I was just wondering what the average costs per graft is. I recently had a consultation with Dr. Ziering, located in newport beach, CA and it was priced at $7 for the first 1200, and $4 after that. Is that high or about average? I know the saying is "you get what you pay for," but what do top doctors charge? Also, does anyone know if Dr. Ziering is a good qualified doctor?

From what I've reserarched, It's around $4.00/graft, even by the top docs. A lot of the top docs will charge $4/graft for the first 2000 or so, then even less for every graft after that, like $2/graft. Some docs even throw in some free grafts or will "dicker" on the price a little. I'm not sure as far as exact numbers, because every doc price varies. But I will tell you that $7/graft for strip is high IMO. Also, is Dr. Ziering employed by MHR? If so, I would be very cautious. They are charging more so they can pay for all of their advertising.

It averages out to about $3-4 for strip.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a doctor in the Southern California region? Preferably Orange County, but Los Angeles and San Diego works too.

USCMan,

You seriously do not want to let geography be a factor for you. The best doctors are available in the US/Canada so I would research these forums and results and go to the doctor you think is the best. I flew all the way from the UK for my HT to go with the doctor who I thought was the best in the world for me. You should do the same, $7 per graft is very expensive and is at least $2 more than what you would pay per graft for the best surgeons in the world. The only people I know to charge that much are hair mills run by sub-par doctors, this high price is a necessity to pay for their commission based sales and expensive marketing campaigns.

I paid $3.23 per graft for 3000 FUT on July 10th and 11th of 2006 with Dr. Brad Limmer in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Limmer is a coalition member on this site.

I paid $2.00 a graft with Nuhart in Atlanta Georgia ..got 2173 grafts..It was worth the flight.I checked alot of other places first..I have learned that, in getting a hair transplant its a jungle out there..everyone trying to get as much money as they can from you..There is also a Dr in California named Richard Ochs that will do $2 a grafts with 10% off for travel. He has been doing it for many years and uses blades not needles.

quote:

Originally posted by Lon:
There is also a Dr in California named Richard Ochs that will do $2 a grafts with 10% off for travel. He has been doing it for many years and uses blades not needles.

what do u mean, he uses blades not needles? was your ht done w/needles?

Yes mine was done with needles. There are recommended surgeons from this site that also use needles..Limmer, Lehr, ect. Most say its not so much of an issue of using needle or blades, but the skills used to use them.Its just that i hear blades cause less trauma and shock loss.

quote:

Originally posted by Lon:
. Most say its not so much of an issue of using needle or blades, but the skills used to use them..

who are these "most" that you refer to?

Look under search on this website and you will see discussions on this topic. "Most" are the people I have talked too about it..Surgeons and other informed patients

USCMan,
The price range I have come across after talking to some of the most talked about surgeons on this blog is around $4.00 to $6.00
for the first 2000 grafts and $3.00 to $4.00
for 2000+ grafts. Hope it helps.

USCalum!

Apparently needles are used by some, and blades by others, but I have heard that where there is existing hair, needles can cause less trama to existing hair.

I'd be interested to hear others comment on this.

mark h

7$ for a graft? Seems kind of steep to me.

Don't get ripped off...its much less, unless you like throwing money out the window, for which I will be waiting below.

Use the top docs as a guide.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark H:
Apparently needles are used by some, and blades by others, but I have heard that where there is existing hair, needles can cause less trama to existing hair.

I'd be interested to hear others comment on this.

mark h

Of course, it will always ultimately come down to the physician's skill, but this is true. For instance, Dr. Cooley used needles to make the incisions in my forelock between the existing hairs. It's impossible to ever say if one doesn't have positively NO shock loss, but if I did it certainly wasn't noticeable.

You can see the incisions that I am talking about from my first procedure on my hair loss weblog .

-Robert

Thx for that Robert. BTW, I really enjoyed reading your very thorough blog.

mark h

Yes..to use blades or not to use blades ..that is the question that is of debate...

USCMan,

Welcome to our forum. You've already gotten some great advice from other members in the above posts.

I just want to state that in my opinion Dr. Ziering is to be avoided at all costs (regardless of price). He was formerly with MHR and churned out several patients a day until opening up his own mini mill in Southern California. His PR machine has garnered him plenty of media glitz, including "Extreme Makeover". But those who know the real story are not fooled by this Hollywood buzz.

From information I've gathered from former MHR employees, reputable surgeons, and Dr. Ziering patients - I highly advise you to consider another clinic for your hair restoration. Nuhart also has a history of poor patient satisfaction.

Those who know my posts over the years know that I rarely post negative comments. But I couldn't in good concience not comment given what I know.

Stick to physicians with a proven track record of outstanding results and you'll not only get great results but fair pricing. Ironically some of the most talented and ethical surgeons are also the lowest priced - go figure.

Hey Pat,

This forum wields some power with respect to HT doctor's reputations, and I'm impressed with how responsibly it is used. The best doctors seem to realize that too.

The point is to find, and help others find the best doctor, and get the best advice, right?

There's a whole other site for complaining, and discussion of lawsuits and such, and I'm glad it exists too, but its just as well that the two are separate.

On a related note, since its been early days for me here, I've taken my concerns about this and that into private discussions. However, although I always get responses in the public forum, my private messages get answered only about half the time.

I'm wondering if many people just don't see, or aren't aware that there is a private area?

Finally, as a sysop on a discussion board myself, I'm well aware of discussion board limitations, but is it possible to inclue hair blog links in a person's profile?

Many times I read a post and think, "hey that guy's pretty sharp, I wonder if he has a hair blog". But when I click on his name, his profile says nothing about it, and I have to hunt around.

Maybe its there and I don't see it, but if not it would be a good add.

mark h