Dr. Bisanga - FUE - 3181 Grafts

[Henle88]

Hi,

In advance; English is not my mother language, so bear with me

A little bit about myself. I'm 33 year old from Norway, and i became aware of my high frontotemporal hairline during the first week in the army, when i, as the rest of the boys thought it was cool to shave the head. I didn't think much of it before this, but i didn't like what i now saw in the mirror. When the hair grew back out i didn't really think much about it anymore until i was around 30. Before this my hair reccesion was pretty stabil. I finally decided on doing the procedure when i was in a good financial place, so i booked an appointment for FUE to be done on february 11.2022 with Dr.Bisanga. Since i`ve waited for so long, i wanted the best. I have read a lot about Dr. Bisanga and his work, so BHR Clinic was the place to go.

I contacted BHR Clinic in October 2021. After sending in pictures i was quoted on 2200 grafts. During the correspondence with the consultant, i was told that Dr.Bisanga was going to do the punches and designe the hairline, while technicians was going to put the hair back in the recipient area with the supervision of the man himself, Dr. Bisanga. Was Quoted ¢8800 (¢4 graft) for this, which sounded like a good price. 

I arrived in Brussels on Feb 9. My original plan was going on the 10th of Feb, but the trip got cancelled from SAS. I got a little stressed, because i was going to have a consultation with Dr. Bisanga on the 10th. It all worked out, but 1 night extra stay in Brussels. On the day of the consultation i waited in the lobby around 1-1.5hr longer than my scheduled time, which sucked, but i was on a mission to get my hair fixed, and now i was in Brussels to do it, so all good. When it was my turn i was greeted by Dr.Kostis. I thought i was going to have a consultation with the man i booked for the procedure, but no. I met Dr.Bisanga after the concultation with Dr.Kostis was done for about 1min. 

During the concultation i was told i had good density, around 80. So i was a good candidate for a transplant. Dr.Kostis drew two hairlines. One conservative and one more liberal. we decided on one in between, which we both liked. I asked about the amount of graft needed, and Dr.Kostis quoted me around 2200-2400. Sounded good to me. 

11/2-22 was the day of the operation. Came in early and got my head shaved for the procedure. Haven't felt my hair this short for years, so that was kinda fun. Dr.Bisanga came, and startet to numb me up with anesthesia. I knew it was going to hurt, but some places.... my oh my. I swear my toes curled for a sec. He started to punching the design, and after a while he said i probably needed around 400 more grafts. From the original quote from 2200 to 2600 now. I was under the "knife" so to speak so i said okey. I want a good result.  Half way through punching out the grafs on the back of my head Dr.Kostis came and continued. I didn't know this was part of the plan before he sat down, cuz i`d  booked Dr.Bisanga. Anyway, he started punching out the remaining of the grafts needed and he left. The supervision from the Doc was absent, and the only to carrying on was the technicians. The totalt amount of grafts put in, according to the document was 3181. This is a lot more than the 2200 i was originally quoted, even on 2400 and 2600 as well. I didn't know the total amount of grafts until i saw the document. Nobody told me. From the technicians i was told all the grafts was put in.  Is it only me overthinking this? I have a good feeling the final result is going to be good, but from a financial point of view 2200 to 3200 grafts is ¢4000 more. 

I came in the next day for a clean, and one of the consultants working there was walking through how the post-op rutine worked. 

 

Graft Breakdown:

1 Follicular unit: 591 Grafts

2 Follicular unit: 1186 Grafts

3 Follicular unit: 1335 Grafts

4 Follicular unit: 69 grafts

Total : 3181 Grafts. 

From what i`ve seen 3181 grafts looks like a lot more than some other post. I'll put links under for you to decide for yourself. 

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/60990-fue-by-dr-bisanga-2700-grafts-brussels-belgium/#comment-602758

  https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/63015-dr-bisanga-bhr-clinic-2507-grafts-0-12-months/#comment-632600

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/61092-dr-bisanga-bhr-clinic-2609-fue-16-09-2021/#comment-603929

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/61722-bhr-brussels-dr-bisanga-fue-2989-grafts-10th-november-2021/#comment-613947

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/49160-dr-bisanga-fue-patient-2723-grafts-bhr-clinic/#comment-454447

... and the list goes on. 

 

Post op: 

 

Day 1: 

 

 

Day 4: 

Day 10 Scabs are off:

 I am now 3 weeks in, and next picture post will be on the 1 month mark. I didn't used any medication for my hair before the operation. I started maybe 1 month before going with  washing my hair a couple of times a week with a shampoo containing ketoconazole. After the HT i was prescription Minoxidil 5mg oral. I had read about some of the side effects, so i wanted to start on 2.5mg and work my way up to 5mg. This i couldn't do because the tablets came as capsules. 

[andrewfaliro]

Wow. that's about 1000 more than you were quoted!! I am a bit worried now since i've also booked Bisanga and was quoted around 2500.

What's even more disconcerting is the consultation, drawing of the hairline, and some punching with Dr. Kostis?!?! I'm sure he's a fine surgeon but you paid for Dr. Bisanga..

Everything looks great from the photos but man, I would have protested if I were you.

 

 

 

 

[MachoVato]

The technicians implant the grafts, yes, but into pre-made incisions. Dr. Bisanga should have made the incisions before the technicians got started.

I believe his current prices are much higher. Something like €5/graft (plus 21% vat) for him to do extractions and incisions. Now that Dr. Kostis is there, they work together and are able to get more patients.

That said, you went to one of the very best clinics in the world. And the work looks immaculate. You will not regret this decision!

[Viney]

No doubt this is going to look good but I do share the same concerns as the @andrewfaliro above.

Are you certain you paid for the package where Bisanga punches the extraction sites?

Regardless I would have thought Bisanga leading the surgery and consult would be standard with either package.

[asterix0]

Your post op looks good, it is not unusual to get more grafts on the day of the surgery, I myself got 800 more than was originally agreed upon.

However, either your head is really big compared to mine or I don't know if it is the post op swelling, but your head looks huge haha. 

[aay]

This is very strange though, extra 1000 grafts. I’ve got my surgery this coming week, I received this email from Ian who has been amazing.

Dr Bisanga would be able to offer this procedure at a price of €4.00 per graft.

Dr Bisanga would lead your surgery, consult and plan your approach. 
Dr Bisanga would punch all of your extraction sites.
Dr Bisanga would then make all of your recipient sites.
His technicians would then extract the pre punched grafts and place the grafts into the pre made recipient sites.

Edited March 7, 2022 by aay

[aay]

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Edited March 7, 2022 by aay

[Henle88]

@andrewfaliro I`m sure you`ll be fine. I understand that giving an exact number of grafts can be hard before all the hair is gone, but i was thinking more in the lines of maybe 400-600 extra as i was told, even on the operation day, not a document stating that it was almost 3200. i must have a really big head.

During my correspondence with the consultant from BHR, i said i wanted Dr. Bisanga and i was okey with paying ¢4 pr graft. As per instructions, i paid ¢3000 to book the operation room like a deposit, and the rest two weeks before i went, ¢5800,-. After the operation, since Dr.Kostis had done some of the work, i now paid ¢3.5 euro per graft. Now ¢<11.000, from ¢8800. 

I was told by my consultant that doing a HT at BHR clinic was teamwork, and that Dr.Bisanga was going to draw the hairline, do the punches before the technicians place the grafts back in the recipient area. I didn't expect Dr.Kostis to do anything, so it took me a little off guard. I was already in the chair, All the punches in the front was done, and about half in the back.  

[Fredrik - BHR Nordic]

Hi! Hope you all have a good (hair) day!

To sort this out! A hair transplant at BHR is a team performance and relies on the skills of all individuals to reach a successful result. Dr. Christian Bisanga has been performing hair transplants for over 20 years and personally trained his team to his demanding standards. All FUE will be punched by Dr Bisanga and Dr Kostis (if nothing else is agreed) Together with nurse or technician, the grafts will then be removed from the donor area. The grafts will be checked and cleaned by other technicians.

Dr. Bisanga will make the placement sites in the recipient area. His technicians will then place the grafts. The doctor monitors all aspects of your procedure, from checking the grafts before placement, to instructing where the grafts are placed in the recipient sites.

You can be assured of the highest care and attention on this important day. We understand the importance the procedure holds for you and we want to ensure that your experience on the day and in the long term is positive.

Henle88, Thank you for sharing! Let's do a monthly update end of this week. Cheers!

Edited March 7, 2022 by Fredrik - BHR Scandinavia

[Henle88]

@MachoVato Yes, Dr.Bisanga made the pre-made incisions for the technicians to place the grafts. 

I was quoted ¢4/graft for Dr.Bisanga, which i agreed on. I was told i would have a concultation with him, that he drew the hairline and that he did the punches. They should've told me beforehand that Dr.kostis was going to join in. Not when I'm sitting in the chair. 

Im sure the final result is going to be good. Right after the HT looking straight forward looking in the mirror, i felt the hairline was a little crooked. I've told my consultant about it, but is probably all in my head We`ll see in 1 year

[Henle88]

@VineyYes, I agreed on Dr.Bisanga, ¢4/grafts  

Dr:bisanga started off the surgery. Making the pre incision for the grafts, and did half the punching of the grafts. 

[Henle88]

@asterix0 Maybe my head is just big, but my face swole ALOT post-op! haha  from other post i`ve seen people have had between 2500-2900 grafts for the whole frontal area. Mine is More like a U, so that's why I'm asking if 3200 seemed a lot. 

[Henle88]

@aay 

I completly understand that its hard to say an exact number of grafts before the hair is gone. I was quoted 2200-2400 during the concultation with Dr.Kostis. When Dr. Bisanga did the punches for my recipient site, he said i probably would need about 400 grafts more. now the total amount would be 2600-2800 grafts. Was a little strange to see the document saying they did 3181 grafts. 

- As you you were told, Dr Bisanga would be able to offer this procedure for ¢4/graft. This is what i agreed on

- Dr Bisanga would lead my surgery, which he did. He did all the in pre incision for the grafts, but did only half of the extraction. He didn't do the consult or plan my approach which i was told he was going to do.  Dr.Kostis did that. This i didn't know before i turned up for my appointment, and Dr.Kostis told me to follow him. 

- Dr Bisanga did only half the punches of my extraction sites

- Dr Bisanga did all of the punches of my recipient sites.

- His technicians did place the grafts into the pre made recipient site.

 

 

 

 

[MachoVato]

4 hours ago, Henle88 said:

I was quoted ¢4/graft for Dr.Bisanga, which i agreed on. I was told i would have a concultation with him, that he drew the hairline and that he did the punches. They should've told me beforehand that Dr.kostis was going to join in. Not when I'm sitting in the chair. 

I see. Yeah, that would be unexpected for me, too.

As I've said, there seems to be more collaboration with Kostis. Perhaps @Raphael84 or @sl can explain the new process. 

[Marko7t4]

I think a lot of estimates for grafts can end up being increased on the day of surgery. This is particularly true at the moment when you either get a video or photo estimates due to Covid, or you are travelling to another country for the HT and can’t have a face to face consultation before the time of your procedure. I had mine done in the UK and had an extra 500 grafts recommended on the day I went for it. Dr Bisanga is one of the best in the world and I’m sure you’ll have a great result. 

[Melvin- Admin]

Looks good happy growing 🙏🏼

[Raphael84]

@Henle88

Thank you for posting your case and your experience. The design and quality of the work shown is clear, although understandably based on your thread and details, there is some justifiable confusion.

As I personally do not know your case or we have not had any previous communication, I have no knowledge of correspondence or surgery details and so therefore I would advise to follow up with your patient advisor for any clarification.

In regard to more general questions about pricing structure and surgery conditions, the clinic have implemented some changes in recent months.

As standard, FUE surgery at BHR Clinic will now see punching of extraction sites shared between both Dr. Bisanga and Dr. Kostis.

Dr. Bisanga has the upmost respect for the ability of Dr. Kostis, and Dr. Kostis has shown at a recent hair restoration conference amongst doctors where live surgery is performed, that the quality of his punching is optimal and in line with the most highly regarded doctors in the industry.

Dr. Bisanga has worked incredibly hard to forge his reputation over the last 15-20 years and as members of the forum will now that BHR is renown for being one of the most ethical and honest clinics today.

With that being said, the above surgery conditions are outlined and clearly explained to any individuals who present their interest in surgery with Dr. Bisanga. 
Obviously patients who confirmed surgery prior to the change in pricing and therefore previously agreed conditions are being honoured and surgery is proceeding as agreed.
There was naturally a "change over" and transitional period of where some patients will have scheduled based on previous pricing and surgery conditions, and others the more newly introduced changes.

Dr. Bisanga is still available to perform surgery exclusively in terms of making all recipient sites and punching all extraction sites, but as said, this is at a new price point.

I can clarify that this change has not been introduced to allow scheduling of more patients each day which I can confirm does not occur. The objectives of the clinic are not to increase quantity of patients. This is reinforced by the amount of enquiries that we refer to consultation before considering any surgical intervention.

One of the motivations for such a change, in addition to the ability of Dr. Kostis, is the fact that many individuals who are serious to proceed with surgery have budget constraints which is completely understandable. Moving forward, having such flexibility will present more economical options for quality surgery.

I can only apologise in regard to any confusion in this instance and as said I do not know the specifics of this case or the reasoning behind it, but hopefully this helps to explain some of the changes in structure and clarifies things moving forward. 

[Henle88]

1 Month Update:

Looking back at the first month:

The first week after HT: Was kinda rough. I didnt sleep well. Might be because  Im not used to sleep on my back, but it gradly became more bearable by week two. The worst part was the extreme itching, and the burning pain from the donor area. It was worst at night, so often i woke up around 4am, and had to do something to not think about it. This lasted around 10 days i would say. 

Week two: The itching and the burning pain is gradually getting less and less, and im starting to sleep better. By the end of week two i slept the whole night. The donorarea is healing nicely. 

Week three: The burning pain and the extreme itching is now just a bad memory. I`ve started going back to the gym for some Light/low intensity training. Finally im able to sleep om my sides again, but im trying to sleep a little elevated, and not have a pillow rubb against the recipient area. 

Week 4: Things are starting to go back to normal again. Working out as i used to before i got the HT done, and now im sleeping much better now. This week i`ve startet to feel some of the same insecurities about my hair as i did before the HT. Im just not used to have the hair this short that the high temples are this visible. It`s a mentale game, but im sure the end result is going to be good. A lot of 2 og 3 follicular grafts, so i hope the recipient area is going to look good and have a good density. 

The medication i use: 
- Minoxidil oral 5mg daily, Biotin, Multivitamins and omega 3. 

 

[Marco Van Basten]

Good luck on your journey mate

I am nearly 5 months in!

[Casenova7]

How are things going now @Henle88?

[Henle88]

Lala

Edited April 9, 2022 by Henle88

[Henle88]

2 month. Close up

[Smacias15]

Any update ?

[Hair4Days]

How we looking ?

[andrewfaliro]

Update?