Hello, my name is Campbell and I'm based in the UK. I've been researching a surgeon in Bruselles, and two in Manchester, Uk (Dr Farjo and Mr Shahmalak).

It's been determined I need 5000 grafts over two sessions (with approx 4-6 month gap). Strip surgery. I'm a horse-shoe shape that a National hunt race horse would be proud of!!

I've been for an initial meeting with Mr Shahmalek in Harley St, London (who is also a practising NHS surgeon in NW England), has his clinic CROWNCLINIC in Manchester and has been a guest speaker on a number of occasions with the IHRS, of which he is a member).

I'm very close to making a decision (I cannot afford the visits to the US, so am looking closer to home).

Has anyone here had any direct experience with Mr Shahmalek and any feedback to give please, as I really want to get this one right.

Thanks in advance Gents, Regards, Campbell.

Hey Campbell,

If you have to stay in the UK, I'd go with the Farjo's.

Have you compared the prices between the USA and the options that are closer to home?

When I was researching for my transplant, it was cheaper to travel to the USA or Canada for a transplant than it was to visit a clinic closer to home - even after travel and accommodation costs. Some clinics will also pay for your hotel and a large percentage of the flight costs.

But yeah, if you decide to stay in the UK - I'd stick to the Farjo's.

P.S. also, a clinic over the water will be to do the 5000 grafts in 1 session, which I'm sure will save you a lot.

Hi Campbell, Welcome aboard.

I can't say i have come across anyone who has had work done by the Dr you mention and i can't say i know anything of him. If you only want to stay in the UK due to the cost of travelling to the US or Canada then see the Farjo clinic for a consult also who also reside in Manchester. Get a feel for them and maybe enquire if they know of the other Doc you mentioned - they may be more familiar with his work.

Maxy is correct though that some clinics offer travel discounts and accommodation and many often give patients more grafts than they pay for making the overall cost of surgery cheaper than you initially expect.

quote:

P.S. also, a clinic over the water will be to do the 5000 grafts in 1 session, which I'm sure will save you a lot.

This is not necessarily true due to the fact that very FEW patients actually have 5000 grafts available in one session due to their own individual donor density / laxity. Classic example of this is "Tubs" who only wanted one session and wanted as many grafts as possible (4500+ ideally) in one session. He could only SAFELY have 3500+ grafts removed without hindering further sessions or causing excessive scaring. Sometimes it's just NOT physically possible to hit 4500+ in one session based on the individuals own variables - not safely anyway.

Hi, Welcome aboard.

I can't say i have come across anyone who has had work done by the Dr you mention and i can't say i know anything of him. If you only want to stay in the UK due to the cost of travelling to the US or Canada then see the Farjo clinic for a consult also who also reside in Manchester. Get a feel for them and maybe enquire if they know of the other Doc you mentioned - they may be more familiar with his work.

Maxy is correct though that some clinics offer travel discounts and accommodation and many often give patients more grafts than they pay for making the overall cost of surgery cheaper than you initially expect.

quote:

P.S. also, a clinic over the water will be to do the 5000 grafts in 1 session, which I'm sure will save you a lot.

This is not necessarily true due to the fact that very FEW patients actually have 5000 grafts available in one session due to their own individual donor density / laxity. Classic example of this is "Tubs" who only wanted one session and wanted as many grafts as possible (4500+ ideally) in one session. He could only SAFELY have 3500+ grafts removed without hindering further sessions or causing excessive scaring. Sometimes it's just NOT physically possible to hit 4500+ in one session based on the individuals own variables - not safely anyway.

Thanks Gents for your timely feedback I've been in contact with Dr Feller and H&W too a few month's ago (having been a passive spectator in here and found endless amounts of really useful information).
Even with the current economy and the UK Pound to Dollar relationship, the USA is 'still' (sadly) out of my pocket reach, for now. And that's why I'm looking at UK or 'this side' of Europe.
I was very impressed by Mr Shahmalak when I had a consultation with him, and my hair is dark and dense where I do have it, so I seem to be a good candidate for HT. But for my own peace of mind, I wanted to find out 'more' about his procedures and their outcomes from client's who have already been through his doors. And it is slightly worrying that no-one has heard of him now...
Maybe with time, some folk will read this and come through
Thanks guys. Campbell.

quote:

This is not necessarily true due to the fact that very FEW patients actually have 5000 grafts available in one session due to their own individual donor density / laxity. Classic example of this is "Tubs" who only wanted one session and wanted as many grafts as possible (4500+ ideally) in one session. He could only SAFELY have 3500+ grafts removed without hindering further sessions or causing excessive scaring. Sometimes it's just NOT physically possible to hit 4500+ in one session based on the individuals own variables - not safely anyway.

Yeah, sorry Campbell. I was just assuming that due to your virgin scalp and the fact that the other 2 clinics estimated 5000 grafts in 2 sessions all would be fine.

It is not guaranteed a clinic abroad will be able to do the 5000 grafts in one session due to issues Spex has pointed out, however, there is a good chance (where as a clinic in the UK hasn't attempted a session of that size, atleast they haven't yet to my knowledge but the Farjos' have came close).

That's ok, it all helps me make an informed decision, so I really appreciate all of your replies, thanks. Campbell.

Something I should have done at the beginning, was post the current website for this Gentleman, and it's called Crown Cosma Clinic in Manchester. But I'm going to ask around (as I've been in correspondence with Mick from Farjo's).

http://www.crownclinic.co.uk/

I will be honest - and with all due respect to the Doc but the flashing "£300 discount" if you book now thing - speaks volumes to me. This is only my opinion.

Well, I'm giving the guy the benefit of the doubt on that one (I know where you're coming from - as it is gimmicky/cheesey, ie: For One Night Only!!! etc).

But if he is just relatively new to the HT scene and with the economy is such dire straits, I'm assuming (rightly or wrongly) that he's having to build up his initial client base somehow, until his reputation in HT is established. It's a difficult one...

Then again, I might be very naive on this and totally off the mark, hence the reasons why I'm reaching out to the more experienced client base and professionals on this forum.

If I was you I would research alot longer before coming to any conclusions because their are extremes in the results of HT and the U.K has a well earned reputation for bad HT apart from 1 clinic already mentioned.You are correct in saying every doc must build a portfolio of work and get their reputation (good or bad) but why "risk" it if you can get a doc with a good reputation and proven work where the odds are then in your favour.Personally I dont care how nice and polite a doc is because that dosent mean a good result and there is no recourse after it is done.Online reputation is everything these days.If it is about money you should wait until its not a problem.

Those are wise and welcome words and I'm really taking that on board. And 'yes' finances do play a part in my decision making at this stage of my life. The research continues...

Hey again Campbell,

Would you mind sharing the prices quoted by each clinic?

Well, you can find the costings by approaching each surgeon for your own individual needs.


In my own personal case, based on strip surgery, and based on 5000 grafts over two sessions:

Dr's Farjo, I believe (Mick is to confirm this with me) would be around £14,000 GBP in total.
Dr Devroye, around £10,760 (I'm converting from Euros).
Dr Shahmalak would be £8000.

But, as this site has shown, it's not a good deal if you end up with a hatchett job, so thorough research is a 'must.' Just like a dog isn't just for Xmas, well neither is a hair transplant! So the jury's still out on this one.

Have you considered Dr. Feriduni? It may worth getting a price from his clinic.

And BHR, Mwamba and other clinics in the area if you are able to travel to Belgium

Last year BHR charged 3 Euro per graft but as Spex said, it's worth checking all your options.

Hi there i have a proceedure with Mr shahmalak in 2008, but he was working on behalf of transform. The reuslts were very poor. thick scaring and not much growth in grafted areas. i had to go to another clinic last month,to have the scar reopend and closed correctly and more hair transplants. My results second time round so far are much better. im still witing for hair to grow but scar is alot less noticable. Mr Shahmalak is only intrested in your mo beacause when i went back to him regarding my concerns he told me my scar looked good, even though everyone else, including the actuall clinic said it looked awfull. Please dont use him. if you wish to have your HT done in london use nuhart, Dr wolf. thats who i used second time round and i am so far much more satisfied.
all the best for the future

(Testimonial removed due to failure to respond to why Rokkstarr is sharing an IP address with another poster also claiming to be a satisfied patient of this clinic)

Hey Rokkstarr,

Dr. Shahmalak is pretty much unknown on this forum, it would be good to see an example of his work if you wouldn't mind posting some photos and information from your transplant.