On October 8th some of the true masters of Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation came together at the Shapiro Medical Group clinic in Minnesota to exchange ideas and techniques. During the live surgery, performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro, they discussed technical issues such as how to:

•Remove a safe size donor strip, while keeping the transaction of follicles to an absolute minimum. (Dr. Robert Haber’s new “donor spreader”, which virtually eliminates transaction in the donor area was demonstrated.)

•Close and suture the donor area under minimal tension to minimize scarring of the donor area.

•Create an overlapping ledge along the suture to make the donor scar virtually undetectable.

•Use high powered magnification during the creation of graft incisions to avoid transecting existing hair follicles (even tiny velous hairs) in the recipient area.

•Use ultra tiny instruments that create minimally invasive incisions as small as 0.6 mm.

•Create incisions that are orientated (laterally and or sagitally) to achieve perfectly angled and directed hair that grows in completely natural directions.

•Carefully place microscopically trimmed follicular unit grafts into ultra tiny incisions in tight patterns, while assuring optimal grow rates.

The level of discussion and demonstration was cutting edge and gave top physicians a chance to compare notes and ideas with others at their level. Attendees later attended a dinner in downtown Minneapolis where the discussion and exchange of ideas could be continued.

To see photos of this event.

The October 8th weekend surgical workshop was sponsored by the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians and hosted by the Shapiro Medical Group.

The Coalition is at the vanguard of perfecting and providing the new minimally invasive ultra refined follicular unit grafting. This newest evolution in follicular unit grafting, while much more demanding for the clinic, is optimal for the patient and enables them to achieve rapid healing, cosmetic density in a given area after only one surgical session and completely natural hair direction. Coalition surgeons are also committed to using only the most advanced and proven methods for safely removing the donor follicles.

All members of the Coalition have demonstrated mastery at performing the new Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation with excellent results.

This free event was limited to ten attendees to maintain an intimate scale. Attendees included:

Dr. Ronald Shapiro of Minneapolis – Coalition Member and event host
Dr. Ray Konior of Chicago – Coalition Member
Dr. Jerry Cooley of Charlotte, N.C. – Coalition Member
Dr. Joseph Williams of Las Vegas – Coalition Member
Dr. Robert Dorin of New York City – Coalition Member
Dr. John Gillespie – Sponsor of the Hair Transplant Network
Dr. Vito Quatela – Sponsor of the Hair Transplant Network
Dr. Don Shepps – Invited Guest
Dr. Paul Shapiro – Invited Guest

The next Coalition Weekend Live Surgery Workshop will be hosted by Dr. Glenn Charles in Boca Raton during early February.

I just want to point out that there are physicians out there like Dr. Robert Haber (among many others) that quietly perform absolutely beautiful, ultra-refined hair restoration procedures and that care so much about their patients.

Dr. Haber's new donor spreader is just one indication of his committment to not just great results, but of absolutely natural results.

-Robert

Just wanted to say that I think these workshops are an excellent outlet for top surgeons to share and learn new techniques. This is very important for the field to be able to evolve. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know which doctors will be at the next one yet?

Guitar,

It was great to be participate in this cutting edge event and listen to the attending surgeons discuss the finer points.

The next Coalition weekend workshop is scheduled for the first of week of February and will be hosted by Dr. Glenn Charles in Boca Raton, Florida (what's left of it).

Hey Pat, I checked out all of the doctors that attended the coalition. While I can see some good results from their websites, I am concerned with Dr. Vito Quatela's work. When I looked at his website, I saw patients that had undergone scalp reductions and I only saw 1200 graft surgery's, max. As a sponser of this network, I would like to see all of our supported Dr.'s pushing the envelope in hair restoration. I hope he just needs to update his website. I will say it is great that he is attempting to learn from Dr. Shapiro, whom I hold in high regard. Perhaps you could persuade the good doctor to post some of his more recent work?

B spot,

I appreciate your input. I encourage everyone in our online community to question me and my recommendations. It's a healthy process. In some cases I have been wrong and the recommended physician was removed from our sites due to patient input.

I did visit Dr. Quatela's clinic about a month ago in New York. I had a chance to see him and his staff in action and I believe they do very solid follicular unit grafting with all grafts being trimmed under microscopes. Dr. Quatela and his staff also impressed me as being very committed to quality and patient care.

It is their interest in being the very best that led Dr. Quatela and his lead tech to fly into Minneapolis to see Dr. Shapiro and his staff in action.

I know that Dr. Quatela and his staff do intend to increase the size of sessions they provide. Given Dr. Quatela's nature and reputation for quality, in time I expect that they will prove to be Coalition material.

They also do need to update their website, as I understand that Dr. Quatela no longer does scalp surgeries.

As you know B Spot, Dr. Ron Shapiro is a very very hard act to follow. He was cutting edge when he did my first surgery over seven years ago and he remains so today. That is why he was my first choice for hosting the first Coalition Surgery workshop. We're off to a great start.

I know that Coalition physicians like Ron Shapiro are going to set the standard for the hair restoration profession for years to come.

It was fun championing the new patient friendly "follicular unit hair transplant" when it emerged in the 90's. But now with a base of great physicians and a great community of knowledgable patients, I look forward to playing a part in advancing Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Grafting. Viva la Follicle!

Thanks Pat. I appreciate your taking the time to address this for me. Sounds like the Dr. should be posting some great results soon.