S
Staffie
Valued member
Staffie in Brussels 2100 FUT Dr Christian Bisanga
I returned from Brussels approximately 12 weeks ago having had a 2100 strip procedure performed by Dr Bisanga and his team at the BHR Clinic.
So, why the change of direction/surgeon?
Although I was a late grower I think it is fair to say that some of the grafts from my first procedure at Farjo didn t take , if that s the right expression. Nor7 had a similar experience and I remember him saying something about patient characteristics , meaning, I think, that some people won t have as good a result as others at the same clinic. I don t pretend to know enough about the hair industry to make a detailed comment regarding this but I do know that if I had returned to the same clinic and had a similar result I would have been kicking myself for at least not trying something different the second time around. Anybody who has read my original post (http://www.hairlossexperiences.com/view_topic.php?id=3472&forum_id=3&page=1) will have seen that in all other ways my experience with Farjo was excellent. The procedure itself went smoothly, Dr Farjo was very generous with his time and Mick (Patient Co-ordinator) has been extremely helpful in many ways and a pleasure to converse with. I am also pleased to see that Nor7 has had a much better result second time around.
I must apologise to everyone for not posting updates as I intended to do. My domestic circumstances are complicated and the demands on my time relentless. I had originally intended to have a second procedure 12 months after the first one but I am 6 months behind schedule, better late than never!
So, following discussions with Stephen (UK Patient Advisor for BHR) I went to Brussels in March for a consultation with Dr Bisanga. Stephen (who has provided an excellent and informative service in every conceivable way and is a credit to his profession) gave me the option of meeting with Dr Bisanga/himself in London in May which I suspect would be easier for most people. I live in the Midlands so it s also quite easy to get a flight with Brussels Airlines from Birmingham. They do (scheduled) economy prices but I paid extra for flexible tickets which was worth it as I changed the flight times twice at no extra cost. Stephen also provided help/advice with travel/hotel arrangements which was much appreciated.
At my consultation Dr Bisanga suggested an FUT/FUE combo over 2 days and estimated FUT 1700/1800 grafts and FUE 1500/1800, so a total of 3200/3600 grafts. It was also noted that my hair was very fine and laxity tight (not good!). My donor area is also poor because of previous accident damage. Although I originally booked the 2 day session with Stephen I had to change to one day only for the time being as there was too great a risk of me having to cancel at short notice. At first I was disappointed as I would have liked as many grafts as possible to see results quickly but now, with hindsight, I m fine with it. Dr Bisanga managed 2100 grafts via FUT (a bonus!) so that will reduce the remaining FUE to an estimated 1500 grafts (still 3600 in total which was the upper estimate). The remaining 1500 grafts isn t a huge amount and it certainly won t cover my crown (I ve come to terms with that now) but they can be used next year for any areas of particular need and perhaps to provide a little more symmetry. If all of the grafts had been used this year it wouldn t have allowed any leeway to tinker around with things next year.
So, after a taxi from Brussels airport (approx 45 Euros) to BHR s recommended hotel (very good and less than 2 minutes walk to the clinic) I had an early night because I knew I wouldn t get much sleep the following night. I normally sleep very well but find it practically impossible to sleep sitting propped upright (perhaps it s just me?) which you have to do for the first 3 nights after the procedure.
I was at the clinic before 7.30 am and Dr Bisanga arrived seconds later. I had a blood test (compulsory, to check for HIV etc) but you can provide your own if you wish. Before starting I was given an antibiotic and valium and my blood pressure was monitored. After the injections to numb the scalp (a little sharp but, in my opinion, much less so than dental injections) the procedure was painless. We had a break for lunch. I realise this won t be the top of anyone s list who is considering a hair transplant but my choice from the menu (duck with sauted potatoes/strawberry cheesecake) was excellent and very welcome after a fairly light breakfast. The anaesthetic began to wear off about 40 minutes before the end of the procedure so I was given a couple more injections to top it up. I felt fine afterwards and was given the compulsory bandana (to be worn outside for the first 3/4 days post procedure),antibiotics, shampoo, saline spray and detailed instructions. The painkillers provided worked sufficiently well for the first night and following morning, after 24 hours I couldn t really notice much at all.
Before I got my taxi to the airport the following day I dropped in to the clinic for them to check all was ok. There was a slight ooze from my donor area but it must have been very slight as there wasn t a single spot of blood on the pillow cover provided by the clinic to use in the hotel. They cleaned it up and I have had no problems since. There was a tiny amount of swelling on my forehead 2 days after the procedure which moved down to the bridge of my nose the following day and disappeared completely the day afterwards. The swelling was probably kept to a minimum because at the end of my procedure I was given an injection to help reduce/prevent swelling (it may have been cortisone, I can t remember). The suture was removed 14 days after the procedure. One thing I ve noticed this time around is that there is hardly any ongoing numbness to the scalp.
I have to say that Dr Bisanga and his team were extremely professional in every way and my inability to speak any other language but English caused no problems whatsoever. This actually inspired me (if all goes to plan) to return next year having learnt sufficient French to converse in their (most of them, anyway) native tongue. I can t possibly remember all of the names of the medical/surgical/support team members but they were all extremely friendly and helpful in every possible way. Here are a few photos which I took before going to Brussels:
Although my hair has improved it is a bit, shall we say, see-through?
These are the before and after photos taken by the clinic (wet hair on the before photos).
Most of the newly transplanted hairs have shed so I am going through the waiting process again. I m so busy these days that time seems to fly by so I m sure it won t feel like very long before I m posting a 4/5 month update.
I must also mention Garageland (Hasson and Wong) who many of you will know is an active forum member. Although he obviously has a vested interest he also offered valuable, impartial advice and is also a credit to his profession. My positive comments regarding Stephen, Mick and Garageland should serve as a reminder (or a warning!) to anyone considering a hair transplant for the first time that you should never settle for anything less than a totally professional service. Any fixed cost/sale price transplants should, in my opinion, be avoided completely.
Lastly (I feel I m becoming repetitive now) a sincere thank you to Modenese (a former BHR patient) who provided information that made my decision making process that little bit easier.
Best wishes and good luck to you all!
Staffie
I returned from Brussels approximately 12 weeks ago having had a 2100 strip procedure performed by Dr Bisanga and his team at the BHR Clinic.
So, why the change of direction/surgeon?
Although I was a late grower I think it is fair to say that some of the grafts from my first procedure at Farjo didn t take , if that s the right expression. Nor7 had a similar experience and I remember him saying something about patient characteristics , meaning, I think, that some people won t have as good a result as others at the same clinic. I don t pretend to know enough about the hair industry to make a detailed comment regarding this but I do know that if I had returned to the same clinic and had a similar result I would have been kicking myself for at least not trying something different the second time around. Anybody who has read my original post (http://www.hairlossexperiences.com/view_topic.php?id=3472&forum_id=3&page=1) will have seen that in all other ways my experience with Farjo was excellent. The procedure itself went smoothly, Dr Farjo was very generous with his time and Mick (Patient Co-ordinator) has been extremely helpful in many ways and a pleasure to converse with. I am also pleased to see that Nor7 has had a much better result second time around.
I must apologise to everyone for not posting updates as I intended to do. My domestic circumstances are complicated and the demands on my time relentless. I had originally intended to have a second procedure 12 months after the first one but I am 6 months behind schedule, better late than never!
So, following discussions with Stephen (UK Patient Advisor for BHR) I went to Brussels in March for a consultation with Dr Bisanga. Stephen (who has provided an excellent and informative service in every conceivable way and is a credit to his profession) gave me the option of meeting with Dr Bisanga/himself in London in May which I suspect would be easier for most people. I live in the Midlands so it s also quite easy to get a flight with Brussels Airlines from Birmingham. They do (scheduled) economy prices but I paid extra for flexible tickets which was worth it as I changed the flight times twice at no extra cost. Stephen also provided help/advice with travel/hotel arrangements which was much appreciated.
At my consultation Dr Bisanga suggested an FUT/FUE combo over 2 days and estimated FUT 1700/1800 grafts and FUE 1500/1800, so a total of 3200/3600 grafts. It was also noted that my hair was very fine and laxity tight (not good!). My donor area is also poor because of previous accident damage. Although I originally booked the 2 day session with Stephen I had to change to one day only for the time being as there was too great a risk of me having to cancel at short notice. At first I was disappointed as I would have liked as many grafts as possible to see results quickly but now, with hindsight, I m fine with it. Dr Bisanga managed 2100 grafts via FUT (a bonus!) so that will reduce the remaining FUE to an estimated 1500 grafts (still 3600 in total which was the upper estimate). The remaining 1500 grafts isn t a huge amount and it certainly won t cover my crown (I ve come to terms with that now) but they can be used next year for any areas of particular need and perhaps to provide a little more symmetry. If all of the grafts had been used this year it wouldn t have allowed any leeway to tinker around with things next year.
So, after a taxi from Brussels airport (approx 45 Euros) to BHR s recommended hotel (very good and less than 2 minutes walk to the clinic) I had an early night because I knew I wouldn t get much sleep the following night. I normally sleep very well but find it practically impossible to sleep sitting propped upright (perhaps it s just me?) which you have to do for the first 3 nights after the procedure.
I was at the clinic before 7.30 am and Dr Bisanga arrived seconds later. I had a blood test (compulsory, to check for HIV etc) but you can provide your own if you wish. Before starting I was given an antibiotic and valium and my blood pressure was monitored. After the injections to numb the scalp (a little sharp but, in my opinion, much less so than dental injections) the procedure was painless. We had a break for lunch. I realise this won t be the top of anyone s list who is considering a hair transplant but my choice from the menu (duck with sauted potatoes/strawberry cheesecake) was excellent and very welcome after a fairly light breakfast. The anaesthetic began to wear off about 40 minutes before the end of the procedure so I was given a couple more injections to top it up. I felt fine afterwards and was given the compulsory bandana (to be worn outside for the first 3/4 days post procedure),antibiotics, shampoo, saline spray and detailed instructions. The painkillers provided worked sufficiently well for the first night and following morning, after 24 hours I couldn t really notice much at all.
Before I got my taxi to the airport the following day I dropped in to the clinic for them to check all was ok. There was a slight ooze from my donor area but it must have been very slight as there wasn t a single spot of blood on the pillow cover provided by the clinic to use in the hotel. They cleaned it up and I have had no problems since. There was a tiny amount of swelling on my forehead 2 days after the procedure which moved down to the bridge of my nose the following day and disappeared completely the day afterwards. The swelling was probably kept to a minimum because at the end of my procedure I was given an injection to help reduce/prevent swelling (it may have been cortisone, I can t remember). The suture was removed 14 days after the procedure. One thing I ve noticed this time around is that there is hardly any ongoing numbness to the scalp.
I have to say that Dr Bisanga and his team were extremely professional in every way and my inability to speak any other language but English caused no problems whatsoever. This actually inspired me (if all goes to plan) to return next year having learnt sufficient French to converse in their (most of them, anyway) native tongue. I can t possibly remember all of the names of the medical/surgical/support team members but they were all extremely friendly and helpful in every possible way. Here are a few photos which I took before going to Brussels:
Although my hair has improved it is a bit, shall we say, see-through?
These are the before and after photos taken by the clinic (wet hair on the before photos).
Most of the newly transplanted hairs have shed so I am going through the waiting process again. I m so busy these days that time seems to fly by so I m sure it won t feel like very long before I m posting a 4/5 month update.
I must also mention Garageland (Hasson and Wong) who many of you will know is an active forum member. Although he obviously has a vested interest he also offered valuable, impartial advice and is also a credit to his profession. My positive comments regarding Stephen, Mick and Garageland should serve as a reminder (or a warning!) to anyone considering a hair transplant for the first time that you should never settle for anything less than a totally professional service. Any fixed cost/sale price transplants should, in my opinion, be avoided completely.
Lastly (I feel I m becoming repetitive now) a sincere thank you to Modenese (a former BHR patient) who provided information that made my decision making process that little bit easier.
Best wishes and good luck to you all!
Staffie
