Hair Transplant with Dr. Scott Boden. July 2015 - Wethersfield, CT

I do not generally write testimonials. I tend to avoid them just assuming that they are either paid for or quoted out of context to present the subject in a positive light. My experience with Dr. Boden and his staff, however, has changed my mind. Testimonials are indeed important. Especially for the traumatic and personal issue of hair loss.

This review is about the consultation, follow up and the procedure and very short window after, I am only into my third week post op so I cannot give any specific details on how it will eventually turn out.

I will hopefully remember to update this review over time with additional pictures along the way.

My story:

I have been gradually losing my hair over the last 10 years. If you are reading this you know that there are several stages and emotions you go through. Embarrassment, self-pity, and low self-esteem just to name a few. (oh and hats.. lots of stupid hats)

The process of researching hair loss and hair loss doctors is quite daunting with all the poor information and obvious fakery just to get your dollar, so we are at a disadvantage to start with, and easily taken advantage of. So your number one priority in any quest for hair restoration is confidence in your selection of the doctor and his or her staff.

I made my decision to see two of the nearest doctors to me, and was prepared to see even more if needed. Dr. Boden was the first I visited. I called, made an appointment and was greeted with respect and courtesy, not simply just professionalism. One would expect their doctor and staff to be professional of course, but courtesy and respect are rare.

After my first visit and consultation, which was completely pressure free (and offered other alternatives) I was sold. Pictures can lie, be doctored or hand picked to show the “best” results, but you can’t fake “good people”. I was not handed a book of before and after's which I found oddly enough reassuring. (they do have a book in the waiting room). I like to think I am good at reading people. So, this experience was completely unexpected. I decided right then that Dr. Boden was the right doctor for me and that he cared about what was going to happen. Not necessarily about me personally, he's my doctor, not my best friend, but what the results would do for me, he really seemed to care about the end result.

More details on the consult:

Through the consult and we discussed options and costs between strip and FUE.
FUE is individual hairs plucked out, leaving less obvious scarring and strip leaves a small thin scar (not seen if your hair is longer than 3/8ths of an inch) I told Dr. Boden I would never cut my hair short enough for any scar to matter and that I would not worry about any scar in the first place. So he told me I could do either.

The focus was then on price and results. (FUE is more expensive)

I told him I could afford it without a problem either way and wanted his honest opinion on which would work best for me. (for me, being the key here, it might be different for you) He stated that it would be about the same (in his experience) perhaps a slight difference leaning in favor of strip based on what I wanted and other "me" factors.

I literally gave Dr. Boden the option of "selling" me a procedure that would gain more compensation. I would have gone either way he suggested. Who does that? I went with strip as even a very small chance for the best result is meaningful.

Overall:

At every single step of the consultation, the procedure and the post op and follow-up I was given nothing but the utmost respect, attention and courtesy. Everyone involved seemed to know everything about the entire procedure from start to finish, it’s not simply a receptionist, staffers and a doctor. I have genuinely never felt more comfortable in any situation in any other professional or healthcare situation. This is paramount as hair loss is a stressful and self-conscious thing, but from the moment I stepped in the office until the moment I left (and even to this day) I felt like they truly cared for me and my well-being.

Getting any kind of surgery is nerve-wracking, I don't care who you are, and I am a self perceived "tough-guy" but at some point during the strip removal I must have given a sign that I was a bit stressed, an attendant (not sure who as my face was firmly planted in the head hole thing), gently placed her hand on my back, a reassuring touch. It meant a lot, more than I expected, someone was there, for me, caring.

Aside from my nerves, my procedure was virtually painless, very quick (one day) and healing was barely a concern. My results are not yet fully in, but after just a few days and the redness left I could clearly see where and how the hairs were laid in, how they would (hopefully) eventually grow in and fill in the areas that meant the most.

I am very excited to see what this procedure will hold for me in the future and you can bet that Dr. Boden and his fantastic staff will always be dear to me.

Details: 2400 grafts done via strip.
Most in the front, less in the crown. (we discussed other ways of handling the crown as well)

Procedure time: 9AM-4PM

OP Day Stages: Reconsult, mapping of the hairline, prep, removal of strip, implantation.

Pain: Virtually none. I have a high pain tolerance so I considered none of it at all painful.

Post Op: First night, annoying to sleep as I could feel sutures after that, again, virtually nothing. I had no need of the pain medication.

Swelling: None for first two days then a lot. I had some severe swelling along my eyes which was entirely me fault as I got cocky thinking I was doing great and did not follow directions 100%. This swelling went away after 7 days. One day of severe swelling, one of moderate and then three of barely noticeable. My advice, follow their advice 100%.

Donor Area Result: After 14 days the strip is healed, cannot see it, slight red/pinkness if I "look" for it at the edges.

Implantation result:
I still have quite a few of the implanted hairs in my scalp, I cannot say what amount but I can feel the stubble's quite noticeably on the front and the back. I was made aware that they would all fall out and then regrow. At the followup 12 days after post op Dr. Boden was easily able to "pull" some out (but the bulbs stayed in). I am not really into pulling them out so we'll let them stay until they fall out naturally. Three weeks in and I can see how this is going to look if all hair "take" and regrown and I am excited about it.

In a year I'll know for sure.

Bottom Line: I would recommend Dr. Boden in a heartbeat. He and his staff are the definition of "healthcare" Even if for some reason the end result is not what I expect or desire, I will have no regrets.

If you are in this area of the country, you owe it to yourself to at least visit and see for yourself.