Hey Mark1,
Here are the answers to your question as best I can answer them:
1. What do you estimate your hair transplant will cost?
My transplant is for 3000 grafts and is priced at around 11,000 dollars. A point I would make to someone getting prices that no one told me is that you can barter. This is not like walking into Pottery Barn and buying a plate. The prices are negotiable within a certain extent. Talk with the consultant and if you are a good businessman, get the price down. They'll work with you.
2. Are you doing FUSS or FUE?
I am doing FUSS. It's my first transplant and I wanted to achieve a lot of thickness and design with it. FUSS was the most cost effective way to do that.
3. What Dr. is specifically doing it and how did you chose him/her?
Dr. Alvi Armani is the office I chose to go with and I made sure he is the doctor actually performing my surgery as well. As with anything, you always want to go with the best. If you want an excellent suit, you get a Zegna. If you want a beautiful head of hair, you get Armani. That's why I chose him. He's artistically the best I found and aims not for just coverage but for actually make you the best looking you can be.
4. What is the potential down side/exposure?
Well, the downside is trying to conceal the transplant while it heals. I don't want people to know I'm having this done so I'm going to great lengths to conceal it among friends. You are able to wear baseball caps and hats afterwards, so long as they are cotton and I plan on that. Additionally, I'm lucky enough to have a summer vacation for three months. Hence, I have time off from work to completely heal so that helps conceal.
The other downside would be bad work or continued hairloss. Armani is the best there is in my opinion so I doubt he'll do bad work. As far as continued hair loss, I don't sweat it. As it recedes and I lose more, I'll have more work done. Even if it takes ten years to get Hair Multiplication to the market, I'll only be 33 at the time. Just have that done and no more worries. If not, I'll have thinning in the back and a thick front from my transplant, which I think is preferable.
5. What can you expect regarding time to heal, post operative care, ability to get back on a plane, post operative care, seeing results etc...
You have surgical staples in the back of your head after FUSS for two weeks, to ensure the smallest scar possible. Healing, apparently the scabs from the surgery at your recipient site fall off after a week at the latest. Post operative care is extensive and if you want to know more about that I recommend you email me. Simply put, its careful shampooing and application of a few products and drugs.
As far as boarding a plane, you are allowed to board a plane the day after the surgery. If you do not board then, you have to wait four more days for swelling to subside before you can board. Results start to show up around 3-4 months, obviously around 5-6 months, and continue to fill in for 1-2 years.
Are you convinced they are the best?
Absolutely. I didn't just want someone who performs a great transplant, I wanted someone who was approaching the surgery with an eye for making you better, more attractive, and nailing perfection. I firmly believe Armani is that doctor.
Hope all that helps Mark1. Hit me up anytime and best of luck.