Recommendation for FUE clinic in Rio de Janeiro

[HairInRio]

Hello,

I'm traveling to Rio next month and would like to ask for recommendations for a quality FUE clinic. In Los Angeles, I've done 3 consults which suggest 1,800 to 3,700 grafts are possible. Yes, a wide range. 2,500 on crown and 1,000+ on top/front. Hairline is fine and doesn't need work. I considered finding an ARTAS clinic (or Neograft) thinking it would reduce the due diligence I'd need to perform under the impression that outcomes would be fairly standard, but I have been disabused of that notion after reading posts on this forum. So I have turned to finding a reputable clinic in Rio or adjacent Barra da Tijuca area that do not use these robotic systems. I know that Pitella is a short flight away but want to explore quality options in Rio as a preference. There is a Vinci clinic located in Rio which is a global firm. Are they reputable? Any other specific suggestions? Thank you.

[ITA]

If you can afford Pittella, don't explore anything and go to him.

[mr_peanutbutter]

pittella is the man in brazil

[HairInRio]

I knew that I was going to get strong recs for Pittella. I will consider him but I may not even be able to get on his schedule given my impending trip. Part of the allure in going to Brazil is the cost savings. From what I read, Pittella charges about $4.50/graft USD which is about the same here in LA (at least at one of my consults; other two were $6 and $8). Pitella has the reputation, but there must be very competent surgeons in Rio and Barra. The culture in Brazil, after all, has a vibrant consumer market for all manner of cosmetic surgery.

I'm very interested to know if anyone either went to a Vinci clinic (there must be a dozen worldwide, and there is one in Rio) or knows them reputationally? I'm also interested in any other recs in Rio (Leblon, Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca, Botafogo or other neighborhoods). Thanks so much

Edited June 24, 2023 by HairInRio
grammar

[Melvin- Admin]

Dr. Pittella in Vitoria. I don’t know of any surgeon charging less than $7 per graft in LA. Certainly no one with any kind of a reputation would be charging that low of a price in LA. Given the cost of doing business. Maybe a plastic surgeon using the neograft robot (terrible results).

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, choose a surgeon based on a vacation time frame. Terrible idea. Furthermore, never choose a surgeon because they’re all you can afford. That’s a good way to get botched. Take your time, research slowly. The names you mentioned are hair mills. 
 

What are your goals? What’s your hair loss level. Find the best doc for your situation. 

[Britanium]

Dr Pittella or Dr Thiago Bianco Leal are the names that always spring to mind when people ask about Brazil. 
The other mentions of neo graft/ARTAS and chain clinics are worrying, these are synonymous with poor/sub par work and should be avoided.

 

[HairInRio]

To address Melvin's Qs:

1. State of hair loss. See photos below. Maybe Norwood 4 or 3 Vertex? I don't know.

2. Hairline. I'm OK with hairline. Would like to address crown and thicken/fill in on top if I have enough grafts to harvest.

3. Grafts: Clinic #1 ARTAS (said 1,800 to 2,000 grafts); Clinic #2 Neograft (said 2,500); Clinic #3 Neograft said 3,500. Obviously a wide range. All consults in Los Angeles.

4. Since researching methods on this website, I've jettisoned the ARTAS/Neograft method for manual FUE by a qualied surgeon

I understand that, ideally, it is best to research this and not plan it around a vacation but the reality is that I won't be back in Brazil (or elsewhere) for another 12 months and have been losing hair at an increasing rate. I have submitted photos to Pittella for virtual consultation and will understand on Monday if he is even available. Will check out Leal as well. I have to believe there are great surgeons in Rio as it is a very large, modern city. 

[AB2000]

16 hours ago, mr_peanutbutter said:

pittella is the man in brazil

Even if he wanted to go see Pittella the wait list is several months long.

[GoliGoliGoli]

13 hours ago, HairInRio said:

The culture in Brazil, after all, has a vibrant consumer market for all manner of cosmetic surgery.

7 hours ago, HairInRio said:

I have to believe there are great surgeons in Rio as it is a very large, modern city. 

 

No, not necessarily. The number of capable HT surgeons worldwide is fairly small. If you aren't going to Pitella you run a huge risk. Do not rush into getting a HT just because you are in Brazil. Look at Nader in Mexico if you are on a budget. 

[A_4_Archan]

You said that You are loosing hair grafts at a rapid pace which is concerning you but hair transplant surgery won't solve that issue ...you will keep on loosing hairs even after a transplant ...you have to be on medication to stabilise your hairloss and than go for hair transplant surgery otherwise its most likely that you will be chasing hairs forever....good that you can't go back to brasil or anywhere else for 1 year because in this 1 year you can do a proper research and you be on medication and other non surgical therapies for this full 1 year and thn reassess your situation..this will be the best approach imo....please don't rush into surgery and that too with some random doctors likes that...your donor is finite so use it wisely plus the cost of a repair surgery will be far more expensive if anything goes wrong...there are only a handful of good surgeons worldwide(who can produce good results on regular basis and not randomly) 

Edited June 25, 2023 by A_4_Archan

[follically challenged]

Does Pitella ever take on fine blonde patients? I don't recall ever seeing such results.... it appears to only be thick, darker haired patients...

[Melvin- Admin]

18 hours ago, HairInRio said:

To address Melvin's Qs:

1. State of hair loss. See photos below. Maybe Norwood 4 or 3 Vertex? I don't know.

2. Hairline. I'm OK with hairline. Would like to address crown and thicken/fill in on top if I have enough grafts to harvest.

3. Grafts: Clinic #1 ARTAS (said 1,800 to 2,000 grafts); Clinic #2 Neograft (said 2,500); Clinic #3 Neograft said 3,500. Obviously a wide range. All consults in Los Angeles.

4. Since researching methods on this website, I've jettisoned the ARTAS/Neograft method for manual FUE by a qualied surgeon

I understand that, ideally, it is best to research this and not plan it around a vacation but the reality is that I won't be back in Brazil (or elsewhere) for another 12 months and have been losing hair at an increasing rate. I have submitted photos to Pittella for virtual consultation and will understand on Monday if he is even available. Will check out Leal as well. I have to believe there are great surgeons in Rio as it is a very large, modern city. 

The issue is that good surgeons have a waitlist. On a budget there’s Dr. Nader in Reynosa Mexico, Dr. Camacho in Bogota Colombia, those would be the closest options without traveling to Asia or Europe. Do not give yourself a timeframe. You’ve been losing hair for years, one more year is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. If you find a qualified surgeon, with good reviews that meets your budget, wait time should be the least of your priorities. 

You will get plenty of hair mills and crappy doctors willing to operate on you the minute you walk through the door, those are places you should avoid. 
 

As for Artas and Neograft, here’s what Dr. Mohebi in Woodland Hills had to say 

 

[HairInRio]

I'm really grateful to you guys. You've helped me understand how to select a clinic and get my priorities in order. The following statement by A_4_Archan was an epiphany, and it said again by Melvin in so many words:

Quote

You said that You are loosing hair grafts at a rapid pace which is concerning you but hair transplant surgery won't solve that issue ...you will keep on loosing hairs even after a transplant ...you have to be on medication to stabilise your hairloss and than go for hair transplant surgery otherwise its most likely that you will be chasing hairs forever

OK, I'll be calling Pitella on Monday to see in the rare case he has any cancellations over the next month. Otherwise, I'll wait and lock in an appointment far in advance. I have question about the medication:

1. I'm taking 1 mg Finasteride daily. Is this recommended by the forum to be optimal?

2. I was taking topical rogaine but switched to Revela. What is the forum's view on Revela? Efficacious or snake oil?

3. Any other prescription or OTC medication recommended in lieu of or in addition to the above two?

4. Two docs recommended Nutrafol vitamans. What do you guys think?

5. Based on the photos above, am I Norwood 4 or 3 Vertex?

Thanks

 

[HairInRio]

I just want to thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I just completed FUE surgery with Dr. Pittella in Vitoria Brazil. We traveled 1 hour north by plane from Rio during our annual vacation from our home base in Los Angeles. 6,728 grafts on the crown and top. I did not need to reconstruct the hairline. Only one day in post-op but reportedly very successful thus far. I can’t say enough about my experience at Pittella’s clinic including the care and hospitality of the staff. I was likely sleeping through much of the surgery but counted no less than 6 people in the operating room at any one time. Very well resourced and efficient. I’ve never been to a doctor’s office that has a nicer interior design, complete with private suites, and I have ready access to clinics in Beverly Hills. Not that this is how one should research and choose a clinic but if you are looking at a quality surgeon comparable to Pittella then this could be a secondary factor. I can recommend him without hesitation. Thank you all for your guidance.
 

Edited July 19, 2023 by HairInRio

[Pelange]

On 7/19/2023 at 12:59 PM, HairInRio said:

I just want to thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I just completed FUE surgery with Dr. Pittella in Vitoria Brazil. We traveled 1 hour north by plane from Rio during our annual vacation from our home base in Los Angeles. 6,728 grafts on the crown and top. I did not need to reconstruct the hairline. Only one day in post-op but reportedly very successful thus far. I can’t say enough about my experience at Pittella’s clinic including the care and hospitality of the staff. I was likely sleeping through much of the surgery but counted no less than 6 people in the operating room at any one time. Very well resourced and efficient. I’ve never been to a doctor’s office that has a nicer interior design, complete with private suites, and I have ready access to clinics in Beverly Hills. Not that this is how one should research and choose a clinic but if you are looking at a quality surgeon comparable to Pittella then this could be a secondary factor. I can recommend him without hesitation. Thank you all for your guidance.
 

OMG. That is quick. Hope everything went well with you.  You can get an appointment within a month? Did you call the WhatsApp number they have online? 

[Melvin- Admin]

On 7/19/2023 at 9:59 AM, HairInRio said:

I just want to thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I just completed FUE surgery with Dr. Pittella in Vitoria Brazil. We traveled 1 hour north by plane from Rio during our annual vacation from our home base in Los Angeles. 6,728 grafts on the crown and top. I did not need to reconstruct the hairline. Only one day in post-op but reportedly very successful thus far. I can’t say enough about my experience at Pittella’s clinic including the care and hospitality of the staff. I was likely sleeping through much of the surgery but counted no less than 6 people in the operating room at any one time. Very well resourced and efficient. I’ve never been to a doctor’s office that has a nicer interior design, complete with private suites, and I have ready access to clinics in Beverly Hills. Not that this is how one should research and choose a clinic but if you are looking at a quality surgeon comparable to Pittella then this could be a secondary factor. I can recommend him without hesitation. Thank you all for your guidance.
 

Please post your review. I want to follow your journey.

[HairInRio]

Pelange, yes, all the doctors in Brazil want to use WhatsApp. Very few, if any, returned voicemails left via cell phone. That was my personal experience not only with Dr. Pittella but with other prospective clinics as well. In addition to being free, WhatsApp offers a very good language translation service that I know was very helpful in my case (I speak some Portuguese but I was communicating in English with the doctor's staff).

As far as scheduling the procedure, I believe it was a pretty fortunate set of circumstances. First, I was in Brazil for 3 weeks. Being in Rio means I was close to Vitoria where the clinic is located. Second, I had decided to go through with the FUE procedure, and I had decided that Dr. Pittella was a great choice. Third, my wife is Brazilian and my kids speak Portuguese. Dr Pittella manages a small clinic, and this Brazilian connection could have played some role, but it is hard to say. It was definitely somewhat of a scramble to mobilize and get the lab work done a week before, schedule the short flight and hotel, etc. But it was all worth it in the end. I received great care by a great surgeon and supporting team. They have monitored my progress daily for the past 24 days since the surgery (all via WhatsApp to which I post videos) along with periodic video consultations. In addition to all of this, Dr. Pittella is a good-natured and caring person.

Melvin, I'd be happy to write a review when time permits.

Edited August 10, 2023 by HairInRio
grammar