Just had first consultation - few queries!

[Jowin86]

Hi all,

 

So after about 10 years of gradually thinning all over the top of my head I have decided to have a hair transplant. I’m 32 and have thin hair on top, I’m not bold but it’s defintely noticeable now and I thought I might as well get it done now as a preventative and top it up if necessary later on.

 

After my first consultation at the Wimpole Clinic with Dr. May, I came away with a lot of information and a fairly good feeling about the clinic. They were not pushy and didn’t seem to be giving me the big sell etc. however I would like to visit a few more clinics to compare what they said and also see what you guys think to the advice I got!

 

I have to apologise I’m using my iPhone so have no photos to post currently.

 

• Firstly I would like to go for the FUT option, Dr. May says he has done thousands of these over his career which I would tend to believe as he is probably in his mid 50’s,
   
  I was told I may need another op later in life as I’m still young in terms of hair loss, again I tend to agree this is possible,
   
  Due to the previous point, they said to do around 1800 grafts to avoid damaging hair I still have, and to leave more for if I need another op.. this point I’m not sure about, why not do more grafts now so as that if I loose more hair I won’t need another op because we moved enough to cover it in the first place. Seems possible that there could be an element of, if they do a small amount now then they get to do another op later if I come back?
  

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Also has anyone been to the Wimpole Clinic in London?

 

I will post photos pre and post op etc when I get round to doing it later this year!

[Shera]

Hi Jowin,

Firstly if you only need 1800 grafts and have a good donor area then I would personally ask you to at least consider going down the less invasive FUE route for a relatively minor surgery.

As for the amount of grafts, if you already have a reasonable amount of hair then why not try to keep hold of it. You could start taking Finasteride to help recover your existing hair and help prepare it for possible shock loss during surgery. If you stay on a dosage of Finasteride for longer then this will theoretically help preserve your existing hair for longer thus delaying/halting the need for a further top up procedure.

Obviously photos will help in giving a more precise analysis.

[Postdoc]

Hi Jowin86,

Congratulations on taking the plunge, but I'd strongly advise you to steer clear of Mr May and the Wimpole Clinic. If you're looking to have the procedure done in the UK, I'd personally recommend Dr Ball at The Maitland Clinic.

Regards,

Postdoc

[TrixGlendevon]

I wouldn't go to any of the UK clinics. Get a train over to Belgium.

[mattj]

I have nothing to say about this particular doctor, but from your description of your hairloss my gut tells me that you almost certainly need more than 1800 grafts. It would be helpful if you could upload some photos (I'm sure it's possible from an iPhone!) but what you describe sounds like diffuse loss in a Norwood 6 pattern. Or thereabouts. 1800 grafts might thicken up the hairline area and give you a nice result from the front, but men with significant diffuse loss need more grafts to cover the balding area.

Yes, there is a risk of damaging existing hair, but if done right that risk is very minimal. It's important that after the time and expense of going through a procedure, and healing, that the outcome is satisfying.

[Speegs]

If you post some pics of your scalp we can give you some educated estimates about the number of grafts you may need.

[Melvin- Admin]

I agree with what others have said, we would need some pictures to accurately give you advice. With that said, I’m not familiar with the clinic you mentioned. However, this community recommends Dr. Reddy and Dr. Farjo in the UK both excellent surgeons. 

[Jowin86]

Hi all, thanks for the response! I posted this thread just before the site went down to upgrade so I forgot all about it. I have since been to a few more consultations as follows:

1. Wimpole clinic, told 1800-2000 grafts. They're happy to do FUT and Mr May says he's done thousands over his years, cost was quoted £5750 FUT or £6300 FUE. Consultation was with two surgeons, Mr May and his assistant,
2. Kensington Hair Clinic, also said 2000 grafts, cost £6000, consultation with advisor and the surgeon came in for 5 mins to take a look. He advised against FUT as not necessary for numbers and I also have a benign lump on the back of my head in the line where they would take a strip,
3. Vinci Hair Clinic, also said 2000 grafts, they said despite lump on head they can do FUT, prices were £5750 FUT here, or £4500 FUT in malaga.
4. Harley Street Healthcare, this one was very odd. They had obviously rented a very small space in a very posh building just off oxford street for apearance. They said on website the consultation would be with a surgeon but it was with a sales guy who was 6months post op, he went straight into a pitch saying the operation is 3000 grafts FUE etc etc without even looking at my head. However online they have great reviews and he recommended Dr Shuja Chaudhry in their Essex clinic.. also they were £4200 for "up to" 3000 grafts FUE.

I will post photos of my hair in a second from my phone.

 

On 7/11/2018 at 9:53 AM, Postdoc said:

Hi Jowin86,

Congratulations on taking the plunge, but I'd strongly advise you to steer clear of Mr May and the Wimpole Clinic. If you're looking to have the procedure done in the UK, I'd personally recommend Dr Ball at The Maitland Clinic.

Regards,

Postdoc

Hi Postdoc, thanks for the advice, but can I ask what makes you say that about Wimpole?

 

On 7/11/2018 at 6:20 PM, Melvin-HTsoon said:

I agree with what others have said, we would need some pictures to accurately give you advice. With that said, I’m not familiar with the clinic you mentioned. However, this community recommends Dr. Reddy and Dr. Farjo in the UK both excellent surgeons. 

Thanks for the names i will check them out!

[Jowin86]

I think my hairline is fine, and my crown too. Just the top that’s thinned out. 

Also FYI I was thinking FUT for two reasons, cost is less and you don’t have to shave your head.

[Postdoc]

Hi Jowin86,

2000 - 3000 grafts seems realistic and it's good that you've been to a number of clinics. The problem in the UK is that clinics spring up the whole time and most of them employ sessional doctors who simply don't have the training or track record to ensure a good outcome. The Kensington Hair Clinic and Harley Street Healthcare are cases in point. Dr May at the Wimpole Clinic has been around a lot longer, but his work doesn't bare comparison to the best in the USA, Canada or Europe. If you're keen to have the work done in the UK, Dr Reddy at The Private Clinic, Dr Farjo at the Farjo Hair Institute and Dr Ball at the Maitland Clinic should be on your list.  I had my 3rd HT done by Dr Ball (the two previous HTs were with Dr Hasson in Vancouver), which is why I'd personally recommend him.

Regards,

Postdoc

[Jowin86]

Thanks Postdoc, much appreciated. I would consider doing it abroad if I had some good recommendations and could find a decent amount of reviews etc to give some confidence in the place. Turkey feels a bit out there but could be unfounded.

Does anyone have any recommendations for places abroad? Sure there must be a thread on this somewhere i'll take a look.

[TrixGlendevon]

Dr Erdogan at Asmed clinic is the only doctor in Turkey I would entertain. The best doctors in Europe are in Belgium. Drs. Bisanga, Deroye, Feriduni, Lupanzula and Mwamba. I have just this minute had a consultation with Dr. Lupanzula in London. He is here for the weekend doing consultations. I will do a write up separately but I would recommend you speak to him if you can. Just email his assistant, Eva (who is very good) and get something booked in. He regularly comes to London for these consultations though.

[Jowin86]

6 hours ago, TrixGlendevon said:

Dr Erdogan at Asmed clinic is the only doctor in Turkey I would entertain. The best doctors in Europe are in Belgium. Drs. Bisanga, Deroye, Feriduni, Lupanzula and Mwamba. I have just this minute had a consultation with Dr. Lupanzula in London. He is here for the weekend doing consultations. I will do a write up separately but I would recommend you speak to him if you can. Just email his assistant, Eva (who is very good) and get something booked in. He regularly comes to London for these consultations though.

Thanks TrixGlendevon I have just messaged Lupanzula's clinic and will get in touch with the others too.

[TrixGlendevon]

2 hours ago, Jowin86 said:

Thanks TrixGlendevon I have just messaged Lupanzula's clinic and will get in touch with the others too.

Dr Dereyes too! He is cheaper than the others and used to be recommended by this site. His work is good but he only does FUE. He used to be the head surgeon at a clinic that had a very good reputation. Worth emailing him too. Annoyingly, the email address on the English language website no longer corresponds to his clinic and you have to find the Flemish website and get the email address off there. Inbox me if you want it.

Edited July 14, 2018 by TrixGlendevon

[Shera]

Hi Jowin,

Judging from your photos, you will need in the region of 2500 grafts to cover the thinning area behind your hairline. I would personally advise you to shave it all off for the procedure. It might be a real hassle trying to hide such a large implantation area with a combover and working with a blank canvas is always the surgeon's preference.

You might want to consider Dr Bhatti too for your procedure, here's a few patient reviews from this site alone

30 year old Irish Man large 2 day session

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/170853-4346-fue-grafts-dr-bhatti-india.html

25 Year old Indian 1800 grafts to hairline

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/182061-my-hair-transplant-journey-dr-tejinder-bhatti-1800-grafts-7months-completed.html

David - Hair Transplant Network Moderator

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178637-dr-tejinder-bhatti-2412-fue-february-23-2015-a.html

36 year old American 3750 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/169005-hair-restoration-procedure-w-dr-tejinder-bhatti.html

29 year old Australian 4000 grafts (this was the story that inspired me to go to Dr Bhatti)

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/167897-hair-transplant-dr-tejinder-bhatti-darling-buds-chandigarh-india.html

27 year old German 2364 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/170355-my-experience-dr-tejinder-bhatti-2364-grafts-fue-restore-hairline.html

https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/journal.asp?CopyID=9836&WebID=2698

30 year old Indian 2500 grafts repair surgery

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/171606-dr-tejinder-bhatti-2500-grafts.html

26 year old european 3011 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/175743-dr-tejinder-bhatti-3011-fue-grafts.html

26 year old Indian 3200 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/175746-dr-tejinder-bhatti-3200-fue-grafts.html

29 year old indian 3200 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/175747-dr-tejinder-bhatti-3200-fue-grafts-type-4-patient.html

Seth Australian Patient 3 surgeries with Dr Bhatti

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/Sethticles/albums/4866/28695

31 year old Israeli 2485 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/171738-hey-guys-i-got-help-you-so-here-i-post-my-story-dr-tejinder-bhatti.html

37 year old US man 2928 grafts to repair 2 previous sub standard surgeries

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168567-fue-hair-transplant-dec-14-2012-dr-tejinder-bhatti-darling-buds.html

27 year old indian male

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/175847-6-months-update-dr-bhatti.html

Traction Alopecia Case

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168356-traction-alopecia-sikh-male-punjab-india.html

Indian 3000 grafts part 1

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168631-dr-bhatti-fue-hair-transplant-2-stages.html

UK Guy 3000 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/HTindia/albums/1775

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168149-caucasian-male-3000-fue-grafts.html

Indian Guy 5000 grafts

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/168492-dr-bhatti-fue-body-hair-transformation.html

Feel free to contact me direct if you want to add Dr Bhatti to your shortlist. 

If you wish to see Dr Bhatti's amazing work in person, we could arrange to meet up.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Shera

[Jowin86]

On 7/14/2018 at 8:55 PM, TrixGlendevon said:

Dr Dereyes too! He is cheaper than the others and used to be recommended by this site. His work is good but he only does FUE. He used to be the head surgeon at a clinic that had a very good reputation. Worth emailing him too. Annoyingly, the email address on the English language website no longer corresponds to his clinic and you have to find the Flemish website and get the email address off there. Inbox me if you want it.

Hey thanks, is this the guy? http://dereysfue.com/ .  ?

[TrixGlendevon]

It is. That's a new site too. Basically, his old representative screwed him over and locked him out of his email from the English speaking site so that should work. If you don't hear back from him, inbox me and I will send you his personal email address. What I like about De Reys is that he does all the work himself with just his wife, who is a nurse, as his assistant. You also get free accommodation and food for the price. Do check him out if you're looking at Belgium and considering FUE over FUT.