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Five Year Journey Over


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  • Senior Member

I have read on here many times that members wish other members would post after their hair restoration journey has been completed because so many people come on here when they are gathering information to consider the procedure then after they have it done they are never heard from again. After a five year journey in hair restoration I am offering my opinion at the request of numerous members who have sent me private messages asking for an update. I will attempt to keep this a brief as possible and want everyone to understand this is my opinion from five years of observation and my experience. Others may have had a different outcome. In 2007 I went to Jeffrey Epstein in Miami for my first hair transplant. He was highly recommended here as one of the top doctors. Nine months after my first hair transplant I posted a photo of my results here to obtain opinions from other members. I had never had a hair transplant so I wasn’t sure what level of progress I should have achieved by that point. To my surprise my photo created a firestorm of responses that something was not right, that I should have far more growth than what I did. Dr. Epstein saw the post and called me and said for me to come back for another procedure and it would be free of charge. I did that and received very poor results from the second procedure as well. I went to several coalition doctors for their opinion and they agreed for the number of grafts I was supposed to have received the results were lacking. I even went to a dermatologist that Dr. Epstein sent me to in order to rule out a scalp condition and I received a clean bill of health.

I requested a refund of the nearly $10,000 I paid Dr. Epstein and he refused. He asked why I felt I was owed a refund. I provided him with documentation from the other doctors saying my results were not what they were supposed to be and his observation during visits to his office that I had virtually no results. He refused a refund. Shortly after that the Hair Transplant Network revoked Dr. Epstein’s membership as a coalition doctor. I heard from several other guys who had the same experience the same time that I did, some he provided refunds to others he did not according to our correspondences.

Then Dr. Ron Shapiro in Minneapolis learned of my situation and offered to perform a surgery free. I gladly took him up on his offer because after dropping $10,000 with Dr. Epstein and seeing very poor results I had no money left to continue to try to make this right. After the first transplant the results were much better but I still didn’t have enough density to be cosmetically acceptable. Dr. Shapiro offered to complete another surgery free of charge, and again I accepted his gracious offer. Each transplant I waited at least a year before having another one. After the second one with Dr. Shapiro my hair was thicker than it was but still not cosmetically acceptable in my opinion. I was not bald, I had hair where there was no hair before but it was thin and looked even thinner if any light hit it. Now that my donor supply was exhausted and I still hadn’t achieved hair thick enough to be presentable I felt I was at the end of the road.

Then I started hearing about Scalp Micorpigmentation (SMP). I researched four of the largest companies in the country that offer this service. After nearly two years of research, consultations and soul searching I decided on Good Look Ink. I had reservations about this procedure but knew if I ever wanted to remove my hairpiece this could possibly be my only option to achieve that. That procedure did not turn out well for me although it has benefits for some which I will touch on shortly. In order for this procedure to look right one must keep their head shaved. If the hair is allowed to grow it will not look right with the SMP underneath. The day I was to board my plane to have the procedure done I received a voice mail from GLI saying they had reconsidered me as a candidate. They felt my hair color would not match their ink. I felt there was another reason behind it because they had seen me in person at a consolation, I had mailed a hair sample and sent dozens of photographs in the 18 months I had been considering the procedure before I actually did it. They knew exactly what my hair color was. I flew up there and had the procedure. I felt GLI did an adequate job on my hairline it didn’t look weird and overall what they did look believable. However, there was one huge problem. They could not blend or minimize my hair transplant scar.

When I left there I had a very visible scar across the entire length of the back of my head that looked like a giant smiley face. They assured me it would calm down and go away. It never did, so I went back for what they term an “enhancement”. Not only did the enhancement not change anything to make the scar less visible it now made it worse because they overcompensated with the ink and created a dark band directly above the entire length of my scar making it even worse. Now I was forced to grow my hair back to cover this hideous mess. As I mentioned earlier, the hair needs to be shaved or buzzed in order for this procedure to look right. The item that they felt would be a problem ended up not being a problem at all. I have no problem with the ink color or the way it was distributed. What ended up being a huge problem was the fact they could not minimize the scar and not only could they not minimize it but they made it worse by over compensating with too much ink above the scar. I had two other companies that provide this service provide an opinion of what they thought of the work. They both agreed it was not acceptable.

An added strange twist to this story is the fact that a “client” of GLI’s contacted me and claimed to be someone who was concerned and interested in my procedure and outcome. This individual messaged me on here. His profile name was Jholcollege11. He befriended me and we swapped email addresses then phone numbers. This guy messaged me daily which I thought was a bit over the top but figured maybe he was just friendly and wanting to compare notes on the procedure that he had supposedly had at the same time I did. Considering the problem I had with the service that GLI provided I requested a refund. Not only did GLI ignore me but then suddenly I began receiving threatening and harassing text messages, voice mails and emails from Jholcollege11. I know his real name and have his address. After this went on for a couple of weeks I contacted my attorney about it and law enforcement officials were contacted to have the threats on record. The threats stopped but had I received one more law enforcement would have taken action. I can only guess this individual was a shill for GLI. I can’t imagine why he would suddenly turn from a concerned party to sending threats after I requested a refund.

GLI ignored me and the complaint I filed with the Better Business Bureau. However, I took care of the situation on my own and I am satisfied with the outcome. If you are bald, have not had a hair transplant and don’t mind a shaved or buzzed look GLI can work for you. However, if you have had a hair transplant and have a scar from the strip surgery I would be very careful about this. The photos they have on their website showing before and after clients with hair transplant scars do not look anything like what happened to me. To sum up my experience it has been a roller coaster. If I knew I’d have to go through everything I did at the beginning I may not have gone through with anything. I have had to let my hair grow back to cover the scar which looks a bit odd with the SMP under it but I believe I notice it more simply because I know it is there. So I can’t recommend or reject hair transplants or SMP. It will have a different outcome for each individual. Mine has been a mixed bag I am somewhat happy with parts of it and unhappy with others. Good luck with your hair restoration goals.

NW5

Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007

2520 grafts

471 one hair grafts

1540 two hair grafts

505 three hair grafts

5070 Total hair count

 

Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008

2384 grafts

870 one hair grafts

1150 two hair grafts

364 three and four hair grafts

4262 Total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009

1896 grafts

760 one hair grafts

852 two hair grafts

288 three hair grafts

46 four hair grafts

3362 total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011

1191 grafts

447 one hair grafts

580 two hair grafts

150 three hair grafts

14 four hair grafts

2113 total hair count

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  • Senior Member

Seems like everything you tried was a disaster. I remember following your situation after I heard that SMG did 2 free procedures for you and thinking "that made no difference at all?" Without pictures it is really tough to get a true idea of what you're talking about. The thing that seems most bizarre about the GLI procedure is that they would ink your scalp ABOVE your scar and not directly into it, I just don't get that at all. Why would they do that? Glad to hear that the threats from that character have stopped, that is very troubling to hear.

 

I seem to remember that even after your procedures at SMG you continued to wear a hair piece all the time. I have to say that I think this must have had a negative effect of your growth, and this is not an attack on your decision just an observation, I understand that you felt more comfortable wearing it. I also remember asking for some pictures to try to help with some suggestions and I think you did post one pic that showed you with very short blonde or reddish hair. We talked about the "sweet spot" for hair length, ala Joe Tillman, and how having very short hair on top was not ideal. At the time I suggested that you ditch the hair system and try growing it out on top and have it a bit shorter on the sides, but then you set out on your quest to gain info on SMP, so I guess you never tried it. Are you still wearing a hair piece?

 

Have you ever considered someone like Dr Umar? Maybe he could get you to a place that made you feel comfortable with your appearance. Maybe it is time to just accept your situation, which might not be as horrible as you think, and just move on with life and free yourself from worrying about searching for the next fix. Best wishes to you.

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  • Senior Member

StaggerLee123, you seem to be challenging my post. With all due respect I'm very cautious who I communicate with on here now after the incident with the apparent shill from GLI I was involved in. You read my post incorrectly. I did not say the two procedures with SMG "made no difference at all". I said I have hair where there was no hair before but it is not thick enough to be cosmetically acceptable in my opinion. It is thin and worse in full light of any kind. I have posted photos here in the past several times. GLI did not put ink only above the scar they put it in the scar on my first procedure and at the follow up enhancement. However, neither procedure took because the scar is clearly visible. On the second attempt they apparently overcompensated and the skin above the scar took the ink but scar did not and I'm now left with a large dark band above the scar.

Concerning the hairpiece that had nothing to do with the results of the hair growth as I have posted on here numerous times. It was a lace piece which is like a net. It was completely breathable. Just to be certain I consulted with Dr. Bernstein in New York and he confirmed he lace hairpiece would have no adverse effect on the hair growth.

Yes, I did grow my hair out on the top and cut it shorter on the sides. It still appears thin on the top. There is nothing that can be done to make it appear the hair is thicker when it is not. When light hits it, it appears even thinner. I agree the right haircut can appear more flattering but the bottom line is the hair on top is still thin and that is apparent no matter the hair style.

I don't know who Dr. Umar is but I'm not pursuing any further procedures. I'm not unhappy with my appearance I'm quite self confident. I just feel for what I went through the results are mediocre at best. I'm not sure what gave you the idea I haven't accepted my "situation". I've totally accepted it. I simply posted my results at the request of numerous members. I was afraid if I provided my results I'd start receiving messages like this blaming me and telling me I was the one who needed to accept the situation and putting words in my mouth.

Please don't turn this into an argument or pissing session. That is not what was intended. There are a lot of guys out there desperate for information and have asked me to post. Negative responses from people is what causes people like me to not want to post but I did it to hopefully educated other guys out there what they can expect. You have the right to disagree but not to miscommunicate my point. These are my results and I'm not going to call it something that it is not. Best wishes to you.

NW5

Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007

2520 grafts

471 one hair grafts

1540 two hair grafts

505 three hair grafts

5070 Total hair count

 

Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008

2384 grafts

870 one hair grafts

1150 two hair grafts

364 three and four hair grafts

4262 Total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009

1896 grafts

760 one hair grafts

852 two hair grafts

288 three hair grafts

46 four hair grafts

3362 total hair count

 

Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011

1191 grafts

447 one hair grafts

580 two hair grafts

150 three hair grafts

14 four hair grafts

2113 total hair count

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  • Senior Member

You took my post the wrong way, I am not challenging you about anything! I was just giving some honest feedback. You said GLI "overcompensated by putting too much ink ABOVE the scar." My mistake if I read that incorrectly and didn't glean what you meant by that.

 

As a fellow botched hair-transplant recipient I think I understand how you feel more than you would know. No pissing match in sight.

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  • Regular Member

I repaired my hair transplant scar with beard grafts exclusively and I am happy with the results. I feel your pain man and I hope that somewhere down the line you wind up feeling happy about your hair, with more procedures or without. Good luck!

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