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The Hair Dr. (Dr. Arshad) - 3,480 grafts (11/12/2020)

M

mike80

member
Well done Chris and all the best with the growth! Can I ask why you didn't go with Dr Vida at the Harley Street Hair Clinic at the end?
I had a consultation with them and they seemed ok: the clinician was very good but obviously his work is to reassure and sell so not surprised. I had 5 mins with Dr Vida he was a bit in a hurry as he was in theatre (which is a good sign) but no much chance to speak with him. They are proposing 2100 grafts and I'm generally ok with the plan. What is slightly puzzling me is that there are very few reviews actually available for the clinic and the doctor, and the ones available are only the ones which are managed by the clinic itself, not independent users / other patients. I don't really care about the Rooney story just keen to hear about the experience of an average user!
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Hi Mike

Sounds like you have gone through a similar journey to myself.
I quite liked the feel of the HSHC (like you I don't really care for the references to a certain famous footballer - if anything, it actually put me off to see the shirts on the reception wall despite being a Man Utd fan !). But as you have done I was searching for further independent re-assurance on the work of Dr Vida - but sadly I was unable to find anything other than a brief interview on This Morning.
[https://www.hairlossexperiences.com/threads/harley-street-and-london-hair-transplant-clinic.10003/]

I was also quoted 2k grafts - 1k per day - and I wasn't convinced that this was a donor area protection strategy versus the constraints of an operating model where the doctor performs all roles - which I thought was odd. And would this be enough.
I was close to putting down a deposit but then the availability slipped and Feb 2021 became the earliest.

So I widened my search - which I'm v glad I did - and came across Dr Arshad via this site - where I could see actual examples of his work & client feedback. The 3.5k grafts also helped to alleviate concerns around how successful this would be and they were able to offer an appointment that suited my work - also requesting a minimal deposit was also re-assuring. But there is no way you can be 100% confident and so there is some element of leap of faith required.

I see a number of people on this site - as I had done - who are looking for a simple answer to who are the 'best' HT doctors in the UK.
I don't believe there is a simple answer to this - but the criteria that helped me narrow my own search was to only use a clinic that was owned and run by the Dr performing the surgery, and the staff employed are permanent members of staff - not contracted in. Hence there is much more of a degree of accountability. After that, availability and graft numbers.

Although I knew my UK only search was rather illogical, it helped narrow the search and guaranteed that it wasn't affected by lockdown.
Being London based, I originally was looking for London only - which was bonkers - and a 3hr drive 'up North' and a couple of nights in a Travel Lodge 10mins drive away, was actually a welcome change from being stuck in a house. The main thing was to be able to get back by the following evening for my wife to help me with the bandages / ointment.

I hope this information proves to be useful and I wish you all the best on your journey - for me it's exactly two months to the day - feels like a lot longer and I know I need to wait another two months for any sort of meaningful development - but it's tough not to look in the mirror each day !

Best wishes
Chris
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Nizoral works well to combat the dry scalp from minoxidil use. It`s sold in Boots and quite a few online places. About 7 quid a bottle but you only need to use it twice a week between regular shampooing.
Thanks Bigmac. Now have some ordered, and on the way.
With Pura D'or and Nizoral my hair / scalp has never had it so good - I guess it's the least I could do after having had 3.5k slits cut into it !!
 
M

mike80

member
Hi Mike

Sounds like you have gone through a similar journey to myself.
I quite liked the feel of the HSHC (like you I don't really care for the references to a certain famous footballer - if anything, it actually put me off to see the shirts on the reception wall despite being a Man Utd fan !). But as you have done I was searching for further independent re-assurance on the work of Dr Vida - but sadly I was unable to find anything other than a brief interview on This Morning.
[https://www.hairlossexperiences.com/threads/harley-street-and-london-hair-transplant-clinic.10003/]

I was also quoted 2k grafts - 1k per day - and I wasn't convinced that this was a donor area protection strategy versus the constraints of an operating model where the doctor performs all roles - which I thought was odd. And would this be enough.
I was close to putting down a deposit but then the availability slipped and Feb 2021 became the earliest.

So I widened my search - which I'm v glad I did - and came across Dr Arshad via this site - where I could see actual examples of his work & client feedback. The 3.5k grafts also helped to alleviate concerns around how successful this would be and they were able to offer an appointment that suited my work - also requesting a minimal deposit was also re-assuring. But there is no way you can be 100% confident and so there is some element of leap of faith required.

I see a number of people on this site - as I had done - who are looking for a simple answer to who are the 'best' HT doctors in the UK.
I don't believe there is a simple answer to this - but the criteria that helped me narrow my own search was to only use a clinic that was owned and run by the Dr performing the surgery, and the staff employed are permanent members of staff - not contracted in. Hence there is much more of a degree of accountability. After that, availability and graft numbers.

Although I knew my UK only search was rather illogical, it helped narrow the search and guaranteed that it wasn't affected by lockdown.
Being London based, I originally was looking for London only - which was bonkers - and a 3hr drive 'up North' and a couple of nights in a Travel Lodge 10mins drive away, was actually a welcome change from being stuck in a house. The main thing was to be able to get back by the following evening for my wife to help me with the bandages / ointment.

I hope this information proves to be useful and I wish you all the best on your journey - for me it's exactly two months to the day - feels like a lot longer and I know I need to wait another two months for any sort of meaningful development - but it's tough not to look in the mirror each day !

Best wishes
Chris
thank you Chris for your reply,

I'm actually finding this forum extremely helpful and reassuring. You are right at the end of the day a leap of faith is required. What I liked about the HSHC is that they do hair transplants only: I also got in contact with the Private Clinic and whilst I like the surgeon and he was extremely knowledgeable he also does other plastics like ear surgeries etc. whish isn't definitely a plus in my opinion.
In terms of availability I would still be able to have the surgery during lockdown which is great, and actually Dr Vida is GMC registered and a member of the IAHRS (so there are some standards), he is also permanent staff apparently, he has 7 years of experience according to the clinic.
To be honest I think that I'm having these second thoughts just because I hadn't been able to properly sit with him and this lack of public reviews is not great so will still ponder this a bit.
All the best and thanks again for sharing your experience!

Cheers
Mike
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks Bigmac. Now have some ordered, and on the way.
With Pura D'or and Nizoral my hair / scalp has never had it so good - I guess it's the least I could do after having had 3.5k slits cut into it !!
Good to hear it’s working well for you. It is a quality shampoo that your scalp deserves.
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Hi

Apologies for the lack of updates - please find below a few 3month pictures that were taken a couple of weeks back (left before / right after).
It's a tough time the 3month mark as it seems a long time since the HT, but the progress is only really starting to show.
So I know perseverance is the key.
It's also good to compare to the pre HT pictures as it's too easy to compare with one's memory of the 2 week post op.

Don't feel like the camera is doing it justice as it's not picking up a lot of the fine blonde hairs coming through.

Sadly I still have the pink tinge to my scalp - I have used (and continue to use) a variety of Aloe Vera gels, sprays etc. but slow progress there. Continuing to use the Pura D'or and Nizoral shampoos.

Other point worth highlighting is that I still have a small amount of numbness in the recipient area 3.5 month on - but as with the pink scalp I'm hoping it will gradually subside.
 

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B

BaldingBaby

member
Hi

Apologies for the lack of updates - please find below a few 3month pictures that were taken a couple of weeks back (left before / right after).
It's a tough time the 3month mark as it seems a long time since the HT, but the progress is only really starting to show.
So I know perseverance is the key.
It's also good to compare to the pre HT pictures as it's too easy to compare with one's memory of the 2 week post op.

Don't feel like the camera is doing it justice as it's not picking up a lot of the fine blonde hairs coming through.

Sadly I still have the pink tinge to my scalp - I have used (and continue to use) a variety of Aloe Vera gels, sprays etc. but slow progress there. Continuing to use the Pura D'or and Nizoral shampoos.

Other point worth highlighting is that I still have a small amount of numbness in the recipient area 3.5 month on - but as with the pink scalp I'm hoping it will gradually subside.
Thanks for updating. I can definitely see some growth in the temple area already which is always a good sign this early.

Yeah the pinkness problem seems to be more of a genetic issue rather than what you apply to your head. I didn't use anything for my redness and it went away quite quickly.
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Hi - sorry - been a bit slack posting updates.
Now 5 1/2 month in and seem to be on track. The pictures are pre HT vs today, although the lighting does change a little.
So overall happy - still a very mild numbing remains on the recipient area - but not noticeable really.
Have kept trimming my hair to the same length all over - so since it's still thinning on top, no-one has noticed that I've had anything done,
 

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H

Hoping_for_hair

member
Looks like it's coming on nicely and can see the improvement!

What number are you buzzing it down to? I'm coming up to 3 months and find now the existing hair is getting longer it makes the transplant area look even thinner so might go short like you. When do you think you will try and grow it longer?
 
B

Baldingman23

Valued member
Coming on nicely Chris!!! 5 1/2 months is still early days as well
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Looks like it's coming on nicely and can see the improvement!

What number are you buzzing it down to? I'm coming up to 3 months and find now the existing hair is getting longer it makes the transplant area look even thinner so might go short like you. When do you think you will try and grow it longer?
Hi - the guard that I use on the shaver says 7-9mm. As the back and sides grow I think it looks better to take them down to this length. But I was also doing the same to the top.
But I may now leave the top and let it grow out a bit.
I remember the 3 month stage was a little frustrating and you just have to wait another month or two for progress to be more noticeable.

regards, Chris
 
B

BaldingBaby

member
Thanks for the updates Chris, looks like it's growing in nicely. Do you plan on keeping it short?
 
Bigmac

Bigmac

Administrator
Staff member
The growth pattern is taking shape. The hairline is fuller which will frame your face. Everything looks good so far.
Thanks for the update.
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Thanks for the updates Chris, looks like it's growing in nicely. Do you plan on keeping it short?
Thanks - it’s hard to remember a time when I had enough hair not to keep it short . So I’ll see how it develops and what works best.
 
C

ChrisN

Valued member
Quick 6month update - letting it grow a little so not so easy to compare with previous updates.
Don't worry about the scalp colour - sunburn - got caught out in the sun :(

Still lots of fine hairs coming through which the camera doesn't really pick up on.

Chris
 

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