Going in Tuesday for hair transplant!

[stormlaw]

Well I am going in Tuesday, in Santa Monica, CA for a hair transplant. I got my consult today. I have started doing the scalp massage thing.

They tell me I will need 1600 to 2000 grafts.

I am nervous but excited.

[DAVE52]

You had a consult today and they can fit you in on Tuesday

If I may ask, where are you goign to get this done ?

[stormlaw]

I am going to the Dermatology & Hair Restoration Clinic located at 2825 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 303A, Santa Monica, CA.

Doctor is Dr. Sean Shahrad Behnam, M.D.

[amadeus]

Are you kidding? That’s crazy! You had a consultation on a Saturday and you signed up to have surgery on Tuesday? That’s a huge red flag! Did you meet with the docotor on Saturday? If I were you I would take much more time researching before you decide of going through with it surgery.

[stormlaw]

Actually I have been researching for about 2 years now. I have been reading different forums. I don't know how long I have been on here.

Some sites seem to be a marketing mechanism for certain doctors, or organizations, etc.

I finally decided to pull the trigger.

I have had consultations with many doctors, and they all tell me the same thing, that they can restore my hairline, bla bla bla.

I could put the procedure off for a few weeks but what difference would that make?

I decided to make the quickest appointment so I would not chicken out this time.

We will see, maybe I will put it off a couple of weeks.

I appreciate your post and concern.

[amadeus]

If you were doing your research for so long, why would you choose and completely unknown hair transplant surgeon? It does not make sense to me. Well, I wish you good luck and I hope it all turns out well for you.

[stormlaw]

He has great credentials:

- Post-graduate training in Hair Restoration at Distefano Hair Restoration Centers
- Board Certified MD Member
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery Member
- American Hair Loss Council

he exclusively does hair transplants. He has no record of complaints with the state, and his rates are good.

His before and after picture results look real good to me.

I had some concerns after leaving his clinic yesterday; he called me on the phone to discuss them.

At this point I figure that it is time to go for it. I am sick of going bald!

[amadeus]

Hmmm, ok. I would not consider those good or bad credentials, but as long as you are comfortable with your decision that’s all that matters.
Good luck on Tuesday, keep us all posted on how it goes.

[stormlaw]

To be frank Amadeus, I am not comfortable with any surgical procedure whatsoever.

I freak out when it was time for a colonoscopy. I quit smoking after 27 years of smoking when I was told they may have to do a tonsillectomy on me because of sore throats I was having.

This decision to have a hair transplant has been a hard one for me. It boils down to am I going to do it or not, and I hope to god I don't get screwed up in the process.

I am sick of looking in the mirror and seeing what I am seeing. I look like a bald old man in my wedding pictures from last year and I am 47 years old.

By the way, I am a personal injury attorney who does medical malpractice cases. The doctor knows that about me as well, and still has no problem doing the procedure on me.

All I can do is hope it goes well.

[DAVE52]

I could put the procedure off for a few weeks but what difference would that make?

I decided to make the quickest appointment so I would not chicken out this time.

We will see, maybe I will put it off a couple of weeks.

I appreciate your post and concern.

I can't get an appt with my family doctor that quickly and you wre able to get one with a HT doctor .
Does this doc have a website ?
Hopefully you are comfortbale with your decsion because once work is performed , good or bad , you are stuck with it for life

[PayDay]

WOW! This is like a text book case of “how NOT to pick your hair transplant doctor”
As a personal injury attorney you know that before this doctor does surgery on you he will have you sign a consent form that basically makes him bullet proof against a law suit. Worst of all if it gets to this point it only means you had a bad hair transplant that you will have for a life time.

[Don'tDoIt]

stormlaw, the above commenters are only trying to help you. They are right. You are possibly making a big mistake. Please go to a doctor who is in the IAHRS.

I had a bad hair transplant and not a day goes by that I don't regret my decision. If I had gone to a better surgeon I would not be in this mess. Please do not make the same mistake that I made.

Please cancel your surgery for this Tuesday. Please research some more. You will be glad you did. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

[stormlaw]

Yes their website is at www.igethair.com

[stormlaw]

I talked to the Doctor again today and discussed all of my concerns with him. I feel comfortable with this doctor. I will have his cell phone number to discuss any problems.

We discussed Fue v. strip, he does both, (I will have strip done) we discussed number of techs, the fact that he will give me steroids for 5 days following the procedure to reduce edima or swelling, he will give pain meds for the first couple of days after the procedure, we discussed his procedure for suturing the strip, I forget the word he used, but it is the latest method to suture and make the wound have less of a scar, (I read about the procedure on here too, I just forget the name) we discussed the fact that I will also have as part of my treatment laser hair therapy (i am not sure when this starts after the transplant) which supposedly may help reduce inflammation at the implant site, and increase blood flow, which may cause the implanted hairs to start to grow faster. I say supposedly because I will be part of a study.

I assume they will start this after healing takes place. He says that the implants are not really solidly in place at the implant site until 8 days after the procedure. There is a ton of information.

I did ask to reschedule the surgery to give me more time to massage my scalp (and to talk to other doctors). So as of now, I am off for tomorrow, but I will have the procedure very soon.

I will let you know how it goes with pics, etc.

[DAVE52]

..... discussed the fact that I will also have as part of my treatment laser hair therapy (i am not sure when this starts after the transplant) which supposedly may help reduce inflammation at the implant site, and increase blood flow, which may cause the implanted hairs to start to grow faster. I say supposedly because I will be part of a study. .

Nothing like being a guinea pig