See here for different parts of your journey, like first discovery, making peace, and self-treatments for hair loss. If you find yourself here at this step during your journey, then you’re at least looking for more information and gathering your options.
Most of the time, when we choose a general doctor, it is based on the availability of the doctor and whether or not they take our insurance. And if we go to a clinic, we usually take an appointment with the first available doctor out of several who work there. If you live in a small town, there may only be one doctor so the choice is already made for you.
When it comes to seeing a specialist, the same is normally true as well. The doctor performing a procedure is usually chosen by the hospital or clinic based on their schedule or who may be on call during that shift. We put our trust in the clinic’s ability to hire good doctors, and then we cross our fingers, hoping it turns out well.
But with hair restoration, you have the choice. Much like any elective surgery, you will need to do the legwork of finding out which doctors meet your criteria. You’re not alone, because 7-13 million people chose to undergo surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2021. It’s likely they did their homework first beforehand. Here are some pointers that may guide you in your search.
How Much Experience?
Everyone has a first day on the job. A new surgeon doesn’t mean they’re a bad surgeon at all. It simply means it’s too soon to tell, and they have yet to face challenges and the opportunities to be tested. Surgery, elective or not, is not the best field to learn by being tossed in the fire to see how you perform.
A surgeon who has been on the job for a decade, however, has seen just about every challenge and remains in business because all the obstacles have been overcome. The workflow is down pat, the results are solid, and there is more time for a personal approach where a client’s questions can be answered by the surgeon, instead of someone else on staff.
What About Word of Mouth?
Asking others about hair transplants is not quite the same as asking about a product. We’re more likely to ask someone’s opinion (or even post the question on social media) about a restaurant recommendation for Mexican food, for example. While you don’t mind if everyone knows you eat chimichangas, you are likely not as forthcoming with sharing that you’d like to get a hair transplant. Most of us are trying to recover what Mother Nature has shorted us and we don’t care for the world to know our secret. Premature hair loss has always had a social stigma attached to it for some reason, although it’s out of our control.
Thankfully, people are more willing to share now than in the past, and word of mouth can come from close friends, co-workers, or family members who are proud of their results that have made them feel better about themselves. It has turned more into a badge of honor than with previous generations.
You’re Not a Number
Modern medical offices have changed in the past couple of decades. When you visit the doctor, you are more likely going to be seen by the “next available doctor,” regardless of whether or not it’s the same person you saw last time or the time before. Offices now resemble an assembly line for the sake of efficiency and seeing the most patients possible in a given day. This turns out to be convenient for the practice, but not for the individual seeking treatment. We end up explaining our medical situation over and over to new faces, and it is beyond frustrating.
Additionally, there are offices where the technicians perform 100% of the procedure instead of the doctor. This may be cheaper, but is illegal.
Your procedure will be performed by my staff and me at my office. I do not share an office with other doctors for several reasons. I can transplant hair professionally, but I cannot transfer my knowledge and experience to another doctor/partner. There is no crossing the fingers hoping to see Dr. Williams. You will see me without any luck playing a part.
Price Shopping
In the area of hair transplants, there is almost always a direct correlation between price and the level of satisfaction. If the price is higher, it usually means the office simply has the most up-to-date equipment and training. There are not many who would be able to survive in the industry if they had high prices accompanied by terrible reviews or bad word of mouth. They would cease to bring in new business and would eventually have to close up shop.
The most costly options in a given city are usually ones with very high office rent located in a wealthy part of the city, with overly expensive furniture designed for clients who don’t mind paying more. Some people end up paying double to be serviced by a “celebrity” doctor or to be picked up in a limo, but the results are rarely the same or better than an experienced and well-reviewed doctor. In other words, sitting on a designer sofa in the waiting room may be nice for the short amount of time spent on it, but is it worth paying double when it has nothing to do with the actual procedure and success?
On the flip side, there is no “Amazon Choice” or “Made in China” option to save a few dollars on. Trust me that no one says, “I went to get my hair transplant at that new place that was $100 cheaper.” It’s not a thing. That would be a high-risk, low-reward experience if you gambled on something this important. You will find the best reviewed offices are not boutique and are not high discount, but ones with doctors who are experienced and have the results to show.
The Best Advice
Be wary of those who advertise like some mattress stores. You know the ones—”This week only, going out of business, low prices.” Those stores have usually been there for years with the same bright signage and cheap tricks. An office advertising extremely low rates is forced to see many more clients in a day to recuperate costs, and the results will likely appear rushed as well.
The time for clipping coupons is at the grocery store, never for medical procedures. Please take your time with this very important life decision, and do not be swayed by flashy marketing. More often than not, you truly get what you pay for. If you have any questions about hair restoration or hair loss or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Stay tuned to this series, where we’ll cover other moments in the journey:
- Transplant Expectations…
- Transplant Preparation…
- Transplant Procedure Day…
- After-Procedure Care and Timeline…
- Your New Look; Your Next Chapter…
