Should I Be Having Second Thoughts About Rahal?

[TomTomorrow]

New sign-up here but not new to the board. Have been browsing/lurking for quite a long time. After doing quite a bit of research last year, I have an appointment booked with Rahal in Ottawa for this summer in the hopes of addressing frontal third recession. Pretty straightforward case that should be resolved with an FUE of 1800-2000 grafts.

As I've continued to monitor the forum, however, I've noticed a recent run of posters who have had some really baffling results with Rahal.

There was @JohnDoe, who posted his FUE case in May 2019 and later reported a large empty spot where techs had somehow failed to implant grafts, causing a highly irregular growth pattern:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/54130-fue-2700-rahal-52019/

@bman3082posted in February 2019 about an FUT that showed only sparse growth at six months. He stopped posting updates:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/53508-rahal-3082-fut-6-month-progress-report-with-pics/

And @Szotz_257, who posted in January 2017 reporting poor growth at the 4-month mark, which seemed a bit premature. But he also never seemingly returned to provide an update, which I infer to mean the result was sub-optimal:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/47894-my-2612-fue-with-dr-rahal/

@skassxsaseemed pleased with his FUE, but the hairline as seen at the 12-month mark didn't seem to quite blend in with his temples:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/53116-2500-fue-grafts-with-dr-rahal-1-year-post-op/

I could only find two other member-posted Rahal cases for 2019, though both seemed satisfied:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/53898-2500-fue-with-dr-rahal/

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/54352-rahal-may-2019-4348-grafts/

There are others who posted during their early months and then dropped off. While that doesn't prove a negative, it does give me pause. I realize Rahal stands behind his work and would address a poor result, but my preference would obviously be to have it done right the first time.

It's also puzzling there's been such a large drop-off in their social media presence. They used to post results somewhat frequently. When a rep recently appeared on another forum to address their lack of posting, they mentioned Rahal being booked a year in advance. While that might be technically true--he might have appointments scheduled a year out--it's not a year's wait to see him.

My other issue might be one of approach. I see a lot of Rahal hairlines that appear to "float" over the forehead with a swept back look, like this:

I would like to aim more for a blended look, like this:

I don't know if that's a condition of hair texture, haircut, tech skill, or something else.

I suppose my question is: Have there been any changes to Rahal's clinic that has affected their rate of success? New techs? Overbooking? If anyone can shed any light, here or PM, I'd appreciate it.

@JohnDoe

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

I cannot answer your specific questions about Dr. Rahal's clinic. However a patient who initially makes a post shortly after having the procedure and then not following up later is very common. In fact, I think it happens more often when a person is pleased with the results and just moves on with his/her life and kind of forgets about it. When patients are displeased they usually do not forget and want to tell others about their dissatisfaction.

[LonelyGraft]

I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a good sign as mentioned above. This isn’t specific to rahal but I’ve heard people who have poor results come to an arrangement with the clinic to stop posting negatively in an effort to do damage control. The patient obviously gets something for this arrangement.

[mphair]

This is crazy, I am in the EXACT same boat as you. I made a deposit with Rahal over two years ago and recently don't feel as confident anymore and saw the same posts you mentioned. I want to get the surgery done in the next few months but I am leaning now towards loosing my deposit and going with H&W but I am still not sure. 

Another reason is, the rep told me they are phasing out FUT which concerns me as I know I am going towards a NW 5/6 and I don't want to get FUE if that is going to disrupt my donor supply as I already have thin hair and need as much donor supply as possible for future treatments. I would feel more confident to go to a clinic that I know can perform FUT surgeries in the future as well. I really wanted to go to Rahal for the dense hairline but I am really starting to doubt myself and honestly pretty confused on what to do. 

[TomTomorrow]

4 hours ago, LonelyGraft said:

I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a good sign as mentioned above. This isn’t specific to rahal but I’ve heard people who have poor results come to an arrangement with the clinic to stop posting negatively in an effort to do damage control. The patient obviously gets something for this arrangement.

I would agree. While abandoned progress posts aren't definitive proof of a poor result, I can say that if I were handling social media for a doctor, I would do everything I could to encourage the patient who no longer updates to demonstrate success by following up. So far as I know, many clinics insist on patients agreeing to photos at 6, 9, and 12 months and etc. Obviously, a percentage are just happy and no longer thinking about it, but it ultimately winds up being a bad look for the physician. Not exclusive to Rahal, either.

It would be extremely interesting to see a real statistical success rate from one of the top clinics. At two patients a day and maybe 400-500 in a year, how many would rate themselves as satisfied? 90 percent? 80 percent? I'm not stating a negative review always reflects back on the clinic. Too many factors are involved, from the patient's own aftercare and health to everything else, which is probably why this isn't done.

[kirkland]

I can't speak for Dr. Rahal's results personally. From his website and reviews, he continues to be one of the more sought after HT doctors in North America. However, I have been dealing with his clinic for the last few months, arranging for an in-person consultation with Rahal. His staff aren't as responsive as I would expect from a doctor who charges top dollars for FUE. There is also a greater emphasis on choosing FUE over FUT, which is my preference. On the other hand, I am consulting with another HT doctor in Toronto who is happy to do FUT at a lower price and with better customer care. The customer service from Rahal has been disappointing.

[brickellmoto]

1 hour ago, kirkland said:

I can't speak for Dr. Rahal's results personally. From his website and reviews, he continues to be one of the more sought after HT doctors in North America. However, I have been dealing with his clinic for the last few months, arranging for an in-person consultation with Rahal. His staff aren't as responsive as I would expect from a doctor who charges top dollars for FUE. There is also a greater emphasis on choosing FUE over FUT, which is my preference. On the other hand, I am consulting with another HT doctor in Toronto who is happy to do FUT at a lower price and with better customer care. The customer service from Rahal has been disappointing.

that's interesting. i reached out for consultation and their sales person wouldn't stop blowing up my email and calling. but i ultimately decided to cross rahal off my list as there have been multiple posts on here that had red flags

[fueguy]

Quote

he continues to be one of the more sought after HT doctors in North America.

Dr. Rahal is one of the best in the business. Especially for hairlines. He's one of the few doctors performing hair transplant for 35+ years. Thousands and thousands of results. Only a handful of doctors can make that claim. I consulted with every doctor and they all praised Dr. Rahal. One said, "the hairline king." Sealed the deal for me. 

Plus his patients are the most demanding with "very high expectations." I was one of them. That's the great thing about the forums. Imagine 90% of your patients know more about the procedure than a lot of doctors who perform it. Trust me, your expectations are 1000% higher than a patient of say Bosley's. His patients demand 100% natural results, the best techniques, etc. Imagine having to perform at 1000% everyday for 35+ years. You have nothing to be concerned about. 

Anyone who claims he's not one of the best is lying or a competitor. 

Agree I would love to see more reviews, but I also get it. I researched the shit out of this, then disappeared for a year, only posting my result and part-time posting on the forums. If ever. Hair loss does not consume me like before. I'm enjoying life. 

Sounds like you particular about your hairline. Maybe speak to Dr. Rahal about what you want? Be specific clear and with example, lots of them. Then ask more questions. Focus on what you want to achieve. Not doubting ability. He's one of the best. 

If you can tell me more about what you want, I can suggest some other docs based on my research.

[1978matt]

The main thing is to get in writing exactly who is doing the extractions and who the incisions, and what is their training and credentials.  Will it be Dr Rahal or this guy 'Mike' I always read about?

[mphair]

5 hours ago, fueguy said:

Dr. Rahal is one of the best in the business. Especially for hairlines. He's one of the few doctors performing hair transplant for 35+ years. Thousands and thousands of results. Only a handful of doctors can make that claim. I consulted with every doctor and they all praised Dr. Rahal. One said, "the hairline king." Sealed the deal for me. 

Plus his patients are the most demanding with "very high expectations." I was one of them. That's the great thing about the forums. Imagine 90% of your patients know more about the procedure than a lot of doctors who perform it. Trust me, your expectations are 1000% higher than a patient of say Bosley's. His patients demand 100% natural results, the best techniques, etc. Imagine having to perform at 1000% everyday for 35+ years. You have nothing to be concerned about. 

Anyone who claims he's not one of the best is lying or a competitor. 

Agree I would love to see more reviews, but I also get it. I researched the shit out of this, then disappeared for a year, only posting my result and part-time posting on the forums. If ever. Hair loss does not consume me like before. I'm enjoying life. 

Sounds like you particular about your hairline. Maybe speak to Dr. Rahal about what you want? Be specific clear and with example, lots of them. Then ask more questions. Focus on what you want to achieve. Not doubting ability. He's one of the best. 

If you can tell me more about what you want, I can suggest some other docs based on my research.

If going with FUT and focusing on hairlines, who would you suggest is better than Dr. Rahal honestly?

[fueguy]

Where are you located? It really depends on your goals. 

You mentioned some hairlines appear to "float over the forehead." That's less about design and more about having enough grafts for a future work. Most likely he could not get a more aggressive hairline, maybe aggressive hair loss, family history. Yes, planning for the future is what you should look for in a doctor. 

Tell me "exactly what you want to achieve" and I'll give some suggestions. I want this hairline... 

Kind of sound like you're maybe second guessing the hair transplant.  Just throwing it out there. You don't need to get one. 

[fueguy]

Quote

The main thing is to get in writing exactly who is doing the extractions and who the incisions,

What you need to ask for is a "graft count sheet." It was what I was given. I'll share soon. Basically, it's shows the total number of grafts, breakdown by 1, 2, 3, etc., average per follicle, hair caliber, transection (full and partial), donor management breakdown, fue punch, technique used, time, etc.