My Experience with Dr. Steven Gabel (April 16 2013, ~1800 Grafts)

[Mike26]

Hey guys- Chris here.

 

I'll have to check with Aileen, but I believe the procedure finished at ~1840 FUT and 39 FUE experimental beard hairs.

 

I've had 2 procedures prior to my recent one with Dr. Gabel. Dr. Glenn Charles (2134grafts in 2008) and Dr. Ken Siporin (~1600grafts in 2010). I thought the results were pretty good from Dr. Charles and pretty average from Dr. Siporin. Neither should be taken as strong criticism of either doctor, I have pretty thin hair to begin with and dramatically sped up MPB via my past use of anabolic steroids. I've recommended a lot of guys to Dr. Charles and think anyone in the state of Florida should consider him.

 

I'm not a rookie to this by any means and my expectations are quite realistic if not under-hopeful. I basically want a "platform" of hair that I can dump toppik fibers on. I want to be able to style the hair line, so the emphasis has always been up front. I'm not searching for a perfect head of hair, I don't even care THAT much.

 

I'd have to say my experience with Dr. Gabel was the best yet.

 

I spent MORE TIME in his procedure than I spent in my previous 2 procedures combined. 13.5 hours I believe. While I was certainly ready to get back to the hotel after 13+ hours, I really appreciate the time that Dr. Gabel and his staff spent with me.

 

His staff also seemed to be working on separating (examining the grafts) for about 10 hours. I don't know if this is because they had to separate them from the scar tissue, but they really took a long hard look at every single graft.

 

Also, Dr. Gabel planted the majority or quite a bunch of the grafts, especially on the hairline (which I consider the most important area). Other doctors do not do this and the result can be grafts pointed the wrong direction. Find out BEFORE your procedure.

 

Dr. Gabel also saved me a $60 cab ride home and drove me back to the hotel in downtown Portland (which is past where he lives) and bought me a foot-long Subway club with tomatoes, onions, olives, pickles and light mayo (my usual, haha). He also went into the pharmacy with me to to make certain I got the meds I needed since Vicodin just doesn't cut it for me after these procedures.

 

The following day, Aileen (their patient coordinator) called me in the morning to let me know that they accidentally overcharged me by $229.39 because the FUE grafts had already been counted in the price. Even though this is "what what they should have done," I really appreciate the honesty. I've seen other doctors (even some recommended here) try and force MLM (multi-level marketing) garbage on their patients post-op.

 

Initial Post-Op Thoughts-

I got the sutures removed last Thursday. My physician was impressed on how well the area was sealed (he only wished we had used Purple stitching, since my hair is jet black).

 

And I was too- the scar appears SMALLER than it did before and seemingly has better coverage. Dr. Gabel thought that I'd need a scar-reduction procedure (sometime after I'm finished with FUT) but as of right now I don't even think that's necessary.

 

It's hard to judge the result based on "how it looks" a week post-op, but it seems like Dr. G just A LOT out of 1800 grafts. Granted, he's building on top of Dr. Charles and Dr. Siporin's work but I don't think I ever has as many hairs up front. We'll see when it grows out.

 

I really feel that Dr. Gabel understands that this is a "big deal" for guys, he treated me as a 1st time patient even though of I've done this before and know what to expect. Assuming the result grows out as I want, I'll return to him if/when have have more work done.

Edited April 28, 2013 by CEDeoudes59