“Disappointed in the results after three procedures”
Hair transplant: NOT worth it
Pain: Uncomfortable
My hair loss problem is in the back of my head. I've had three procedures over the last five years, and that area of my head is still very noticeably thin. Here are some things to keep in-mind:
1. Current procedures will not make your hair thick enough to cover your scalp. You will have a fine "see-through" layer - escpecially in the back.
2. Beware of pricing schemes! Bosely got me for $8,000 for 1000 grafts the first time and a little over $5000 for the second 1000 grafts. MHR prices differently, and I got 1300 for $6000 plus they required me to buy a $400 healing kit that did nothing for me (try to get out of it).
3. During the procedure, you have little interaction with the doctor. Most of your day is spent with "technicians" who place grafts in the holes that the doc punches into your head. Some of these technicials are not very experienced. One time, a more experienced tech was using my head to teach new people. I had not been informed of this arrangement. Another time, the techs were comparing qulity of graft placements on my head. One tech was clearly better than the other.
4. Recovery is a pain. You have to be careful with washing your hair, the scar heals slowly, suture removal can be quite painful (the last time, the sutures were so deep that it took two techs and a lot of rough handling to dig them out. I am still having trouble four months later.
There is more, and I am happy to share. I am not saying that people shouldn't consider the procedure. I do have enough hair in back that I can grow my hair to different lengths, but people still comment on my bald spot - so I know that it is not just me who sees it. Just be ready to shop the tow or three main clinics, negotiate the price down, don't buy extra stuff, and expect much less than you are promised.
May 10, 2008Comments and replies (13)
9 posts
12 Nov 2008
RDC, I was disappointed to read your review of your hair transplant procedures. Today, modern methods of transplantation (called follicular unit micrografting) when properly combined with medical therapies to stop the progression of hereditary hair loss, has the ability to comfortably and effectively restore a full-looking head of hair for the vast majority of patients. Not every patient is a good candidate for hair transplantation. There are many different surgeons who perform this procedure and they all have different backgrounds, experience, artistic skill and expertise. Often, if you visit a large national clinic, you will have little interaction with the surgeon performing your procedure--so it can make it more difficult to judge. Be sure to research smaller, more personalized clinics as well. Caseload is also important--you don't want to be operated on by a surgeon who does hair transplantation once or twice a month. You need someone who peforms this procedure once or twice A DAY. A clinic with steady surgery will also typically have full-time technicians (not people flown in from around the country) so ask about this. Each surgery does take a lot of man-hours so it will be your doc + a team, always. The American Hair Loss Association is a good place to start researching. Also check the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Hair transplantation should be able to give you visual coverage in the treated area--even with much less density than you were originally born with--this is the skill of a good transplant surgeon. Your DOCTOR (not a salesperson) should give you appropriate expectations of what the procedure can provide. Another point, bargaining with your surgeon is probably not a good idea. Use the prescribed healing treatments which usually accelerate recovery, decrease discomfort and help with the dissolvable stitches. Computerized injections should make the whole process completely painless. Do your research--photos, videos, consults. Be prepared to travel if necessary. Good luck!
unregistered guest
2 Feb 2009
sounds like you went through a lot of research. Are there any new hair loss treatments you've investigated that are more promising then Bosley or others you've tried?
1 post
28 Apr 2009
Dear Understand. Come to Los Angeles and have the procedure performed by real "top" surgeons. I'm not aware of any "top" surgeons in Cleveland, Ohio. I can tell you that "all" of the top celebrities have the procedure performed and are as happy as they can be. They also get cosmetic work done and the practice anti aging medicine with "injectable" growth hormone, the only real anti aging medical therapies. So, in my humble opinion, do your homework and come to Los Angeles.
2 posts
28 May 2009
Please can anybody give me reviws about MHR?
2 posts
28 May 2009
I think Bosley owns MHR, so it might be more helpful to get reviews about specific surgeons.
12 posts
8 Jun 2009
GUYS...please..spend five minutes researching these facilities on hair transplant forums and you will see that Bosely and MHR are rated very poorly for results eect..I mean it amazes me how people apparently dont spend two minutes reseraching somthing before they go through with it and they they complain about it on the interenet...wow..sometimes it reminds you how not everyone is internet savy..
1 post
6 Jul 2009
Hi All, I too had the same problem. Let me remind you that hair isn't a organ nor a vital constituent of your life to waste so much of money. Believe me or not, though I am not bald I always prefer to tonsure my head, I feel irritated with hair. Please don't waste money, rather than that help the needful children or people around you.
17 posts
13 Oct 2009
Bosley and MHR was a rip off. Be alarmed if doctors or clinics start to advertise aggressively, that only means that they want to attract more clients to suffice their bussiness. A good Hair Transplant doctor does not need to advertise, patient will go to them by word of mouth. Do your research, ask this following question to the doctor, if they do not answer accordingly, start to walk out and find a better one: 1.Who will perform the harvest and transplant? If he answers, he himself will perform the harvest but the technician will be the one to transplant...then you are in wrong place. If he answers, he will perform the transplant with the help of technician, then thats more acceptable answer.(2)Be sure that no intern or trainee will be on the room performing your transplant, hey it's ur head thats being performed, you are wide awake to know what is going on. (3)Ask upfront how much he will charge for the session and how many sessions it takes to achieve your desire. Price range should be from $4 to $6/graft. If you are being charged like more than $5K to $6K for 1,000 grafts,then he must be charging you too much. Mind you this price include everything like anesthesia and miscellaneous fees.(4) Ask for patients pre and post pictures, look closely, pay attention to microscopic detail of the craftsmanship...NOT ALL SURGEONS ARE CREATED EQUAL! or else you will end up to have pluggy look like doll.(5)Picture are not enough, if you happen to see other patients on the clinic who already undergone the procedure, befriend him and request if you can see his post surgery. This will help you assess your case and expectation from the Surgeon.(6)Hair transplant is both a science and art, look around the clinic, if you assessed the doctor to be creative or appreciative of art thru his interiors and decorations your vibes will tell you a gut feeling of confidence that he appreciates art rather than having a dry dingy clinic...then run as fast as you can. (7)Observed if the office is too commercialized, then expect to be treated as a STATISTICS instead of being a service patient-oriented medical practice. I hope this will help you all.