Hair transplants. Blackrock Clinic Vs DMI Vs surgeons outside Ireland Vs other option

Gerry Rio

Id imagine like a few on here the male pattern baldness is starting to get to me and I was wondering who have used what on here and how did it go for you?

Blackrock Clinic: www.hrbr.ie

Perhaps the best known one in Ireland? They certainly did a great job on Louie Walsh but I wont be spending 30 grand with them for those kind of results

DHI: www.dhi.ie

In Ireland Im leaning towards these based on price compared to Blackrock. From some research so far it looks like they are at least half the price.

Surgeons outside Ireland: There's apparently a surgeon in Spain doing work for 10k that would cost 30k here. Anyone? I need to research this more.

Other option: Anywhere else/any other hair loss solutions you've found to have worked?

Not interested in wig solutions like Northwest Lace or Toplace as they dont always look great and it is still a wig regardless if it does.

Not interested in Rogaine as the list of side effects it has is ridiculous and needs monthly top ups.

And not interested in hairloss drugs either such as Propecia because their side effects potential are downright scary. How they are still given out willy nilly is surprising. I dont think we're allowed talk about them here anyway which is good.

So gentlmen, your feedback on the above?

speedboatchase

Gerry Rio wrote: »

Id imagine like a few on here the male pattern baldness is starting to get to me and I was wondering who have used what on here and how did it go for you?

Blackrock Clinic: www.hrbr.ie

Perhaps the best known one in Ireland? They certainly did a great job on Louie Walsh but I wont be spending 30 grand with them for those kind of results

DHI: www.dhi.ie

In Ireland Im leaning towards these based on price compared to Blackrock. From some research so far it looks like they are at least half the price.

Don't get it done in Ireland. The best surgeons (and you'll find this from looking at results from the Hair Loss Talk forum and Hair Restoration Network) are in Belgium, Turkey, US, Canada. In Ireland you'll be charged a crazy amount and some places still only perform FUT surgery, rather than the more modern FUE.

Gerry Rio wrote: »

Surgeons outside Ireland: There's apparently a surgeon in Spain doing work for 10k that would cost 30k here. Anyone? I need to research this more.

This isn't unusual. If I recall correctly, HRBR is 10eur per graft. The two most recommended surgeons in Turkey, Dr Erdogan and Dr Doganay, are 2.5eur and 2.eur per graft respectively. Full dislosure: I have surgery booked with Dr Doganay next month. Fingers crossed it turns out OK.

Gerry Rio wrote: »

Other option: Anywhere else/any other hair loss solutions you've found to have worked?

Not interested in wig solutions like Northwest Lace or Toplace as they dont always look great and it is still a wig regardless if it does.

Not interested in Rogaine as the list of side effects it has is ridiculous and needs monthly top ups.

And not interested in hairloss drugs either such as Propecia because their side effects potential are downright scary. How they are still given out willy nilly is surprising. I dont think we're allowed talk about them here anyway which is good.

So gentlmen, your feedback on the above?

I have experienced side effects with Propecia and actually had to get gynecomastia surgery. Not fun. As for minoxidil, there really aren't any side effects to worry about on any major level and if you want to have a hair transplant, you'll need to be on at least one of minoxidil or finasteride.

In general though, do a lot of research on the forums I mentioned, budget what you want to spend and see whose results impress you most. Stick with Europe though and take a look at the likes of Dr Bisanga, Dr De Reyes, Dr Rahal, and the Turkish doctors I mentioned.

Simon2015

When it comes to disclosing Propecia's side effects HRBR seem to be economical with the truth.

Compare what Dr Maurice Collins of HRBR has to say about Propecia's side effects to what Dr Andrew Rynne has to say.

Here Dr Rynne calls Propecia (Finasteride) a "dangerous toxic medication".

Wibbs

speedboatchase wrote: »

I have experienced side effects with Propecia and actually had to get gynecomastia surgery. Not fun.

:eek: No way Sbc. Did they confirm it was the medication that caused this? Bloody hell. Hope things are all back to good now for you.

Just personally speaking now with zero medical backup and not having a boat in this race, no way would I take a med that acted on the very chemical that makes me male. Not unless there were a dire medical need. It's a pill IIRC so basically goes systemic in you. If it works to save hair which even those with awful side effects say it does, why is there not a topical version which would be less systemic? Minoxidil is a vasodilator IIRC, a blood pressure drug originally, but it's topical so any side effects would be lessened. I've seen it for sale over the counter in the local chemist so it seems pretty safe.

speedboatchase

Wibbs wrote: »

:eek: No way Sbc. Did they confirm it was the medication that caused this? Bloody hell. Hope things are all back to good now for you.

Just personally speaking now with zero medical backup and not having a boat in this race, no way would I take a med that acted on the very chemical that makes me male. Not unless there were a dire medical need. It's a pill IIRC so basically goes systemic in you. If it works to save hair which even those with awful side effects say it does, why is there not a topical version which would be less systemic? Minoxidil is a vasodilator IIRC, a blood pressure drug originally, but it's topical so any side effects would be lessened. I've seen it for sale over the counter in the local chemist so it seems pretty safe.

No idea, but where I live (Middle East) I got examined and was told I had 'pseudogynecomastia' - no breast tissue but irregular build up fatty deposits around my chest. I then went for a blood test and there was no signs of excessive oestrogen. I also had very puffy nipples, which I hadn't had before. I had the surgery - laser liposuction - and to be honest, 18 months later, my chest looks better but still quite puffy and not 100% ideal. The surgery cost around 2400eur. Not sure if its all related to finasteride but I'm gonna to get re-examined next time I'm in Ireland and see what options I might have.

Seanachai

speedboatchase wrote: »

No idea, but where I live (Middle East) I got examined and was told I had 'pseudogynecomastia' - no breast tissue but irregular build up fatty deposits around my chest. I then went for a blood test and there was no signs of excessive oestrogen. I also had very puffy nipples, which I hadn't had before. I had the surgery - laser liposuction - and to be honest, 18 months later, my chest looks better but still quite puffy and not 100% ideal. The surgery cost around 2400eur. Not sure if its all related to finasteride but I'm gonna to get re-examined next time I'm in Ireland and see what options I might have.

You might find the advice is this book helpful in restoring the hormone balance without resorting to synthetic analogues. He's pretty well respected.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Testosterone-Plan-Sexual-Health/dp/1594771685/ref=la_B000APJOG6_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434445706&sr=1-11

speedboatchase

Seanachai wrote: »

You might find the advice is this book helpful in restoring the hormone balance without resorting to synthetic analogues. He's pretty well respected.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Testosterone-Plan-Sexual-Health/dp/1594771685/ref=la_B000APJOG6_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434445706&sr=1-11

Thanks, but as I said, the blood tests I did failed to indicate any hormone imbalance. Either way, I don't plan on going to that doctor and will wait till back in Ireland.

OP, sorry if I've hijacked your thread!

DudeLebowski

Why fight nature?

I know, it's a vanity thing. I'm 25 now and when I was 22 I was really paranoid about my appearance due to hair loss. But honestly dude, shave it down to the wood, grow a nice stubble on the face and wear the shaved look like you own it.

Wibbs

DudeLebowski wrote: »

Why fight nature?

We fight nature all the time. Cosmetically and medically. You're shaving your head. That's "fighting nature" too, just less extremely.

speedboatchase

DudeLebowski wrote: »

Why fight nature?

I know, it's a vanity thing. I'm 25 now and when I was 22 I was really paranoid about my appearance due to hair loss. But honestly dude, shave it down to the wood, grow a nice stubble on the face and wear the shaved look like you own it.

If someone can afford to 'fight nature', and it's not harming anyone, they should go for it. By the way, technically vaccinations, IVF, hearing aids and all sorts of non-cosmetic breakthroughs are fighting nature. I'm getting the operation next month because I've always had hair, and I want to continue looking like me. I've absolutely no interest at any point in changing my face through a nose job or botox etc, but I'd like to keep my hair if I can and be recognisable, while looking my best.

I hear the whole 'just shave it!' argument quite a bit online but it doesn't suit everyone and depends on how your head and ears frame your face - for every Jason Statham there's a Moby, and on what you said about stubble, from an Irish perspective it doesn't help that many of us have random red facial hair too!

Mokuba

Rogaine or Minoxidil is has minimal if any side effects for 99 percent of people who take it - the list definitely isn't ridiculous.

Once you start minoxidil you will need to keep taking it as if you stop any positives that minoxidil/rogaine brought will be gone.

Minoxidil only really has an effect on the crown area - hairline improvements are much less common.

Gerry Rio

DudeLebowski wrote: »

Why fight nature?

I know, it's a vanity thing. I'm 25 now and when I was 22 I was really paranoid about my appearance due to hair loss. But honestly dude, shave it down to the wood, grow a nice stubble on the face and wear the shaved look like you own it.

As has been stated the bald look does not suit everyone, myself included.

There's also the fact that very short or no hair can make your face look fat, when it looked great and toned witth hair. And again Id have one of those heads and faces.

lizzyman

Gerry Rio wrote: »

As has been stated the bald look does not suit everyone, myself included.

There's also the fact that very short or no hair can make your face look fat, when it looked great and toned witth hair. And again Id have one of those heads and faces.

Very true Gerry. It's even worse if you wear glasses like myself as they seem to stick out of your face without any hair to balance it out. If I ever start going bald I think I'd give Regaine or minoxidil a go for a while and see if they work for me. If not I'd just accept it and move on. Definitely wouldn't go down the road of propecia and implants.

Edt - just happened to see some pics of myself earlier vs a few years ago my hairline has definitely started to recede at the temples. Knowing my luck it probably won't be long before I'm asking my barber for a short back and sides and a side part comb over on top