Donor Removal

Upgraded Site.

Welcome to our new look. We are here to help you achieve your “new look”, too.

If you watch ‘The NHI Experience’ video now, you will find that our featured patient, journalist Ralph Blunsom’s appearance has changed dramatically. We’ve added his interview at 9 months after his op. The difference his new hair has made to his appearance, let alone his confidence, is clearly evident.

I have also added one or two photos to our ‘before’ and ‘after’ spots, including my own ‘bald’ photo. Truth is, I had lost the only photograph I ever had of myself prior to having my hair transplanted, then found it again recently.

F.U.E . (Follicular Unit Extraction)

However, there is one change to my site that I would especially like to draw your attention to; and that is my views on F.U.E.

I have always been skeptical of removing donor hair by F.U.E. (Follicular Unit Extraction) in comparison to the more commonly used method of ‘donor’ removal using the ‘Strip’ technique.

My objection to the process has always been based on one particular aspect of the procedure that I found unacceptable. Namely the failure rate expectancy of the individually removed roots when replanted. This can be anything between 20 to 40% of the hairs transplanted, depending on the skills of the operating surgeon.

However, recent changes by our surgeon to the F.U.E procedure have mellowed my attitude toward the procedure. For one, all follicular units are microscoped to check for damage before planting. Rather than the usual method of harvesting and replanting without checking.

Our surgeon also has asked me to inform his prospective patients that he is using the very latest instrumentation for ‘harvesting’ follicular units. It’s called ‘EliptoGraft’ and is used to remove two grafts simultaneously.

This new technology allows for much higher numbers of grafts to be harvested in one session. Our team are now able to offer a procedure with up to 3000 hairs .

Naturally, with the F.U.E procedure taking up to 3 times longer than the ‘Strip’ method, the costs are considerably higher. I will be happy to advise you on consultation.

Whether your choice of ‘donor’ removal is ‘Strip’ removal or ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’ (individual root removal) NHI Clinics Athens can assure you of one thing above all.

With the ‘Choi’ Implanter (needle) technique, you will get much more volume/density in one session than any other method and at considerably less cost.

You can send me a couple of digital photos of your hair loss area for assessment, and I will respond with an estimated cost.

For your consideration, here are the two ways of harvesting ‘donor’ hair for hair transplantation.

The ‘Strip’.

The most widely used method of ‘donor’ removal is called The ‘Strip’ method.

A narrow strip of hair-bearing skin is removed by the surgeon using a scalpel. The roots (containing the hair shaft) are then dissected from the ’strip’ by assistants/technicians using blades, and then processed ready for ‘planting’

This process is quick, painless and has a minimal failure rate. As you can see from the photos, the scar is easily disguised immediately after the donor has been removed.

 

F.U.E. ‘Follicular Unit Extraction’.

This method requires the surgeon to remove individual roots (containing the hair shaft) with a tiny ‘punch’ tool. The donor site is first shaved to ’skin’. The surgeon then places the ‘punch’ above the newly shaven hairs and ‘punches’ out a section of skin containing the root and hair shaft.

As the root is beneath the skin, the surgeon can only estimate where the root lies. Often, the root is not where it is perceived to be. It may be off-centre to where the hair is located and the ‘punch’ tool can damage the root beyond use.

It is estimated that anywhere from 20% to 40% of the harvested roots can be damaged by the ‘punch’ during ‘harvesting’ and fail to grow. This is very much dependant on the expertise of the operating surgeon.

However, our surgeon checks that the roots are undamaged before transplanting. So virtually all the hairs planted will grow. He is also using the very latest F.U.E. removal tool called ‘EliptoGraft’. It allows him to remove two grafts simultaneously, allowing for higher numbers of hairs harvested in one session.

Naturally, removing donor hair this way is a slow and drawn out process. Our team can plant up to 3000 hairs in one session. However the procedure can take up to 10 hours.

Remember to send me photos and I’ll let you know how NHI Clinics can help restore your youthful appearance and your confidence.

Malcolm Mendelsohn

November 2008.

Lee from south Wales

When Lee from s. Wales arrived for his procedure, he was wearing a ‘system’ (hairpiece). He had fitted the hairpiece with double sided tape. So that he could continue its use until he had sufficient growth (and confidence) to discard it. That was the plan!

Then plans can change and they certainly did for our new mate Lee.

He was advised before his Choi procedure that he had good donor hair and good density of hair. He also has ‘high sides’. His side hair extended onto his top scalp, so the ‘gap’ in between was narrowed somewhat. All was looking good for an excellent session, the result of which can clearly be seen in the photos Lee has since sent through.

In short, Lee was ecstatic at the end of his procedure. He took one look in the mirror and decided there and then to bin his hairpiece. It was never used again.

Lee is also a ‘fast grower’. His hair is coming through at a rate of knots, and he still has 5 months left of his optimum growth time (11 months).

So there you have it: Lee at 3 months, then at 5 months. He tells me he has now dyed his hair back to its original colour.

Black or Blonde. Lee, it’s all going to plan. Even if it’s not your original one!

Malcolm Mendelsohn November 2008.

Change your life

The Right Hair Transplant Can Change Your Life.

Is losing your hair affecting your confidence? Your self-esteem? Your quality of life?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, then what do you do about it?

The short answer is to have a hair transplant! But where do you go for a hair transplant? Who do you talk to and who do you believe?

Everyone you talk to will tell you that their hair transplant methods are the best; that they can perform hair transplant surgery better than their competitors. Then they would, wouldn’t they?

In the very early days of hair transplant surgery the only option open to people was called ‘plug surgery’. This hair transplant method involved removing a 4.5mm ‘plug’ of hair bearing skin from the back of the scalp, the tonsure area, also known as the ‘donor area’. The tonsure area is the part of the scalp where no one ever loses their hair. It is the strip of hair that always remains, even when a man has lost all of his top scalp hair.

In later years, it was discovered that this hair remained, even in the most severe cases of hair loss because the hair roots in that area were unaffected by ‘Male Pattern Baldness’ (MPB). Why, because these roots contained much lower levels of the male hormone known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Whereas the hair on the top of the scalp, of those who were destined to lose their hair, contained much higher levels of DHT.

An older hair transplant method called ‘Plug’ surgery was performed by removing the ‘donor’ hair with a drill! Yes, a ‘Black & Decker’ drill no less. That was the only option open to people in the very early days of hair transplant surgery. Sounds horrendous doesn’t it? Believe me, it was and painful too. I know, because I was one of the first in the UK to have done such a hair transplant.

Few years later this archaic method of replacing lost hair was replaced with a more refined method of hair transplant surgery called ‘Micro Surgery’. ‘Micro Surgery’ was performed by removing the ‘donor hair’ with a scalpel. This is a far less painful hair transplant method of removing the ‘donor’ hair from the back of the scalp.

A hair transplant with ‘Micro’ surgery involves the doctor to remove a narrow strip of hair-bearing skin with a scalpel. Once removed, small ‘grafts’ containing 1 to 3 hairs were dissected from the ’strip’ and then ‘planted’ into the bald or thinning areas by making a ’slit’ with a scalpel into which the newly removed roots were placed. As the roots were taken from an area unaffected by ‘MPB’ and replaced into the areas of hair loss that had been affected, they would continue to grow for the remainder of the man’s life, just as they would have done in his ‘tonsure’ area.

If you take a look at my ‘history’ you will see that as I continued to lose hair I had two further hair transplant procedures using ‘Micro’ surgery, one hair transplant surgery in 1995 and another in 1998. Both of these hair transplant procedures proved very successful for me and up until recent times continued to keep me hirsute.

Then, a few years ago I heard of another method of hair transplant surgery. I received a phone call from a very old friend of mine. A man who has played an important part in my life as a hair transplant consultant, his name is Dr. Richard Shiell. Richard, as you can read on this website has been instrumental in guiding me through my long career in my chosen field. He too can be researched in my ‘history’ on my website.

Richard told me about another hair transplant method and at that time, a little known method of hair transplant surgery that he believed I should take a serious look at. This method is called the ‘Choi Implanter’ technique. A technique which has not only changed my views of the hair transplant industry, it has completely changed my life… period! For one, it resulted in my leaving the UK to live in Greece.

Why Greece? Simply because this hair transplant technique which is entirely more advanced than conventional ‘Micro’ surgery, is practiced here. The reasons why the ‘Choi’ method is available in Greece and not in the UK, USA, Canada, or any of the “so called” 1st world countries is a simple case of economics. The ‘Choi’ hair transplant procedure, unlike ‘Micro’ surgery, uses a needle and not a scalpel for ‘implanting’ the new hairs into a previously bald scalp. Using a needle to place the new hairs requires a team of up to four people to work on the bald areas, as opposed to the ‘normal’ doctor plus two assistants. Which of course makes the hair transplant procedure entirely too costly to offer people in those economies where the cost of living is prohibitive. As the average monthly income in Greece is about 600 Euros, the Greeks are able to offer the ‘Choi method’ at much more competitive rates than the rest of the aforementioned economies. This is why, a few short years ago I had my front hairline lowered and thickened using the remarkable and highly effective ‘Choi’ hair transplant technique. An area that I had previously avoided having my hair transplanted with conventional ‘Micro’ surgery.

Hair transplant procedures using the ‘Choi’ technique, as I said, uses a needle to implant the new hairs, which means that the hairs can be placed a lot closer together than can be achieved with ‘Micro’ hair transplant surgery. In turn this means that the density required can be achieved with this method of hair transplant surgery which is far more successful than using the scalpel. It also means that with a team of four assistants, our surgeon can implant up to 6,000 hairs in one hair transplant session, as opposed to a maximum of 1,800 hairs with ‘Micro’ surgery. Which would mean that someone with major loss would have to return for a further two hair transplant procedures at 6/8 monthly intervals with the conventional method of hair transplant surgery.

It also means that instead of ending up with the typical hair transplanted hairline using the scalpel, which on close examination can resemble a straight line, one gets a hairline where the hairs are ’staggered’, which is much closer than the hairline that nature originally provided. Only achievable by using a needle, this is why I now find myself living in the south of Greece, working with a world renowned specialist of the ‘Choi’ method of hair transplant surgery. The ‘Choi’ hair transplant method has greatly improved and is a far less costly method of hair transplant surgery.

Malcolm Mendelsohn

August 2008

Differences

Hello and thank you for your interest in our services.

I’d like to take a couple of minutes of your time before you continue browsing through our information to help define the differences between what we offer you here in Greece as opposed to your choices in the UK.

Having a successful hair procedure can be a ‘life changing experience’. Understanding the various options open to you can be confusing. It’s a veritable ‘minefield’ out there. So please read on.

Why Greece?

The 1^st question that will likely enter your mind is why Greece?

Why can’t you have the ‘Choi’ procedure in the UK?

The answer is purely one of costs and procedural differences.

To understand the differences between conventional ‘Micro ‘slit’ Surgery where small grafts containing between 1/3 hairs are transplanted into the bald or thinning areas using a scalpel to make a slit in which to place the grafts.

And the ‘Choi’ Technique which utilises a needle to implant the hairs into pre prepared needle holes.

You would need take a look behind the scenes at NHI CLINICS in Athens.

There you will find at least 3 assistants preparing your follicular units for re planting. Follicular units comprise of your roots containing multiple hairs. Generally 1 to 3 hairs, sometimes as many as 4 hairs, all growing from the same root.

You would see them splicing, cleaning and preparing your ‘FU’s ready to be fed into the Choi and ‘implanted’ into your scalp. You will also see at least 1 operative assisting the surgeon, often 2. So effectively there’s a small team of people assisting your procedure.

The cost of operating such a ‘labour intensive’ procedure in the UK or any other so called 1^st world economy is too prohibitive. Particularly when the average Doctor performing conventional ‘micro surgery’ in the UK works with 2 assistants.

I won’t burden you with a breakdown on how the Greek economy works but let’s say it allows us to offer you a far superior service for far less cost than our competitors in the UK. A procedure which is literally ‘light-years’ ahead of the game.

Superior? Read on!

---

Procedural Comparison.

Conventional Micro ‘slit’ Surgery	‘Choi’ Implanter Technique
MAX HAIRS PER SESSION 1800/2000	MAX HAIRS PER SESSION 6000
AVERAGE OP TIME FOR 2000 HAIRS – 6 HRS.	AVERAGE OP TIME FOR 6000 HAIR 4.5 HRS
AVERAGE HEALING TIME 2/3 WEEKS	AVERAGE HEALING TIME 7/10 DAYS*

Being ‘needle work’, ‘Choi’ work is a lot finer. The healing ‘spot’ is literally that, a small blood spot which washes away within 4 or 5 days. In fact the surgery site is so ‘neat’ as to not draw attention. Anyone with a reasonable amount of ‘retained’ hair will find it easy to disguise the fact that they have had a procedure at all.

---

DENSITY? Micro Surgery ALWAYS requires a 2^nd session to achieve more density.

The ‘rule’ on transplanting new hairs is clear. The Doctor must place the new ‘grafts’ with spaces in between, no closer than the equivalent size of the graft itself. Placing the grafts too close together initially can result in ‘graft failure.

To achieve the sort of density most people would be happy with requires that initial grafts be ‘in-filled’ with further grafts at a second session. This is generally no sooner than 6 months later.

This often leads to confusion. A patient may be advised that he requires micro surgery at a cost of say 3000GBP. Then told he has to repeat the process at a later stage for similar costs.

---

DENSITY with the “Choi” Technique really can be achieved in 1 session.

As the equivalent space required it implant the new hairs is that of a needle ‘hole’ , the spacing between the hairs with the ‘Choi’ procedure are a lot closer. When I had my hairline lowered and thickened with the ‘Choi’ I was happy with the results of one session.

*As the ‘Choi’ itself is a needle, the healing time is much faster. Being ‘needle work’, the work is a lot finer. The healing ‘spot’ is literally that, a small blood spot which washes away within 4 or 5 days.

The ‘scourge of the industry’ – Post Operative Swelling

P.O.S. is almost endemic to the Hair Restoration Industry. Long sessions of surgery, often with frequent breaks taken in between can result in the patient having to have ‘top-ups’ of the anesthetic to maintain a pain free environment. Being a liquid the anesthetic can take up to a week to dissipate. The more anesthetic used, the more the post operative swelling.

As our Surgeon Dr. Fotis Tsounis will tell you, he and his team take their breaks after a session. Thus minimising the use of anesthetic and greatly reducing the chances of any Post Operative Swelling. In fact it’s a rarity.

---

During the course of our work we occasionally have the pleasure of making good friends with a number of the people we have helped. They come from all walks of life and some have offered to discuss their NHI experiences with others.

One such offer has recently come from a former patient of ours in London. He is a young British Asian Doctor who came over with his lovely wife a couple of years ago. He too has offered to consult with you about his experiences with the Choi technique and show you his results. You will find a testimonial from him in our information pack.

The Doctor (who will remain anonymous until personal introduction) had major hair loss and now can show you the results of his ‘Choi’ procedures.

As I say, we have people everywhere to vouch for our services.

To conclude: I’d like an opportunity of talking to you. Not to pressure you to have a procedure, you will do that in your own time.

You may well have a number of questions for me after viewing our video and reading our information? I will be happy to answer them.

You can also email me a couple digital photos of your hair loss and I will respond with an assessment of what you will need and the cost involved.

If you would like a FREE consultation, I am in the UK generally once per month and will advise you of dates and venues shortly.

I look forward to being of help.

Regards,

Malcolm.

Malcolm Mendelsohn (Chairman) CHOI – NHI Clinics, Athens.