Hi,

I am based in Bangalore. I fall under the level 2 hair loss category ( receding M shaped hair loss at the front and thinning hair at the crown). My father is bald, he has hair only on the sides and the back of the head, so I knew that it would not be long before I also started losing hair. I am only 23 years old, so its getting on my psyche seeing this. I used to have long hair in college which friends used to say that really looked good on me. The hair loss started as soon as I passed out and got into a job( maybe it was the stress which quickened the process)

On September 19th 2009, I booked an appointment at Dr. Venkat Charmalaya Hospital at Cunningham Road, Bangalore. I was charged a consultation fee of Rs 350. I went to meet the doctor and I am not really sure of what the doctor's name is. I was not sure if the doctor was Mr. Venkatraman Mysore.

The doctor took a look at me and told me what kind of hair loss treatment I was looking for. He said

Doctor: Are you looking for a hair transplant or just retaining your current hair. You have what is described generally as the male pattern baldness.

Me: I am looking at a hair transplant, but after transplant, will the non-transplanted hair fall off?

Doctor: Ok, we charge about Rs 35 per graft and it seems you need around 1300 grafts, so it would cost you around 45000 Rs. After treatment, you would need to keep on taking medication to retain your hair.

Me: hmm..how much will the medication cost me?

Doctor: The medication will cost you around Rs 350-400 per month. I quickly calculated it to be around 4000 - 4500 per month.
Me: Will I need to take the medication for a life time?

Doctor: You would need to take it as long as you wish to retain your hair. Most people take the medication until they get married at which point they stop caring if they have hair or not. ( we both share a laugh, the reply was almost as if many people have asked him, so he had an answer prepared.)

Me: If I choose to go for the operation, when will the operation take place and for how long?

Doctor: We have a waiting period of one month, so if you schedule it now, you can be operated after a month.

Me ( after a few seconds): I will think about it and get back to you.

Doctor: Sure...speak to the receptionist about your decision. Meanwhile, the doctor took my name and gave me a prescription which consisted of Finpecia, Folliperm and a shampoo called Scalpe.

I thought it was a bit of a exaggeration by the doctor to make it seem as if getting operated at that place would have a long waiting period, indirectly meaning to say many people are going for it at their place.

Whole throughout, the doctor had an attitude of "Take It or Leave It, it dont really matter to me". I think I like that attitude because it really conveys a message of being not money-minded. This might even be the doctor's persona itself, I am not really sure.

I have been using the tablets regularly for a month and I cant really say about their results. One thing is sure that I am going for a transplant, I am expecting a price range of around 40-60k, if I am frugal for a couple of months, I think I should have enough money.

Anyway, today 31st October 2009, I am going to meet Dr. Sridhara Reddy at Pioneer Hair Clinic for his opinion as well.

Definitely definitely DO NOT GO THERE.

Do not be a fool and choose a substandard clinic that may either give you terrible scars, lost donor or horrible plugs.

We have so many doctors in the coalition by now, that you are bound to find one if not in your country, your part of the world.

Do not let distance be the deciding factor (been there, done that)

You should probably research on Dr. Mohmand Humayun and Dr. Damkerng Pathomvanich which are based in Pakistan and Thailand respectively.

I don't know who this doctor is or whether he's any good, but there's nothing contained in your summary of the conversation which raises any red flags. It's good that you're shopping around though. It's vital that you choose a doctor based on reputation rather than convenience.

Sleepingphantom, it is perfectly normal for a decent doctor to have a month's (or several months') waiting period. Also, there's nothing wrong with the doctor having an attitude of "Take It or Leave It, it dont really matter to me." Believe me, you should prefer a doctor with this kind of an attitude rather than a desperate "sales-pressure" one.

IMO, you should focus more on the results achieved by the doctor. Ask for detailed pictures of his patients' before/after pictures. Also, ask him if you can meet any of his patients in person.

It is also a good idea to shop around and compare doctors. So it's good you're talking to this other doctor. Do a thorough research, and then decide as to which doctor is most likely to help you reach your goals.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by mattj:
I don't know who this doctor is or whether he's any good, but there's nothing contained in your summary of the conversation which raises any red flags. It's good that you're shopping around though. It's vital that you choose a doctor based on reputation rather than convenience.

I don't see a red flag either, i might have misread parts of it the first time, but in all honesty we have so many coalition doctors - why gamble?