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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Feb 2012
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    Default Turned Away by Dr. Rahal

    A few weeks ago I went in for a consultation with Dr. Rahal who I have been seeing annually for the past three years.

    Here are the photos of my hair (first album was taken in February and the second set was taken today):

    http://imgur.com/a/ltfvK

    http://imgur.com/a/Rjxvt

    I was disappointed as he said I would not be a candidate for an HT because their was not enough loss. This was a bit of a letdown because as you can see in the pictures I posted, the corners of my hairline are very weak and the hairline overall is quite thin. I am quite sure I have seen examples of Dr. Rahal working on patients with similar types of thinning.

    I am 26 years of age and have been on Fin for 3 years. I realize I am not a NW5, but the frontal thinning I experience makes styling my hair difficult and I have never found I suited short hairstyles. It is really hurting my life and I feel as though I am just waiting for the day I can have a HT so I can embrace my hair rather than combing it around to try and conceal.

    Do you think I should look elsewhere or continue to wait?

    FYI: I view Dr. Rahal as a great HT surgeon, so please do not view this as an attempt to tarnish his name.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Mar 2015
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    Default

    I'm sorry to hear that. There's a testimonial on Rahal's youtube in which a guy is talking about having work done by Rahal after being rejected by other doctors for the same reason, so I'm surprised too. I guess if it bothers you, you might as well consult with others.

    It's hard to tell from the pictures. Your hairline looks great, and I'm somebody who also isn't anywhere near NW5 and constantly studies my hairline, for what that's worth. Out of curiosity what are the styles you're having trouble pulling off?

  3. #3
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    Feb 2012
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    Default

    I guess what bugs me the most is how thin the areas at the front are. I try to style the hair in a side part but the corner/temple hair sprouts up because it is so thin and it looks unsightly. The wind will also blow the parted side over, exposing the thinness on the other corner.

  4. #4
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    Mar 2015
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    Default

    I think Dr. Rahal did the right thing by turning you away, and that any ethical hair transplant surgeon would do the same thing.

    There are people on this forum who have real and substantial hair loss. I think you have OCD and should seek treatment for that, not treatment for hair loss!

  5. #5
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    Default

    I appreciate your concern epipapilla. I actually work in an emergency department mental health unit and I think the disorder you are looking for is body dysmorphic disorder, not OCD.

    I never once undermined that others may be experiencing worse hair loss than I am. When it comes to your own self, everything is relative and deviations in your appearance can affect you regardless of if it is the same level of severity as others.

    Very kind of you though to berate me for something that causes me a good deal of insecurity. Nice to know their are folks on this forum like you!

  6. #6
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    Mar 2015
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    Default

    Yeah, that's such an annoying and tedious attitude on forums like these: "Plenty of people have it worse than you so what are you complaining about?"

    I wonder what the explanation for turning you away is, though. Like why would only MORE severe loss make you a candidate? Is it because the areas are simply thin rather than (virtually) gone, so therefore there's greater risk of shock loss? Anybody know the answer to this?

  7. #7
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    Jun 2014
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    Default

    Dr. Rahal was absolutely right to do this and it gives me reassurance that there are ethical docs like him in this industry. So what happens after you get a transplant into your hairline? What if you continue to recede behind it? It will start to look weird and you will have to get another one. Then what happens if you realize your donor density isn't sufficient enough to supply a good recipient density throughout your scalp? You will be left with a bunch of scars on the back of your head and forced to shave it... NOT trying to scare you, but many of us, including myself have ruined our lives by making decisions like this and then getting butchers to carry them out. ... there is so much more behind it to consider. The ideal candidate is someone who has maintained a relatively higher NW density for years. Then they get an awesome IAHRS doc. They are established with where they are, they fully know the extent of their hair loss and they have a rock solid plan, with reasonable expectations...I had hair identical to yours.. Got an HT. It completely destroyed my life and now I am picking up the pieces. Thank God you found Dr. Rahal and you found this forum.

  8. #8
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    Feb 2012
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    Jamesst11, how old were you when you underwent your procedure? How long should I wait before it is safe to go through with an initial procedure?

  9. #9
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    Jun 2014
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    Default

    I was 31.. had maintained a thick head of hair for my entire life. Honestly just a little thinning at the crown and a little at the left hair line area, probably a lot like yourself. In my case I went to a clinic that is frowned upon and they said, yup, it will look great. NO mention of shock loss, NO mention of TE, AND I was not on fin and they still recommended it. They sold me on FUT, 900 transplants and didn't even make me aware FUE was an option. It was THE WORST decision I have ever made. Every spot where they transplanted hair, my native hair fell out and never, ever returned. I had horrible TE for like 6 months, it really started to unmask my MPB and diffuse thinning every where. I lost half my density in one year.
    It's hard to say. The thing is, you have a great density almost every where and it seems you are maintaining that with fin. I would be happy with what you have (I know it's hard) and consider an HT perhaps in your early to mid 30's... there will be a HUGE progression in technique by then. There will also most likely be a few alternatives. If someone like Rahal turned you down, it is for a good reason. Hang in there brother.

  10. #10
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    Feb 2015
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    Default

    This surprises me because I've seen rahal work on people with what seems like no loss.. However, you have a NORMAL hairline. Your hair is great man! I had that exact hair last year when I went on fin, but it stuck me in the ass and I lost it. Stay upbeat man, you don't need it "yet".

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