Who's Better? Dr. Rahal or Turkey Docs?

[taurusrisen]

Not necessarily, for most HT patients, hair loss is progressive, even on medication. So whilst the initial procedure may have been successful, they would come back for future procedures or touch-ups.

 

Why are you still talking to me? You dont get the hint.

[the80swasfun]

That’s one thing I will never, a repeat patient. All I need is work on the front which is thinning but not that much thinning. And the temple areas. Also to note, I cant take propecia because its side effects would hamper a pre-existing medical condition.

 

I’m sure the repeat patients you saw at the clinic initially had very bad thinning scalps to the point where very little hair could be harvested. Hence, the need to do more HTs for them.

 

Did you meet this Rahal patient at the clinic or over the forum? On a scale of 1 – 10, can you rate how dense his hair was relative to his pre-op? And what about the hairline?

 

So I talked on the phone with:

laketahoeguy

 

His case is extremely well documented. And he is very vocal about is concerns and experiences through the whole experience. He was great to talk to (on the phone) and I could definitely relate to his experiences.

 

The user "can't decide" has epic results and I am not knocking him but he is someone that has an epic supply available for HT. I wish I had even half as much as he had available for HT.

 

From what I have found for a lot of us its two stage: take care if the front and middle, then a second time take care of the crown. If you don't have to go twice then thats awesome! but as another user pointed out; hair loss is a progressive thing and we can't predict what our bodies will do in the future.

When I was younger I would not have seen my current state coming. Hence why I walked into this with caution and prepping for a second procedure if I ever felt I needed it.

 

Everyone is different. FUE is definitely the least invasive. Do what works for you. check out "can't decide"s profile. He has some seriously impressive results.

 

As to my fellow guest house occupants: only one before an after, he was on his third and last: 1 FUT pre DR Rahal, a second FUT with Dr Rahal and last a FUE to touch up his crown. His current state looked amazing. definitely a 9.5 to 10!

 

I am not here to sell you. I am just giving back to a community that helped me when I was very indecisive. I am just sharing my experiences as it pertains for feedback that you were looking for. Take with it what you will.

 

And once again, I hope you have great experience and get the results you hoped for regardless of who you choose. The world is a big place not dominated by any one doc, we would all love to learn from your future experiences.

[taurusrisen]

So I talked on the phone with:

laketahoeguy

 

His case is extremely well documented. And he is very vocal about is concerns and experiences through the whole experience. He was great to talk to (on the phone) and I could definitely relate to his experiences.

 

The user "can't decide" has epic results and I am not knocking him but he is someone that has an epic supply available for HT. I wish I had even half as much as he had available for HT.

.

 

Hey the80swasfun.. I checked out laketahoeguy's pics. I got to tell you, I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. I was able to see his scalp through his hair. And this was at 12 month post op.

 

I also saw Can't Decide's pics. Even though from what I saw it looks good, I still wish I could see more in-depth, close-up pics. I want to see pics or better yet, videos of patients who have recently reached their 9 or 12 month post op.

 

I think the best thing is to see pics of Rahal patients in their 9 - 12 month post op who've had 50 grafts/cm. Rahal said I'd need 50 grafts/cm. So I think this way I can see how my HT would look after 9 or 12 months post op.

[the80swasfun]

Hey the80swasfun.. I checked out laketahoeguy's pics. I got to tell you, I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. I was able to see his scalp through his hair. And this was at 12 month post op.

 

I also saw Can't Decide's pics. Even though from what I saw it looks good, I still wish I could see more in-depth, close-up pics. I want to see pics or better yet, videos of patients who have recently reached their 9 or 12 month post op.

 

I think the best thing is to see pics of Rahal patients in their 9 - 12 month post op who've had 50 grafts/cm. Rahal said I'd need 50 grafts/cm. So I think this way I can see how my HT would look after 9 or 12 months post op.

 

 

I remember talking with a few Docs and the density is always a question. I seemed to recall via conversation and website research/informational posts that the 32-40 grafts per CM was close to what they were comfortable doing. After that I would imagine you might run into the risk of simultaneous sock on the transplants vrs transplants. Rahal is known for very dense grafts on the hairline (more so then most) If he recommended 50 per cm then maybe he has developed new techniques, but then he is a bad ass in the field and I didn't have the density in the first place naturally of 50/cm.

 

Back to tahoegue. If I recall he did not touch his mid-scalp region much at all. Mostly front for him. check out his later months. they look great. He does have a second procedure scheduled for mid-scalp and crown coming up. I am very interested in how that turns out. But, you do have to consider that your body is a little unpredictable and no Doc can predict how grafts acceptance will be.

 

Further, while we all have the dream of reconstructing the past, at this time it may not be fully possible based on today's technology and our physiology. I had to accept a hairline crafted 3/4" from my "original" hairline. Maybe something else would have been possible if I started to look at this way before I was 45. And then maybe I would not have been able to afford it then when I was younger or maybe I would have spent money in vain. The tech is pretty solid right now. Reputable docs produce amazing "SUSTAINABLE RESULTS" Keyword there is sustainable. I think in your case the two things you are looking to distill down to is results you trust and a doc you feel comfortable with.

 

 

Look for that until you find it, until then look more and research.

 

Hope it helps......

 

PS.

I have been posting lately. Mostly a few from months ago but a few recently and still I am only at month 6, but progress is good. feel free to check out

[mav23100gunther]

Hey the80swasfun.. I checked out laketahoeguy's pics. I got to tell you, I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. I was able to see his scalp through his hair. And this was at 12 month post op.

 

I also saw Can't Decide's pics. Even though from what I saw it looks good, I still wish I could see more in-depth, close-up pics. I want to see pics or better yet, videos of patients who have recently reached their 9 or 12 month post op.

 

I think the best thing is to see pics of Rahal patients in their 9 - 12 month post op who've had 50 grafts/cm. Rahal said I'd need 50 grafts/cm. So I think this way I can see how my HT would look after 9 or 12 months post op.

 

Laketahoeguy even admitted that Dr Rahal took a more conservative approach with density and coverage. Even though it was a significant number of grafts, there was a lot to cover, so I am assuming the hairline was higher with the dense packing, and the midscalp and crown was less. He even stated in his write-up that there were parts of the midscalp not covered. Therefore definitely don't think you are looking at 50cm density across the whole head. I suspect if he got a 1,500 - 2,000 graft 2nd procedure then he will be golden. With that being said, I still think the results as they stand are very good compared to where he started

[taurusrisen]

I

I think in your case the two things you are looking to distill down to is results you trust and a doc you feel comfortable with.

 

Look for that until you find it, until then look more and research.

 

Looks like I'll be going to see Rahal. I feel most comfortable with him by far. This of course doesnt mean that I expect a miracle. I know there are risks involved, with the prime one being shock loss.

 

Do you know if there are any medications (except for propecia and meds like it) that reduce shock loss? Do you know if there is current research to greatly reduce or eliminate it?

 

BTW, I looked at your pics from 6 months. you're looking very good. But I havent seen any of your pre op pics. Maybe you can upload those.

[ontop]

Thank God you made your choice but i think you made that up before you started this never ending

Post.

 

I wish you well. Taff.

[taurusrisen]

Thank God you made your choice but i think you made that up before you started this never ending Post.

.

 

If this post is so "never ending" then why are you commenting on it thus making it more never ending?

 

And if I had made up my mind before starting this thread I wouldn't have wasted my energy constantly commenting on it.

 

Dont waste our time if youre going to complain about my thread. Troll somewhere else.

[ontop]

LOL....

You love that word TROLL don't ya LOL

Now I'm a troll , I guess I've a secret agenda working for some Dr now huh LOL

 

Listen to yourself....

You come on here asking for advice & then trash talk them when they toss some options or advice your way.

You think you know it all but ask again double trash people advice.

 

You talk crap & your very childish & members worked you out.

Your no good so crawl back under your rock. & you stop wasting peoples time you sad little boy.

 

Members....my advise to ignore him cas he just want to stir this forum up.

[KO]

LOL....

You love that word TROLL don't ya LOL

Now I'm a troll , I guess I've a secret agenda working for some Dr now huh LOL

 

Listen to yourself....

You come on here asking for advice & then trash talk them when they toss some options or advice your way.

You think you know it all but ask again double trash people advice.

 

You talk crap & your very childish & members worked you out.

Your no good so crawl back under your rock. & you stop wasting peoples time you sad little boy.

 

Members....my advise to ignore him cas he just want to stir this forum up.

He was writing the same stuff five years ago

 

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/158056-there-doctors-better-than-dr-rahal.html

[mav23100gunther]

Thank God you made your choice but i think you made that up before you started this never ending

Post.

 

I wish you well. Taff.

 

I hate to disappoint, but he hasn't really made a decision to get the procedure, looks like he just decided on Rahal as his choice of HT surgeon, which to your point he knew that already. So I'm assuming he is just going to consult with Rahal for the 2nd time, and then be back on this site seeking further affirmation that Rahal is in fact his man. Hopefully he is a million times more decisive when a woman opens up her legs for him. If not, then I guess he could always create a thread on the Internet seeking out affirmation from other people that the woman is right choice to go for a dip, and trash anyone who dares to tell him otherwise. Gosh he may even then accuse those who oppose him as being an employee for Hugh Hefner or something - haha

Edited June 24, 2015 by mav23100gunther

[taurusrisen]

LOL....

You love that word TROLL don't ya LOL

Now I'm a troll , I guess I've a secret agenda working for some Dr now

.

 

YAWWWWWWWNNNN...

 

I got the troll angry.. haha. This troll complains that my thread is too long. If its too long he should’ve skipped it. But that’s what trolls do. They waste your time and mine.

 

Everyone ignore this internet troll. And he sounds emotional, like a Katlyn Jenner. Be a real man, Katlyn.

 

He was writing the same stuff five years ago

 

Everyone… this guy sounds a lot like mav23100gunther. They got the same avatar. At this point I highly suspect its him. He follows my posts from years ago, very creepy!!! Youre a creepy guy with no life.

 

I hate to disappoint, but he hasn't really made a decision to get the procedure, looks like he just decided on Rahal as his choice of HT surgeon, which to your point he knew that already. So I'm assuming he is just going to consult with Rahal for the 2nd time, and then be back on this site seeking further affirmation that Rahal is in fact his man. Hopefully he is a million times more decisive when a woman opens up her legs for him. If not, then I guess he could always create a thread on the Internet seeking out affirmation from other people that the woman is right choice to go for a dip, and trash anyone who dares to tell him otherwise. Gosh he may even then accuse those who oppose him as being an employee for Hugh Hefner or something - haha

 

This guy never stops hating FUT docs. He’s a paid online rep for Erdogan. This is how he works.. You post a preference for a doc or FUT procedure. He then tries to talk you out of it by saying that Erdogan or FUE is better. He also reads your past posts which is creepy. Not once did he talk positive about Rahal or FUT. I posted links about his hate on this thread.

 

He’s an old man with a bad FUT procedure that left him bald and bitter. Read his past posts on this. He thought he’d attract girls with his new hair. Instead, he masturbates himself to sleep as therapy to help him forget about this pain. Hes employed by Erdogan to oppose any FUT doc as revenge against FUT.

 

You got to feel sorry for him. Hes a lonely bald old man with no chance with any girl.. HAHAHAHAHAA !!!!

[TakingThePlunge]

taurusrisen,

 

In reading your many comments, it's clear that you are the instigator and aggressor fueling these conflicts.

 

I'm glad you've made your decision. Dr. Rahal is an excellent hair transplant surgeon and I'm sure you'll be happy with the outcome.

 

My suggestion to everyone involved in these conversation is to simply avoid providing taurusrisen with more fuel to maintain these pointless arguments.

 

Let's just congratulation him and move on.

[taurusrisen]

taurusrisen,

it's clear that you are the instigator and aggressor fueling these conflicts.

 

Oh really? When I started this thread I was cordial with everyone until 3 trolls messed it up. Proof? Read below:

 

Ontop: “you started this never ending thread.”

 

mav23100gunther: “I guess a fool and his money are soon parted.”

 

Oh yeah! I’m the instigator.. yeah, ok. Do the research first otherwise you may be seen as the one defending the real agitators, in which case your impartiality and that of the forum will come into serious question.

 

My suggestion to everyone involved in these conversation is to simply avoid providing taurusrisen with more fuel to maintain these pointless arguments.

 

My suggestion is that you really read the entire thread before you judge anyone. That’s what an honest and smart moderator does… keyword, ‘smart’.

 

Let's just congratulation him and move on.

 

No, lets not congratulate him and move on. Lets correct you first as to who instigated the fights THEN we can congratulate him AND move on. Don’t put the horse before the carriage.

 

Anyway, I’m out of here. Too much underhanded business going on. With the HT clinics fooling people out of their money on these online forums through paid reps, I suspect even the forum administrator may be involved. The HT mafia at its best.

[the80swasfun]

Looks like I'll be going to see Rahal. I feel most comfortable with him by far. This of course doesnt mean that I expect a miracle. I know there are risks involved, with the prime one being shock loss.

 

Do you know if there are any medications (except for propecia and meds like it) that reduce shock loss? Do you know if there is current research to greatly reduce or eliminate it?

 

BTW, I looked at your pics from 6 months. you're looking very good. But I havent seen any of your pre op pics. Maybe you can upload those.

 

Thanks!

I added the pics the other night. In case you missed they are here:

Hair Restoration Social Network ? Community for and by Hair Loss Patients

 

meds, there was another one I heard of not yet through the FDA that was getting some traction over seas but I can't vouch that it was not a well promoted scam.

 

Personally I am looking for minoxidil that does not cause my skin to break out in a severe rash. I heard of Dr. Lee's proprietary minoxidil but I believe he got shut down.

 

I didn't realize my hair loss had progressed so much. I knew I was thinning bad but some how I was living in 5 years ago. I guess it could have been the fact that up until the rahal visit I was buzzing my hair with a No. 1/ clipper.

 

Even better is what got me started. I had pretty much excepted my hair loss. But my 4 year old son would hug me and tell me he wanted my hair to grow out like his. And I would chuckle and tell him daddy's hair had ran out. That got me started and I remembered the old Bosley Hair transplant commercials from the early 90's. Research ruled out Bosely pretty quick and all paths for me lead to Dr Rahal.

 

This very night my son was looking at me saying "Daddy you have more hair now...."

 

here's to the miracle of modern science!

[the80swasfun]

Looks like I'll be going to see Rahal. I feel most comfortable with him by far. This of course doesnt mean that I expect a miracle. I know there are risks involved, with the prime one being shock loss.

 

Do you know if there are any medications (except for propecia and meds like it) that reduce shock loss? Do you know if there is current research to greatly reduce or eliminate it?

 

BTW, I looked at your pics from 6 months. you're looking very good. But I havent seen any of your pre op pics. Maybe you can upload those.

 

I added the pics the other night. In case you missed they are here:

Hair Restoration Social Network ? Community for and by Hair Loss Patients

 

meds, there was another one I heard of not yet through the FDA that was getting some traction over seas but I can vouch that it was not a well promoted scam.

 

Personally I am looking for minoxidil that does not cause my skin to break out in a severe rash. I heard of Dr. Lee's proprietary minoxidil but I believe he got shut down.

 

I didn't realize my hair loss had progressed so much. I knew I was thinning bad but some how I was living in 5 years ago. I guess it could have been the fact that up until the rahal visit I was buzzing my hair with a No. 1/ clipper.

 

Even better is what got me started. I had pretty much excepted my hair loss. But my 4 year old son would hug me and tell me he wanted my hair to grow out like his. And I would chuckle and tell him daddy's hair had ran out. That got me started and I remembered the old Bosley Hair transplant commercials from the early 90's. Research ruled out Bosely pretty quick and all paths for me lead to Dr Rahal.

 

This very night my son was looking at me saying "Daddy you have more hair now...."

 

here's to the miracle of modern science!

[TakingThePlunge]

Oh really? When I started this thread I was cordial with everyone until 3 trolls messed it up. Proof? Read below:

 

Ontop: “you started this never ending thread.”

 

mav23100gunther: “I guess a fool and his money are soon parted.”

 

Oh yeah! I’m the instigator.. yeah, ok. Do the research first otherwise you may be seen as the one defending the real agitators, in which case your impartiality and that of the forum will come into serious question.

 

 

 

My suggestion is that you really read the entire thread before you judge anyone. That’s what an honest and smart moderator does… keyword, ‘smart’.

 

 

 

No, lets not congratulate him and move on. Lets correct you first as to who instigated the fights THEN we can congratulate him AND move on. Don’t put the horse before the carriage.

 

Anyway, I’m out of here. Too much underhanded business going on. With the HT clinics fooling people out of their money on these online forums through paid reps, I suspect even the forum administrator may be involved. The HT mafia at its best.

 

I have read the entire post and I've already told you privately that I've addressed others about their conduct. Your anger needs to be put in check. If you can't do that then I think it's a good idea that you've decided to move on.

 

Best of luck!

[taurusrisen]

meds, there was another one I heard of not yet through the FDA that was getting some traction over seas but I can vouch that it was not a well promoted scam.

 

So most likely it wasnt a scam. Would you happen to know the name of the med?

 

In my case, I cant use propecia because of a pre-existing medical condition. If shock loss were greatly reduced or completely eliminated, there'd be far more confidence in HT procedures.

 

I added the pics the other night. In case you missed they are here:

Hair Restoration Social Network ? Community for and by Hair Loss Patients

 

I appreciate the pics. Rahal did a very good job. But I noticed something in your 6 month post op pic that maybe you can explain. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong or maybe its the angle at which the pic was taken. But I see more density on the left side than on the middle front of your scalp. Dont get me wrong, the density is good. But relative to the left side, I notice less density. Am I right to assume this? I bring this up because I want to make sure that the front of my scalp is as dense as the sides when I get my HT. Is this a concern or am I looking at the pic wrong?

[mav23100gunther]

In my case, I cant use propecia because of a pre-existing medical condition. If shock loss were greatly reduced or completely eliminated, there'd be far more confidence in HT procedures.

 

 

 

 

If you can't use Propecia, have you looked into Dutasteride? Its a lot more potent than Fin though, and is still being trialed. Hasson & Wong also prescribe a topical form of Finasteride that you apply to the scalp, have you looked into that? You do have to go to Vancouver for an in-person consult though, although I think there is an online Pharmacy in Pittsburg that can make it.

[the80swasfun]

So most likely it wasnt a scam. Would you happen to know the name of the med?

 

In my case, I cant use propecia because of a pre-existing medical condition. If shock loss were greatly reduced or completely eliminated, there'd be far more confidence in HT procedures.

 

 

 

I appreciate the pics. Rahal did a very good job. But I noticed something in your 6 month post op pic that maybe you can explain. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong or maybe its the angle at which the pic was taken. But I see more density on the left side than on the middle front of your scalp. Dont get me wrong, the density is good. But relative to the left side, I notice less density. Am I right to assume this? I bring this up because I want to make sure that the front of my scalp is as dense as the sides when I get my HT. Is this a concern or am I looking at the pic wrong?

 

 

All constructive criticism is welcome. So yes one side IS more dense then the other. And that is because (oddly the before pics fail to show) one side was thinner then the other. I attribute it to me parting my hair to the side my whole life and using massive amounts of hair gel, spritz and gawd awful hair spray products in the 80's. So yes one side has the jump on the other and the front.

 

For me the focus is the midway spot of my hair line. To me is seems a bit thin, but this was the area that I had the most dense amount of grafts, and I figure its the area the tissue and follicles suffered the most trauma and will take longer to get back in gear. The Docs office confirmed that with some patients it can take longer in that area for density and I am probable looking at better growth around month 9.

 

This is probably further slowed by that fact that I'm almost 45 and we don't have the same hormone levels as those who are in their 20's or 30's. (my theory only, no doc feedback there.)

 

 

on the topic of Shock loss, from checking peoples profiles and reviewing their experience I have seen two kinds of shock loss. The kind that is attributed to "Shedding" after a transplant and usually occurs at week 4 (I saw it) but this is usual and expected and temporary. The other I have noticed is the spots prone to severe tissue trauma for one reason or another. Example: FUT procedures with very high follicle extractions (like 4,000++) I have noticed around the end points on the scar and usually around the stitches tha carried the most stress to keep the wound closed.

 

From what I understand is that some recover and some don't. My guess is that the issue has been contorted enough and there has been enough trauma to the follicles that they cease to grow. But this is not backed by any scientific research! just my person interpretation of what I have seen here and a few other hair loose blogs.

 

Well it seems on the meds area you are the opposite from me. I can take Fin/proscar/propecia but can't take minoxidil. Frustrating, especially considering it will accelerate your results and this is the slowest moving game I have ever played (even worst then the waiting for my fist child)

 

I'll have to dig at what the "new hair drug" was. I didn't save the info unfortunately. Probably was a vitamin supplement passing its self off as a competitor of the real deal.

 

Do you have any DHT inhibitor options available to you to cease hair loss?

[taurusrisen]

If you can't use Propecia, have you looked into Dutasteride? Its a lot more potent than Fin though, and is still being trialed. Hasson & Wong also prescribe a topical form of Finasteride that you apply to the scalp, have you looked into that? You do have to go to Vancouver for an in-person consult though, although I think there is an online Pharmacy in Pittsburg that can make it.

 

I don’t have a prostate issue. So that med won’t apply to me. Thanks anyway. Funny you mention Canada. I’ve read many good meds not available in stupid USA are available in Canada. Blame the FDA for that.

 

So yes one side IS more dense then the other. I attribute it to me parting my hair to the side my whole life and using massive amounts of hair gel, spritz and gawd awful hair spray products in the 80's.

 

Thank you for saying this because yesterday I applied hairspray and gel to my hair. I was going to leave it on overnight without shampooing it out, which heart wrenching as it sounds, is what I usually do. And this I believe has caused the most damage to my follicles. After reading what you said about the damage of using hair products over the years, this got me to spring out of bed, hit the shower and shampoo it out. So thank you for this. From now on, the longest I’ll have goo on my hair will be 8 – 10 hours, max.

 

For me the focus is the midway spot of my hair line. The Docs office confirmed that with some patients it can take longer in that area for density and I am probable looking at better growth around month 9.

 

Yeah, give it another 3 – 6 months, you’ll see the density you’re expecting. The most important part for me is the front middle part of the scalp which is thinning. But believe it or not, I can get away from making it look fuller by using volumizer shampoos. Then I got to style it in a way that looks fuller, which takes 10 - 20 minutes to do in front of the bathroom mirror.

 

Do you have any DHT inhibitor options available to you to cease hair loss?

 

I really don’t. Like I said, I cant take any of these meds because of a medical condition that I’m suffering from. This meds will hamper my condition further.