Concern about my appointment in India

[fantasticpow]

I recently booked an appointment from California to India.

I've only sent my pictures as an online consultation.

I've never received any comments opinion about my hair, or discussion about the transplant.

I never got to speak with any doctor about my session. I only manage to speak with the clinic representative on the phone. She tells me too book my flight and tell her the date of my arrival. I book a flight on March, and called her back to tell her so she can set my appointment. So I'm having my personal consultation on Friday and the transplant on Saturday.

 

I've had hair transplant before here in California, and they would provide detail information, what I want, how much it will cost, prepayment and what I have to do to prepare. When I have a session in California, I would be instructed to purchase pills and take them few days before the appointed date. But booking this appointment in India, I wasn't given much of anything, but an email telling me I am schedule on those day, and I can call for a taxi to the hotel.

 

I just recently schedule, hopefully later on, they would provide more information, and not expect me to show up on the day unprepared.

[Garageland]

This is not really acceptable you should be aware what the plan for the surgery should be, are you having FUE or FUT, approximate number of grafts and the cost. You should have been provided with pre and post op instructions. I would not be happy traveling half way around the world as a repair patient or any patient not knowing what the basis of your surgery will be.

 

I would email them now demanding to know what they propose if they can't give you an idea I would cut your losses and go elsewhere.

 

It may just be a breakdown in communication but you need to know these things.

[Shera]

Hi, just a few questions.

 

Have you already paid a deposit for this procedure?

 

Have you researched into the Dr/clinic?

 

Have you viewed past results and possibly spoken/emailed past patients for their views?

 

Are you actually aware what procedure you are having done and the associated costs?

 

Are you aware that you will need a visa to travel to India?

 

Has the hotel etc been booked and are you aware of the costs?

 

I think in the first instance you really need to come up with a list of questions and ask the clinic rep to clarify these in writing. It could simply be just because you have not asked, the clinic have just assumed you know the answers.

 

Also you might want to demand that the clinic at least send a driver to the airport to pick you up, worryingly you do come across as someone who could possibly be taken advantage off by a dodgy taxi driver after a long flight

 

Feel free to PM me if you need any assistance.

__________________________________________________

Dr Bhatti FUE Oct 2014 3305 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178931-my-fue-dr-tejinder-bhatti-oct-2014-a.html

Edited February 1, 2016 by Shera

[fantasticpow]

Have you already paid a deposit for this procedure?

No I haven't payed any deposit, which I know I should, but they didn't request, because I'm assuming they need to complete the consultation at their clinic to determine if I'm qualify or have the payment be done in full. But since I have had previous FUT and FUE, I know I am qualify for the session.

 

 

Have you researched into the Dr/clinic?

Yes I have research, I have checked their website, and I have read some other member's previous experience with the Dr and clinic.

 

Have you viewed past results and possibly spoken/emailed past patients for their views?

Again, I apply for their online consultation, and sent them my pictures as requested and told them I had prior experience with hair transplant, I even made a professional HD video for them to view, though not sure if they even view them. They sent me an email that the pictures weren't enough to determine if I qualify, and that I need a personal consultation at the clinic.

 

Are you actually aware what procedure you are having done and the associated costs?

yes I have done my calculation, but I'm not sure about everything, as the price may change.

Are you aware that you will need a visa to travel to India?

I have traveled to other Asian country, and usually I apply for the visa at the airport. Unless India is different and need to request a Visa from the USA.

 

 

Has the hotel etc been booked and are you aware of the costs?

 

I think in the first instance you really need to come up with a list of questions and ask the clinic rep to clarify these in writing. It could simply be just because you have not asked, the clinic have just have assumed you know the answers.

 

Also you might want to demand that the clinic at least send a driver to the airport to pick you up, worryingly you do come across as someone who could possibly be taken advantage off by a dodgy taxi driver after a long flight

My concern as well, I'm sure the clinic have had several clients from other countries and is aware of this, I assume they would prepare me with information concerning these things.

[California]

Hi fantasticpow,

 

I too believe that the experience/communication (or lack of) that you have shared so far, is just not acceptable. How can any Clinic expect you to travel all the way from the US to India without you fully knowing and understanding what you are getting into. Transparency is the key here. It sounds alarming that you have not been made aware of the fact that US Citizens do need a visa to travel to Indian and this is NOT something that you can arrange for,at the airport. Since last year, India did start the "visa on arrival" program for the US Citizens visiting India BUT the visa has to be applied for online before you leave the US. Here is the link for more information on getting an Indian visa:

India e-Tourist Visa (eTV) Application Get Urgent Tourist Visa for India

 

I agree with the advise given to you by Gargaland and Shera. You should be asking all the relevant questions and the Clinic should be able to give you all the information that you need. The HT Surgeon should assess your pictures and details and advise, BEFORE you send your deposit or even make your decision. The Clinic should walk you and guide you through your travel details in India. They should make arrangements for you to have you picked up at the airport, make hotel reservations for you etc. These are just the basic logistics but they do need to be covered.

 

The pre-op (day before) consultation should be just for "finalizing" the plans for the HT procedure such as discussing hairline design, density etc. and not for discussing basic things that should have been discussed already.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

Best regards,

California

[fantasticpow]

Thank you, I'm glad I made this post, I wasn't aware of how their Visa works. Now I know where to apply for it, and hopefully retrieve it before my flight.

Hi fantasticpow,

 

I too believe that the experience/communication (or lack of) that you have shared so far, is just not acceptable. How can any Clinic expect you to travel all the way from the US to India without you fully knowing and understanding what you are getting into. Transparency is the key here. It sounds alarming that you have not been made aware of the fact that US Citizens do need a visa to travel to Indian and this is NOT something that you can arrange for,at the airport. Since last year, India did start the "visa on arrival" program for the US Citizens visiting India BUT the visa has to be applied for online before you leave the US. Here is the link for more information on getting an Indian visa:

India e-Tourist Visa (eTV) Application Get Urgent Tourist Visa for India

 

I agree with the advise given to you by Gargaland and Shera. You should be asking all the relevant questions and the Clinic should be able to give you all the information that you need. The HT Surgeon should assess your pictures and details and advise, BEFORE you send your deposit or even make your decision. The Clinic should walk you and guide you through your travel details in India. They should make arrangements for you to have you picked up at the airport, make hotel reservations for you etc. These are just the basic logistics but they do need to be covered.

 

The pre-op (day before) consultation should be just for "finalizing" the plans for the HT procedure such as discussing hairline design, density etc. and not for discussing basic things that should have been discussed already.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

Best regards,

California

[Shera]

Hi Fantastic,

 

I would probably make sure all the other issues mentioned are addressed prior to getting a visa.

 

Booking the flights and getting the visa should in my opinion only be done once all other issues have been addressed such as you being certain of what you are having done, all other logistics relating to your stay are in place and a clear indication of associated costs are established.

 

Once this is all agreed, only then should you start looking into flights and visa detail.

 

I hope you act upon the advice given and I hope your trip to India is as pleasant as can be.

 

Shera

 

__________________________________________________

Dr Bhatti FUE Oct 2014 3305 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178931-my-fue-dr-tejinder-bhatti-oct-2014-a.html

[Indi9]

Hope you have researched well and selected a recommended surgeon from this site or similar other ones ? Would you like to name the clinic or the doc ?

There is more than enough experience on this site to help you out, only if you seek help in time.

[pkipling]

Everything you described sounds so bizarre, disorganized, and very unprofessional. Glad you came here for advice and input so that even if you do continue with this particular doctor, you're better equipped to handle all the details (that they should be handling) yourself.

 

I have to wonder if this is common practice for this doctor, or if you're speaking to a new employee who doesn't understand what she's doing. That has to be the case, right?