Photo Gallery
October 31, 2008
Candid shots of the NHI staff and facilities
King of the Wild Frontier
October 29, 2008
No, just his own destiny…
This is a story about a friend of mine. A former patient who, like a good number of other patients, keep in touch with us over the years. In order to retain his anonymity, I’ve called him Davy. Why Davy? Because when I first met him he somehow reminded me of ‘Davy Crockett’ Or should I say, the impression I had from being a child of an artist’s impression of how Davy Crockett was supposed to look. Sharp features, lightweight beard, dark blonde hair, pony tail. It was all there……. It could have been him!! All he needed was the famous DC hat! And at first glance, he had that too!!
You see, Davy had grown his hair very long at the front where he still had a strong front hairline. The full extent of his hair loss was from directly behind his front hairline through to his crown. He had also grown his hair very long from his crown down the back of his head.
Davy, like a good many other guys I have met over the years had developed an ingenious way of disguising his hair loss.
He would ‘insert’ his hairpiece behind his front hairline and comb the frontal hair into his hairpiece, continuing through to join the long hair he’d grown at the back.
The overall effect resembled something close to a Rastafarian style pony tail. Thick and unkempt looking which was in keeping with the style anyway. In fact if I was to describe Davy at that time, it would have been as a White Rastafarian guy with an uncanny look of Davy Crockett about him,
Naturally, his acquired hair style was time consuming and difficult to manage. As his mum will tell you, ‘he was never seen without it’. His mum used to call it his ‘rug’ and spent years trying to persuade him to discard the piece.
However, for Davy it was a major decision. Imagine going from having the ‘look’ of the proverbial ‘thick head of hair’ one day and appearing without it the next! Certainly, not ‘Our Davy’.
Often we can help our patients utilise a hairpiece and continue its use until their new hair grows through from their hair transplant but Davy’s case was a little different. He had ‘Big Hair’ and to go from that to a short hair style wasn’t an option. The only time our Davy was going to ‘go public’, so to speak, was with a full length pony-tail of his own natural growth. Davy continued to utilise his hairpiece throughout the growth periods. After each session he would replace the piece and patiently wait for hair not just to grow but to grow to length.
As I said, it was some time ago when I first met Davy. That was at the time of his having his first Choi procedure with us. Yet it took a further two procedures and a good deal of time before my good mate was finally able to make the brake.
In truth, it took a total of 3 hair transplant surgery sessions over an extdended period of time for Davy, now 40 years of age to part with his former ‘image’. As his hair loss was quite extensive it was always going to take two procedures to give him anything like the density he needed to have the confidence to remove his hairpiece but again, Davy’s case was more complex.
As one’s hair grows in length, it also grows in weight. The combination of both elements increases the propensity for the hair to separate or’ clump together’ at root level. This affect can often be seen where people plat their hair very tightly.
This action, over a progressive period of time can also cause ‘stretch alopecia’. Where bald patches are caused by pulling the hair back too tightly, Often a problem for Asian, Afro Caribbean, Latino ladies, where it’s fashionable to grow to grow their hair long and wear it tied tightly back. Although Davy hadn’t suffered from stretch alopecia to his front hairline, the sheer length and weight of his ‘contrived’ hairstyle had added to his problems. By putting additional pressure on hair that was already getting weaker from Male Pattern Baldness, Davy had accelerated his hair loss.
Transplanted hair is effectively the strongest growth on one’s head – It retains the characteristics it had in the donor area. Slightly coarser than the hair on your top scalp and stronger. It also grows at roughly twice the speed of hair it’s replacing. Theoretically, Davy could grow his pony tail down to his knee’s without risking damaging his new growth by stretching it but the hair would still separate and clump together at skin level. Which is why he opted for a third and final procedure, to ensure he had the density to compensate.
The great day arrived, early spring of 2007. His mum emailed me with the news of her son having removed his ‘rug’ as she called it, for the very first time. That at the next chance they got, they would take me up on my invitation for them to stay with us in Greece. During which time we could have the ceremony that she had suggested some years before.
So on that hot summer’s day in June 2007, we finally had our ‘Burning of the Rug’ ceremony
To onlookers the event of that day may well have resembled a scene out of a comedy sketch. In reality, only people who’ve had to deal with losing their own hair can truly understand the significance of the event itself. The sentiments expressed by Davy and his mum as he set light his ‘piece offering’ (forgive the pun) to the Greek God’s, were quite profound.
It was end of an era for Davy. The end of a time when his hair loss had literally ‘controlled’ his life. The end of a time when his self esteem and self confidence had reached their lowest ebb. Not least, the end of an almost daily drudge that took almost 2 hours of his time to complete.
As they say, you have to have ‘been there’ and ‘worn the T-shirt’ to understand the feelings of Davy’s relief to have escaped the burden of these past years. It took me back a good few years when I too used all sorts of wild and wonderful methods to disguise my own hair prior to having resolved my own hair problems with hair transplant.
It was a good day – although nobody was jumping about for joy. On the contrary, Davy and his mum kept the actual ‘ceremony’ itself quite solemn. In fact toward the end, Davy’s mum simply leaned over the ‘funeral pyre’ and uttered some strange, unintelligible words at the smoldering, burning appendage of her son’s past problems. It almost sounded like she was very quietly cursing it?
Being the lovely Lancashire lass that she is, she probably was!
Then it was down to the beach bar across the road, where the real celebrations took place.
MM September 2007.
Davy displaying the remnants of what for so long was part of his daily regime. Is it alive?
Davy asking me in disbelief, if he really did spend 6 years with this ‘thing’’ on top of his head?
Davy’s mum seemingly paying her last respects? I don’t think so!
Before & After
October 28, 2008
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Testimonials
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The first of the following testimonials is from a young Asian Doctor: It was our pleasure to have him and his charming wife as our guests recently. They managed to fill every moment of their 4 days here, visiting the Acropolis, the Plaka (the old town) and they even managed a day’s trip round three of the local islands. Naturally, our Doctor wishes to remain anonymous. However, he has voiced his willingness to talk to or meet with others privately. He can be contacted by first contacting me. TESTIMONIAL: The second testimonial is from Frank Miller. Frank too was a delight to have here. He’s not only a good bloke; he’s funny with it. He’s one of those rare individuals who wake up with a smile on their faces. His smile turned to a big grin when he looked in the mirror after his session. Frank has also expressed his wish to become one of our ‘patient’s counsellors’. He lives in Preston, Lancs, and will soon be joining our fast growing lists of people wishing to’ spread the word’ on our behalf. Frank Miller. So, the months and years of deliberating over replenishing my thinning/balding locks were finally over. I walked out from the Choi procedure August 2006 in the Athens Clinic to meet a patient awaiting treatment. Imagine my delight to find the next guy in line for treatment was a British 40-year-old general medical Practitioner eagerly anticipating a full head of hair in just a few months time? A day following our treatment and fully rested and recovered, the good doctor, his wife and myself visited the wonderful tourist sights, the Acropolis, parliament buildings, etc., followed by a lovely meal in a local restaurant, chaperoned by Jeff of Choi Clinics, an American and now local resident who guided and entertained us throughout our stay. I can only say the personal touch provided by the Choi Hair Replacement Clinic is the best, providing the most advanced treatment available anywhere in the world today, and, very important to me, the cost is considerably cheaper than in the UK. The personal touch is exemplified throughout the time spent with Choi Clinics, not least by the surgeon in Athens, Dr Fotis, who would ask repeatedly if I was comfortable, needed anything, would like the satellite/DVD movie changing throughout the procedure, and, at the end, when I asked for a drink of fresh orange juice, brought the drink himself, not a service I’ve previously experienced, either NHS or privately! Another point to mention is that, as the British doctor explained to me, unlike other hair transplant procedures, there are no problems with post-operative head swelling and black eyes, due to the length of time normally spent on a hair transplant procedure. Certainly not the experienced I had with Doctor Fotis and his medical team, as their speed, dexterity and I flew out from Manchester on Saturday with Olympic Airlines, had the Choi procedure Monday and returned home on Thursday as I quite fancied the full Athens tour. Arriving home feeling fit and well rested, thanks to Malcolm and his team, from Maria the Clinical Nurse to Jeff, Zannis and Mike the drivers who guided me around Athens and the tourist sites, great shopping facilities and the surrounding coves and beaches. All in all, I had a restful time surrounded by a team of individuals who brought a personal touch to the experience, a team I regard as friends, so much so I am planning to return next year with my family to renew acquaintances- but best of all with a comb in my pocket, something that’s not been a part of my luggage for a considerable number of years! Overall, a delightful experience and one I would recommend to all. Frank Miller. A holiday not a procedure…. Choosing to get such an operation done is worrisome enough but then deciding on where to get it done is a different story altogether. I first started having problems with hair loss when I was 15 years old and as you can imagine I was very insecure about my problem. I went to college when I was 19 and that’s when I really got pissed off with my problems. I wore hats all the time, maybe looking back now and hadn’t got it that bad. I went to see a hair transplant surgeon first in Ireland but I wasn’t sure about getting it done. I looked for other options and to my misfortune I found a place that offered laser treatment. I went for a consultation and discovered that they sold basically glorified wigs as well. To cut long story short I ended up wasting about £8000. The hair pieces looked faked and were stuck to your head with glue. The hairs on them fall out quicker than human hairs would fall out in ten years. I was a student paying off these debts I accumulated through wasting my money with this company, but I knew I had to do something, something permanent. I started looking for companies on the internet concerning hair transplant surgery and indeed found many. As a student with these existing debts I was looking for effective, affordable, trustworthy results, and thanks to NHI I found all of that. The NHI team delivered all of they’re promises and more. I know what you might think, What they are offering is just too good to be true, but its not I can tell you first hand. NHI attracted me to them through they’re friendly informative approach, when dealing with questions. I had been in contact with Malcolm for few months via emails, and I decided to go ahead and get it done. I wanted it done in august and so opted for the start of august. I went with my girlfriend and we had the best holiday in ages. We were picked up at the airport by Malcolm. Malcolm is a really great guy and a gentleman through and through. Malcolm drove us to our hotel and on the way told us things about Athens helping to relax my mood as I was anxious about my procedure. We arrived at our hotel to be amazed at how nice I was. I was expecting the worse but it was the opposite. The room was beautiful with a lovely view. I was collected by Jeff the next day, Jeff is a really cool lad as well, he was really helpful the entire holiday, and of course Kim, who is such a considerate, kind hearted and friendly person. They looked after us like family. I arrived at the surgery and the mood was relaxed and friendly. The surgeons were really cool people, they talked with you throughout the procedure and made you feel relaxed. The procedure was painless, you only feel small jabs and that’s it, I don’t remember feeling anymore pain. Even after the procedure I was giving painkillers but never had to use them. The procedure was over before I knew it. I couldn’t believe how quickly time went. Jeff and Kim drove me back to the hotel. Instead of resting I went to the rooftop pool to relax with my girlfriend, there was no pain at all, I felt grand. The rooftop pool was amazing, the sun was shining and the pool was perfect. NHI fulfilled another promise. Later that evening Malcolm picked up me and my girlfriend at the hotel and went for something to eat along with a few other people who had procedure done as well. At the Irish bar we met Jeff and Kim and we all ate a delicious meal and the craic was great. We were driven back to the hotel by Malcom and Jeff. Me and my girlfriend stayed in Athens for five days, I trusted my instincts and booked few extra days, and I was so relieved that I did so. We saw so many beautiful things when we were there, we’ll be booking another holiday there asap. One of the days through the help of Kim, we went on a boat to an island called Hydra, the price was really reasonable, and best of all it was paradise. Something we’ll never forget, thanks to the help of Kim. Another day Jeff took us to see the Acropolis in Athens. We had an amazing day, we saw things we had always wanted to see. After the Acropolis Jeff took us to places were you can buy loads of cool things. Later on that night me and my girlfriend went to one of the club’s they recommended NHI had given me happiness, fulfilled their promises and gave me the best holiday ever. Anyone interested in getting the procedure done, I’d only recommend NHI. They are such friendly people who deliver they’re promise. And I hope to visit them again in the near future. I had my operation a month ago and im looking forward to the next few months to see the new growth. Thank you NHI for everything you promised at a price I needed. Stephen Keyes Peter Harris Peter Harris, former medical correspondent, Manchester Evening News writes: “I’ve spent much of my career writing about medical breakthroughs. Now I’ve had a chance to experience one for myself. After talking to hair loss expert Malcolm Mendelsohn and seeing his own results, I opted for Follicular Hair Implantation myself.”
Lee Purchase Juan Craig Mailer |
| Jack Turnbull Jack writes: “My grandchildren no longer laugh about my bald head because I am no longer bald, in fact I find it highly amusing to watch both their reactions and others as the hair becomes more and more apparent.” Clive Dean Nigel Mark Ian Hi, my name is Ian from Cheshire in England. I have had two ops now, the first with Dr. Santo two years ago and last year with NHI’s new surgeon at the time, Dr. Fotis Tsounis. Let me tell you, Dr. Tsounis is superb. He is so much quicker and very impressive results. I had been losing my hair for the past 15 years and tried all the drug treatments which did very little. I was so lucky to find NHI Clinics as they offer the most effective permanent treatment anywhere, period. I am still amazed every morning when I do my hair, look in the mirror and see hair looking as natural as it once did where there used to be shiny skin. Funny, one day my 8 year old nephew turned to me and said ‘you used to be bald didn’t you Ian’? If only he knew what NHI had done for me and can do for you. JUST DO IT! Note: Ian has now become another of NHI’s former patients who has offered to talk to / meet with anyone in his area who wishes to make contact with him.
PATIENT CORRESPONDENCE “Harry” “Andrew” |
