My Hair Transplant Experience
By: C. Clayton
My trip to Oklahoma started out in North Carolina just after a Snow Storm had closed down everything for two days in January 2002. I decided to go for it, and actually paid a 4-wheel drive to get me to the Airport. After 4 hours waiting my plane took off for Tulsa. I finally arrived at the Hotel around 9:30pm. After a late dinner I went to bed, but slept off and on because I was excited about my transplant the next day. At 41 years of age, I had been waiting for 10 years until I found price that I could afford. I happened to come across the Hair Transplant Center via the Internet, and their prices had been the reason for my trip to Tulsa.
The next morning I showered and then had a light breakfast at the hotel. I would advise anyone getting a transplant to eat a good breakfast before their procedure due to the Meds that are given to you before the needles are inserted. Tom Campbell picked me up a little later and we were off on the very short drive to the Hair Transplant Center. Upon arriving at the Center I was taken into Tom’s office to discuss my transplant. I had sent digital pictures to Tom earlier, so we both had a good idea of what I was looking for.
At this point, the Doctor and Head Nurse came in to discuss my expectations. We decided 1000 grafts plus the extra 200 free grafts for travel would be what we would go for. This was good, because it was also the amount I could afford to do at the time. Everyone agreed that it should be enough, and no pressure was placed on me to get more. I have been “blessed” with a high forehead most of my life, and I have been able to hide my forehead, wearing my hair in bangs for most of it. As my hairline had receded, I had more trouble wearing my hair this way.
A line was drawn on my head to show where my new hairline would be. I joked about wanted it lower, but I do understand the constraints and issues of placing a hairline that’s too low for an adult of 41 years. Using too much donor hair for an unrealistic “teenage” hairline can result in a patient not having enough hair for future procedures if hair loss continues. It also can look very unnatural. I have spent a lot time on this part because it is so important. Propecia can help hold your current hair loss for a time, but there’s no guarantee. My personal thought is that a person desiring a transplant should wait as long as they can (at least their late twenties) and research it as much as they can before they proceed.
As the hairline had been agreed upon, I had to read and sign some papers. Then I was given some meds to help me be able to handle the needle injections. After the meds took affect, I was taken into the operating room, and I put on a smock to for the procedure. I then laid face down in a chair with a doughnut to stick my face through. The Doctor then rechecked my hair density and began injecting my scalp with needle to numb my donor area for strip removal. This was for me the worst part of the procedure. After the donor strip was removed, the doctor sewed me up using a removable stitch. I would get this removed 12 days later.
With light music playing in the background, I was now able to sit upright. At this point the Nurses were cutting using microscopes from the donor strip that was taken from the back of my head the grafts that would be placed in the scalp area for my new hairline. Very small needles were used to make the areas needed to transplant my freshly trimmed grafts. This part seemed to require great skill, and it took a lot of time to plant all of my grafts. As my hairline was finished, other grafts were placed into my existing front hair to thicken it and help it to blend with the new hair. I was told that my grafts were counted, and recounted. All my grafts were transplanted, and no hairs were thrown away. Tom said that many times a patient will actually get more than they pay for.
Once I was finished my stomach began to feel a little sick. This was due to not eating very well before the procedure. I was taken into a room to relax, and have something to drink. After a short while, I felt better, I bid the staff goodbye and Tom took me to pick up my medications. I had a flight home that evening, so Tom took me back to the Hotel to get my things and wait for my ride. The Hotel van took me to the airport and I was on my way back home.
In closing I’d like to say a few things about my Transplant experience in Tulsa. A couple of months after my procedure I was feeling depressed. All the little short hairs had fallen out and I was beginning to worry. I even called Tom and his Head Nurse a few times. They told me to have patience. They were right. I had my transplant in January. By May I had new hairs that were almost an half-inch long.
It really took about 8 months to see the results. Even at 12 months I could see a change. I recently saw some relatives I hadn’t seen for about 8 years. The first thing they said was my hair looked thicker, and everyone says I have more hair in the front than before. I can honestly say that all the grafts I received did grow as far as I can tell. I have documented my hair growth using a digital camera.
My experience with The Hair Transplant Center of Tulsa Oklahoma was one of being with good friends. Tom has always been very pleasant to talk with and the staff was very professional. As a part time musician, I enjoyed talking with one of the Nurses about music during my procedure. I even thought of taking my family to Tulsa to visit all the sites in the area and maybe stop by and say hello. In closing, it was a short, but rewarding experience that I’ll remember and have for the rest of my life.
From Patient Steve Matzke:
Committing to a hair transplant from Hair Transplant Center was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. After my first session, I was determined to lose the extra weight I had gained as I watched my hair slowly disappearing year after year. One year later, I have lost 50 pounds and I feel like a million bucks. I wake up everyday with a level of self-assuredness that I haven’t had in years. Having a hair transplant transformed my life. The staff at Hair Transplant Center includes some of the most professional, friendly, and artistic individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting or doing business with. They take a genuine interest in their customers and that makes the difference. - Steve Matzke, Age 35
To the Surgeon and Staff:
Let me take this opportunity to tell you how pleased I am with the results of my procedure at your facility. As you know, I have had two prior procedures performed; one at Bosley Medical and one at Medical Hair Restoration. I can state without any hesitation that the service and quality I received in your facility was by far the best out of all three procedures that I have had. Here are some specific reasons why this is so:
1. Cost. I saved nearly $2,000 over what I would have had to pay at Bosley and Medical Hair Restoration.
2. Value. Instead of forcing me to pay a "minimum" charge, I only had to pay for the grafts themselves. There were no hidden charges nor was I forced to use any unneeded products. For example, after I had my procedure at MHR I was told I needed to spend $400 to use an after procedure set of products that would "decrease the healing time and increase the actual hair growth". In all reality, the products did not add any value whatsoever, it simply cost me an extra $400.
3. Procedure and post-operative care and instructions. From the moment I walked into your facility until the time I left, your surgeon and staff were very personable and professional. Although I was paying thousands less than what I would have paid at Bosley and MHR, the personal attention and professionalism was much greater. The actual procedure was nearly painless and the post-operative instructions were clear and easy to understand.
Since I am probably one of the few people to ever actually have a procedure performed at the two biggest names in the business as well as your facility, I feel that I am qualified to offer the following advice:
1. Ignore the infomercials. There is NOTHING that the big names can offer that the Oklahoma HTC cannot.
2. Do not by into the hype that only the surgeons at Bosley or MHR have the skills and "artistic abilities" required to perform a procedure. The surgeons and staff at the Oklahoma HTC are more than qualified to perform a procedure on anyone wanting to improve his or her appearance.
3. If you want to save money, be treated like a valued patient, and the utmost in service from highly skilled and qualified personnel, then Oklahoma HTC should be your choice.
Sincerely,
B. Ladd
From patient Scott Sanders, Medical Supplies Distributor:
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patient Scott Sanders
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"I've had problems for years with progressive hair loss. Most of the men in my family have the problem but the loss of MY hair was embarrassing to ME. I've worn one ballcap or another to try to cover up the problem and I certainly didn't want to get one of those awful looking hair plug transplants!
Then I saw an ad from the Hair Transplant Center that explained how they use only the latest micro-surgical techniques and that the days of the old hair plugs were GONE. That's all I needed to hear so I gave them a call and had a free, private, consultation with them and even met their business administrator who is a customer himself. He has had 3 transplants over the last 3 years and he looked GREAT! I couldn't even tell he had ever had a transplant! I saw pictures of him before he started the process and he was totally BALD about halfway back.
That was all I needed to see and hear so I said "lets do it." It's been about a year since then, and I've had a second one done about six months ago too for a total of about 3000 grafts over the two sessions. My hair is growing like weeds and I can't believe how much better I feel about myself and everyone I know says I look younger and more "confident"! Anyway, if you are even considering a hair transplant, at least talk to the people at the Hair Transplant Center! With all of their years of experience, they did a great job AND at a great price (which is what I call VALUE)! I recommend them without reservation!
Sincerely,
Scott Sanders
From patient Les Horner, Corporate CEO/President Price-Mart Grocery Stores
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Les Horner
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I'm a little older than most people who get hair transplants but I was so tired of having to get "tune-ups" on my toupees every so often and having to buy new ones every few years, that I decided to investigate a hair transplant while on business in Kansas City about a year ago.
I'm the president and CEO of my own corporation and I own 15 full-size grocery stores so I need to look my best at all times. The salesman in Kansas City talked me into spending $10,000 for what I thought was 1000 grafts (he said $10 a graft was the best deal I could find)! What I actually got was 1000 HAIRS and they were all in PLUGS all lined up along my hairline! I was so shocked and embarrassed that I started wearing the toupee again and hoped no one noticed what had been done to me.
When I saw the ad for the Hair Transplant Center on TV I said to myself "no way" but in the commercial they explained how they don't use plugs and could even help cover up old plug transplants so I decided to give them a call. I met their business administrator who has had 3 transplants himself and saw his "before" picture (his hair looks totally natural now).
I explained my "misunderstanding" with the salesman in Kansas City and they said that they would sell me 1000 grafts for $3 A GRAFT (some grafts would have only one hair in them and many of those would be put around the old plugs to help mask them) and the number of hairs per graft would be tailored to fit my head (NO PLUGS)! Needless to say, I'm thrilled with the outcome and highly recommend the team at the Hair Transplant Center. By the way, I've "retired" my toupee for good!
Sincerely,
Les Horner
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