How do you know you've received the quoted number of grafts??

[Vpac]

Taking away the 'quality' aspect of hair transplantation, the entire procedure, cost and result is based on the number of grafts implanted. As such, is there a way for a patient to independently verify the precise number of grafts implanted without relying on the clinics information?

 

For the most part we can 'assume' that all clinics and doctors will quote their patients the accurate number of grafts to provide a positive outcome. This in turn enhances the clinics reputation and ensures continued business from hair loss sufferers. Also thanks in large part to the internet, clinics from around the world are now more accessible than ever before so there is more awareness of which clinics are consistently producing positive results.

 

Now I know some people will say there is a need for 'trust' between the patient and doctor, and I agree with this. But the number of grafts implanted into your head is not a matter of trust, it's a matter of fact. If you've had 1500 grafts implanted, but were quoted and paid for 2000 grafts, it is a fact that you had 500 grafts less. It has nothing to do with trust, regardless of how reputable, trustworthy, the awards and memberships the doctor/clinic has collected.

 

Now this doesn't have to be on a ridiculous scale. If a doctor is undercutting on average 100 grafts on each patient, and let’s say they see one patient a day, and charge $5 per graft, in a year they will have made $182,500 from not doing anything! ($5 x 100 grafts x 365 days). And when majority of transplants you see now are between 1500-3000 grafts range, how easy could the clinic get away with giving you 100 grafts less at 2400 grafts instead of the 2500 you paid for?

 

So is there a way for a patient to independently confirm the number of grafts they have achieved, or is this crucial information in the 'trust' of the doctor/clinic? You can go to the best of the best in the world, but out of sheer pessimism if you want to know exactly the number of grafts for your own peace of mind, I wonder if this is possible.

[Yaz89]

Only one way to do that...count the grafts yourself once extraction is done.

[Michael Vories, MD]

In our clinic, we have begun taking a high resolution photo of the dishes the grafts are in, separated by groups of 100. We provide this photo to the patient so if they desire, they can count the grafts anytime after the procedure to make sure the count is accurate. Just a thought.

[Britanium]

I was given the opportunity to count the grafts which were kept in the dishes as Dr Vories also mentioned.

I have had 5 Hts and each time a different surgeon. I had the choice to count the grafts every time.

However I'm fully aware that all clinics are different.

[thisguy1]

In our clinic, we have begun taking a high resolution photo of the dishes the grafts are in, separated by groups of 100. We provide this photo to the patient so if they desire, they can count the grafts anytime after the procedure to make sure the count is accurate. Just a thought.

 

This is a great idea and hope is shared among your network of peers.

 

I often wondered the same question and really the only answer is "trusting".

 

As for the person who said count them once they are in your head? You serious? :rolleyes:

[California]

Hi Vpac,

 

As you have yourself mentioned, the "trust" factor is there already. When a Patient chooses the HT Surgeon to perform his/her procedure, the assumption is that a great deal of research and due diligence has gone into making that choice and decision. That said, every Patient has the right to count the extracted grafts, if he/she wishes to do so.

 

Here is a thought.....if you don't want to count the extracted grafts, how about counting the incisions that the Surgeon is making in your recipient area......number of incisions made would/should be equal to the number of grafts implanted.

 

Best regards,

California

[Stig]

The best way is to bring one of those clicking finger counters and follow along during the incision making process, although I guess the doctor can still make more incisions than needed/grafts implanted.

[Indi9]

There is no reason why a surgeon would not let you count them. You are going to be paying for each one of them. I ran into an article on Dr. Bhatti's site ... go through the last paragraph where he says

 

"Ensure this by making the payment only after the harvesting of grafts is complete and you have counted the grafts".

 

I am sure there are & will be other genuine surgeons like him (On another thread saw Dr. Bisanga offering to do touch up/second procedure for low yield, which can be due to numerous reasons, Dr Vores offering to take HD/high res pics etc..) who would allow you to take pictures of the grafts and count them if you'd want to.

 

5 More Tips while Planning your Hair Transplant in India ? - Darling Buds Hair Transplant Center

 

The question however is, would ONE go to a surgeon or clinic he doesn't think to be doing what they say ? If I have little bit of doubt about that, as then it will keep playing on my mind on so many other things (like density of transplanted hair or remaining donor bank left etc..) that you couldn't trust them for. Trust matters!

 

Go for recommended surgeons...ones who do procedures daily. The practice works on trust and such pitty & shameful things(like cheating customers with incorrect no. of grafts, offering ) could only be expected at run of the mill clinics run by techs or non-medical institutes as a business trying to dupe you of your many and donor grafts both. In this business reputation is "Key to Survival" & "More(new) & Repeat Business"

[Vpac]

Only one way to do that...count the grafts yourself once extraction is done.

 

Did you have an opportunity to do that with Dr Erdogan? I think that is probably the best way - ask the clinic to present you the extracted grafts before implantation begins. The only issue I can envision with this, is that you want the extracted grafts to spend the least amount of time out of the scalp as possible - and it may take 10-15 minutes for you to count the grafts. From the many patient reviews I have read, usually after extraction the patient and team take a short lunch break and then proceed to creating the incisions and then implants of the grafts so you are already pushing it here time wise. Also, with all the meds and painkillers you are on and possible tiredness, the last thing on your mind would be to count the grafts. I've even read of people falling in and out of sleep during the procedure.

 

In our clinic, we have begun taking a high resolution photo of the dishes the grafts are in, separated by groups of 100. We provide this photo to the patient so if they desire, they can count the grafts anytime after the procedure to make sure the count is accurate. Just a thought.

 

This sounds really good ... however, and I'm not for one moment suggesting your clinic does this - but to play the devils advocate the clinic can give you pictures of other peoples grafts with similar hair to yours to make up for any shortage. I think a combination of counting the grafts yourself, plus the clinic providing you hi-res photos for you to review later during your own free time sounds like a good solution.

 

I was given the opportunity to count the grafts which were kept in the dishes as Dr Vories also mentioned.

I have had 5 Hts and each time a different surgeon. I had the choice to count the grafts every time.

However I'm fully aware that all clinics are different.

 

How long did it take you to count the grafts in the dishes, and what point during the procedure/day did you get to do this?

 

This is a great idea and hope is shared among your network of peers.

 

I often wondered the same question and really the only answer is "trusting".

 

As for the person who said count them once they are in your head? You serious? :rolleyes:

 

Counting them once their in your head is possible if you have a hi-res photo and the head is fully clean shaved so you're not mistaking them for any native hairs. You'd have to spend a good few hours zoomed in on MS Paint and use a coloring tool to mark the counted grafts.

 

Hi Vpac,

 

As you have yourself mentioned, the "trust" factor is there already. When a Patient chooses the HT Surgeon to perform his/her procedure, the assumption is that a great deal of research and due diligence has gone into making that choice and decision. That said, every Patient has the right to count the extracted grafts, if he/she wishes to do so.

 

Here is a thought.....if you don't want to count the extracted grafts, how about counting the incisions that the Surgeon is making in your recipient area......number of incisions made would/should be equal to the number of grafts implanted.

 

Best regards,

California

 

I've not had a hair transplant so I wouldn't know but the problems I can see with this is ... due to numbing injection you won't feel the incisions being made, thus unable to count. If you are asked a question, or need to speak, you will lose count if you are counting in your head. Also, as stig mentions below, they can create extra incisions if they wanted, but not implant any grafts in there.

 

The best way is to bring one of those clicking finger counters and follow along during the incision making process, although I guess the doctor can still make more incisions than needed/grafts implanted.

 

I have thought of that, but I would imagine the doctor and their team would feel disrespected that you are going to such a length to ensure the correct number of grafts and would question it, making them feel uncomfortable and under pressure.

 

There is no reason why a surgeon would not let you count them. You are going to be paying for each one of them. I ran into an article on Dr. Bhatti's site ... go through the last paragraph where he says

 

"Ensure this by making the payment only after the harvesting of grafts is complete and you have counted the grafts".

 

I am sure there are & will be other genuine surgeons like him (On another thread saw Dr. Bisanga offering to do touch up/second procedure for low yield, which can be due to numerous reasons, Dr Vores offering to take HD/high res pics etc..) who would allow you to take pictures of the grafts and count them if you'd want to.

 

5 More Tips while Planning your Hair Transplant in India ? - Darling Buds Hair Transplant Center

 

The question however is, would ONE go to a surgeon or clinic he doesn't think to be doing what they say ? If I have little bit of doubt about that, as then it will keep playing on my mind on so many other things (like density of transplanted hair or remaining donor bank left etc..) that you couldn't trust them for. Trust matters!

 

Go for recommended surgeons...ones who do procedures daily. The practice works on trust and such pitty & shameful things(like cheating customers with incorrect no. of grafts, offering ) could only be expected at run of the mill clinics run by techs or non-medical institutes as a business trying to dupe you of your many and donor grafts both. In this business reputation is "Key to Survival" & "More(new) & Repeat Business"

 

I am talking about all surgeons, recommended or not. Just because a clinic is recommended does not mean one should forego their due diligence. And even if it is a great surgeon, and they look at your hair and know they can achieve a great result for 2500 grafts, but quote you 2800 grafts. And lets say the result turns out brilliantly with the 2500 grafts and you are ecstatic with the outcome. That still makes it wrong in my opinion because they knowingly over charged you for 300 grafts just to line their pockets.

[Indi9]

Upfront discuss with your surgeon that you want to count the grafts...it's as simple as that.

If he says no find another surgeon/clinic that agrees.

[lakes9925]

Tessler and Aronovitz in Michigan charged me for 1200 grafts back in 2009 on my mid scalp, years later now that most of native hair fell out (I can see the area much better) I can tell you for sure I have nowhere near 1200 grafts in that area.

I'd say i got about half of what i paid for.

Wish I could get half my money back!!

[mav23100gunther]

 

 

 

I have thought of that, but I would imagine the doctor and their team would feel disrespected that you are going to such a length to ensure the correct number of grafts and would question it, making them feel uncomfortable and under pressure.

 

 

 

.

 

Then you picked the wrong surgeon and team. If they feel that way then run for your life. If they have nothing to hide and are completely ethical, then there is no reason for them to feel disrespected.

[mav23100gunther]

 

 

 

I am talking about all surgeons, recommended or not. Just because a clinic is recommended does not mean one should forego their due diligence. And even if it is a great surgeon, and they look at your hair and know they can achieve a great result for 2500 grafts, but quote you 2800 grafts. And lets say the result turns out brilliantly with the 2500 grafts and you are ecstatic with the outcome. That still makes it wrong in my opinion because they knowingly over charged you for 300 grafts just to line their pockets.

 

Its more than just wrong bud, its called stealing. That practice is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I have always felt that any business that engages in such a practice should be shut-down and the owner thrown in jail. When Dr Rahal performed my surgery, he estimated 2,500 grafts, and that is what I paid for. He ended up falling short and only getting 2,245 grafts. He refunded me for the 255 grafts he never harvested. If he had lied and told me he got 2,500, I wouldn't have known, but rightly so, he was completely ethical.

[Indi9]

Its more than just wrong bud, its called stealing. That practice is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I have always felt that any business that engages in such a practice should be shut-down and the owner thrown in jail. When Dr Rahal performed my surgery, he estimated 2,500 grafts, and that is what I paid for. He ended up falling short and only getting 2,245 grafts. He refunded me for the 255 grafts he never harvested. If he had lied and told me he got 2,500, I wouldn't have known, but rightly so, he was completely ethical.

 

Dr. Bhatti did the same to one of my friends...refunded a large amount right after the surgery as he did not harvest that no. Of grafts as planned initially.

[MrGio-WHTCClinic]

Trained eyes can count the FUE grafts and sites. Patients who obtain immediate post-op photos have the product documented.