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Good day. I would like some information regarding the cost of FUE hair transplantation, any possible risks involved with this type of surgery, and where the best clinics are  located. Also, I was advised that I might need around 2,550 grafts or hairs transplanted, but I can’t remember which term was used. What’s the difference exactly?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a still a relatively new hair transplant procedure. Due to some of the inherent limitations of the technique at this point in time, performing an otherwise standard-sized megasession can be a somewhat risky venture. Safely transplanting 2,500 grafts would most likely take at least two days to accomplish, and could wind up costing twice as much as a FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). You should also become aware of the distinction between the proposed graft number and final hair count: the former will invariably be lower than the total amount of hairs moved, as naturally occurring follicular units are largely divided down and modified after dissection.

FUE is an extremely delicate, time-consuming process, so yield may be compromised if too much is being attempted too quickly. There is also some degree of scarring associated with the procedure. It won’t produce a linear strip scar, but tiny, feint “dots” may be visible upon close inspection. If an inexperienced hair transplant surgeon uses improper technique, especially with a punch tool greater than .9mm in diameter, the patient could end up with a “moth-eaten” look in the donor area reminiscent of plug extraction, which can potentially be worse than a strip scar. There are other physiological factors/obstacles that may come into play during FUE work, possibly more so than in a traditional strip surgery. Many prominent hair restoration physicians have emphasized the importance of overall scalp “cooperation”.

There’s no doubt that men and women with hair loss considering surgical hair restoration are concerned about cost. After all, hair transplant surgery is an expensive investment and should be considered carefully before jumping in, especially if multiple procedures are needed to meet your long term hair restoration goals.

Hair transplant costs will vary depending upon the number of grafts needed, the type of procedure requested (follicular unit hair transplantation – FUT or follicular unit extraction – FUE), and the amount a clinic charges. However, since clinics often charge different amounts, patients often ask, “is cost is an indication of the quality of work they do?” In other words, does the expression “you get what you pay for” apply to hair replacement surgery?

Hair loss forum member “gryphon” recently started a topic comparing prices from several leading hair restoration clinics and offered his opinion. To view his and other opinions or to share your own, click here.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair restoration, Hair transplant costs, hair replacement, Hair loss forum, hair restoration clinics

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

Do all the good doctors require you shave your head before hair transplant surgery?

There are some great hair transplant doctors who require the patients shave the hair and other excellent hair restoration doctors who do not require shaving. One thing for sure is that the surgery is easier to perform if there is no hair to work around.

The question is what is more important? Making the surgery easy for the doctor and staff or keeping the patient happy even though the surgery may take a little longer. When a hair transplant megasession of densely packed grafts are placed into an area that has existing hair, there is often the development of postoperative shock loss and significant thinning hair. This can be very upsetting to the patient. Some physicians may choose to require shaving prior to surgery to avoid the potential patient complaints. Interestingly enough I have heard that some doctors actually charge more if the patient does not shave.

Dr. Glenn Charles, D.O.

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Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair transplant doctors, hair restoration, hair transplant megasession, shock loss, thinning hair

We get hundreds of hair loss related questions sent to us on a weekly basis and we do our best to answer them all in a timely fashion. Below, we’ve highlighted some important and controversial hair restoration topics for your review and posted the answers in our news and blogs.

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by emailing help@hairtransplantnetwork.com.

The Reality of Today’s Hair Loss Treatments

Can Rogaine Speed up Transplanted Hair Growth? (answered by Coalition member Dr. Robert True)

Knowing You’re Getting the Hair Transplant You Paid For

Do Lesser Known Surgeons Produce Quality Hair Transplant Results?

What are your Thoughts on Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, Dr. Robert True

While many hair restoration physicians offer free consultations for prospective patients considering hair transplant surgery, others charge an initial consultation fee.

While balding men and women would rather meet with doctors free of charge, doctors who charge a consultation fee argue that they’re being paid for their time to educate and help hair loss sufferers develop a long term hair restoration plan, some of which may never even schedule with them for surgery. On the other hand, doctors who offer free consults argue that providing free consults is not only part of the job, but it cultivates more patients for them.

This topic was recently discussed and debated on our hair loss forum. To join in the debate, visit “What’s with the High First Time Consultation Fees?”

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration physicians, hair transplant, balding, hair loss, hair restoration

Non-surgical hair loss solutions and hair transplant surgery can be great, but neither are a cure for hair loss. Balding men and women ought to explore and consider all the available treatments carefully and work with a leading hair restoration doctor to develop a long term and realistic hair restoration plan.

Though the dream of full lustrous locks dance through our heads, developing realistic expectations as to what can realistically be accomplished is vital. Below you will find answers to common questions on what can realistically be accomplished with today’s treatments. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or by contacting us privately.

Why Less is Sometimes More in Surgical Hair Restoration

Is Transplanted Hair Dependent on Hair Loss Drugs?

Possible Benefits of Combining a Hair Transplant with a Hair System (Dr. Lindsey)

Developing Long Term Hair Restoration Goals

How to Pay and Plan Financially For a Hair Transplant

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss solutions, hair transplant, hair loss, Balding, hair restoration

Asking the cost of a hair transplant is a highly popular question on our hair loss forum. But what most people new to the topic of hair transplantation don’t realize, is that it’s not as cut and dry as throwing out a number that they have to pay and be done with.

There is a lot to consider when evaluating the cost of a hair transplant including the number of grafts desired/possible for a single hair replacement procedure, the cost of a single procedure verses the potential need for subsequent ones, the hair restoration surgical technique, and finally, the hair transplant clinic’s fee structure.

View this thread to learn what hair restoration clinics usually charge per graft and learn how your own personal characteristics can impact the cost.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair transplantation, hair replacement, hair restoration, hair restoration clinics

Though hair loss sufferers are typically enamored by large densely packed hair transplant megasessions, sometimes smaller sessions can be more appropriate and appear to accomplish the same goals. But how is this possible?

Take a look at these hair transplant photos posted by a concerned hair loss forum member posing the very same question. See for yourself why “less” can often be “more” and how to get great results for only a fraction of the cost of larger hair restoration sessions. Also read and contribute your own input as to how and why this is even possible.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair loss forum, hair restoration

Many hair transplant patients are attracted to the “one and done” concept. However, what many don’t realize is that hair restoration is a journey, not a single procedure. The number of sessions needed depends on the current level and future risk of hair loss, not to mention available donor hair supply and candidacy. Since hair transplant surgery doesn’t do anything to stop the progression of female or male pattern baldness, there is a very good possibility that patients will need subsequent sessions. Therefore, prospective patients seeking should select a quality surgeon and discuss long term hair restoration goals including sound financial planning.

On this hair loss forum thread, forum member “nikan” inquires about the cost of a single procedure and other members begin to discuss very important surrounding issues regarding sound long term planning. You are encouraged to offer your experience and input on this very important topic.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration, hair loss, donor hair, male pattern baldness

These questions were posed directly to Dr. Ken Siporin of Beverly Hills, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair transplantation as a means to regrow hair.  His professional answer is below.

I’ve attached some pictures of my hair loss in another email. Like I mentioned in our phone conversation, I recently shaved the top of my head in order to try a hair system. 

How many grafts do you think I need to give me adequate hair density and coverage? 

I reviewed your photographs, and although they give me a good idea, I always tell prospective hair transplant patients who send me photographs, without the benefit of an in person examination, as a disclaimer, that I cannot get the entire clinical picture from two dimensional photographs. Having said that, I do have a good idea of what you need. The only unknowns are the density of your donor hair, the laxity of the scalp, which determines how much hair I can harvest, and most importantly, what your specific hair restoration goals are.

With your hair shaven like it is in the photos, I would recommend harvesting and placing as many grafts as I can safely harvest and place.  Since I am only looking at a photo of your hair loss, and I do not precisely  know the surface area to be covered, I can give you some estimate as to what that would be. In my experience, 2600 -2800 follicular unit grafts would give you nice coverage from front to back. The front would get more coverage and would appear more dense, and this is routinely the case.