Getting a Free Hair Transplant Like on TV?

Hello, Dr. Rassman, I am a 41 year old African-American female with extreme hair loss. My doctor said it was alopecia but I think it is male pattern baldness. All the hair on top of my head is completely gone. I started losing my hair in 1998 and now the hairs are completely gone. I do have hair on the sides and back of my head. It is very frustrating trying to hide this devasting secret. At times I am very depressed about my hair loss. I cannot go swimming, exercise in public and I have to wear wigs all the time. My question is with such extreme hair loss, is it possible that I could get my hair back. Is there any thing you could do to help me. I watched the episode of jon & kate + 8 and noticed his transplant was done free of charge. I am a full-time non-traditional student and at this point, I am not financially able to afford this procedure, however, I am willing to share my devastating story if you could help me. Thank you

I would have to examine you to understand what is happening. Genetic hair loss in women does take on a male pattern in about 15% of cases. If you have been using a wig, is it possible that the wig has caused more hair loss than you would have had if you never used it?

With regard to hair transplant work we do, we sometimes will do it for publicity (as in the case of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 show), or in special cases where children have lost their hair, or in people who have deformities with special needs and there is a financial problem for them. Each case is individually evaluated and although we do subsidize hair transplant work in some patients, it is more the exception than the rule.