Advice please guys!

[Pete H]

Hi Guys

Hope you’re all well.

So I’m after some advice if possible as I’m undecided on a few things prior to booking my FUE procedure.

I’ve been to 4 different clinics now that have been in either Manchester or Leeds and have narrowed it down to two.

The clinic in Leeds (The Hair Dr) has suggested 4000 grafts are required from the front to the crown and have suggested they can do it all in one day at £2 per graft which seems very reasonable but 4000 grafts in one day seems a lot compared to the other clinics suggestions.

The other clinic in Manchester (Farjo) has suggest 2000 graft at the front first and leave the crown for now but are £3.5 per graft.

I guess my main concern is whether the 4000 grafts in one day at £2 per graft is too good to be true and whether the quality will be worse than that of Farjo’s? I would prefer to have it done all at once but don’t know if I’m just rushing it and trying to save money. I’m aware of Farjo’s excellent reputation but the Hair Dr also seems to have a decent reputation and surgeon.

Any help and advice would be great!

Thanks!

Edited June 26, 2019 by Pete H

[LaserCap]

I love this post.  It reminds me the many patients that would call, ask for the price and hang up. The patient would then call the next clinic and so on.  Eventually he would find the one for the right price.  And then disaster.

My suggestion to you is to research and look at tons of photos.  Forget price for a minute.  Once you see cases similar to your own, and like the results, (it is about results after all), call the clinic and speak with the consultant or the doctor.  Explain your dilemma and ask if they can help you fee wise.  If you are flexible with your schedule and can help the clinic fill a last minute slot, I am sure they will work with you.  (70% of something is better than 100% of nothing).

Most in this industry are in it for the love of helping people.  The doctors want to do great work, and the consultants truly want to help.  If your approach is right, you'll find the right group.

 

[Dazed]

No comment on price, but 4000 grafts in one sitting is rather intense.  I had 2300 done last Sep. and that took 10.5 hours.

[DrTBarghouthi]

May I ask about your age??

There is one basic rule in hair restoration: what’s lost over the years cannot be fixed in a day.

4000 grafts in one day and the fact that your crown is also being considered is quite worrying. Farjo’s plan sounds like the one I will go with or even provide. I assume you’re a NW 3V/4? 

It is always wise to leave the crown until you’re happy with the more important areas, until the crown stops expanding and until we make sure that you’re not progressing in your hair loss to other more aesthetically important areas like the mid scalp for example. There is nothing worse than a transplanted crown that starts expanding on the outside. 

[Fozzie]

Would strongly urge to cast your eye further afield and look at clinics abroad to. Unfortunately the UK has a lot of poor/average hair transplant clinics/surgeons and there's only two I'd personally consider and they are Dr Reddy (The Private Clinic) and Dr Ball (The Maitland Clinic) but they are expensive.

If I had to choose one out the two you've mentioned, it would be the Farjo clinic (would run a mile from The Hair Dr. Even the most well renowned/skilled surgeons with a lot of staff wouldn't attempt 4000 grafts in a day so not sure why some random clinic in Leeds are suggesting doing that amount) but personally if I couldn't afford Dr Reddy's or Dr Ball's prices, I'd look to head abroad. There are some great surgeons in Belgium which are only a Eurostar trip away and the prices shouldn't be too far off what you've been quoted.

[Pete H]

Thanks very much for your feedback guys.

I’m 34, start recessing around the age of 24/25.

I have done plenty of research in to the clinic offering to do the full 4000 grafts in one sitting and the surgeon is very good, is a member of the ISHRS, royal college or surgeons, GMC etc. I have another meeting booked with the surgeon on Monday to see some of his clients who have had similar size grafts in similar procedures. I think if I am happy with the results then I will proceed but I am still keeping an open mind as the concern about the crown expanding was a concern of mine, as was the length of day of surgery.

The price isn’t really an issue but at the moment I don’t see any benefit in spending nearly double the amount of money for the work when result seems just as good through the surgeon I’m likely to go with and to get it all done at once.

I am not the type of person to ring around clinics trying to get the cheapest price. I have been round 5 of the best clinics and review their work first before looking at pricing and would always go for the one that has the best results with price being the second factor. But having done what you suggest LaserCap and spoken to the other clinic to discuss my dilemma of which clinic to go with and the pricing, they would not move on price.

Thanks again, really appreciate all the advice as it’s such a big decision.

[Al - Moderator]

Have you discussed with the clinic suggesting 4000 to maybe just have 2000 to 3000 done to cover the front? Just because they suggested 4000 to cover everything doesn't necessarily mean that's the only option they will do if you are looking for something else.