Dr. Simmons | Seager Hair Transplant Centre - Part 2
18
Dec
2013

How do I know if I’m a Candidate for a Hair Transplant?

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Hair Transplant

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Losing one’s hair can be a traumatic experience. Many of us regard our hair as our crowning glory. So when it starts to fall out, many of us experience not only physical effects but psychological ones as well. Hair loss can cause self-esteem issues and anxiety.

Because of this, people look for ways to regrow hair and keep the hair they have from falling out. Hair transplants are a gaining popularity as ways to achieve a full head of hair. But they are not to be taken lightly. A transplant is a life-changing procedure that can significantly improve the enjoyment of life and have helped patients to regain a positive self-perception.

If you have been considering a hair transplant, the first step is to find out if you are a candidate. Hair transplants can be performed on almost anyone in good health, regardless of age or gender. The only way to know if you are a good candidate is by having a consultation.

Statistics

Before you consider a hair transplant, it may help to know the statistics. Despite the state of the economy, hair transplants are on the rise. In 2010, there were 923,599 transplant patients worldwide, with most of the patients in the United States. This number has grown 156 percent since 2004. Males make up almost 86 percent of patients, while the remaining 14 percent are women. The average age range is between 30 and 49 years old. Some are as young as 22 and as old as 65.

What Happens at the Consultation?

At the consultation the doctor will want to get to know you on a more personal level to understand your reasons for wanting a hair transplant and discover any details that will aid in the success of the treatment. It’s important to do at least six months of research before jumping into a hair transplant. A candidate should have tried other methods first (such as creams and medications).

Personal and family history of hair loss, your goals and expectations, any prior scalp surgeries and medical conditions are some of the important points the doctor will want to discuss with you.

At the clinic the doctor will also consider factors such as:

  • Long Term and Short Term Goals
  • Number of grafts required to meet your expectations
  • Age
  • Future Hair Loss Projections
  • Hair Characteristics
  • Donor Hair Characteristics
  • Scalp Elasticity

In general there are patients that are better candidates than others. Doctors will look for these characteristics in their potential patients to determine if they are well suited toward the treatment:

  • Men who have been losing their hair due to genetic hair loss for more than five years.
  • Men and women who have lost hair due to trauma or burns.
  • Patients that have realistic expectations and understand that their hair loss might continue to progress even if they are taking prescription medication to prevent this from occurring.
  • Men and women who have lost hair or their hairlines have been raised, as a direct result of a cosmetic procedure, such as face and brow lifts.
  • Men who have been balding for many years and the patterns of loss have stabilized.
  • Women with stable donor hair who exhibit more of a male pattern, rather than the commonly female, un-patterned hair loss.

Health

Health is also an important aspect when determining whether or not a person is a good candidate. A transplant, like any surgery, comes with risks. A healthy person will be more likely to have a positive result. If you have a medical condition or take medications, it is important to discuss this with your surgeon. He or she will use this information to see if you qualify for surgery or if it needs to be delayed until your health improves.

Develop Rapport

The consultation is the best time to develop a positive rapport with the doctor and to become comfortable with the environment of the clinic. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor about his or her experience and training in the hair restoration field. These questions are encouraged. An assessment is the first step to a hair transplant procedure. If the potential patient is a good candidate, this procedure can truly enhance lives both physically and psychologically.

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30
Jul
2012

2489 Follicular Unit Grafts For A Norwood 3A Thinning Man

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This 35 year-old man has average-fine, dark brown, wavy hair and a Norwood 3A thinning pattern. We transplanted 2489 Follicular Unit Grafts to his frontal area with densities varying from 56 to 42 grafts per square centimeter. Dr Simmons performed a trichophytic 1-layer closure with routine undermining of both edges. (He usually uses a 2-layer closure without undermining now.)

At his 5 month follow-up appointment, he was already pleased with his results and was looking forward to some additional growth over the next few months.

It was raining on the day of this patient’s annual follow up appointment and when he arrived at the clinic, his hair was wet. This gave us the opportunity to take and present his photos with both wet and dry hair.

The final photos were taken 14 months after his surgery and he is very happy. He feels that his hair looks natural and that his donor scar is barely visible with short hair. He continues to take Finasteride and may not need more hair transplantation for a long time.

Hair Transplant Surgery was performed in Toronto by Dr. Cam Simmons of The Seager Medical Group.

Hair Transplant Surgery Toronto

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12
Jun
2012

Two Inter-Related Announcements

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Effective immediately the Seager Hair Transplant Centre and Canadian Hair Transplant Centre have united to form one clinic of excellence under the Seager Medical Group.

Seager Medical Group is proud to announce a second location.

Seager Medical Group – A Clinic of Excellence

Dr. Mark McKenzie and the staff of the Seager Hair Transplant Centre welcomed Dr. Cam Simmons and the staff of Canadian Hair Transplant Centre to share facilities in November 2011.  We are excited to take the next step in merging these two well respected hair transplant centres into one clinic of excellence.

“The merger frees me from administrative responsibilities so that my staff and I can focus on doing what we love most:  helping our patients look and feel their best.  I have enjoyed the gradual transition from two teams to one highly dedicated, experienced, and talented surgical staff.   Dr. McKenzie and I have the best of both worlds; we can share ideas and philosophies but still have the freedom to work independently for our own patients.” –Cam Simmons, MD, ABHRS.

“Combining the operations of both clinics has proved that we are greater than the sum of our parts. We have evolved into a clinic which is focused on the needs of our patients with a staff which is second to none. Dr. Simmons and I share a philosophy which is based on achieving the best results for our patients. We are able to exchange ideas as we work towards a common goal of excellence in the field of hair restoration surgery.” — Mark McKenzie M.D, ABHRS.

Seager Medical Group – Second Location

Consultations and surgical services are now available at 99 Yorkville Avenue, Downtown Toronto in addition to our original location at the Medical Court, Centenary Hospital, East Toronto.

The Yorkville location will be shared with Dr. Walter P. Unger, the renowned hair transplant doctor who also has offices on Park Avenue in New York.  Dr. Unger will continue to provide his own services at this location.

In keeping with our mission to positively and profoundly impact the quality of the lives of “hair loss” sufferers, we believe the addition of Dr. Cam Simmons and the new location will benefit our patients with additional options.

Our patients – will benefit from being able to share the years of experience and expertise the doctors have and the obvious advantages of having them in two convenient locations.

We are confident these recent changes will allow us to continue to be a beacon of excellence and quality.

We look forward to welcoming patients at both Seager Medical Group locations.

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5
Jun
2012

3231 Follicular Unit Grafts in Front for Man Developing an Isolated Frontal Forelock

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Our patient was 49 years old and had experienced hair loss for the past 25 years. He had a Norwood 3V thinning pattern but also appeared to be developing an isolated forelock. He was mainly concerned with his frontal area. He had average density and average diameter, salt-and-pepper hair.

We transplanted 3231 Follicular Unit Grafts to his frontal area, excluding his dense forelock. There were 399 singles, 1932 twos, and 900 threes. Singles were placed along his hairline. Density was created using 56 Follicular Unit Grafts/cm2 , then 49 Follicular Unit Grafts/cm2 , and 42 Follicular Unit Grafts/cm2.

Below you are able to view the before and corresponding after photographs which were taken 8 months after the hair transplant surgery. He can expect subtle improvement in the next four months and plans to return to transplant his midscalp and crown.

Hair Restoration

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11
May
2012

Interview with Seager Patient, Shawn from Toronto

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Shawn had a hair transplant procedure in February 2010 and volunteered for an interview to share his experiences with patients who have been considering a hair transplant procedure.

Shawn, what were your initial reasons for having a hair transplant?

I knew the obvious benefit would be appearance and I almost didn’t go through with it because I thought it was all for frivolous vanity. The question, “Am I nuts?” ran through my head over and over again. It’s a question that prevents a lot of guys from doing this. I tell everyone who asks me about the procedure the same thing; and that is, two years later and based on my experience, I significantly undervalued the overall impact that a hair transplant has had on my sense of well being.

In these two years have you discovered any hidden or surprising benefits to the hair transplant procedure?

Definitely! We all get older but we don’t have to feel our age. I’m still very active at 46 and I can do all of the things I did when I was twenty. I may feel the effects a little more the next morning (laughs) but I can still do them. Unfortunately when you look old, society expects you to “act old” regardless of how you feel, and that’s wrong. When people see my healthy head of hair they don’t question when I’m on stage playing in the band, skiing, diving, or doing any of the activities I love to do. That is the greatest gift that The Seager Group and this procedure had provided.

Have the results been consistent since full recovery?

Yes, there hasn’t been much change in appearance from about a year ago, my hair is thick and full and too darn curly (laughs). The scar has healed nicely and all sensitivity has returned to normal.

I look a lot younger than my age and I know if I hadn’t had the procedure that wouldn’t necessarily be the case. I would likely be bald on top by now, or very close to it.

Do you ever worry about the hair transplant being noticeable?

Not at all. The stylist at the hair salon still can’t believe how good a job you did. She has seen a few transplants over the years and none look nearly this good. Whenever I go in she washes my hair before cutting it and even running the comb through wet hair, she has difficulty finding the scar. She’s always saying, “Shawn, seriously that’s the only way you can tell, and only because you told me. If I wasn’t looking for it I doubt I would see it. I don’t know what you paid but it’s worth it because those guys are artists. Your hair looks amazing and so natural. No matter how good the others are they never seem to get the hair line right and as I stylist I know what that should look like.”

That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Shawn

It was my pleasure. Anything to promote this life changing procedure! Please say hi to Dr. Simmons, Dr McKenzie, Ben, and Vivian and give them my best.

Will do! Thanks.

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