Hair Transplant Surgery :: Importance of Consultation

Additional Topics:

-	Limited role of scalp reductions
-	Use of Propecia/Rogaine
-	Transition from a hairpiece to hair transplants
-	Temple area transplantation
-	Trans-gender Transplantation
-	About Donor Scars

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60 Railroad Place Suite 102 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: 518-581-1872 Toll Free: 1-800-281-9198
e-mail: saratogahair@spa.net

Importance of the Consultation in Hair Transplant Surgery

The consultation can truly be called the most important step in the whole hair transplant process. It is at this time that a bond of trust is established between the patient and the physician. In this 30-40 minute interview, the patient has a chance to compare a particular hair surgeon with the others he or she may have met with. During this exchange between surgeon and patient a relationship of trust and confidence is hopefully established which will serve as the basis for whatever work lies ahead. Also, at this time the patient’s expectations are explored by the physician, who must determine whether or not those expectations are realistic, achievable, and wise considering the age and amount of donor hair that particular patient has.

Dr. Beehner with patient

Consultations are conducted entirely by either Dr. Beehner or Dr. Pawlinga. We have no “consultants” or sales persons, and we also do not charge for these visits. In addition to our Saratoga Springs office, Drs. Beehner and Pawlinga conduct consultations in Newburgh, New York (around 45 minutes north of NYC) and in Syracuse, New York every 4-6 weeks for those living closer to those sites.

During the course of the consultation, the physician takes a medical and hair-loss history, and then carefully examines the patient’s scalp. For some “borderline” patients with very early hair loss and for all females, we use a new computerized 30x power hand-held magnifier which is transmitted to a computer screen placed right in front of the patient and physician. He then uses a laser pointer to point out any “miniaturized” hairs that might be present and the quality of the donor hair.

Several important things are examined for and recorded during this examination, which will bear on whether or not to accept that patient for hair restoration surgery, and what types of grafts will work best:

a) The age of the patient;
b) The color of the hair and amount of contrast the hair possesses when viewed against the skin;
c) The "characteristics" of the hair (Fine or coarse? Straight or curly?)
d) The amount of donor hair that exists in relation to the balding area, both now and – more importantly – in the future.

During the consultation, time is taken to show photos of 25-45 patients with a pattern of hair loss similar to that of the patient, so that he or she can get a realistic idea of the quality of results that are possible in our hands.

(to see enlarged view of transplant patients click the desired photo)
37 y/o male before surgery	After 4 sessions

When the consultation is over, assuming Dr. Beehner or Dr. Pawlinga think the patient is a good candidate for transplantation, a thorough plan is written out, which lists the number of sessions that will be necessary, the approximate number of grafts that will be necessary (with a breakdown of the types of grafts to be used), the time intervals between sessions, and the exact cost for each procedure. Our consultations are very low-key. There is no need to hurry into any decision. You should only do it when and if you are certain it is the right thing for you, and the expense of doing hair transplant procedures will not unbalance your financial well-being in any way. The patient is usually encouraged to visit at least a couple of other hair transplant doctors before deciding, so that he chooses the practice that he feels most comfortable with. We also make it clear that we will make no follow-up calls or send any letters to pressure the patient in any way. If the patient should decide later on to choose us to perform his or her transplant procedures, they simply call us at that time and set up the first session.

We want each patient to be happy with his or her transplanted hair. We feel that can only happen when the results we can realistically achieve match closely with what the patient is expecting and wants. When this happens, we have the beginning of a happy, life-long relationship, one in which mutual trust and friendship are at the core.