Hair transplant doctor performed 50% less grafts than promised. Is this common?

Question

Started losing hair at 22, went to doc with national reputation. Told me they would not do transplant until I was older. At 28 agreed to do my procedure and transplanted 1400 grafts. I'm 34, lost more hair, went back for another procedure. Target was another 1400 grafts. Doc told me procedure would take 8 hours. Woke me after 4 and said we were done, 800 grafts. When I asked why doc said that's all they harvested so that's what they worked with. Is this common or sound strange?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

You should get half your money back if your doctor did half the surgery.  If you had the FUE, chances are you were not the best FUE candidate. What we call FOX Negative (FUE Negative).  You end up will many transections.   Most doctors do not tell you of this possibility.You can ask how many attempts were made and how many grafts were successfully harvested.  You may have 2000 holes on the back of your head and only have 800 good grafts.  Rest may be transected (dead grafts) that may never grow.You will not know unless you ask.

Anastasios Vekris, MD · Answer

According to my experience, this is is really common among non specialised, inexperienced doctors or companies that offer false expectations and create unrealistic goals to the individuals. In some cases clients are misled by "large" number of grafts related to small cost, things that are not achieved in the end. Finally, the result is non desirable.

Rashid M. Rashid, PhD, MD · Answer

Harvest numbers are not always achieved.  In fact, a place that always gets the numbers would be suspect.  What is more important is that they did an honest count and refunded for work not done.  Most of the time,the limitations are beyond the clinic control and they can only try to do the most they can without risking healing and recovery and results.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

I rarely fall short o what I predict but I have done over 15,000 surgeries in the past 24 years so estimating both an art and science. The doctors should have a reason for not hitting the agreed upon target and you should be entitled to know that reason. If you are not satisfied, get a second opinion.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

If your donor area was too tight your doctor probable decided to take less hair to minimize chance of scarring,  but you can ask for the money for the difference.

Hair transplant doctor performed 50% less grafts than promised. Is this common?

Answers (5)

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