Clinics sponsoring HLE Hair Loss Forum

[Bigmac]

Dear Forum readers and posters,

I have been discussing for sometime with clinics/doctors, some who already post on the forum and others who do not regarding a sponsorship.The sponsorship fee is to allow me to develop the forum further, to date I have personally dedicated my time and personal finance to the forum. I thank many people, clinics and posters/readers for helping add to the forum because it helps others to research hair loss and hair restoration. I am proud of the forum and how the vast majority of posters help each other and add their experiences.

As the forum has developed and become more popular it is becoming harder for me to spread my time and ensure the forum grows properly. Clinics suggested I should have some sort of sponsorship in place. I asked the other clinics if they would be willing to contribute to the upkeep of the forum and allow me to improve the software. Many agreed and were very happy to oblige, a few clinics and doctors I contacted did not reply.

The clinics that post on the forum are not recommended by me. They may be recommended by their patients. The results they post, plus their patient feedback will help you with your research and your choices.

There has very recently been a very vocal poster who has been making insinuations and causing controversy, there has been an obvious pattern to the posting style and ironically the poster has accused others of having an agenda. As the poster is anonymous I make no judgement to whom it may be but with the comments made about freedom of speech, free forums/sponsors and censorship there is an obvious correlation to the posting and my discussions with clinics/doctors for the future of the forum. I was waiting to hear back from some other clinics before I announced this but now its done.

I want everyone to know that this forum was made for the people, the hair loss sufferers to help them research. I was a repair patient myself and feel strongly that it is important people can find quality information, discuss in a educated manner and make up their own minds. Again, I thank all the people that have positively contributed to HLE, it is your forum and I simply want to make it better for you and the hair loss community.

 

[Sparky]

I think you do a great job with this forum, forgetting about recent posts, this is the only Hairloss forum that I feel I can post on without having an arguement.

 

[bullitnut]

Sparky wrote:

I think you do a great job with this forum,

I agree well done BM, this sponsership should make the forum better....... which is a great thing as it will continue to thrive and help more and more hairloss sufferers find solutions and support for their own situation. ¬b`

 

[martinvain]

If it helps you cover the bills and continues to help more and more people get a good hair transplant then obviously it is a good thing.

My only concern, and it is a hypothetical one, is the sponsorship from clinics brings with it censorship. This is a problem which is alleged to be present in other sponsored forums so it would not be impossible.

Are there any safeguards that should a patient receive an unstatisfactory transplant or aftercare etc. from a sponsoring clinic that the patient will be allowed, as present, to raise the issue on the forum? Obviously the complaint would have to be aired in the correct manner with the clinics right of reply respected.

My concern is that when you take someone elses money in life you end up having to conform a little or a lot depending on the conditions and situation. I hope this doesn;t happen.

 

[Bigmac]

If a genuine patient has cause to post it will not be removed and i will work with the patient and clinic to try and resolve the issue whatever it may be. One thing you need to remember is there`s a fine line between expectations not met and an unsatisfactory result.

sponsor of the site doesn't mean protection,it simply means they help to maintain the site because obviously for them it is a good place to be seen and as you said,as long as dealt with in the correct manner the patient always have the right to post.I have not stopped in the past or in the future.If someone has an obvious agenda that is different and I want the site to remain no different in that,fair and responsible posting to help people get balanced education and research so they can make up their own mind and not feel either pressured or that mind games are going on.

Hope that answers your query.

Also i`d like to thank all for the kind and supportive comments.

 

[mars]

Best forum by along way,you had to get sponsorship sometime its a credit to you that you went two yrs without it,very generous!!

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks Mars.

 

[zionaxel]

It is the best hair forum and has most likely saved countless people from going to shit Doctors only to get butchered.Nice one Big Mac you have done a great job and the help from the sponsors can only better the site.

Anyone can see this is a genuine site with no hidden agenda , its purpose is to help.

 

[Bigmac]

Cheers Zion,i`m pleased its helped so many.

 

[georgehairline]

martinvain wrote:

If it helps you cover the bills and continues to help more and more people get a good hair transplant then obviously it is a good thing.

My only concern, and it is a hypothetical one, is the sponsorship from clinics brings with it censorship. This is a problem which is alleged to be present in other sponsored forums so it would not be impossible.

Are there any safeguards that should a patient receive an unstatisfactory transplant or aftercare etc. from a sponsoring clinic that the patient will be allowed, as present, to raise the issue on the forum? Obviously the complaint would have to be aired in the correct manner with the clinics right of reply respected.

My concern is that when you take someone elses money in life you end up having to conform a little or a lot depending on the conditions and situation. I hope this doesn;t happen.

Thankyou for at least thinking about this and airing your views as I have. Hopefully all will be well and the forum will remain a good source for yaers to come.

 

[Nervousnelly]

I have always been vocal about what I see on the forums. This has been a great forum and it certainly has helped hundreds or thousands avoid going to physicians with a less than stellar track record. So far it has remained unbias and I suspect that it will continue to do so in the future. It was just a matter of time that Bigmac needed to get some financial help to maintain the growth of the site. Kudos to his efforts.

Keep in mind people that he did not have to make an announcement that the site does now have sponsorship. He did so in an effort to be open and honest about what transpires on this site. It is and continues to be the best source for nonbiased presentation of the best HT physicians in the world. I expect that it will continue to be this way.

NN

 

[Sparky]

Best Hairloss forum on the net imho. No bias just people trying to help one another.....for the most part

 

[martinvain]

Out of interest, would you ever go for a HT in the UK Sparky?

 

[Sparky]

Not again no, would you?

 

[martinvain]

If it saved me money on medical insurance.

 

[Sparky]

hahaha

 

[Bigmac]

Sparky wrote:

Best Hairloss forum on the net imho. No bias just people trying to help one another.....for the most part

Cheers Sparky.

 

[topccat29]

Everyone needs to make a living and many of us aspire to always do better and that includes financially. This is what makes part of living worthwhile, setting a goal, achieving it and helping others along the way. Too many neglect this aspect of helping others along the way and doing good towards their fellow human being. They don €™t understand that you can be honest, open and do the right thing, while still being successful in business. I think you have done more than your part to help others along the way, so for that you should be commended.

It can be such a fine line to distinguish a patient who has had a very bad experience and their story needing a place to be told and a patient that is overly critical and just hard to please. You have done a wonderful job from what I have seen during my time on the forum.

We all have our views, some stronger than others. Who is the best doctor, which clinic is the best and what type of procedure reigns supreme. It €™s nice to have a place to air them. It gives others the opportunity to hear these views and decide for themselves what is fact and what is fiction. They have a chance to learn from others that genuinely want to help.

Thank you for the forum and I wish you the best of success.

 

[bullitnut]

topccat29 wrote:

We all have our views, some stronger than others. Who is the best doctor, which clinic is the best and what type of procedure reigns supreme. It €™s nice to have a place to air them. It gives others the opportunity to hear these views and decide for themselves what is fact and what is fiction. They have a chance to learn from others that genuinely want to help.

best paragraph ive read in ages....completely agree well said TC

 

[Dr. A s Clinic]

Can u imagine? Sometimes I really wonder. In any other speciality you will not have to search for a clinic worldwide. For all other specialities there are scores of good, qualified specialists in all towns. What gives in HT?