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For my HT, I decided to go to Dr. Behnam at Dermatology & Hair Restoration Specialists in Los Angeles, CA. He did 5.1k grafts to my front scalp. My plan was to get as much coverage and density there as possible first, then reassess my donor supply later for any crown work.
Why I chose Dr. Behnam
The Procedure
My goals fit into his two-day plan. I arrived Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:30am. They numbed me thoroughly and emphasized that if I felt anything, I should say so—he wanted it painless, and it was. I even fell asleep for about an hour both days during the harvesting. When awake, I watched Netflix.
By noon, extractions were done, and we ate lunch—Persian one day, Mexican the other. Both excellent. I’m gluten intolerant (celiac), and he made sure everything was gluten-free and even bought new gluten-free snacks for me. He wants patients eating/drinking throughout because, while minimally invasive, it’s still a significant procedure.
After lunch, techs placed the grafts until around 4–4:30. Then I returned to my hotel.
Wednesday the 9th was a rest day, and the second procedure was Thursday the 10th—same smooth experience.
After the second day, I got thorough aftercare instructions, supplies, and Acell for the donor area. He said it would speed healing dramatically, and that it sometimes grows back hairs. My donor area looks and feels great now—slightly thinner, of course, but he told me he could probably still pull another 5k grafts if needed. This was another reason I was wanting to go with Dr. Behnam, I wanted the best chance at long-term donor preservation.
Afterward, he refunded 50% of my hotel bill (standard for out-of-town patients) and offered compensation for photos for his records/socials. He’s the only surgeon who offered both before I even committed.
He also gave me his direct number before I paid anything. I’ve been able to contact him whenever I need, and he always responds—even now, a year later. I’ve seen him multiple times for follow-ups, photos, and progress checks. He’s thrilled with the results, and so am I.
In total, I received 5,180 grafts over two days for $25k—about 800 more than his initial estimate, which worked out well since I requested a female hairline (I’m trans), which needs more grafts. A typical middle-aged male pattern would’ve used fewer and possibly only required one day.
Throughout this entire journey—from our first conversation to today—I have never once felt like he didn’t genuinely care about my results, well-being, and satisfaction. Yes, it’s cosmetic medicine, but for me, Dr. Sean Behnam has been every bit as much a healer as any heart surgeon or oncologist. Not everyone’s mental health is impacted by hair loss, but mine was. He helped me climb out of that. He’ll take care of you, too.
If you are looking to get a hair transplant, I wish you the best of luck on your endeavor.
Why I chose Dr. Behnam
- He only does one HT per day. Grafts are harvested and implanted the same day. He extracts in the morning, techs implant after lunch, and the grafts are only out for about two hours, kept cold at the ideal temp for survival. No “overnight fridge storage.” That alone set him apart.
- His before/after photos are real. His website shows tons of actual patients. Other surgeons plastered their sites with models with perfect hair. It felt manipulative—using insecurities to push people into signing up. I don’t want fantasy photos; I want real results.
- He’s actively involved in the science and craft. He designed his own extraction tools to minimize transections and protect surrounding donor hairs. He attends and speaks at conferences worldwide and seems well-respected.
- He met with me personally—twice. First via Zoom to assess candidacy, then in person to get a closer look and give a realistic evaluation. That mattered a lot.
- His awards, especially “most compassionate doctor,” hit home. My hair loss has been a 20-year emotional burden. I didn’t grow up with money, and depression/anxiety kept me from earning much for years. When my dad passed in 2018, the insurance payout my brother and I received wasn’t huge, but it meant something. I wasn’t going to hand that money to someone who didn’t give a damn. I wanted it to go toward something meaningful and lasting.
- He didn’t try to emotionally manipulate me. Plenty of cosmetic surgeons use subtle psychological tactics—imagery, wording, body language—to poke at self-esteem issues. He didn’t. He tempered my expectations multiple times, reminding me he’s not a magician and can’t reverse time. I already knew that, but his honesty meant a lot. I just told him I wanted the best hairline, coverage, and density he could achieve with what I had.
The Procedure
My goals fit into his two-day plan. I arrived Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:30am. They numbed me thoroughly and emphasized that if I felt anything, I should say so—he wanted it painless, and it was. I even fell asleep for about an hour both days during the harvesting. When awake, I watched Netflix.
By noon, extractions were done, and we ate lunch—Persian one day, Mexican the other. Both excellent. I’m gluten intolerant (celiac), and he made sure everything was gluten-free and even bought new gluten-free snacks for me. He wants patients eating/drinking throughout because, while minimally invasive, it’s still a significant procedure.
After lunch, techs placed the grafts until around 4–4:30. Then I returned to my hotel.
Wednesday the 9th was a rest day, and the second procedure was Thursday the 10th—same smooth experience.
After the second day, I got thorough aftercare instructions, supplies, and Acell for the donor area. He said it would speed healing dramatically, and that it sometimes grows back hairs. My donor area looks and feels great now—slightly thinner, of course, but he told me he could probably still pull another 5k grafts if needed. This was another reason I was wanting to go with Dr. Behnam, I wanted the best chance at long-term donor preservation.
Afterward, he refunded 50% of my hotel bill (standard for out-of-town patients) and offered compensation for photos for his records/socials. He’s the only surgeon who offered both before I even committed.
He also gave me his direct number before I paid anything. I’ve been able to contact him whenever I need, and he always responds—even now, a year later. I’ve seen him multiple times for follow-ups, photos, and progress checks. He’s thrilled with the results, and so am I.
In total, I received 5,180 grafts over two days for $25k—about 800 more than his initial estimate, which worked out well since I requested a female hairline (I’m trans), which needs more grafts. A typical middle-aged male pattern would’ve used fewer and possibly only required one day.
Throughout this entire journey—from our first conversation to today—I have never once felt like he didn’t genuinely care about my results, well-being, and satisfaction. Yes, it’s cosmetic medicine, but for me, Dr. Sean Behnam has been every bit as much a healer as any heart surgeon or oncologist. Not everyone’s mental health is impacted by hair loss, but mine was. He helped me climb out of that. He’ll take care of you, too.
If you are looking to get a hair transplant, I wish you the best of luck on your endeavor.
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