Advice needed on surgeons providing FUE hair transplan

[seekinghairsoon]

Hi,

 

I am a 32, Male from Austin, TX with a hair loss problem since the last 10 years. A while ago, I started exploring the option of getting a transplant, and have benefited a lot reading through the forums on this site. Thank you all.

 

I have consulted with two surgeons recommended in this forum - Dr. Brad Limmer from San Antonio and Dr. Fisher from Nashville. Both explained the transplant process very well, and came to similar conclusion. Given that I do not have enough donor hair, they will not be able to cover my entire head; they would be able to cover the front, and would need 1500 - 2000 grafts.

 

Both of them, and seems like a majority of surgeons in this forum - use the strip method. The more I read about the risks of the scar that is created, the more I am inclined to explore FUE as an option. I understand that FUE also involves tiny scars, but I would like to consult further with a surgeon who provides FUE transplant before deciding which way to go - strip/FUE. Some questions that I have.

 

1. Are there any FUE surgeons, who are recommended by this forum?

2. I have heard that FUE cannot be performed on someone with more than Norwood 3. Is that true? Have enclosed some recent photos for reference.

3. An apparent risk of FUE is that some grafts may die eventually in the next 5 - 10 years because they were not pulled from the safe donor area. In that case, can I go for a strip transplant later? Or, does a FUE transplant preclude me from any future strip transplant?

 

Thanks much for your time in advance!

[Cant decide]

FUE grafts will not fall out if they are harvested and planted by a good doc. There are many docs on here who do FUE. Dont let distance be a factor and consult with a few until you find the one that you like best. Assuming you dont want to leave the US for your procedure, I would suggest Shapiro medical group in MN. or Dr. Feller in NY. There are several others who I like for FUE as well but these would be my top 2 in the US.

 

Globally, I think the best FUE doc is Dr. Bisanga in Belgium.

[Levrais]

There are several docs on this forum who do fue. Since you don't have enough scalp donor to do a full restoration, you may also want to consult with a doc who does fue with beard and body hair. I agree with everything Cant decide said except that I don't think Dr. Feller does fue on the higher NW levels.

 

While technically there is scarring from fue, its not visible like a strip scar if done by the right doc.

[chrisdav]

seekinghairsoon,

 

If you are suitable for Fue, then you may need to go to Europe as some of the clinics deal with higher Norwood patients there and not many in North America do.

[1978matt]

Your case seems somewhat reminiscent of William38. Here's his link:

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/165487-5000-fue-dr-de-reys.html

 

If keeping your hair short is an important option and a result similar to William's is meaningful to you then I'd say go for the FUE.

 

If you want more coverage then the chances are you will probably get more out of FUT - however, that depends on how loose your scalp is for taking a large or multiple strip(s).

 

Being from Europe I'd say go to Europe for FUE, but if you can't travel I'd look at SMG or Diep.

[seekinghairsoon]

Hi Can't decide, Levrais, chrisdav, 1978matt

Thanks a lot for your reply.

 

1978matt, it was really impressive to read through William's experience. I would have never thought 5000+ grafts was possible. It would be nice if some surgeon in the US would be willing to do FUE for that many grafts.

[JohnnyDrama]

Dr Umar has done quite a few cases of that size. From a US point of view, I believe he has the most experience in terms of high FUE graft cases. You can see a lot of his results here:

 

Dr. Sanusi Umar  Hair Transplant Surgeon in Redondo Beach, California

 

He has a very good rep. I think SMG are a great FUE clinic too so it might be worth doing an online consult with them! Europe does seem to be where a lot of the higher cases of FUE are being performed however.