Greetings, advice needed

[jbrooks]

Hi, I'm a 39 year old IT analyst and have decided to take the plunge with a HT before my 40th. Many years ago, I considered it, had a consultation and never followed through. At that time I met Dr. Blaine Lehr from OKC. He quoted me $2.50 per unit and said I needed about 1250. I understand he's no longer in HT business though.

 

I know I would require more at this point. I'm a 4a on the Norwood scale btw. I've currently found a doctor named Timothy Love who does them for $3 a graft in OKC. I trust the recommended Doctors on here are reliable, so I'm not concerned in that area, but my question is are any of the doctors on this site in the $2.50 - $3 price range for FUT? I estimate I'll probably need around 1750-2000 grafts. I can post pictures if anyone is interested. I don't mind traveling from home if it is going to save me money. I'm just looking to get the best bang for my buck as I'm sure everyone is.Thanks for any help and this site is a God send.

[multiplier]

Everyone is going tell to you this, but I'll just say it - do not choose a doctor because of cheap rates on grafts. Choose him/her because they have an impeccable reputation and impeccable results. Even if it means flying to another country to have your procedure - do it the right way.

[jbrooks]

I agree, that's why I was asking if any of the doctors on here were in this range. Lehr was recommended and a good rate. It was actually $2.70 now that I've found the old emails, but still. I'm wanting to go with a trusted doctor from this site, but looking for a good rate.

[multiplier]

Gotcha. Maybe someone else can speak to specific rates. The docs I've seen here in NYC are between $3-5 per graft.

[Sparky]

Your going the wrong way about this, the reason that these people are charging $2.70-$3.00 a graft is because they suck at HT's! I could charge you the same amount and do a similar job as some of these docs and I'm an engineer!

 

I don't know whos the cheapest at HT's because it wouldn't be my reason for choosing that doc. Shop at the bargain basement and you will get a crap HT. If you can't afford to go to a good doctor, then wait until you can, this is the only head you get in life and you don't want some quack messing it up!

 

My choices would be Dr Rahal, Feller, Ron or Paul Shapiro, True & Dorin, Hasson and Wong, from the recommended docs on this site. I don't know how much they charge, but I do know that they won't butcher your head up, with these guys, you wouldn't be able to tell which hairs were moved, and which were already there.

[Sparky]

By the way, I'm a repair patient, and I like to try to steer people away from following the same path as I did, because I'd give all the money I ever earned and some to have another chance at getting it right the first time round!

[jbrooks]

I appreciate what you're saying, but Dr Lehr came highly recommended and he worked under Dr. Norwood for a while. That's why I'm wondering if there are rates close to that. If not that's fine, I'm just curious to evaluate my options. thanks for your help. I don't think any of the doctors recommended on here will butcher my head.

[jbrooks]

just found a post for Dr. Shapiro with a rate of $4.50 per graft for those that travel for the first 2000. I think this is probably where I'll go since his work is impeccable, but I'll still do some research. I'll keep you posted. Thanks

[Blake Bloxham]

Jbrooks,

 

Shapiro Medical (representing both Dr. Ron and Paul) is an excellent choice. Again, I don't want to 'beat a dead horse,' but you really shouldn't let cost guide your decision too much. It's far more cost effective (in the long run) to do your research and pick an excellent hair transplant surgeon the first time around. Having said that, I wanted to invite you to review our recommended hair restoration physicians and consider contacting clinics you are interested in to discuss their specific pricing policies.

 

Also, are you currently utilizing any preventive medications like minoxidil/Rogaine and/of finasteride/Propecia? I hope to hear back from you; let me know if you have any other additional questions.

[jbrooks]

I will check the recommended physicians page out and see what their rates are, though Shapiro's work seems really great. I am not currently using any medicine for my hair problem. I'm not really one for taking medicine. I'm attaching pictures of my scalp. My main focus is to restore the fron of my hair to where I can style it adequately. I can't do anything now, but keep it shaved and short. I do notice the cerown appears to be slowly losing it. So 3 new questions for you guys and btw you've been great so far. Would you consider me Norwood 4, 4a or 5? How many grafts do you think my front will require for a full head of hair and how many for the crown? I'm trying to get an idea of what this is going to cost me. Thanks once again.

[largechris]

Thanks for the photos. I'm not convinced you have a realistic idea about this procedure to be honest. Inititially you mention upto 2000 grafts at 2.75 each, but if you take a look at my profile / site you'll see I was in a similar situation (maybe even slightly more hair) and I required 3900 grafts to get good frontal coverage, crown not touched. As has been said, at least 4 to 5 dollars sounds more realistic so that comfortably triples your budget. As you read through this site, balding blog etc. You'll start to get a much better idea of what a big deal in time and resource an HT is (anywhere from 5 to 10 hours surgery), and how skilled the surgeon has to be to perform it well.

 

Is it worth the money, even if it is on credit? Hell yes for a good one. Total life long nightmare for a bad one.