A few questions

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

pre-op left temple

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

post-op left temple

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

pre-op right temple

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

post-op right temple

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

pre-op crown

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

post-op crown

[EpilepticSceptic]

Wow, this case is simply mind boggling!! Dr. Meshkin's post-op photos look like he had great success and full growth. The photos that the OP posted look almost exactly like his pre-op condition, which seems impossible to me. Something fishy is going on here fellas! I am inclined to believe Dr. Meshkin on this one.

 

BTW, Dr. Meshkin's work looks really incredible to me! That hairline looks as good (natural) as a Dr. Hasson hairline!!

[thanatopsis_awry]

This is very puzzling. Dre, you truly do need to heed the advice given and get in touch with Dr. Meshkin personally, and really to meet in person ASAP, IMO. It seems you must be reluctant for some reason, but you really must; if you want to meet with other doctors, as well, by all means.

 

I'm still perplexed that you felt you received FUE surgery and not strip....

 

But the post-op photos shown above paint the picture that we would expect from Dr. Meshkin -- a quality result. The photos shown by Dre show virtually zero improvement. Dre mentioned dandruff I believe, wondering if this could contribute to hairloss; perhaps he's had some extreme scalp condition that has led to (hopefully temporary) loss of transplanted hairs.

 

That Dr. Meshkin met with the patient in person, 10months, post-op, and he was pleased with his progress, is a very telling fact that there has been a breakdown in communication with Dre, and that something beyond the HT has taken place to impact things, or at least our perceptions.

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

I have already emailed this patient to return for a follow up visit to find out whats going on. I hope he responds.

[M&M]

Dr. Meshkin,

 

Thank you for the updated photos, which certainly show an improvement, although in all fairness, it is slightly difficult to judge one that shows the forelock combed down (pre-op) to combed back (post-op). Do you have any immediate post-op photos, as those were perhaps the most alarming from the patient.

 

Can I ask how you arrived at the original graft count? Given his level of baldness, I would have expected a higher initial graft count (ie. 3,500+), or was his young age partially why you wanted to be extra conservative in the first surgery? Would another option have been to concentrate your grafts on the hairline / temple for a more dramatic post-op result, while allowing 12 months for Rogaine & Propecia to hopefully work their magic on the crown and mid-scalp?

 

M&M

[aaron1234]

Thanks Dr. Meshkin for the detailed response. The post-op photos you posted look great for 1,800 grafts, a stark and disconcerting contrast to the pics that Dre posted. I'm just curious why more grafts weren't used on a patient with this significant level of balding. Or why a HT was done in the first place. He looks to be a full blown NW 6 in the pre-op photos and it's almost a certainty that he'll lose more in the future as only being a 22 year old.

[AZ1anonymous]

Most importantly I want to start by saying this; I didn't create this topic to tarnish Dr. Meshkin at all. That is absolutely not the case. He is a fantastic doctor and among the best that I know of. He was recommended to me by 2 others who had surgery with amazing results. This topic was not created to tarnish any reputation. I already stated that I want to go in for another procedure when the time is right, and I do plan to continue my process with Dr. Meshkin because he did tell me that I would need to come back for

round two.

 

I made this topic to hear everyone's opinion and to see if any similar thing has

occured to them. All your opinions are very much appreciated.

 

As for getting a transplant at such a young age, I do not regret it at all. My hair did look improved and thicker, but the fact remains that currently my hair looks exactly like the pictures which I posted. I took those pictures the same day I made this topic. During September I remember my hair being a bit thicker. But the reason why I created this topic was because my hair started looking worst and worst within the last month.

 

I didn't change anything. I was and still am using propecia and rogaine as

Dr. Meshkin requested me to do. The ONLY thing that changed was I started noticing more

dandruff in my hair. I just started using head and shoulders as my primary shampoo.

 

And again, please understand why this topic is created. This is about

my hair. The only intention I have is to gain advice to regrow and stabilize my hair. At such a young age it's not only painful but confusing as to why my hair continues to bald after a transplant. Dr. Meshkin is a fantastic doctor. I have gone through consultations with other doctors and clinics such as Hair Club and Bosley in the past, but Dr. Meshkin has been the most helpful.

 

Also, Dr. Meshkin I defintely would like to come in for an evaluation. I just noticed your email.

[AZ1anonymous]

I would also like to note that my Internet is down. I am currently in the process of fixing it. I had to type all that on my phone.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Dr. Meshkin,

 

I appreciate you sharing more detail about this patient's case, which puts things into better perspective.

 

I agree that the best course of action for dre3kla is to come in for an in-person consult and go over his options.

 

Dre3kla,

 

I don't believe you had any malintent in your posts to damage Dr. Meshkin's reputation. I do however, encourage you to take Dr. Meshkin up on his offer to see you in person. I trust that you and he will be able and work out a long term hair restoration plan suitable to your needs.

 

All the Best,

 

Bill

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

First of all I want to thank Dre for clarifying the situation, and I would like for him to call and make an appointment at his earliest convenience to come in, so we can find the cause for his hair loss and use all the available treatment options to help him.

[TheEmperor]

This looks like good work, and if he only spent 5K, it was also a good deal.

 

It looks like he could go in for 1-2 more procedures and have himself a nice head of hair.

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

Secondly, In this thread Some of you asked about the method I use to come up with the number of grafts for each procedure. There are many factors involved in the decision making process, but I will name a few which are the most important. Keep in mind that even with a certain classification on the norwood scale of hair loss, each case is asessed individually. The elements that influence me to determine the number of grafts include: the patient's age, goal and expectations, the degree of hair loss, donor size, density and laxity, hair characteristics, the hair's texture-fine or coarse, the contrast between the patient's hair and skin color, and whether or not previous grafting procedures have been done and the progression of the future hair loss. Making treatment recommendations require an extensive examination and a frank discussion of possibilities between the patient and I. I also give the patient a realistic estimate of the total cost, number of grafts needed and number of procedures required to get the expected result. Sometimes due to economic factors, patients decide on the number of grafts according to their budget. We try to push for the desired number of grafts for the optimal result but some clients just cannot afford the cost. So we try to do our best with the number of grafts that the patients can afford and ultimatly decides to do.

During the initial consultation, at our clinic I spent a considerable amount of time to educate my patients utilizing computerized hair analysis to evaluate the extent of hair loss, hair characteristics, and donor density. I use different methods and computer animation to estimate the number of grafts needed for transplants. We provide all information necessary for our patient so that they can make an educated decision. Again, each treatment is customized to the patient's needs and concerns. I also use all viable treatment options, including nonsurgical therapies, such as medical treatment.

I recommend beginning medical treatment of significant hair loss as soon as the problem has been identified. Even if a patient decides to proceed with a surgical hair restoration, medical treatments may slow or prevent additional hair loss in the future. Medical treatments such as finasteride and minoxidil are usually recommended for men with hair loss to help preserve or partially reserve thinning hair in the rear crown and in the top area. Hair transplants can be used to fill in the front hairline and thicken the front half of the scalp, and medical treatments can be used to maintain hair behind the transplants and to possibly enhance the long term results of hair restoration surgery.

In the past twenty years I have always used a comprehensive approach to address each clients needs and concerns individually.

[chavtastic]

Who takes the photo's both pre-op and post-op at this clinic?

 

To me it looks like some very crafty photography which is making the result look considerably better than it is?

 

Look at the difference in angles between the pre-op and post-op photo's. I'd be inclined to ask why there is a lack of consistency here. Personally it looks like the result is not as good as it appears in the clinic shots - which is quite concerning.

[ScottishGuy]

The result could well be the best possible for 1800 grafts, and the Dr has pointed out a few facts we weren't aware of at the start of the thread.

 

However, I also had the same thoughts as Chavtastic to be honest. Look at the crown pre and post op photo in particular. Is it just coincidence that the post op is taken at an angle that reduces the amount of scalp visible?

 

Based on the post-ops it does look like there was a massive improvement, but how much is due to a difference in hair length and styling?

 

Dre> Regarding dandruff, I recommend Polytar AF shampoo - much better than Head & Shoulders. Other guys may have other recommendations too.

[AZ1anonymous]

Originally posted by ScottishGuy:

The result could well be the best possible for 1800 grafts, and the Dr has pointed out a few facts we weren't aware of at the start of the thread.

 

However, I also had the same thoughts as Chavtastic to be honest. Look at the crown pre and post op photo in particular. Is it just coincidence that the post op is taken at an angle that reduces the amount of scalp visible?

 

Based on the post-ops it does look like there was a massive improvement, but how much is due to a difference in hair length and styling?

 

Dre> Regarding dandruff, I recommend Polytar AF shampoo - much better than Head & Shoulders. Other guys may have other recommendations too.

 

 

Polytar AF shampoo? I will defintely try that out. Also I just bought a jar of Maxi Hair vitamins yesterday and began using them. 2 per day. If lack of vitamins are the case, this should help.

 

I also have pictures from about three months ago that show my hair from the same angle. It clearly looks better than the picture I posted a couple days ago. I will defintely post that up as soon as I can.

[Tao]

It must be different lighting, but the pre-op guy has brown hair and post op guy has dark black hair. What's up with that?

[ScottishGuy]

Dre>There's some related info in this thread:

 

http://hair-restoration-info.c...35105172?r=165105172

[AZ1anonymous]

Originally posted by Tao:

It must be different lighting, but the pre-op guy has brown hair and post op guy has dark black hair. What's up with that?

 

It must be the lighting. But I see black hair on both. It can also be that my hair is much more thicker now then a year ago.

 

And Scottish, thanks for the link, I'll defintely check it out. So far I've been using head and shoulders for a couple days and noticing less dandruff already. I just hope it improves in stabilizing my hair.