Considering transplant, need advice!

[jg23]

Hi all,

 

I have researched and read many different posts throughout the forum, however this is my first time posting! I am considering a hair transplant and looking of some advice.

 

I'll give you some background about myself. I am 26 years old and have had receding and thinning throughout the years. At 19 I started noticing my hairline receding however the rest of my scalp was fairly full and thick. As the years went on I noticed further recession at the temples and thinning on the top of the scalp. At 22 I began using 5% minoxidil with success and then at 23 began 0.25 Propecia three times a week. At 25 noticed further thinning on the top of the scalp and stopped the Propecia as I felt it was not working anymore. I am still taking minoxidil. I feel that my hair loss is now at a point where it has stabilized and a hair transplant is good option to regain some of what was lost.

 

I have been told I would need anywhere from 1600-1800 grafts for my type 2A pattern. I would like to go the FUE route and am looking for advice on where to get my procedure done. I live in Vancouver, Canada and prefer a clinic in Canada or USA. I have considered Hassan & Wong, however their cost for FUE is out of my budget. I have also considered Dr. Bhatti in India and have estimated my cost to be around 9-10 thousand which includes flights and accommodations, however I would prefer a clinic in Canada or USA as the travel to India can be quite grueling.

 

Could anybody recommend any North American clinics that would be in my budget? Also any other advice or comments are welcome!

 

Thanks!

[mikeyhwk]

You're just not going to find that in Canada or the US. You may need to stretch the budget to stay in Canada and the US unfortunately. Drs Hasson and Wong and Dr Rahal are similarly priced but with Rahal you need to travel so if ones out the others definitely out at your current budget. Dr Gabel is in Oregon so hes within driving distance which cuts down on flights but at 6 us per graft hes higher priced than H&W when you convert over . Dr Vories in North Carolina is 5 us I believe which is the lowest you're going to find for a quality surgeon in the US but after conversion you're above your budget again. Im also from Vancouver and I went to Belgium. Didn't save anything really but my first choice for doc was there and it's an easy trip. I wouldn't stress a Europe trip from vancouver, it is really easy. India I've traveled to for vacation and that is a long ass flight and I wouldn't want to deal with it myself. I am going to be doing a 2nd surgery abroad shortly but in Argentina or Spain this time.

[jg23]

Thanks for the reply mikeyhwk.

 

Staying in North America would of been ideal due to easy travel. Do you know of any good doctors in Europe where the travel is not too bad?

[mikeyhwk]

lots of great doctors in Europe. In your price range, Dr Erdogan is well known and respected in turkey. Dr Keser in Turkey. Dr DeFreitas in Spain, Dr Michalis/Dr Maras Cyprus. Dr Alcaide in Spain has gotten good reviews in the spanish forums and works for Bisangas spanish office Theres a few off the top of my head to look into and all are not difficult flights to get out of Vancouver. Dr Bisanga is who I went to and hes very good but hes a little higher priced than the guys Ive mentioned. Dr Erdogan and Maras are approved on this forum. The others have not undergone the process.

 

There is a doc that ive never been able to reach in Mexico that some here are real fans of Dr Nader which would be closer than Europe for you. Hes apparently a challenge to get a hold of but his work here has looked good if you want to stay on this continent.

[Speegs]

In my humble opinion, going abroad (with the exception of perhaps Canada) is futile for North American transplant patients.

 

You have highest standards of medical practice and a majority of the best surgeon's at your disposal on the continent.

[TakingThePlunge]

Parts of Europe and Asia are extremely competitive in terms of price and, when choosing from among recommended hair transplant surgeons, on par with Western standards of care.

 

I recognize that traveling abroad for surgery is not for everyone. However, my experience traveling to India for surgery with Dr. Bhatti was great. Two years down the road I can barely remember the actual time spent in planes and cars.

 

I am not informed on the rates charged by all of the physicians we recommend. It stands to reason that some will have to charge more than others based on location, overhead, etcc.

 

I suggest starting with the physicians whose work you admire most. If you like you can always schedule online consultations and compare their plans for you, results and fees.

 

Always best to go with the doctor you're most comfortable with and if you can't afford that doctor today, wait until you can.

[mikeyhwk]

In my humble opinion, going abroad (with the exception of perhaps Canada) is futile for North American transplant patients.

 

You have highest standards of medical practice and a majority of the best surgeon's at your disposal on the continent.

 

 

perhaps Canada? lmao. You must not have left America much or at all to believe that.

 

Medical standards are matched in many parts of the world and the best fue surgeons are not in the US. There are some doctors that are on the levels of their Euro counterparts but the Euros have been leading the field in fue for some time. America is the latecomer to the party. Also speaking purely numbers, the average us surgeon outside of Diep and Vories who specialise in fue perform far more fut procedures than fue while fue is the go to procedure abroad. Most like that their doc is performing their chosen op every day vs sporadically. There are many reasons to stay local in north america that are relevant but fear of substandard care or lesser talent skills aren't among them.

[Speegs]

perhaps Canada? lmao. You must not have left America much or at all to believe that.

 

Medical standards are matched in many parts of the world and the best fue surgeons are not in the US. There are some doctors that are on the levels of their Euro counterparts but the Euros have been leading the field in fue for some time. America is the latecomer to the party. Also speaking purely numbers, the average us surgeon outside of Diep and Vories who specialise in fue perform far more fut procedures than fue while fue is the go to procedure abroad. Most like that their doc is performing their chosen op every day vs sporadically. There are many reasons to stay local in north america that are relevant but fear of substandard care or lesser talent skills aren't among them.

You're certainly entitled to your opinions, but medical tourism has proven that most non western countries simply don't protect patients with the highest standards possible in the event of malpractice or for the sake of preventing the licensing of people that are unscrupulous.

 

If i live in a western country, particularly a North American one, I'd think twice about leaving the confines of one for a medical procedure.

[mikeyhwk]

You're certainly entitled to your opinions, but medical tourism has proven that most non western countries simply don't protect patients with the highest standards possible in the event of malpractice or for the sake of preventing the licensing of people that are unscrupulous.

 

If i live in a western country, particularly a North American one, I'd think twice about leaving the confines of one for a medical procedure.

 

You're talking largely out of paranoia and lack of experience with medical standards around the world. The media loves to point out the horror stories of medical tourism going wrong and if you don't do your due diligence and look for the cheapest options you're going to find places where people take advantage but that exists even here. You don't hear how huge the industry is and how many successful procedures are done well and safely every day., that number dwarfs the horror stories There are many countries in which they have licensing agencies and high ethical standards and medical safeguards in place that would rival and exceed our own. Its a very american mindset to think the rest of the world is backwards but it's not. If you want to stay local then so be it but rest assured that people are managing to get health care and stay alive all over the world. Not just here.

[Speegs]

You're talking largely out of paranoia and lack of experience with medical standards around the world. The media loves to point out the horror stories of medical tourism going wrong and if you don't do your due diligence and look for the cheapest options you're going to find places where people take advantage but that exists even here. You don't hear how huge the industry is and how many successful procedures are done well and safely every day., that number dwarfs the horror stories There are many countries in which they have licensing agencies and high ethical standards and medical safeguards in place that would rival and exceed our own. Its a very american mindset to think the rest of the world is backwards but it's not. If you want to stay local then so be it but rest assured that people are managing to get health care and stay alive all over the world. Not just here.

I'm not interested in an argument, I stand by the fact residents of first world nations are better off seeking domestic consultation and surgical procedures than resorting to medical tourism in developing countries in the name of cost.

[mikeyhwk]

it isnt much of an argument if you dont know that Europe has 1st world nations but im done.

[Speegs]

it isnt much of an argument if you dont know that Europe has 1st world nations but im done.

It is clear you're an argumentative person with selective listening and an agenda.

 

Please move along.

 

For the sake of patient advocacy I repeat the uncontroversial truth that first world medical tourism to the third world is buyer beware.

[mikeyhwk]

It is clear you're an argumentative person with selective listening and an agenda.

 

Please move along.

 

For the sake of patient advocacy I repeat the uncontroversial truth that first world medical tourism to the third world is buyer beware.

 

 

Absolute agenda, when people say things that are patently wrong I call them on it.

 

I don't know what the 3rd world has anything to do with any of this, I certainly didn't advocate that. Medical tourism does not only mean travel to 3rd world countries only, An american going to see dr Rahal in canada is medical tourism, there are lots of examples of cases where expertise is abroad and savings can be had in locations that are entirely safe. I gave the OP his options and then provided alternatives in places like Spain, Turkey, and Belgium, some cliinics vetted by this very site, others who have a track record of safety and results, and all 1st world countries and you jumped in with we're only safe here in north ameica talk and the best in the world are here talk, both not the entire truth. OP can do with the info what he wishes and I've said my peace I just wanted to correct the misinformation. I apologize if i upset you, it wasn't my intention.

[Speegs]

Absolute agenda, when people say things that are patently wrong I call them on it.

 

I don't know what the 3rd world has anything to do with any of this, I certainly didn't advocate that. Medical tourism does not only mean travel to 3rd world countries only, An american going to see dr Rahal in canada is medical tourism, there are lots of examples of cases where expertise is abroad and savings can be had in locations that are entirely safe. I gave the OP his options and then provided alternatives in places like Spain, Turkey, and Belgium, some cliinics vetted by this very site, others who have a track record of safety and results, and all 1st world countries and you jumped in with we're only safe here in north ameica talk and the best in the world are here talk, both not the entire truth. OP can do with the info what he wishes and I've said my peace I just wanted to correct the misinformation. I apologize if i upset you, it wasn't my intention.

I'm afraid more honest posterity can look at the initial posts and only wonder what you're angry about.

 

You're tilting at windmills here, and being very rude and uncivil without provocation.

[mikeyhwk]

for any incivility I apologize.