Advise needed !

[Brit]

Hello all, this is my first post. I have a follow up procedure on 8/11/06 with a well known surgical practice in BH and I need some advice as I feel completely at a loss as to what to do. Here is a summary of my hair loss and treatements before my last visit to BH.

I'm 37 years old and have been loosing my hair mainly in the crown since 98. I have had 600 grafts (300x2) done at a place in Redondo Beach in 99 which was a complete waste of time. I could see some whispery hairs but it was a complete waste of money.
I decided to go to a place in BH (not the "mill") around 2001 and had a total of 1000 grafts done in two procedures which grew a little bit of hair. After that I started using Dermatch which covers it quite well. The hair loss continued and it started to thin at the front.
Around 2003 I decided to go to what I now know is refered to as the "Mill" in BH. I had two procedures of 400 per session over 12 months in the front and I saw some improvement. However the crown was still a problem.
In December 05 I went back to the "Mill" and had 800 grafts placed in the crown and 400 in the front. I'm at my wits end as I see no growth whatsoever and its now been 9 months. I went back for my 6 month follow up and I told the MD and the sales guy I wasn't at all happy with the results....basically because there wasn't any. As I mentioned I use Dermatch and even though I had washed it out they wouldn't give me a diagnosis because there were traces of it still on my scalp. The MD told me that he would like to see me after 9 months so I agreed to go back. Well, sure enough I don't see any improvement and I will go back this week. There were a couple of things that happened during the procedure that niggled me. Firstly, when they took the donor hair I was informed that they were 250 grafts short, I needed a total of 1200. The MD asked if I was happy with that or did I want the full 1200. Of course I wanted them as I had already paid so he came back to take out the rest. In the meantime I started to feel a lot of pain and even the little helpers were eager to get started but he kept them (and me) waiting as he went from procedure to procedure. Finally after about 10 hours I get out of there with the grafts in place. My questions are
1. Is there a time limit as to when the grafts should be inserted after they are harvested ?
2. What are my options when I go back ?
3. Should I demand my money back or just another procedure ?

 

[CCS]

How bald was the area and what size was it. If it was just thin but not nearly slick, and was significanly greater than 3 square inches, the 300 new hairs could easily hide in there without you noticing. Do you have before and after pictures? I'd ask the doctor for their pictures before telling them you want to sue. It is better to get as much evidence from them as you can before letting them know you are not on their side.

This is why you should only go to places that have one procedure per day, or at least a time. My doctor was in the room the whole time, except for a few breaks.

The grafts do need to be back inside soon, or could die. I don't know the time limit. My doctor does not take the whole donor strip out at once. She takes out 1-2 inch sections of 200 hours at time as sews it shut and cuts more as she goes.

10 hours is a long time for 1200 grafts. That should have taken near 7, or maybe 6. I would not be surprised if a 3 hour delay on the donor strip killed them.

You can sue for anything in this country, if you can convince a jury that you were wronged. I don't know if there are any other routes. I'd start by asking them for compensation, and then threatening to sue, and then applying for a court date and hoping they settle out of court.

 

[global]

Don't let them talk you into going back for more corrective procedures since they've already shown they can't produce results.

Talk with them a bit, like you are willing to wait/go back while you get the pictures etc from them. Then tell them you want a full refund or you will sue.

Whatever money you get back use to go to a good doctor.

 

[CCS]

totally agreed.

i did not mention this because it was off the topic off fixing the situation, but if someone left my follicles out to dry, i would be livid. but you must exercise self control and just get the pictures with a smile right now. do not threaten to sue in person. send them a letter instead.

 

[Brit]

Legally don't those pictures belong to them ? I have taken pictures myself before and periodically since then. Should I ask for compensation straight off or wait to see what they offer ? During my 6 month visit the sales guy was already indicating the MD maybe willing to repeat the procedure so I'm pretty sure if anything that will be their approach.
Which practices are recommended in the LA area ? What are the graft prices ? I paid $8500 for this procedure.....I wouldn't have paid $8.50 based on the results.

 

[Midiman]

Which practices are recommended in the LA area ?

Not many... better to travel to Arizona and look up Dr. Keene or Dr. Alexander. As far as graft prices... Dr. Keene charges $3.50 per graft over 2100. I just had a procedure with her... went very well! Good luck.