Let me share a little background about myself. I am a late 30s medical professional. My entire academic and professional career has been spent in medicine, mostly in the critical care arena. I’ve been privileged enough to train and work at some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. At this point in my life, I have transitioned to a leadership role that focuses on quality in training. I share this background with you to gain more credibility to my review… I’ve been entertaining the idea of a transplant for years. In my 20s I had a beautiful head of hair. In my early 30s, I noticed that it was falling out pretty aggressively. I tried everything. Vitamins, shampoos, and most recently topical minoxidil and finasteride. Over the past three or four years, I have toyed with the idea of a hair transplant, but battled with cost, vanity, and necessity. I had met with a few plastic surgeons in my area to discuss opportunities, but nothing ever came to fruition. I never felt comfortable. This past November, I got a marketing email from Keeps, offering insight into their new hair restoration clinic that they were opening in Manhattan. It sparked my interest and I figured I had nothing to lose by setting up a free consultation. Initially I met with Alexis. Alexis is an absolute class act , she provided straightforward information, no sales pressure, and exquisite customer service. Alexis connected me with Dr. Contractor and we had a zoom meeting to discuss opportunity. These two virtual encounters made me so comfortable that I decided to proceed with the hair transplant. My wife couldn’t believe it. I usually take time to contemplate my decisions, re-searching, and weighing every risk and benefit. My wife is also in the medical profession… my wife, thought that I was taking an unnecessary gamble. Leading up until the procedure the Keeps team was exceptionally communicative and detailed. My wife and I arrived in New York City the day before the procedure that Keeps team had made a reservation for a quaint boutique hotel in Midtown Manhattan directly across from their clinic. It absolutely could not have been easier. My wife and I spent the evening enjoying the splendor of New York City the night before my procedure. The next morning was an early morning we arrived at the clinic around 6:45 in the morning we were warmly greeted by Wrayana. The customer service was exceptional from Wrayana. She got us situated, and made sure we were comfortable. She took some pictures and then introduced me to the rest of the team. This process was an unbelievably streamlined, well oiled machine. More importantly, it was warm, friendly and inviting. The facility is absolutely spotless and comfortable. Wrayana introduced us to the rest of the team, including Dr. Contractor in the Operating world. One of the first things that I noticed upon meeting the surgical team was how happy they all were to work for Keeps. The esport de corps was palpable. Dr. Contractor explained the procedure. We discussed my expectations, and he made his surgical markings along my hairline. I appreciate how all members of this team were included in the process. Next, Leslie, Dr. Contractors PA-C explained the local anesthesia process and began the surgical prep. The local anesthesia was the ONLY discomfort I had. It was brief, minimal, and tolerable. During this whole process, the team was by my side, frequently checking on me, making sure I was comfy, and engaging in cordial dialogue. We were also listening to great music… Then Leslie and Dr. Contractor began harvesting the grafts. This process was streamlined, efficient, and expert. This team knows what they are doing. It’s beyond evident. Keep in mind, I have an appreciation for surgical technique, so I was able to appreciate all of the details. Then, Dr. Contractor made all of the incisions for the new grafts. He is a great clinician, but also a pretty cool human being. We had a lot of time to talk about our families, traveling interests, hobbies, etc. It’s a long day that went by quickly. Throughout the day I was offered breaks, they fed me a lunch of my choice, and provided music or television to pass the time. It’s strange how “fun” of an experience they provided. The Keeps team has over delivered every step of the way with exceptional quality. Toward the end of the procedure Alexis came to check in and make certain that all of my expectations were fulfilled. Then, Chayton, who mentioned that he was the Director, checked in to seek feedback and allowed me to offer suggestions on how their process could be improved. I honestly couldn’t suggest a thing. This process overwhelmingly exceeded my expectations. I can’t say enough about Keeps. It was an absolute amazing experience. I’m so happy that I finally pulled the trigger. I’m so happy that I did it at Keeps!
Dr Contractor and his staff did an amazing job. Appreciate how calm they helped me be and the ease of the whole procedure. Made me feel very comfortable. Very knowledgeable and made the experience as easy as possible.
I had my FUE hair restoration procedure at Keeps in NYC in April 2022, and I highly recommend Dr. Farhan and his staff. The team was incredibly professional, and they did a great job making me feel comfortable before and during the procedure. Dr. Farhan went over the plan with me before the procedure, and he and his team were very meticulous in everything they did. This was a first-class experience all the way around. They put you up in a hotel across the street the night before so you don't have to commute far early in the morning. They also bought you lunch and gave you all the materials you needed post-procedure (hat, pillow covers, medications, conditioner, neck pillow, etc). The office is state-of-the-art and spotless. Multiple staff members have called me up to check in on how I'm doing. In terms of the procedure itself, it's minimally invasive with not much pain once you receive the local anesthesia. It took around 7 hours, including a lunch break. They play music during the procedure, and you're also able to watch TV when you're lying on your back. If you're looking to get an FUE procedure done, I would definitely go with Dr. Farhan and his staff.
This is a review of the surgery/process as it is too early to report on results… that said, my experience with Keeps was as good as I could imagine. The team was helpful in finding a date that worked for my schedule, and once at the office, the process was extremely smooth, pain free, and set me up for success for the relatively easy recovery period after. This is my second FUE procedure, and I much preferred my experience at Keeps. I had very minimal pain or swelling, much less than expected, and the overall procedure was generally pain free and quite efficient. I arrived at 7 AM, had my procedure and lunch at the office, and was home by 1PM! If you are looking into FUE, I would strongly consider Dr. Contractor and Keeps
I recently had a FUE procedure at Keeps and my experience was so pleasant that I felt compelled to leave a review. The price for a FUE procedure at Keeps is very competitive compared to other options in the city but the quality of the facility and professionalism of the staff made the whole experience feel very refined. Walking into the Keeps office you immediately take note of how new and clean everything is. Upon arrival I was warmly greeted by Wrayana, who took a few “before” photos before ushering me into the operating room where I was greeted by the team that would conduct the procedure. The team insisted that I choose what kind of music would be played in the operating room during the procedure, which helped provide a light and relaxing atmosphere. Dr. Contractor and his Physician Assistant, Leslie, then gave me an overview of the procedure and we discussed the desired outcome. Dr. Contractor patiently answered any questions I had and ensured I was completely comfortable before the procedure began. As other reviews have noted, the most painful part of the entire operation is the application of local anesthesia, but Leslie was very communicative throughout that process to make sure I was ok. Overall the entire operation lasted about 5 hours. Afterwards, Dr. Contractor provided very detailed instructions on post-op care and followed up the next day with a phone call to check in on how I was doing. I walked away very impressed with the Keeps operation and can’t wait to see the final results of my procedure.
It takes 1 full year to see the results of a hair transplant procedure. While some patients can see growth earlier, most patients will only start to see results at months 6-9. You're still very early on in your hair restoration journey. It's not uncommon for some patients to start seeing results closer to the 12 month mark and you can have great results irrespective of when the follicles begin to emerge. Please give it some more time.
Shock loss typically occurs within 1 month of a hair restoration procedure. Your hair loss could more likely be due to other factors such as stress resulting in a form of effluvium. Good news is for the vast majority of patients, this loss is temporary and the hairs should return. Keep in mind it does take 1 year to see the full results from your hair transplant procedure and it will still take a few months before you can truly appreciate increased density. You should consider using minoxidil if you have no adverse effects as it can help speed up growth. Keep in mind that minoxidil can also cause an initial shedding phase but is a sign the medication is working. Please make sure to consult with the clinic that performed your hair transplant to get their thoughts as well.
No-shave FUE is a great option for individuals looking for a smaller procedure who want minimal recovery time (i.e want to look "normal" as quickly as possible). No-shave FUE is just as effective as your standard FUE procedure, however, given that less of the donor is exposed we tend to harvest less grafts in each session. It's ideal for a patient looking for a hairline touch-up or transplanting a smaller region.
Hair Restoration by a FUE procedure is ideal for patients with Androgenetic Alopecia. I generally advise against patients who have Behcet's disease from having an FUE procedure especially those with extensive scalp involvement (e.g. patchy loss) given that chronic inflammation such as vasculitis or immunosuppressive therapy, may affect the success and safety of a hair transplant procedure. Before considering a hair transplant, it is crucial to ensure that the patient's Behçet's disease is well-managed and under control as the stress of an FUE procedure may exacerbate inflammation and worsen your condition.
We recommend that our patients stop all topical finasteride and/or minoxidil treatment 7 days prior to their transplant and that they resume 7 days after their transplant.