The radical approach to hair loss
Another option for men who are going bald is hair transplant surgery. The results of this procedure are much better than they were ten or fifteen years ago. At that time the frontal hairline would often look unnatural after a transplant – like rows of corn. Now the frontal hairline can look almost natural, especially if the transplant is done by a competent surgeon.
It’s still a costly procedure. The price can climb to $20,000 if the extent of baldness is great and many sessions are needed. The usual price is much lower though . The city where the surgery is done also has an impact on the price. A surgeon in Death Valley is less expensive than a surgeon in Manhattan. A hair transplant is also time consuming. It can take one year and sometimes two years before the results of the transplant become fully evident.
Things to consider
Well, you’ve decided to do some serious research about hair transplant surgery because the chemical and alternative approaches don’t appeal to you. I want to give you a half dozen items to consider:
- I mentioned that the city where the surgery is done has an impact on the price of the procedure, but so does the overhead – marketing, rent, salaries. The high-priced surgeons in the medical suites in Manhattan do not necessarily do a better job than competent surgeons in more modest locations. You’ll want to find out about the price for your procedure up front. Some clinics will not want to tell you what the price may be early in the game. They’ll want to give you a “consultation” first where they will sell you on the benefits of their “latest cutting edge” technique. Demand a straight answer on price. If you don’t get one, my suggestion is to walk.
- When you go to a hair transplant clinic, you’ll have many questions to ask. (When you’re done reading this, you’ll have more questions.) Don’t give these questions to a “consultant” who is usually a salesperson. You’ll want to talk to a medical professional, preferably the doctor who will perform your surgery. And you’ll want to get honest, direct answers from him. You don’t want to hear a lot of medical jargon, which is usually just a marketing tool. An ethical surgeon can answer all your questions in an easy-to-understand everyday language.
- Be sure the clinic you go to specializes in hair transplant surgery. There are surgical clinics that do all forms of cosmetic procedures – liposuction, face lifts, chemical peels, and so forth. It’s probably wise to avoid even considering these. The best hair transplant surgery is usually done by a surgical team that does only this one type of surgery.
- When doing your research or reading or whatever you want to call it about hair transplant surgery, be cautious, critical, and skeptical especially with material you look at on the Internet. Many websites offering “objective” reports on hair transplant surgery just give a one-sided view. They either try to steer you toward a specific clinic or urge you to get a different type of hair replacement. But there is objective information on the Internet (about everything) if you take your time and look for it.
- I think an important thing to do once you finally settle on a specific doctor is talking to past patients of this doctor. If you’re not allowed to talk to these former patients because of “privacy” concerns, it might be best to go out into the fresh air and start your search again. And don’t just be content with looking at a photo album. The miracle of lighting can do wonders for people with hair loss.
- This may be the most important thing to consider: Are you a good candidate for a hair transplant? Do you have enough healthy hair in the donor areas of your scalp, and has your hair loss in the receding areas stabilized? These points have to be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon. There are “bad” candidates for surgery. If you are one, you don’t want to continue hunting for a surgeon who will give you what you shouldn’t want. Hair transplant surgery is a serious step and requires a serious decision. Spend a lot of time, thought, and study before making it.
What the surgeons say
A book by William R. Rassman, M.D., A Comprehensive Guide to Hair Restoration, presents an optimistic picture of hair transplant surgery. The smiling faces of the “actual hair transplant patients” make you feel that the world is a nice place after all.
What William Lenihan says
If you’re contemplating hair transplant surgery you should read this information-filled article before making a decision – So, you’re going bald…. Mr. Lenihan gives specific details of this surgical procedure based on personal experience and study. This is not the kind of material you will read in the advertising copy displayed on surgeon’s websites. You will also find that Mr. Lenihan writes well. This is always a plus.
Continue to – Biology of Hair Loss
