From India: HT done by Dr Pathomvanich

[Dreamer]

Hello Guys,

 

I am doing my bit to contribute to this forum which has given me so much.

 

After meeting few doctors, extensive research, feedback and savings, finally I got my HT done from Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Bangkok on 16th April 2009. Total 3800 grafts (8192 hairs)

 

Please go through my blog for the experience and few pictures of before and after surgery. I am happy with the overall experience so far.

 

To tell my fellow Indians, why and how I chose Dr. Path? Although regular reader of this forum for past 2.5 - 3 years, I never asked any questions before because all my questions were already answered here to someone else queries.

 

Well, first it was around 2.5 - 3 years ago I saw a TV program covering HT. After that I started my research over net and at that time there were only 2 doctors were part of ISHRS list from Mumbai (6 from India) Dr. R and Dr. D. Now there are several. Later I learned about coalition of surgeons here.

 

First I met Dr R, also took his cyclical medicines which are Minoxidil and Propecia and few vitamins which worked on my to some extent however few things I could note with him is that level of transparency, avoiding references saying I value privacy, arrogance in this case denying growing importance of such sites for educating hairloss to the people, saying that all is crap over there etc. or accepting fact that hair loss patients are so well informed with this knowledgebase. Later on anyway I read more about him on this forum not to mention here what it was.

 

Second Dr D, more of cosmetic and less HT expert at that time, he avoided or gave ambiguous answers to my several questions.

 

2000 grafts (Around 1,20,000 Rupees)was the calculation for my HT (there is not much of difference in my baldness in last 2-3 years) and looking at other reports I knew that it will not be sufficient to my bald cover. I decided to postpone my HT till I find right surgeon.

 

On this forum I could see the transparency, accountability, knowledge sharing, feedback sharing, recommendation of doctors and it's process etc. however for an Indian (at least me) getting HT done from surgeon in US/Europe was out of scope for economical reason, so only two Asians options left.

 

I wanted to be in experienced, safe hands as my bald cover going to cost me bomb so it's a huge investment and again donor areas are limited. So no option of trial and error, I have to take my call after evaluating all options. I narrowed down on Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich of Bangkok, none of the Indian doctors at least I couldn't find at his level in terms of experience, work and recommendation. In terms of finance for 3500-3800 grafts he could be costlier by one lakh over Indian Dr's, however for the reasons mentioned above I chose him and I happy with extra money spent.

 

I will keep my progress updated on my Blog.

 

Bye for now.

[tuja]

Hey Dreamer,

 

Congratulations on the new HT done, will be closely following your progress.

 

I am also contemplating HT this year either with Dr. Mahadevia/Ahmedabad and currently on medication from Dr. R which you mentioned and I have the same doubts with him as you have mentioned because of which I will not go for HT with him.

 

I am following Dr. mahadevia for his transparency, clarity and no sales push at all. Also, took consultation from Dr. Pathomvanich. Both of them look fine to me but there is more visual good evidence available in favour of Dr. Pathomvanich. The cost is almost 4 times though. US/UK/Canada ruled out anyways because they charge whopping sums of money.

 

Will closely follow your feedback.

 

Thanks a lot again for starting with this thread.

 

Cheers,

Tushar

[Dreamer]

Thanks Tushar.

 

I am not aware of your Age, level of hair loss so only thing I can suggest is, please don't directly jump for HT. First try to stabilize your hairloss by Medicines, give enough time for research, go though forum, feedbacks, Q&A sections understand what option is best suitable for you and then go for it.

 

To my observation Pricing calculation is tricky in India, as per my information several HT surgeons in India charge around 70-75 rupees per graft some quote similar thing in follicle, if you ask about exact count? They will say trust your doctor, no information is given about how many grafts with 1-4 hairs.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Dreamer,

 

I just recently found your blog and commented on it. Congratualations on selecting an excellent surgeon and thanks for sharing a detailed account of your hair loss story, treatment program, and how you were ultimately led to restore your hair through surgical hair restoration with Dr. Pathomvanich.

 

I'm certainly looking forward to following your progress and know others are too.

 

All the best for restoring your hair in the coming months.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Dreamer]

Thanks Bill for wishes. Your suggestion, guidance has helped me alot.

 

I will keep my progress updated on blog regularly.

[pink]

hi Dreamer,

 

m too from india and plannin my HT from Dr. Path. Can you give me more details as to which hotel you stayed? How did you get the stitches removed because m plannin to travel back and won't be there to get them removed. Total cost in Rs.

 

will be lookin for your progress

thank you for your help

 

pink

[Dreamer]

Hi Pink,

 

I stayed in Bangkok till 6th day, got stitches removed and then returned. I suggest you atleast stay for 48 hours after surgery, doctor also does follow up and then start your return journey if you wish to and get stitches removed from any doctor in India on 6-7 day.

 

I stayed in IBIS Hotel near BTS (sky train station), try to stay closer to BTS so that you can reach clinic comfortably, in my case after surgery, I have visisted clinic 3 times. However after surgery take taxi and reach hotel comfortably.

 

For better hotel deals go through Agoda, I got free wifi access (which was important to me) and this was only available through them and not through hotel site.

 

After checkup, they will tell you how many grafts you will require, as per your budget you can decide the limit, no of grafts and deposit money in their a/c on gr flr bank in same building. If they get lesser grafts than your limit then they will return balance amount if they get more grafts then your limit, they won't charge you for those extra few grafts. As initially no one predict the exact amount of graft your donor area can supply.

 

Refer x-rates for arriving approx cost in Rs.

 

When you have planned surgery? I wish you all the best for your surgery.

[pink]

thanks dreamer

[Dreamer]

Hi Guys,

 

Now since I have completed 3 months after HT, I have updated my snaps on my weblog.

 

I am happy with the results so far, now I am also regular with Minoxidil and Finasteride. I can see effects of these medicine in crown area when I compare snaps of Pre HT and now, as crown was not touched in HT.

 

My grafts were fallen after 1 month, after 2 months my hair growth started and now after 3 months it is pretty visible

 

My wife and parents are very happy to see this result

 

Regards,

 

Dreamer.

[cautious]

thanks dreamer,

i had my procedure with DR Path 6 weeks ago so was very interested in your progress,

cheers

[hair_care]

Nice work! happy growing.

[Dreamer]

Cautious: Happy growing

Thanks Hair_care.

 

I have also updated snaps taken after surgery.

[Dreamer]

Hi Everyone,

 

I have updated my snaps taken after 6 months of my transplant. Everyone in my family is happy to see my transformation

 

Grafts have progressed really well considering 6 months timespan and I have also continued Medicines 1 mg Finasteride and 5 mg Minoxidil.

[sports guy 16]

Hi there. Quick message. Looks excellent!

[RajToor]

looking good, it will only get better for the next 9 months. do u know the how much area was covered?

[Pratik]

Hi Dreamer,

 

Huge change compare to 4 months picture.Keep updating

 

-Pratik

[Dreamer]

Thanks Sports guy16, RajToor and Prateek.

 

I will keep on updating by snaps at regular intervals.

[wb280]

hey hi, i reside in S'pore and has been considering a HT for ages.

 

Was very interested in Dr P, from Bangkok so would like to ask u on some advice!

 

I heard that u have to book him in advance a couple months. is that true? I mean, u flew purposely from India to find him, i suppose after the 1st consultation, u decided to go ahead?

 

thanks!!!

[subbu]

Hello Dreamer

your result is amazing.i felt very happy to see your result.Very happy to find a fellow indian with sucessful HT.Iam following this site for the past 1.5 years and this is one of the very few best results i had seen.i will be watching your up dates closely.enjoy your hair growth.

[pink]

wow that's nice...dreamer. Huge difference

[Bill - Seemiller]

Dreamer,

 

Your hair looks great my friend, and you're only at 6 months? Wow.

 

Congratulations to you and kudos to Dr. Pathomvanich.

 

Bill

[Dreamer]

Originally posted by wb280:

hey hi, i reside in S'pore and has been considering a HT for ages.

 

Was very interested in Dr P, from Bangkok so would like to ask u on some advice!

 

I heard that u have to book him in advance a couple months. is that true? I mean, u flew purposely from India to find him, i suppose after the 1st consultation, u decided to go ahead?

 

thanks!!!

 

Hi wb280,

 

Yes, I took an appointment for my surgery 2.5 months in advance. I exchanges few mails and my snaps before that however I met him first time on my surgery day.

[Dreamer]

Thanks Subbu, Pink and Bill for your wishes.

 

In fact my actual results are even better than my snaps

[Julius]

Well done Dr Path and congratulations!

[SKR]

Hi there,

 

Thanks for your post. I am an Indian and also planning to have my HT with Dr. Path. May I have your em-mail or contacts so that I can discuss the issue with you personally. I am based in Hong Kong.