Mid 20s considering a transplant...ANY ADVICE

[dkle2]

Hi,

 

I'm in my mid 20s and started losing my hair at the age of 19. I have lost a significant amount of hair at the front and was thinning out on top. 3-4 years ago I saw a hair transplant doctor in Australia and he prescribed the use of Rogaine and Proscar tablets.

 

The Proscar tablets has worked well and my hair loss is largely contained to the frontal area. I would class myself as somewhere between a class 2 and a class 3. I am now seriously considering going ahead with a transplant.

 

I recently moved to the UK and was wondering if anyone could recommend a doctor to have a consultation with. I'm not sure if I'm better off having a op in the UK or flying elsewhere.

 

Does anyone know the approximate cost of 1000 grafts in the UK and how does that compare to the US or the clinic in Poland. I would like to do the FUE procedure.

 

Also I was wondering what can a expect after surgery and how long would it take for me to recover to the point that no one at work would notice that I had an operation?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[hadenuf]

Hey dkle2,

 

I was in my mid 20s a few years back when I began my research before finally going through with two FUE procedures with Dr. Rahal in Canada this year.

 

I actually used this website a lot in becoming educated and deciding on what procedure to have and the surgeon to have perform it. As I am not from the UK, I cannot definitively answer all of your questions, but I will address the ones I can and leave it to our British forum peers to help with the rest.

 

In terms of choosing a surgeon, members review surgeons on here all the time. Those who are consistently reviewed well go through a screening process and are offered membership in to the "Coalition of Hair Restoration Physicians". I would start with Coalition physicians that intrigue you for whatever reason is most important to you (patient results, experience with FUE, geography, etc.). Check out this link: Hair Transplant Network

 

Also, check out: How to Pick a Hair Restoration Physician.

 

Personally, I chose Dr. Rahal in Canada because he satisfied everything I wanted. Excellent results, I could drive there, and the price was right. There weren't too many patients on here with FUE from Dr. Rahal, but his reputation was so impeccable, I was confident he wouldn't offer something that would tarnish it. If money isn't an issue, then geography should definitely be very low on the list.

 

I do not know the cost of 1000 grafts in Europe. The prices I found in Canada and the USA were $8-10 per graft. Different surgeons have different price points.

 

In terms of recovery, I think you're a fair bit away from worrying about that, but I can give you a brief idea. You will definitely need a week off. For the FUE procedure, you may be required to shave your whole head. After two weeks, you probably won't be able to tell you've had surgery, but you will have to explain your new haircut. On the other hand, if you only truly end up with 1000 grafts, some surgeons may suggest keeping your hair long and taking grafts from different areas of the back of your head, which can then be covered up. That was the plan for my second procedure, but we decided on 1600 grafts instead of 1000, so that went out the window.

 

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[dkle2]

Thanks for your help its great hearing other people experiences.....I might go have a catch with a London based Doc. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[mars]

Do not go to ANY clinic in the uk for fue,the only country in the world besides america and canada is BELGIUM.And belgium actually has more world class fue surgeons than north america.

 

Check out bisanga,feriduini,mwamba.

 

Just to reinforce what i said stay away from uk.The eurostar goes to brussels from london.

Check out hairloss experiences forum they have alot more european based fue results,this forum is mainly north america and strip.

[dkle2]

Thanks for that advice but why do you say that I shouldn't get the procedure done by a UK doc?

 

Would you know if there is substantial price difference between UK, Belgium and US docs?

[mars]

Because there are no good docs in the uk!!!

 

Price should not be a factor but around 5euro in belgium and uk,if you are in europe go to bisanga simple as that ok,good luck.

[jessie1]

Bisanga in Europe is the best choice near to home if travel is a factor.

 

I have consulted personally with him and was impressed. Also seen an example of his work in the flesh which was very impressive.

 

In terms of the rest of the world: Rahal. He is the top of the profession at the minute with either FUE or FUT. There is also a discount for overseas patients.

 

Presume nothing, question everything! Don't assume that the most spoken about or popular Doctors on this site are necessarily the best. Bisanga is not a coalition Doc yet his work is outstanding.

 

The UK has no close competitors bar Farjo but according to my research there are definitely better.

 

Another factor you need to carefully consider. What is the Doctor's reputation like when the chips are down. I'm talking about aftercare. It's a quality that should be judged along side skill and expertise. Again, don't just look at the positive results, search for negative experiences and be intrusive.

 

Post your pics and get more forum support. Your personal situation is very much part of choosing the right doc. Some Docs specialise in certain areas ie. Repair, hairline, conservative- aggressive approaches.

 

Whatever your needs, your short list would be extremely short without Bisanga or Rahal on it.

 

Good luck

 

Dr Feller Sept 2010: 1000 FUE

2 UK strips: 2007 and 2009

[dkle2]

Thanks Jessie...I had a look at the docs recommended by mars and they seem to consult all over Europe. Unfortunately I missed one with Dr. Mwamba.

 

I have attached some pics. Does anyone know how many grafts I would require? And the approximate cost of such a procedure? I know the pictures aren't perfect and it would only be a guesstimate.

 

Thanks for all your help.