This case study follows a composite patient profile based on common consultation experiences to show how asking the right questions at the right time changes outcomes. The patient profile, clinic interactions, and results illustrate how preparation separates a good experience from a costly mistake.
Patient Profile
Name: David (composite profile) Age: 34 Hair loss stage: Norwood 3V (temple recession with vertex thinning) Hair loss duration: 6 years of gradual progression Current treatment: Finasteride 1mg daily for 2 years (stabilized further loss) Budget: $8,000-$15,000 Location: Evaluating clinics in the USA and Turkey
David's AI assessment at myhairline.ai classified him as Norwood 3V with an estimated graft requirement of 2,000-2,800 grafts. His hairline had receded 2.3 cm from the ideal forehead position, with notable thinning at the crown visible in the top-down photo.
Consultation 1: Clinic A (USA, Major City)
What Happened
David scheduled a free virtual consultation with a large clinic chain. The video call lasted 12 minutes. A patient coordinator (not a surgeon) reviewed two photos David submitted and quoted 3,400 grafts via FUE at $5.50 per graft, totaling $18,700.
Questions David Asked
"Can I speak with the surgeon who would perform my procedure?" The coordinator said the surgeon was unavailable but would meet David on the day of surgery. David was told the specific surgeon would depend on scheduling.
"Why are you recommending 3,400 grafts when my research suggests 2,000-2,800 for Norwood 3V?" The coordinator explained they like to "overdensify" to ensure a natural look. No specific clinical reasoning was provided.
"What does your aftercare program include?" The coordinator described a single follow-up phone call at one week and an optional in-person visit at three months for an additional $200 fee.
David's Assessment
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Met the surgeon | No |
| Graft count within expected range | No (600+ above high end) |
| Physical examination | No (virtual only) |
| Aftercare plan | Minimal |
| Pressure to book | Yes ("pricing valid for 30 days") |
Decision: Eliminated this clinic. The inflated graft count alone would cost David an extra $3,300 over the high end of his expected range.
Consultation 2: Clinic B (Turkey, Istanbul)
What Happened
David contacted a well-reviewed clinic in Istanbul that offered an all-inclusive package. The virtual consultation lasted 35 minutes with the lead surgeon present via video. David submitted six photos (front, both temples, top-down, crown, donor area).
The surgeon classified David as Norwood 3V and recommended 2,400 grafts via FUE at $1.75 per graft, with an all-inclusive package (flights, hotel, transfers, procedure, PRP session) for $4,800.
Questions David Asked
"Will you personally perform the entire extraction and placement?" The surgeon explained he would perform the extraction and design the hairline, but trained technicians would handle graft placement under his direct supervision. He disclosed his team had completed over 2,000 procedures.
"Can you show me before-and-after results for Norwood 3V patients specifically?" The surgeon shared 15 cases at Norwood 3V, including 12-month follow-up photos from multiple angles. The results showed consistent density and natural hairlines.
"What is your graft survival rate, and how do you measure it?" The surgeon cited 92-94% survival based on internal tracking of 12-month follow-up density scans compared to graft placement counts.
"What aftercare is included for international patients?" The package included two post-op washes at the clinic (days 2 and 3), a PRP session at one month (requiring a return trip or local provider), telehealth follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and a touch-up guarantee if survival fell below 85%.
David's Assessment
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Met the surgeon | Yes (via video) |
| Graft count within expected range | Yes (2,400 within 2,000-2,800) |
| Physical examination | No (virtual, but comprehensive photos reviewed) |
| Aftercare plan | Strong for an international clinic |
| Pressure to book | No (encouraged getting second opinions) |
Decision: Strong contender, but David wanted an in-person evaluation before committing.
Consultation 3: Clinic C (USA, Regional City)
What Happened
David scheduled an in-person consultation at a smaller practice run by a single surgeon. The appointment lasted 50 minutes. The surgeon performed a full scalp examination with a densitometer, checked scalp laxity, and used magnification to assess miniaturization.
The surgeon classified David as Norwood 3V, confirmed crown thinning, and recommended 2,200 grafts via FUE at $4.50 per graft, totaling $9,900.
Questions David Asked
"My AI assessment estimated 2,000-2,800 grafts. Your recommendation of 2,200 is on the lower end. Why?" The surgeon explained that David's donor density measured at 210 FU/cm2 (above the Caucasian average of 200 FU/cm2) and his hair caliber was thick, meaning fewer grafts would achieve good visual density. He showed David a calculation of expected coverage area.
"What is your complication rate?" The surgeon shared his clinic's data: 3% revision rate over 8 years, primarily in Norwood 6 and 7 cases where donor limitations constrained results. Zero revisions for Norwood 3V cases in the past 3 years.
"Do you recommend continuing finasteride post-procedure?" Yes. The surgeon explained that finasteride (80-90% halt further loss, 65% regrowth) was essential for protecting the existing hair that was not transplanted. Without it, David could lose native hair around the transplanted grafts, creating an unnatural pattern over time.
"What does your aftercare look like?" The surgeon's standard program included: first wash at the clinic on day 2, follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, progress photos at each visit, and a complimentary touch-up within 18 months if density was below expectations.
David's Assessment
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Met the surgeon | Yes (in person) |
| Graft count within expected range | Yes (2,200 within 2,000-2,800) |
| Physical examination | Yes (densitometer, laxity, magnification) |
| Aftercare plan | Comprehensive with 12-month follow-up |
| Pressure to book | None |
Decision: David chose Clinic C.
Why David's Preparation Made the Difference
David's AI assessment gave him a Norwood 3V classification and a 2,000-2,800 graft range before speaking to any clinic. This single data point allowed him to:
- Immediately identify Clinic A's inflated graft count (3,400 vs. expected 2,000-2,800)
- Validate Clinics B and C's recommendations as falling within the expected range
- Ask specific follow-up questions about why Clinic C's recommendation was at the lower end (answered by above-average donor density)
- Calculate realistic budgets using regional pricing data (USA: $4-6/graft, Turkey: $1-2/graft)
Without this baseline, David might have assumed Clinic A's 3,400-graft recommendation was necessary, potentially overpaying by thousands and depleting his donor area for future needs.
Key Lessons From This Case Study
| Lesson | Action |
|---|---|
| Get your own data first | Use AI assessment before any consultation |
| Consult at least 3 clinics | Compare recommendations against each other and your baseline |
| Insist on meeting the surgeon | A coordinator cannot evaluate your scalp |
| Demand physical examination | Virtual-only assessments miss donor density and hair caliber |
| Ask about revisions | Low revision rates indicate consistent quality |
| Verify aftercare length | 12-month follow-up is the standard for thorough care |
Start Your Research
Get your Norwood stage and graft estimate in 60 seconds at myhairline.ai/analyze. Then bring that data, along with the complete consultation question checklist, to every clinic you evaluate. Knowing your clinic red flags and warning signs ahead of time will help you identify problems during the consultation rather than after you have already booked.
This article is for informational purposes only. The patient profile described is a composite based on common consultation scenarios and does not represent a specific individual. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration specialist for personalized guidance.