know the tech's did some on my head at least, but I was asleep for 90% of the entire procedure.

 

My grafts were placed 100% by two techs.

 

PB

[Bill - Seemiller]

I must admit, I was a bit aprehensive at first to learn that most docs don't seem to place the grafts themselves, but what even some of the best docs out there will tell you, is that the techs are fully trained specialists at placing grafts. Not only that, but you have to figure this: If the doctor did the majority of the surgery, you'd be sitting there for 4 days because there is only one doc and it takes about 5-10 trained specialists (grafts) to cut and place grafts.

 

Both surgeries I have had, the techs have placed the grafts, both with Katz and True. The techs are trained specifically by the doc as specialists in order to know exactly what they are doing. As Katz said, the techs are paid well to be specialists in this area. They are not $6/hour workers who don't care about their job and are looking elsewhere. The docs put 100% faith in their techs while the doctor comes in to monitor progress of the graft placement and ensures everything is going smoothly. Both my docs have removed the donor area themselves, and made the incisions themselves. The incisions are what determines the direction and growth of the graft, not the placement itself.

 

My message is not to tell you not to be question or research about the techs placing the grafts, but you will find that even some of the most well respected and established docs even listed on this forum, have their techs place the grafts. I believe it's a matter of preference fot the doc. Some docs may want to do some of it themselves, but it seems the majority don't.

 

Bill