After I Had a 3500 Graft Strip Procedure, My Doctor Now Says I Need 3500 FUE Grafts
I had a strip surgery done 1.5 yrs ago. 3500graphs, age 30. the surgery was done to the front hairline. I can tell that i need the middle and my crown done in the near future. My doctor says i need to have the second procedure done now and he will repair some areas from the first procedure. He claims that I only see 75% growth from the first transplant likely because i didn’t use minoxidil (because I am allergic).
My concern is he says his office no longer does strip and i will need 3500 for the middle using FUE. Not only was i caught by surprise but the price is substantially higher. I’m not sure that i can afford it, plus i have to anticipate the 3rd surgury for my crown in the future. THeres no going back now because i have the large scar from the first surgery. I just want your opinion. The doctor has a very good reputation and I don’t deny his knowledge and experience, I’m just wondering if its time to consider other doctors. I was very careful who i selected for my hairline and maybe i don’t have to be so careful for the middle and crown. Any advice would be appreciated. I also noticed you suggested for someone who had strip to continue getting strip. would you also say there is no need for me to get FUE?
As you did not identify the doctor, I will tell you some of the problems I have with what you reported above:
- “My doctor says i need to have the second procedure done now” — One never needs to have a second procedure, as the first one should’ve been designed as a stand alone procedure.
- “[He] will repair some areas from the first procedure” — What are the problems that need to be repaired? Failure to grow is a problem and I would want to know if this is the case. It is insane to blame this on you (the patient) for not taking minoxidil. I never prescribe minoxidil for my patients and growth is rarely a problem. If he claims that you only see 75% growth from the first transplant, this isn’t something that can be blamed on minoxidil (or lack thereof). 3500 FUE grafts in such a situation is crazy and I would want to know what is driving the doctor to tell you this.
- Giving up strip surgery for follicular unit extraction (FUE) is also another point that sticks out. If you have a huge scar, I would want to know how big and why. How is he suggesting that he will address the large scar?
If you are giving me a straight story, you need a second opinion by a competent, ethical doctor! Send me before/after photos of your head and scar here and I will call you and give you a second opinion if you’d like and keep it completely confidential between you and I (I will not show it on the blog without your permission). Also, please reference this post when sending.
it’s probably alvi armani
Exactly what I was thinking, luey.
The doctor oringally broke down my hairloss to needing 3 seperate surgerys. the first one (Now completed) was for my receeding hairline, the second will be for the middle of my scalp and the 3rd will be for my crown.
I imagine it will be 3500 for each section.
The first was using strip for 3500 in the hairline.
a small area had less growth but i think it was partially due to sleeping on that side and rubbing. The doctor has offered to do some graphs in that area at no cost.
The scar is not a concern, it is not very visible unless i cut my hair short.
I want to know if there are any advantages to switching to FUE from FUSS when I already have a scar.
I think I’m on my way to becoming a norwood 6 or 7. I guess that a total of 11000 graphs done in 3 seperate procedures will be my goal.