Transplants - Good experience(s)

[JustJoe]

Hello. I have heard so many horror stories about hair transplants, but I must say my experiences have been nothing but good!

I started losing my hair in 1997 (I think), so I started taking Propecia. After many months, my hair stopped falling out and much of it actually grew back. In fact, only an expert would know that I had some hair loss. I didn't use any combovers or masking "dust". So basically, I had what looked like a full head of hair.

Then in 2007, I went to Dr. Alan Bauman in Boco Raton, Florida and asked him to thicken up my frontal hairline and fill in my crown with some quailty grafts. A year later, my hair was ultra thick in the front.

Just recently, days ago, I had another 2500 grafts to "double thicken" my front and crown.

In both cases, I had very little shock loss and the procedure was simple for me. Really, only had 1 evening/night of pain controlled by Vicoden.

I used a transplant to make my hair better quality, I didn't need a tranplant, but I like a full thick head of hair. I'm not saying get a transplant if you're not bald, I'm saying if you go to the right doctor, the results can be amazing. No shock loss, 1 day of discomfort, 90% of the results in about 1 year, and I did it twice!

My advice is to find the right doctor (one from the IAHRS) and check out all options. My hair is super thick and will just get better! I was supposed to be bald 10 years ago! Propecia and the transplants improved my look, and I had no problems. In the end, as a patient, you need to make an informed decision, but there are good doctors out there who get amazing results.

[SpencerKobren]

Hey Joe,
You should definitely link to your Youtube page to show off your results. You're looking good my man! Dr. Bauman should hire you to stand outside of his office wearing a sandwich board with before and after shots on it.:)

[JustJoe]

Hey Joe,
You should definitely link to your Youtube page to show off your results. You're looking good my man! Dr. Bauman should hire you to stand outside of his office wearing a sandwich board with before and after shots on it.:)

Thanks. I'd do that. Hang outside Dr. Bauman's in South Florida on the water and say "You want hair like this? Do ya?"

Also, for viewers, here is my Youtube video just using Propecia, no transplant at the time of this video:

0Y2KkO9ILOw

[SpencerKobren]

It's so important for people to fully understand the importance of compliance. They have to stick with the medication for at least a year in order to assess their results. Even those who don't see the significant regrowth that you've achieved, should understand that Propecia can still be doing it's job at reversing the miniaturization process and slowing the progression of their hair loss.

[JustJoe]

It's so important for people to fully understand the importance of compliance. They have to stick with the medication for at least a year in order to assess their results. Even those who don't see the significant regrowth that you've achieved, should understand that Propecia can still be doing it's job at reversing the miniaturization process and slowing the progression of their hair loss.

True. Very True. Here are my results after ~2300 grafts. I have another 2500 that are 2 weeks old, which should be in visible in the growth phase by Feburary 09. There is hope people, I should be bald by now! Propecia allowed me to keep most of my hair and the transplants made it thicker.

Frontal View:
http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=16&pictureid=61

Side View:
http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=16&pictureid=62

- Work by Dr. Alan Bauman, Boco Raton, Florida.

(PS: I do not work for, nor am I paid Dr. Bauman.)

[TeeJay73]

Joe -- looks awesome! In a few months, when I reach 1 full year post-op, I'll put up some of my pictures. I had 1,661 grafts by Doctor McAndrews, and plan to do another one with him for more density and fullness.

But you're lookin' good!

TeeJay

[JustJoe]

Joe -- looks awesome! In a few months, when I reach 1 full year post-op, I'll put up some of my pictures. I had 1,661 grafts by Doctor McAndrews, and plan to do another one with him for more density and fullness.

But you're lookin' good!

TeeJay

Thanks. Just curious, why only 1661? Cost issue or donor issue?

[SpencerKobren]

Dude, your hair looks so healthy and full! Good for you.

[TeeJay73]

Neither actually. Doctor McAndrews takes a conservative approach and will transplant only 20% density in a single session. For my head, 20% density equates to 1,661 grafts. All grafts were placed in the front/top region. Doctor McAndrews' philosophy is to be conservative, for several reasons, including the fact that hair banks (donor areas) are all that balding men have to work with if they are seeking a hair transplant. So, he moves conservatively, in 20% density increments.

TeeJay

[JustJoe]

Neither actually. Doctor McAndrews takes a conservative approach and will transplant only 20% density in a single session. For my head, 20% density equates to 1,661 grafts. All grafts were placed in the front/top region. Doctor McAndrews' philosophy is to be conservative, for several reasons, including the fact that hair banks (donor areas) are all that balding men have to work with if they are seeking a hair transplant. So, he moves conservatively, in 20% density increments.

TeeJay

I see. Some doctors are the opposite, they want at least 2500-3000 per session. Either way, I'm sure you'll get good results!

[PayDay]

Do you guys think that having a small hair transplant to see if I would be happy with the outcome is a good idea? I'm a little short on cash and can only afford to spend about $5000 at this point. i would like to have my hairline filled in but I am nervous that I won't be happy. I always hear Spencer telling guys not to rush into having a hair transplant. I don't know, just curious to hear what you guys think.

[TeeJay73]

Hey PayDay,

I think you already know this, but, my first piece of personal advice would be to only with the doctors of the IAHRS. And be careful with this too! Make sure they belong to the IAHRS. If Spencer lists them on his site (iahrs.org), then I'm certain they belong. But interestingly I came across a website this weekend for a hair transplant doctor that claims to be a member of the IAHRS and recommended by The American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), and I don't believe either is true! Check out this doctor's site that I found: http://www.rosanelli.com/patient_faqs.aspx . Scroll down and ou'll see the logos of the IAHRS and AHLA. Spencer, does this guy belong? Or did they just rip off your logos? It's just so frsutrating for people that are seeking genuine help.

Second thing PayDay, once you're with the IAHRS, just be honest and let the doctor know you're financial position. The cool thing about IAHRS doctors is that you can be perfectly honest and real; there's no sales pitching. What you want to do is get enough grafts for $5,000 that produces a COSMETICALLY SIGNIFICANT result. Otherwise you have nothing to measure it against. In my 1st transplant, I got 800 grafts from a non-IAHRS doctor for about $7000, and the results were not noticeable, especially since I continued to lose hair. Getting a comestically significant result depends on several things that the doctor can walk you thru, such as amount of balding you are experiencing, how much area has to be covered, cost of grafts, etc. I can't say for certain, but I am willing to bet that there are people out there that have realized cosmetically significant results for $5,000. Just do your homework and be careful!

Hope this helps, TeeJay

[SpencerKobren]

TeeJay,

Great response to PayDay's question! As for Dr. Rosanelli, you are correct in stating that he is not an accepted member of the IAHRS or recommended by The American Hair Loss Association. The truth is, it is not uncommon for for some of the less than ethical physicians in this field to claim that they are recommended by our organizations. We have asked Dr. Rossnelli to remove our certification seals from his marketing materials in the past and will be contacting again today.
No less than a month ago we had to request that our certification seals be removed from the website of a well known Chicago based hair transplant clinic. It saddens me to think that patients might have been persuaded to book surgery with one of these physicians based on believing that they were recommended my our organizations.

Thanks for the heads up!

[JustJoe]

Do you guys think that having a small hair transplant to see if I would be happy with the outcome is a good idea? I'm a little short on cash and can only afford to spend about $5000 at this point. i would like to have my hairline filled in but I am nervous that I won't be happy. I always hear Spencer telling guys not to rush into having a hair transplant. I don't know, just curious to hear what you guys think.


My opinion is to save the $5,000, it's not enough to get a good cosmetic result. I wouldn't do less than 2,000 grafts personally because some of the grafts are going to get damaged during the procedure and some may not grow at all. To get good results, I have found more is better. For me, between 2,000-3,000 is a good number of grafts. Just my opinion and my results are excellent.

[TeeJay73]

Spencer,

Out of curiosity, have you ever sought trademark protection for the AHLA and IAHRS logos? While I don't know for sure, and while I realize it is none of my business, it seems registered trademarks could act as legal deterrents to those falsely trying to use them?

Just curious!

TeeJay

[SpencerKobren]

Hey TeeJay,
Both are United States registered trademarks.

[PayDay]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I just have to save my money before I have surgery. Can I ask you how much you paid for 2000 grafts Justjoe? Do you think it's worth traveling to see Dr. Bauman for a consultation or should I just see a good doctor in my area?

[JustJoe]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I just have to save my money before I have surgery. Can I ask you how much you paid for 2000 grafts Justjoe? Do you think it's worth traveling to see Dr. Bauman for a consultation or should I just see a good doctor in my area?


You could send him some pictures via email and he can make a good estimate from there. You don't have to travel to Florida to get an estimate. I travel from Maryland (over 1000 miles) to see him. He's not at bargin basement pricing, he doesn't claim to be, but he does get results and he is well known in the US and around the world. I also had no shock loss, which takes skill!

I think I paid about $10,000 for 2,000 grafts. Dr. Bauman paid for the hotel for 2 nights, which is the Hilton in Boca Raton, Florida.

Check him out on Youtube, user name AlanBauman.

[PayDay]

Thanks for your help!

[Gregory Pistone, MD]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question Dr. Pistone. I asked a hair transplant question in the hair transplant veterans forum.

Do you guys think that having a small hair transplant to see if I would be happy with the outcome is a good idea? I'm a little short on cash and can only afford to spend about $5000 at this point. i would like to have my hairline filled in but I am nervous that I won't be happy. I always hear Spencer telling guys not to rush into having a hair transplant. I don't know, just curious to hear what you guys think.

I got some good answers but was wondering what a doctor like yuorself thought.
here is a link to the thread.
http://www.baldtruthtalk.com/showthread.php?t=76&page=2

I'm guesing the admin here wants to keep hair transpalnt stuff in the hair tranplant section.

Thanks again!


Hi PayDay,

Good question. I agree completely, for the most part, with all the advice from the above posts. Bottom line, never get a partial transplant because you can't afford to have a full one. Some "clinics" offer "starter sessions" when they find out you can't afford the fee they want. Not a good idea.

On the other hand, prices vary with geographic location and I don't think you need to spend $10,000 for a great hair transplant. Naturally, you would expect to spend that in Manhattan or Boca. In Philly/South Jersey where we are located, prices are more moderate. On the other hand, a high price, especially prevalent at some clinics is no guarantee of a good result. I just had a patient in from a consultation at such a clinic who quoted him $21,000. Absurd. So beware.

If you could upload a few photos, either to the forum or to me privately, I could give you an idea as to whether you should even be considering a HT at this point. Your age and hair type are also quite important. Maybe you should just start on finesteride. In any case, more info is needed to give you an honest assessment. Feel free to PM me if you like.

Best regards,

Dr. Greg Pistone
www.pistonehair.com

[Lefty76]

I spoke with a very reputable surgeon last month and he is recommending 4500-5000 units. The hope is that its a one time surgery and with propecia I'll be free and clear! I hope he's right. I do see the pro's and cons but if I can be happy with one surgery and not have to go back or worry again I think it's the way to go.

Thanks for the video, I just started taking propecia 2 months ago so I'm hoping for the best.

[JustJoe]

I spoke with a very reputable surgeon last month and he is recommending 4500-5000 units. The hope is that its a one time surgery and with propecia I'll be free and clear! I hope he's right. I do see the pro's and cons but if I can be happy with one surgery and not have to go back or worry again I think it's the way to go.

Thanks for the video, I just started taking propecia 2 months ago so I'm hoping for the best.

Sure, be prepared for the Propecia to take a LONG time to work! 12-18 months or more. I mean, people are going to tell you a bunch of different things, but really it doesn't happen quickly. Even a transplant takes 12-18 months to see full result.

[tarapuneet]

I am on propecia now for nearly 2 months.I dont know if its early to say..but I noticed reduced hairfall.But I think my hair is still brittle. It breaks easily when it is wet. Also I am thinking about HT. I went to Dr Robert jones and he quoted me $9000 CAD for crown and hairline. I am in toronto and dont want to travel far for HT. In this forum I read somewere had a HT from Dr. Jones and the scar area was pretty badly done and he is not a good choice for HT. Now I am thinking again wether to go to Dr jones or not and also about the hair piece. Its very cheap compairing to HT.