Think this is 2500 FUE grafts? HRI - Bloomington, MN

[jim_hair]

11 hours ago, PluggedIn said:

Do you have any pre op pictures you could share with us?

Definitely; These are from 4 months pre-op though but should work. 

[Berba11]

25 minutes ago, jim_hair said:

Hey @Berba11 , I arrived at 7:00am and was out of surgery at 4:00pm.  I'd say with taking the pre-op signatures, discussions, and pre-op photo shoot it took 1.5 hours to get started.  Then a 30 minute lunch break.  Wifi went down for 30 minutes so Neograft machine wasn't operable during that time.  So maybe 6.0 hours - 7.0 hours of operation time, making it about 8.64 to 10.8 seconds per graft if it was 2500.  I was in and out of it so not positive they operated that entire time though.  Also, they had 3-4 surgeries in entirety that day..  The proof is in the pudding they say though, if there's only 1200 scabs and a very similar number of punch marks, it's funny how they line up.  I can't come up with any explanation I believe on why there wouldn't be evidence that 2500 grafts were placed 3 days post op.  Whether that be scabs, hairs protruding where there aren't scabs, or any signature showing something was done..  Thanks for your comment the time-lapse is an interesting way to analyze this.  

Timings in that case sound about right, but as you say, the proof is in the pudding. At least the surgery doesn't sound as though it was rushed, which may stand you in good stead going forward.

[jim_hair]

29 minutes ago, Berba11 said:

Timings in that case sound about right, but as you say, the proof is in the pudding. At least the surgery doesn't sound as though it was rushed, which may stand you in good stead going forward.

Yeah I'm hoping the graft count is my only worry moving forward from this clinic and that I can get another one done without any corrective work for; cobblestones, pitting, overharvesting.  Some of my grafts seem to have very tiny pits and there's some irregularities in my scalps elevations, but I hear that subsides within a couple/few months.  Any experience with the scalp depressions "pits" and the time lapse of that healing process?

[jim_hair]

14 hours ago, Berba11 said:

Ps, your 11 day post-op donor area pics don't look too bad at all. In fact I think they look fairly standard for a donor area that won't have fully healed and may just be suffering a little bit of shock loss. Obviously, you'll have to wait a few months to properly assess that but it's probably nothing to worry about at this stage. My fingers are certainly crossed for you. And frankly if they have undercooked the extraction, that's probably terrific news. I suspect that if this clinic had taken 2,500 grafts from the back of your head, your donor would be in a right state.

Thanks, that's a little reassuring at least.  I've been crossing my fingers that it's just shock loss.  The rights my worst spot but there's a couple more diffuse areas on the middle donor.  Going to shave down to a low guard in a couple months to assess that situation.  Was told by a different surgeon that if I get another procedure they'd suggest FUT which I'm not pumped about so hopefully shock loss recovery changes their opinion in a year..!  Thanks for the help and comments it's much appreciated.

[jim_hair]

9 hours ago, Legend007 said:

They ain’t giving u a refund unless u get necrosis .. or some sort of disaster .. It’s a big deal to refund someone , where they will have to eat the cost . N admit total fault..  N that won’t be easy .. it’s not like a product u are returning . It’s services that were provided that didn’t turn out well..

So play it smart and document stuff n be professional when when u deal with them .. 

Yeah I agree, it would be a tough one but if I'm not satisfied / feel stolen from I can't not bring it up and try.  I don't think they'd have to admit fault to issue me a refund, they could just say they issued it to calm me down from posting horrific reviews about my experience with them or that I just wasn't satisfied (he's a crazy client lol).  My logic is would they rather give me 50% of my money back for one procedure or have a horrible review on every outlet and lose much more than that amount in lost clients moving forward.

Thanks for the advice and comment!  I'll keep documenting it moving forward and handle it in a calm manner lol, though that may be difficult.  I have yet to have a single person say they think I received 2500 grafts.  Definitely gotta voice my complaint at an appropriate time in the future.

Edited August 12, 2021 by jim_hair

[Berba11]

7 minutes ago, jim_hair said:

Yeah I'm hoping the graft count is my only worry moving forward from this clinic and that I can get another one done without any corrective work for; cobblestones, pitting, overharvesting.  Some of my grafts seem to have very tiny pits and there's some irregularities in my scalps elevations, but I hear that subsides within a couple/few months.  Any experience with the scalp depressions "pits" and the time lapse of that healing process?

Not personally, but from a strictly healing perspective, you're in the very early stages, so any pits, redness, patchiness, lumps & bumps... Nothing to worry about this early in the day. It doesn't look as though you've been butchered or anything too severe like that. You've been sold way short of the grafts you were told you were having transplanted, and the hairline work doesn't look as though it's been refined with any in-built irregularities - looks a little straight & linear (whether this will be a problem in your case will require more time - it may turn out fine!), but these are easily corrected/not the worst problems you can run into with a HT. I do very much hope you can recover a chunk of the funds you put in though.

[Berba11]

3 minutes ago, jim_hair said:

Yeah I agree, it would be a tough one but if I'm not satisfied / feel stolen from I can't not bring it up and try.  I don't think they'd have to admit fault to issue me a refund, they could just say they issued it to calm me down from posting horrific reviews about my experience with them or that I just wasn't satisfied (he's a crazy client lol).  My logic is would they rather give me 50% of my money back for one procedure or have a horrible review on every outlet and lose much more than that amount in lost clients moving forward.

Thanks for the advice.  I'll keep documenting it moving forward.  I have yet to have a single person say they think I received 2500 grafts.  Definitely gotta voice my complaint at an appropriate time in the future.

I think key to your receiving some kind of refund here will be seeking professional assessments on the number of grafts that have actually been extracted & implanted. I understand you've started this process already, which is good. You'll want all of this in writing from any surgeons that look over the graft count, and you'll also want any responses to your queries and challenges in writing from the surgery you went to. For example, if the clinic are telling you they put more than one graft into a single incision, you'll want that sort of thing in writing for sure!

[Legend007]

I already knew u messed up when u said they were using neo-graft.. there is no way u got 2500 grafts .. 

[aaron1234]

Did you not know that Dr. Shapiro, one of the world's best, was already in your backyard before this procedure?  Such a shame this happened.  I ended up going to SMG after my first crappy procedure as well, but surgically it appears yours was worse.

[jim_hair]

22 hours ago, Legend007 said:

I already knew u messed up when u said they were using neo-graft.. there is no way u got 2500 grafts .. 

Right, I have yet to find a single person that thinks I received 2500 grafts.  I didn't know there were so many issues with the neo-graft until after unfortunately.  Basically a graft death trap with the suction etc. 

All in all I made a bad and very impulsive decision when selecting my clinic.  I was going to go to Istanbul but after getting talked out of it I figured the 3 top reviewed clinics in MN should all suffice.  Bad Decision!  Do your research!!  Just hoping I heal well without any cobblestones, pitting, or highly visible donor scars.   

[jim_hair]

17 hours ago, aaron1234 said:

Did you not know that Dr. Shapiro, one of the world's best, was already in your backyard before this procedure?  Such a shame this happened.  I ended up going to SMG after my first crappy procedure as well, but surgically it appears yours was worse.

Yes, I knew he was but went for a cheaper alternative, worst decision ever.  Would gladly go back and pay double what he was asking now, but that's hindsight..  I'm meeting with Shapiro next month to discuss this procedure and discuss options for a 2nd round.  Unfortunately, the older Shapiro (that wrote the book) is retiring from what I've heard, but his brother is still working there.  I may try to pull him out of retirement though lol.  

[Britanium]

3 minutes ago, jim_hair said:

Yes, I knew he was but went for a cheaper alternative, worst decision ever.  Would gladly go back and pay double what he was asking now, but that's hindsight..  I'm meeting with Shapiro next month to discuss this procedure and discuss options for a 2nd round.  Unfortunately, the older Shapiro (that wrote the book) is retiring from what I've heard, but his brother is still working there.  I may try to pull him out of retirement though lol.  

So many of us here made a questionable first choice with varying degrees of success. Let’s hope round 2 is a completely different experience! 🙏

[aaron1234]

1 hour ago, jim_hair said:

Yes, I knew he was but went for a cheaper alternative, worst decision ever.  Would gladly go back and pay double what he was asking now, but that's hindsight..  I'm meeting with Shapiro next month to discuss this procedure and discuss options for a 2nd round.  Unfortunately, the older Shapiro (that wrote the book) is retiring from what I've heard, but his brother is still working there.  I may try to pull him out of retirement though lol.  

Dr. Paul Shapiro has retired from surgery.  Dr. Ron still practices. 

[deeznuts]

On 8/12/2021 at 6:14 PM, Legend007 said:

I already knew u messed up when u said they were using neo-graft.. there is no way u got 2500 grafts .. 

What got me was when the wifi went down. What next lol. Someone microwaving a burrito in the kitchen taking down the whole office?

[Kharmacoma]

12.500USD for this? 😔

what tool did he he use, it seems more than 1 - 1.2. 

[Melvin- Admin]

On 8/11/2021 at 10:06 PM, Legend007 said:

They ain’t giving u a refund unless u get necrosis .. or some sort of disaster .. It’s a big deal to refund someone , where they will have to eat the cost . N admit total fault..  N that won’t be easy .. it’s not like a product u are returning . It’s services that were provided that didn’t turn out well..

So play it smart and document stuff n be professional when when u deal with them .. 

Unless the clinic gives a money-back guarantee there are no refunds. I keep saying this till I’m blue in the face. This is why getting it done right the first time is important. That said, all we can do is speculate at the moment, until your hair starts to grow.

[Gasthoerer]

I tend to disagree: If you have a contract saying 2500 grafts for X €/Graft and you only received 1000 Grafts, there is quite a chance to get money back. Much better chance than for anything else like unnatural look, bad growth etc. 

[Legend007]

5 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Unless the clinic gives a money-back guarantee there are no refunds. I keep saying this till I’m blue in the face. This is why getting it done right the first time is important. That said, all we can do is speculate at the moment, until your hair starts to grow.

 

there ain’t no guarantees, no warranties, no 90% growth gurantee etc.. 

I tried to get my 90% gurantee before cuz I feeel I only got about 75-80% of my grafts .. n I was pretty adamant pre-surgery I be expecting this 90% . Before I got my procedure .. 

but nope The office rejected me for the additional grafts , n said they all grew .. I just dropped it after that . Not worth the fight.. 

think of the time n money they be losing.. 

[Legend007]

N to be honest cuz of that I’m still not satisfied with my results , but it’s not bad so whatever, don’t feel like it was $ 20,000 worth tho .. 

[jim_hair]

On 8/14/2021 at 5:16 AM, Kharmacoma said:

12.500USD for this? 😔

what tool did he he use, it seems more than 1 - 1.2. 

They used a 1mm & a 1.25mm hole punch for the donor harvesting.  Then a 1.5mm incision to place the grafts.  Very large by todays standards from what I've been reading.  Hoping it doesn't leave incision scars in recipient or to noticeable scars in donor..

[jim_hair]

On 8/14/2021 at 8:03 AM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Unless the clinic gives a money-back guarantee there are no refunds. I keep saying this till I’m blue in the face. This is why getting it done right the first time is important. That said, all we can do is speculate at the moment, until your hair starts to grow.

Yeah, I'm not going to bring it up with them again until I see how it grows in at the 6-9 month mark.  Not worth the stress at this point.

[jim_hair]

Maybe I should be addressing this in a separate thread, but does anyone have some insight into how long it takes the incisions in recipient area to heal?  I feel like I still see small incision marks, or pitting like depressions where the grafts are.  I'm 3.5 weeks post op and basically shed all grafts at this point.  I hear the appearance of pitting is somewhat normal in the first few months, but subsides after 3-6 months..?  Anyone have experience with this?  Any idea how long it takes for the recipient area to go back to normal and for the surface to become flush again?

Sorry, photos aren't best but you can see that the angle plays a huge difference in them showing up, due to elevation differences of skin?

Edited August 17, 2021 by jim_hair

[Kharmacoma]

11 hours ago, jim_hair said:

They used a 1mm & a 1.25mm hole punch for the donor harvesting.  Then a 1.5mm incision to place the grafts.  Very large by todays standards from what I've been reading.  Hoping it doesn't leave incision scars in recipient or to noticeable scars in donor..

Thank you! Issue is not really the scars but the possibility of damaging nearby grafts particularly in the donor area. Please keep us updated on your progress.  

[jim_hair]

16 hours ago, Kharmacoma said:

Thank you! Issue is not really the scars but the possibility of damaging nearby grafts particularly in the donor area. Please keep us updated on your progress.  

Interesting, hopefully that isn't the case as I plan to proceed with another op and could use all the grafts I can get.  However, from what I've read I thought the natural hair follicles were approx. 1mm apart in every adjacent direction, so in theory they'd have to be very off center in the donor harvesting to hit an adjacent follicle with a 1.25mm punch even.  I may be very off on that just theorizing with what I remember from readings.