The Official Hair Transplant Thread

ilong

God's Own
Many of us are struggling with various forms of hair loss (alopecia or hair thinning) whether it’s due to damaging hairstyles, medical conditions, product damage or genetics. We’ve tried oils, Minoxidil, cortisone injections, steroid creams, and follicular growth products. You name it we’ve done it, and for most of us the hair loss remains. After trying all other purported remedies, without success, the last alternative is a hair transplant.

Considering the various cosmetic surgical procedures performed to improve one’s look, hair transplants appear to be one of the less invasive procedures and not aggressive at all. So why are we hesitant to pull the decision trigger and have the procedure? I think fear, uncertainty, lack of knowledge and finances prevents most of us from deciding to have the procedure.

Let’s chat about “all things hair transplants “including eyebrow and eyelash – after all they are made up of hair and people do have transplants on them!!!
 

ilong

God's Own
Realself has quite a bit of information, including videos on hair transplants. Doctors and patients around the world post comments, reviews, results and answer questions on the procedure.

This video shows an actual FUE hair transplant start to finish.

********************​
Thanks to LHCF members @Anonymous1, @soupreem27 and @diegorgeous we have some documented real life experiences and pictures.

Anonymous1 was extremely generous to share her thoughts, feelings and pictures of her experience here:

Original thread

Transplant Progress Thread


Soupreem27 – did a fantabulous post showing her experience with the procedure start to finish at these links:

Getting Numbed and Ready for Transplant

Couple of Hours After Transplant

One Week After Transplant

One Week After Transplant Under Laser Light

Six months After Transplant

Diegorgeous – posts in Anonymous1 and soupreem27 threads and comments on her post-transplant journey here:

Post Transplant Question

Perhaps they will be kind enough to participate in this thread and answer any questions.
 
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ilong

God's Own
I am struggling with 2 bald patches on either side of my head (result traction alopecia and product damage). I toyed with the idea of having a hair transplant but for one reason or another - dismissed the idea.
I visited a hair loss clinic - last year I believe - for an evaluation. The doctor didn't feel right to me - so even if I were going to have the procedure - he wasn't the one I would choose. The idea was pushed to the back of my mind until last night.
After putting my hair in an updo last night and seeing so much scalp from the hair loss, I decided to investigate the procedure again.
I have been spending the day researching the procedure and thought this thread would not only help me but others who may be considering the procedure.
 
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ilong

God's Own
YouTuber and blogger Destiny Godley had a transplant. Although one of her videos about the transplant has been deleted she still has some videos in which she discusses her transplant.

Looks like MHTA did Destiny's procedure.
 

ilong

God's Own
List of Hair Transplant Doctors who perform transplants on LHCF members:

Dr. Woessner - Baton Rouge, LA (Anonymous1)
Dr. Diep (DestinyGodley)
Dr. Jerry Cooley (VinDieselsWifey)



*** This post will be updated as information is discovered. ***
 
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ilong

God's Own
When considering procedure and costs for a hair transplant - I compared it to the Lasik surgery I had over 15 years ago , which was a higher risk. I was near-sighted at the time. an earlier adopter of the surgery (in my area) and it involved my eyes so I wanted the best skilled surgeon - subsequently the cost was higher - $5K. I have no regrets and my long distance vision is still strong - not requiring glasses. I only need reading glasses every once in a while, when the text is very small. Given that surgery - hair transplant seems to be secondary in terms of risk and costs.

The money spent on doctor's visits, prescriptions, purported hair growth serums, wigs, weaves, braids, follicle restoration products, products to cover up the areas, etc. over the years - would probably exceed the cost of a transplant.
 
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ilong

God's Own
  • Types of procedures:
  • Average cost of grafts for FUE/NeoGraft procedure (in US) ranges from $6 - $12
  • Average cost of grafts for FUT procedure (in US) ranges from $5 - $10
  • Higher number of grafts required lower per graft cost
  • Lower number of grafts required yields higher per graft cost
  • FUT process (legacy) may not be performed at all facilities
  • Facilities may have additional costs (pre and post op work, extra back-up grafts, lab fees (FUT) ) which are required as part of the procedure but not included in the graft cost.
  • For African American (AA) hair at follicle tends to be curled due to curly texture, so FUE process may be a challenge for hair transplant professionals with limited experienced in hair transplants with AA hair.
  • African American skin is at a higher risk to keloid, which could result in a larger scar from FUT procedure.
  • Medical doctors do not always perform FUE procedures. Medical Assistant, nurse, practitioner, esthetician can perform the procedure if they have been certified and qualified in the procedure.
  • Due to the surgical nature of the FUT procedure - a medical doctor should perform the procedure.
  • Higher transection (damaged grafts) rate when automated tools (i.e. Neograft, Artas, etc.) are used to extract/implant grafts
  • Ideally the smallest punches possible should be used for extraction and implantation to minimize visible scarring (holes from punches) from procedure. African American hair procedures may require larger punch than Caucasian straight hair- due to curly hair nature
  • Transplanted Hair will not be start to be visible until 3-6 months after the transplant
  • Telogen effluvium(a.k.a., shock loss), loss of non transplanted hair near donor area, can occur with either procedure. Loss is usually temporary but can be permanent.
  • FUE procedure may be necessary after FUT to cover surgical donor area and shock loss

*******Post will be updated as more information is discovered.*******
 
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ilong

God's Own
Other than cost - the most crucial factors in deciding between a FUE or FUT transplant boils down to 1.) a surgical scar from a FUT or 2.) large portion of hair must be shaved to the scalp for FUE; 3.) darker skin has high tendency to keloid, so FUT scar may be very evident after procedure; 4.) Higher transection rate with FUE and 5.) Higher "graft take" rate with FUT.
Due to the necessity of shaving the donor hair to the scalp - most women do not elect the FUE technique.

Here is an example of a shaved donor area for a FUE transplant.
 
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ilong

God's Own
Post transplant care should be taken to protect the scalp from infection and "heal" the scalp. Black skin can keloid very easily - so it is extremely important that the incision is cared for and not stressed. An oral and topical antibiotic most likely will be given and applied, respectively, by the facility performing the procedure.
Products for healing are (generally) the responsibility of the patient. Copper Peptides are one of the best wound healing agents. Emu Oil is also known for its healing properties and is generally recommended for use after a chemical peel. Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Magnesium Oil are also great healing agents.
 
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sizzle

Well-Known Member
The money spent on doctor's visits, prescriptions, purported hair growth serums, wigs, weaves, braids, follicle restoration products, products to cover up the areas, etc. over the years - would probably exceed the cost of a transplant.

I am really enjoying all your research information ilong...you are very knowledgeable! You are talking about definitive treatment which might be helpful to many us...Thanks!
 

ilong

God's Own
I am really enjoying all your research information ilong...you are very knowledgeable! You are talking about definitive treatment which might be helpful to many us...Thanks!
@sizzle - thank you very much for your post and wonderful compliment, however, I can't take credit for the knowledge. I've been spending a lot of time doing online research and combing through old threads. The older LHCF threads seem to focus more on information pertaining to care, growth and maintenance of hair and not so much on product buying. (IMO) Without the legacy threads and LHCF members I would still be stuck in braids with short, choppy unhealthy hair.

The busiest forum on LHCF now is the Entertainment/Celebrity Forum, which saddens me because LHCF is the last of the Black Hair Care Forums greats. One of the other black hair care forums was sold a few years back and I was browsing another popular one - and it is so full of spam I couldn't get past one page.

I hope this information and that on PRP and LLLT benefits someone.

Have a wonderful day!
 
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ilong

God's Own
Doctors have recommended the following to promote hair growth, post hair transplant:

  • Low Level Laser Therapy
  • PRP
  • A Cell/Stem Cell Therapy
  • Minoxidil
  • Propecia/Finasteride
  • Biotin
  • Hair, Skin, Nail Supplements
  • MSM
  • Viviscal oral & topical products
  • Copper Peptide
  • Nixoxin topical hair treatments
 
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ilong

God's Own
Hair Transplants are considered cosmetic and therefore are not covered by medical insurance. Not everyone has the ability to pay cash for the procedure. Below are some options for funding a hair transplant.

Options for Funding a Hair Transplant:
  • 401K Loan - Self Finance your procedure and take a loan from your 401k, paying any interest back to your 401k account.
  • Health Spending Accounts (HSA) - ***only covered if prescribed by physician to treat a medical condition***.
  • Vacation Savings Account- Automatic deposits into account. Advantage - can maintain account for longer than one year and regular/frequent withdrawals typically not permitted, which ensures money will be there for intended purpose. Shop around for financial institutions with best plans.
  • Christmas Savings Club - Automatic deposits into account. Advantage - withdrawals typically not permitted during the course of year. Fund checks distributed in November. Disadvantage - account durations are until November distribution of funds, may not be ample time to save sufficient funds for procedure. Possible workaround - re-deposit distribution fund check back into next years club account.
  • Credit Card - Advantage allows payback over an extended period of time. Disadvantage is the interest associated with card.
  • Health Medical Financing Companies - utilize lending options from companies which specialize in funding medical (especially cosmetic) treatments.
  • Personal Loans - seek a personal loan from a lending source (i.e. credit union, bank,)
 
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almond eyes

Well-Known Member
Great posting!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the info.

I am trying to grow back a small patch in my baby hairs area that had traction alopecia from extension braiding in the past. I am using Komaza's Anagen Elite. I will see if there are results by the end of the year.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 

ilong

God's Own
@almond eyes - thank you. Hopefully, the information will help someone in the future.
Wishing you much growth and success with the Komaza's Anagen. Please keep us updated on your results.
 

almond eyes

Well-Known Member
@almond eyes - thank you. Hopefully, the information will help someone in the future.
Wishing you much growth and success with the Komaza's Anagen. Please keep us updated on your results.

Will do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And as always thanks for the interesting topics you bring up.

Best,
Almond Eyes
 

ilong

God's Own
Hair Transplants in Turkey:

Turkey is considered the Hair Transplant Capital of the World. Why? With low costs and over 500 Hair Transplant (HT) clinics, patients travel from around the world to have a HT performed in Turkey.

Costs for the procedure in Turkey is , in most cases, half the cost of what physicians in the US charge. Clinics in Turkey arrange for airport transportation to and from the hotel as well as to and from the clinic. Hotel accommodations are also included in the total price. Candidates are responsible for air transportation. Even with the cost of air transportation factored in, the total cost of the procedure is significantly lower, than what one would pay in the US and in other parts of the world.

In Turkey, it is common for either all of part of the procedure to be performed by technicians as opposed to physicians. HT Clinics are staffed by technicians some which perform FUT, however FUE is the most common procedure performed. Procedures are performed entirely by technicians. Some of the reported issues with HT performed by technicians in clinics are 1.) transection of hair grafts (damage to the lower portion of the hair follicle, which will prevent it from generate new hair. Damaged follicle will not grow, or survive, once transplanted), 2.) overharvesting of a donor area, resulting in a "moth eaten" appearance, 3.) improper placement of hair grafts resulting in a bad "hairline" 4.) shock loss 5.) scarring and overgrown incision from FUT.

There are HT physicians/surgeons (i.e. Dr. Karadeniz, Dr. Koray, etc.) in Turkey and although again their costs are substantially lower than US costs , their costs are (understandably) higher than those of Turkey HT Clinics.

In the US, licensed physicians must perform the surgery of the donor area in a FUT transplant. However, graft harvesting and transplantation may be performed by technicians. In recent years as the FUE process gained momentum and popularity in the field, more and more technicians are (legally) performing the entire procedure in the US, including estheticians.

When considering, having the procedure performed by physicians out of state or out of the country, consideration should be given to any after care (i.e. legal governance, suture removal, pain management, abnormalities, follow-up appointments)

As usual, research is your friend!

HTH
 

ilong

God's Own
Prior to deciding on a HT surgeon, have consultations with several HT surgeons. Many surgeons have Online consultations. Research and select Hair Loss Surgeons and Specialists (Trichologist). Avoid "Medical Spas and General Plastic Surgeons". these types of facilities offer a host of other surgeries (i.e. Brazilian Butt Lift, Breast Augmentation, Varicose Vein removal, etc.) and most times are not specialized in Hair Loss.

The 3-6 month wait for hair to begin the growth cycle is agonizing enough without the worry of if the doctor (technician) were skilled, were the grafts transected, was the surrounding hair damage, (etc.) in the procedure.

A highly qualified surgeon should have at least 100 surgeries in their case portfolio.

Widen the research net to include facilities, which may require travel, especially if it will allow you to be serviced by a highly qualified surgeon.
 

ilong

God's Own
Well Known Hair Transplant Surgeons in US:

  • Dr. Ron Shapiro - Minneapolis, MN
  • Dr. William Rassman - Los Angeles, CA
  • Dr. Jae Pak - Los Angeles, CA
  • Dr. Alan Feller - Great Neck, NY and McLean, VA
  • Dr. William Lindsey - Mclean, VA
  • Dr. Raymond Konior - Oakbrook Terrace, IL
  • Dr. John Diep - San Franciso, CA
  • Dr. John Frank - Columbus, OH
  • Dr. Scott Alexander - Phoenix, AZ
  • Dr. Jerry Cooley - Charlotte, NC
  • Dr. Rahal - Multiple Locations (New York, Beverly Hills, Ontario)
 
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HelpMe12

Well-Known Member
Well Known Hair Transplant Surgeons in US:

  • Dr. Ron Shapiro - Minneapolis, MN
  • Dr. Alan Feller - Great Neck, NY and McLean, VA
  • Dr. Raymond Konior - Oakbrook Terrace, IL
  • Dr. John Diep - San Franciso, CA
  • Dr. John Frank - Columbus, OH
  • Dr. Scott Alexander - Phoenix, AZ
  • Dr. Rahal - Multiple Locations (New York, Beverly Hills, Ontario)
Dr. John Frank also has an NY office , I had a consult with him. He is really nice and gives you his cell phone number to contact him directly. He also has a website hairedges.com. I hope to one day…
 

HelpMe12

Well-Known Member
@sizzle - thank you very much for your post and wonderful compliment, however, I can't take credit for the knowledge. I've been spending a lot of time doing online research and combing through old threads. The older LHCF threads seem to focus more on information pertaining to care, growth and maintenance of hair and not so much on product buying. (IMO) Without the legacy threads and LHCF members I would still be stuck in braids with short, choppy unhealthy hair.

The busiest forum on LHCF now is the Entertainment/Celebrity Forum, which saddens me because LHCF is the last of the Black Hair Care Forums greats. One of the other black hair care forums was sold a few years back and I was browsing another popular one - and it is so full of spam I couldn't get past one page.

I hope this information and that on PRP and LLLT benefits someone.

Have a wonderful day!
So true. I have been reading the old threads to get help with my HHJ. Keep up the good work!
 

ilong

God's Own
Dr. John Frank also has an NY office , I had a consult with him. He is really nice and gives you his cell phone number to contact him directly. He also has a website hairedges.com. I hope to one day…
@HelpMe12- yes Dr. Frank does have a NY office. I didn't list it because if you are in New York area, Dr. Feller is probably the most noted and I think his price point is very attractive also. If and when you decide, keep me posted!
 

ilong

God's Own
There are two other phenomenal HT surgeons, based out of Canada - Hasson & Wong.
And they are offering free consultations in various cities over the next month.

Following was copied from their site ( https://hassonandwong.com/ ):

We’re coming to a city near you! Hasson and Wong are on the road again so book your no-obligation hair loss assessment and consultation today.

Ask the experts in-person and discuss your hair restoration goals with the worlds leading hair transplant clinic in the following cities:

CANADA
Vancouver
- Nov 16-19

Toronto - Nov 28-29

Calgary - Dec 12-13

USA
Los Angeles
- Dec 2-4

Dallas - Dec 14-15

Houston - Dec 17-18
 

HelpMe12

Well-Known Member
@HelpMe12- yes Dr. Frank does have a NY office. I didn't list it because if you are in New York area, Dr. Feller is probably the most noted and I think his price point is very attractive also. If and when you decide, keep me posted!
I definitely will. I am also going to check out Dr. Feller. Thanks for the info!
 

ilong

God's Own
:badidea:

Based on the information in the post below, extracted from
https://www.realself.com/question/neograft-news-hair-transplantation, Neograft is not a hair transplant procedure that a MD or DO always performs. It appears instead of a trained medical physician, it is possible you can get a "for hire by the hour technician" performing your hair transplant.


NeoGraft was introduced about 5 years ago, and is simply a machine that a physician (or, more likely, a technician) uses to perform the follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedure. It is more or less a motorized, hand-held circular punch, attached to suction. I attended a physician's office in Florida in 2009 for a demonstration of the NeoGraft device. I've been performing FUE… SHOW MORE procedures since 2003, and I was very interested to see this device. While at this meeting, hosted by the NeoGraft corporation, it was interesting to note that I was the only dedicated hair restoration surgeon in attendance. The others there to see and perhaps purchase the machine were spa owners, obstetricians, several family practice doctors, and a few business managers for doctors who dabbled in cosmetic surgery in general. I was pretty surprised. The graft placement feature of the NeoGraft device with positive pressure is a gimmick, as I asked the head trainer for the NeoGraft corporation to place a graft using this. We were observing an live procedure, and we watched as he tried several times, but was not able to place a single graft with the machine.

NeoGraft has done a tremendous amount of marketing, and I see physicians who have never done a hair transplant around the country acquire this machine, piggyback on the marketing done by NeoGraft, and start to offer this complicated, and permanent procedure to the public. In much of the country, the doctor will simply hire a technician (the going rate for a NeoGraft tech in Atlanta is $70/hour) to perform the procedure. It should be noted at this point that hair restoration technicians have the same exact medical training requirements as grass cutters: absolutely none. The physician only need sign the papers and be on the premises. No joke. So, whether using the NeoGraft, or the much more advanced ARTAS robotic hair restoration system, or any other device, including a 50 cent 1mm biopsy punch, it is the experience and dedication of the surgeon and his team that will determine the outcome.

Hair Restoration is it's own specialty now. There's a global society (the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery) and a Board. Choosing a surgeon 100% dedicated to hair restoration is paramount. If "NeoGraft" suddenly appears on a long list of other procedures a physician offers, I would be wary, as it is unlikely that the physician has a full-time, highly-trained team of hair restoration technicians, and is just hiring one of many "hired gun" technicians that will arrive at the office, and do the procedure for $70 an hour. There are hundreds of subtleties and nuances in hair restoration, and assuming that because a physician now offers NeoGraft, in addition to all the other procedures offered, will be competent and excel at hair restoration surgery is simply foolish. Look at the experience and dedication of the surgeon who will be performing the surgery, and make sure technicians are not actually the ones who will be performing the surgery. Also make sure the physician you choose is actually a trained surgeon. The majority of hair restoration "surgeons" are, in fact, not trained in surgery at all, and hold no board certificates in any surgical specialty whatsoever, so examine your physician's credentials carefully. You should feel perfectly comfortable asking for a copy of the surgeon's resume to review. Look for many years of dedication exclusively to hair restoration, not just cosmetic surgery in general.

This problem is so rampant and common that the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, the global community of physicians practicing hair restoration, issued a consumer alert about this issue. I see patients every month who had a hair restoration performed by a technician with the NeoGraft device presenting to our office asking for help; asking me to repair the unnatural looking hair transplant results. This is often very difficult, and occasionally impossible. Because as we say in this specialty, "the good thing about hair restoration is that it's permanent. The bad thing about hair restoration is that it's permanent." Consult with more than one surgeon, make sure he or she is actually a trained surgeon, and get a feel for who you think will be the best for you. A machine absolutely does NOT guarantee good, or even acceptable results.
 
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ilong

God's Own
I had a hair transplant (NEOGRAFT FUE) last year.

I've been unable to share this previously, due to a dispute I've been involved in with the facility/doctor. We finally came to an agreement/settlement. Whereas I can post certain information about the procedure, I cannot divulge the name/location of the facility. My dispute involved inexperienced/unlicensed technicians doing graft implantation, which was not disclosed prior to my procedure. Facility is well known, prestigious local facility.

So everyone please take note of my previous post confirming who will be doing what tasks in your procedure.

Here are some key points regarding my procedure.

  • 800 grafts were placed in my sides (over temples) where I had hair loss.
  • cost = $4K
  • donor area (1/3 of my hair) was shaved completely
  • no swelling/discomfort
  • no lost grafts
  • growth was not noticeable until the 7th month
  • significant density/thickness not achieved until Nov-Dec 2016 (ETA)
  • 30-40% density achieved on left side (side technician worked on)
  • 80-85% density achieved on right side
  • donor and right side areas hair length is 4"-6"
I can put my hair up now and scalp is not peeking through. Normally a second procedure is recommended to achieve higher density, but in my opinion, full density could have been achieved during my first procedure. I may do a second procedure (absolutely not with same facility) for my left side. I anticipate ~500 or less grafts will be needed. For so few grafts, I will more than likely have another FUE or a procedure where a shave-down isn't necessary. I don't necessarily want to do a FUT, due to the small number of grafts.
 

ilong

God's Own
Dr. John E. Frank - a highly respected hair transplant surgeon with locations in New York City, Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) and affiliate practices in Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of a VERY few hair transplant surgeons with proven experience and track record with documented cases, in performing successful hair transplants on African American Hair (AAH) . As a reminder AAH natural curly texture is challenging for hair transplants due to the hair graft's curly nature and the hair follicle's susceptibly to damage during extraction and implantation.

Dr. Frank has a website where he discusses AAH and hair transplants. Visit: http://www.hairedges.com/
 

gembag

New Member
@ilong Thanks for all the great information. The results and prices you mentioned for PRP is great. I have researched and even with a willingness to travel, the prices are higher. Can you share the name of the doctor?
Tried to message you as well, not sure it went through. Thanks
 
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