Hasson and Wong Hair Transplant procedures are world renown. As you can see from the top photos, no matter the degree of baldness or your specific age, most people can have a full set of hair by one or two procedures. Hasson and Wong are doctors who specifically specialize in Hair Transplant surgery nothing more. They are absolutely the best doctors in the Hair Transplant world today. How do I know this? Well, I personally was a patient not once but twice and my doctor was Doctor Wong, Jerry Wong that is.

Dr. Wong

I would like to briefly provide a little updated review of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding Dr. Wong. ( For my entire and detailed Hair Transplant Experience with Dr. Wong click Hasson and Wong Story).

Dr. Wong, of Hasson and Wong, was my personal doctor during my 2 Hair Transplant procedures and to this day I sincerely believe that my choice to select Dr. Wong was one of my best decisions in my life, only next to the selection of my wife. I have researched hair transplant doctors and the procedure itself from 1992, when I turned 24 until 2003 when I was 35, so I do not think there are many people out there who have done the level of research as I have. In 2003, I decided that Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation had technologically advanced so much that if a person had a transplant procedure performed by an Doctor who was a master not only in the surgical arena but also in the aesthetic arena, the final outcome of the procedure would not be detectable.

I read all the forums online and researched the internet day and night and within these forums one name, Hasson and Wong, always popped up and always with raving reviews from previous and recent patients. So, I decided to get an online consultation with Dr. Wong, why Dr. Wong instead of Dr. Hasson? Well, I reviewed Dr. Wong’s background and found out that he had been a surgical doctor for over 30 years, which made me comfortable about the cutting of my donor area and I reviewed some recent patient’s of Dr. Wong’s as well, which showed me he was aesthetically capable of rebuilding a hairline from scratch.

My online consultation consisted of some pictures of my head and hairline front, top, sides and donor area which I sent in by email. Dr. Wong then responded with his thoughts which were that I needed approximately 3600-3800 grafts. I accepted with the condition that when I came to see him in Vancouver, I would have a live and personal consultation with him before the surgery, which of course he accepted. I then flew to Vancouver, met Dr. Wong, the most gentlest and caring man I met in my life and went ahead with the surgery which lasted 12 hours starting from 6:30am. There was absolutely no pain felt during or after surgery. Only some minor discomfort sleeping after surgery which lasted total of 2 days. I had approximately 3800 grafts planted.

After the surgery within the next 2 months -12 months and with the aide of Profinast, the hair loss prevention pill, my new hair blossomed to my complete surprise, since I had not seen hair in my frontal region since I was 25 years old. ( For before and after pictures go to Hasson and Wong Story).

That was 1st hair transplant procedure with Dr. Wong. I was so happy with the results that I had a 2nd one done in 2006, which I will write the details of on my next post.

I went for a consultation. Dr. Goertz introduced himself and he is a very warm and accommodating professional. He answered all of my questions…. I also sensed that he was as interested in achieving my goals as I was…you can tell he loves what he does for a living. I made an appointment for my surgery and I felt good about my decision…no one wants to lose their hair, and until recently, you had no choice in the matter.

The day of the operation came and I arrived in the morning and was out by noon. The staff and I joked the whole time and Dr. Goertz made sure I felt comfortable. It was a very pleasant experience; his assistants are friendly and nice. Before I knew it I was home and then all I had to do was play the waiting game for six months until the grafts grew in. The recovery time is minimal and they supply you with everything you need to recuperate. I was back at work in 2 days.

Then the magic happened. Let me tell you there is no other feeling quite like it. I’m sure you’ll agree if you join the thousands of people who have hair restoration done. I have zero regrets and the best part is I never have to worry about it again–it lasts for a lifetime!

I went back in and had my “after” picture taken and thanked Dr. Goertz and his staff profusely. I don’t believe a day goes by where I don’t subconsciously thank him. If you look good, you feel good; that’s just the way it is, and Dr. Goertz knows what he’s doing. I very highly recommend Hair Transplant Seattle and thoroughly believe it’s the best option out there.

Thank you again Dr. Goertz and staff!

Grant

]]> http://www.askthehairlossexpert.com/2008/08/09/hair-transplant-patient-story-2/feed/ 0 http://www.askthehairlossexpert.com/2008/02/09/hair-transplant-learn-about-hair-transplant-surgery/ http://www.askthehairlossexpert.com/2008/02/09/hair-transplant-learn-about-hair-transplant-surgery/#comments Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:03:13 +0000 hairlossexpert http://www.askthehairlossexpert.com/2008/02/09/hair-transplant-learn-about-hair-transplant-surgery/ Here are some common questions and their answers concerning hair loss and hair transplants.

What causes hair loss?
The most common cause of hair loss is heredity. Men and women inherit the gene for hair loss from either or both parents. In men, the hormone dihydrotestosterone causes a gradual miniaturization and eventual loss of hair follicles that are genetically susceptible. The mechanism of female pattern hair loss is not clearly known. The age of onset, extent, and rate of hair loss vary from person to person. Men and women exhibit hereditary hair loss differently. Severe illness, medications, malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency can accelerate this process. When applied incorrectly, permanent hair color and chemical relaxers damage the hair and follicle to the extent that hair loss can be permanent. Causes of hair loss do not include wearing a hat, excessive shampooing, lack of blood flow, or clogged pores.

Do hair transplants really work?
Yes. The transplanted hair is removed from one area of the body (donor site) and transferred to another (recipient site). The transferred tissue is not “rejected” as it is not foreign tissue. The transplanted hair maintains its own characteristics; color, texture, growth rate, and curl, after transplantation and regrowth. The vitality of the grafted follicle is maintained by the rich blood supply to the scalp. Originally many years ago, large circular grafts (commonly called ‘plugs’) containing 15-20 hairs were transplanted resulting in noticeably unnatural results. Over years, instruments and techniques have been developed that allow hair transplant surgeons to achieve truly natural results by transplanting large numbers of small grafts very close together. We have found that hair grows from the scalp in groups of one, two, or three (and rarely, four) hair follicles, called “follicular units.” We can transfer these groups of follicles, called “follicular unit grafts,” after eliminating the excess surrounding tissue. This allows the grafts to be placed closer together resulting in a denser and more natural result. A significant amount of artistry is also needed in order to recreate the natural patterns of hair growth.

Is an undetectable hair transplant possible?
Yes. Today’s highly trained and up-to-date surgeons, using a combination of artistry and technology, can recreate hairlines and crown coverage in a manner that truly defies detection. Progressing beyond the old style ‘plug-type’ transplants has been possible using advanced techniques which allow the transplantation of large numbers of small grafts. An appreciation for the natural shape and patterns of hair growth allows surgeons to create wavy, randomized hairlines that look natural.

What can be expected after hair restoration surgery?
The post-operative course will depend on adherence to the instructions given after surgery. Small scabs will form on the scalp at the graft sites. Generally speaking, these scabs disappear in 4-10 days. Shampooing can be resumed 24 hours after surgery. The suture (stitch) used in the donor area is undetectable immediately after surgery as it is completely covered by your existing hair. Some surgeons use absorbable stitches which are dissolved by the body, other surgeons may use skin staples. If the suture is non-absorbable, an appointment will be made for the suture to be removed approximately one week after surgery. It is advisable to take at least two days off work after surgery. A baseball type cap can be worn at anytime after surgery. Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least five days after surgery. Typically the grafted hair will shed in 2-4 weeks. New growth will begin in 3-4 months and length will increase approximately 1/2 inch per month.

Are hair transplants painful?
Most people are surprised at how little pain there is during a hair transplant procedure today. Some discomfort is to be expected as the anesthetic is injected into the scalp. Once the skin is anesthetized, there is no pain. If the numbing medicine wears off during the course of the procedure, more is injected to re-anesthetize the area. Advances in local anesthetic and the way it is applied allow for a comfortable and relaxing procedure. Most patients watch movies, listen to music or nap during their procedure.

What will it look like after the procedure?
The grafts form small scabs in the days after the procedure. If one has enough surrounding hair, these scabs can be camouflaged with creative styling. If not, the small scabs may be visible but do not attract much attention. By keeping the scalp moist, the scabs usually come off in about a week or so.

When can I go back to work?
Depending on the type of procedure you have done and the type of work you do, it is often possible to go back to work the next day. Your hair restoration surgeon will discuss this with you during the consultation.

Are hair transplants expensive?
Despite the initial cost of the procedure, hair transplantation can be less expensive than an artificial hairpiece over the long run. Considering that the results are permanent, most people consider it a good investment in their future happiness.

How many sessions will be required?
The number of the sessions will depend on the 1) area of scalp treated 2) the number and size of grafts used 3) the density which the patient desires and 4) the individual characteristics of the patient, e.g. coarse hair will provide a more dense look than fine hair. The estimate of the number of sessions can be discussed during the consultation with your surgeon.

After using Propecia® (finasteride) for a prolonged period, would cessation of use of the drug result in the same sudden rapid hair loss off all hairs that would have been lost without the use of the drug, like suddenly stopping use of Rogaine® (minoxidil)?
The hair would be lost until the point where an individual would have been without treatment. However, the hair loss is not sudden and will take several months to a year after stopping the medication. That is why missing a day or two of treatment, although not recommended, is generally not detrimental.

What are the possible harmful effects of Propecia and Rogaine? Especially in regards to women handling Propecia and/or a man taking the drug while trying to have a baby? Can the man cease taking the drug until he has fertilized a child?
There are no known harmful effects of either medication when used as directed by the manufacturer. Follow all package instructions. Propecia could be potentially harmful to a developing male fetus in a pregnant woman if a significant amount of the medication entered her body over time. This would require her to ingest the medication, so she should not handle broken or crushed tablets. The amounts of the medication in a male’s semen have been studied and found to be insignificant. The man can certainly cease treatment during conception efforts, but this is not necessary.

Is Propecia less effective in different races? Asian vs. Caucasian? Is it less effective for frontal vs. coronal pattern hair loss?
There has not been any noted difference in ethnic groups. Propecia is most effective in crown hair loss. It is less effective in frontal loss. It has not been shown to be effective in the temples (sides of head forward of the ears).

Is hair transplantation/hair restoration surgery a subspecialty of dermatology, and is it done as a fellowship post-residency?
The field of hair restoration surgery (HRS) is made up of physicians from many backgrounds including dermatology, plastic surgery, general surgery, family practice, ENT, and many others. Unfortunately, training in HRS in the typical residency is rarely at the same level as is performed today. That is why post-graduate education in HRS is so important and why the ISHRS is so important today in educating those physicians wishing to practice this specialty. In addition, ISHRS offers post-residency fellowship training positions in several centers around the world.

For the first time in hair transplant surgery history, body hair transplantation (BHT) was validated in mainstream medical journal. In December 2004, the world’s first body hair transplant study was published in the highly respected British Journal of Plastic Surgery, now available at universities throughout U.S, Canada and various parts of the world. This is by far the biggest advancement in surgical hair restoration procedure in recent years. Individuals with extensive thinning and limited donor hair may now be blessed with a second chance for a full head of hair again if they have sufficient body hair, thanks to Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell Woods for pioneering yet another world’s first in hair transplantation.

The Significance of Body Hair Transplantation

Transplanting body hair to scalp has been a topic of interest for years. Traditional hair transplantation relies exclusively on donor hair from the back of the patient’s head (see picture below).
Individuals with depleted or insufficient donor hair are rarely considered as candidates for hair transplants. Being able to tap into body hair as a donor source for hair transplantation would certainly open the doors to thousands who would otherwise not be able to consider hair transplant as an option.		for illustration purpose only

The Study by Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell Woods

This is the first time ever the work of a FUE hair transplant doctor was legitimized by the highly respected medical journal. The study was done on a 65-year old whose pictures were previously featured in HairSite under the name Justin. Justin suffered from severe scalp scarring as a result of bad hair transplant complications about 20 years ago. See photo below. This case is beyond repair under traditional method of hair transplantation.

Before photo – patient with severe scarring
white spots and red pigmentation

More BEFORE pictures of Justin
Notice the severe scarring (white spots) on Justin’s scalp
(click to enlarge)


click to enlarge

Under careful examination by Dr. Woods & Dr. Campbell Woods, a decision was made to extract 500 grafts from Justin’s temples and nape areas to recreate 1 cm of the frontal hairline. That was just the beginning. The most exciting part of the surgery came from harvesting 1500 body hair grafts and transplanting to the patient’s scalp in order to camouflage the badly scarred area. The whole repair procedure was undertaken over 4 sessions starting in December 2000. The patient received a total of 2000 grafts comprising of 1500 body hairs and 500 head hairs. This is the first time a full fledge study was conducted on a hair transplant patient to document the characteristics of hairs transplanted to anatomically different regions of the body, in this case from the chest to the scalp.

The Method

Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell Woods are widely recognized for revolutionizing the hair transplant industry with their Follicular SINGLE Unit Extraction (FSUE) technique. They are commonly referred to as the gold standard in single follicular unit extraction. 100% micro-surgical, no stitches, no trauma. The following is an excerpt from the British Journal of Plastic Surgery about The Woods Technique:

“The method of microsurgical single follicular unit extraction is a unique procedure for the removal of individual follicular grafts of hair for transplantation. It was developed to address 2-fold issues that can occur with common hair transplantation techniques: 1) Donor site scarring and graft wastage from ’strip excision’ for graft removal; and 2) Unnatural tufting that occurs when more than one follicle is transplanted into one site on the scalp. Permanent scalp donor hair may be used, as well as temple, nape, chest, abdomen and back hair and each individual follicular graft is removed intact without damage to the neighbouring hair.”

Results

As reported in the British Journal of Plastic Surgery, the grafts yielded over 90% survival rate in the recipient’s site of the patient. Excellent cosmetic results were achieved. The chest hairs that were measured to be between 3.5 and 5 cm prior to transplant were subsequently measured at 15 cm long 18 months post op. With respect to the characteristics of hairs transplanted to anatomically different regions of the body, here’s what the Journal reported: “obvious growth of the transplanted follicular units was evident by 6 months and the transplanted chest hair was indistinguishable to the naked eye from this patient’s normal wavy scalp hair.”

• Does the physician take a holistic approach to hair restoration? Your physician should help you evaluate all your options, surgical and non surgical.
• Has the clinic made the investment in time and resources to do large sessions of micro follicular unit hair transplantation? Doing outstanding work requires a staff dedicated and trained to use high-powered magnification with the capability of producing at least 2,000 carefully trimmed grafts per surgical session.
• Choose a hair restoration clinic that is patient focused rather than commercially focused. Some clinics emphasize revenue, speed and volume rather than dedicating the time and individual care needed to produce optimal results.
• Is hair restoration the primary focus of their practice? Outstanding results require a physician and a full staff who perform hair restoration surgery on a regular basis. Doing hair restoration as a sideline, along with other cosmetic procedures, may hinder their ability to do large sessions of highly refined follicular unit transplantation.
• How many patients has this physician produced excellent results for? Like any skill, experience over time is critical to acquiring the skill and judgment required to produce excellent results.
• Can the physician provide at least a dozen sets of detailed patient before and after photographs? Do they also have patients who are willing to speak with you and meet with you in person?
• What is the physician’s reputation on hair loss related discussion forums? To learn what patients are saying about hair transplant physicians and hair loss treatments visit the Hair Restoration Forums.