Paul J. Mcandrews's Online Review Report Card

I am a 77 year old white male with thinning hair. I had 2,100 follicular units of hair transplanted from the back of my head (strip method) to the thinning area. Dr. Paul McAndrews in Pasadena, CA. performed the surgery. I have a summary of the procedure and why I chose Dr. McAndrews. This summary exceeds the google review character limitation so you can find it on my YELP review. It will be 4-6 months before the new hair grows and I can see the quality of the procedure - I will update this review then. Overall, couldn't be more pleased!!! __________________________ THE PROCEDURE - 1st paragraph from YELP review The surgery was a ‘nothing.’ It lasted from 7 a.m. until about 2 with a ½ hour break for lunch. I didn’t watch a movie. I didn’t listen to my music. I didn’t need a bathroom break. I sat and listened to the classical music they had on. WHY I CHOSE DR. MCANDREWS - 1st paragraph from Yelp review My wife and I had in-person consults with three California doctors – one in San Diego, one in Irvine, and Dr. McAndrews in Pasadena. We had discussions with two others – one in Atlanta and the other in Phoenix.

Wow! After interviewing several doctors, I knew Dr. McAndrews was going to be the best. Not only did my dermatologist recommend him, but so did my mom's. In the consult, he spent an hour talking with me about hair loss, the types, what I have and what solutions there are. It was so informative! Today, I had the procedure done. I was very nervous, but I can honestly say I almost enjoyed the experience. Mach the office manager is so professional and on top of everything and super responsive, the nurses were kind, caring and so sweet with 20 years experience each and the dr knows exactly what he's doing since he's done thousands of them. I felt immediately relaxed and comfortable and well taken care of. They played classical music and really took their time every step of the way. I could not be happier and am so excited for my results!

I am a 77 year old white male with thinning hair. Last week, I had 2,100 follicular units of hair transplanted from the back of my head (strip method) to the thinning area. Dr. Paul McAndrews in Pasadena, CA. performed the surgery. The sutures were taken out this morning.This is a summary of the actual procedure and why I chose Dr. McAndrews. I will update this in 4-5 months once the transplanted hair has started to grow and one can begin to assess the quality of the procedure.THE PROCEDUREThe surgery was a 'nothing.' It lasted from 7 a.m. until about 2 with a 1/2 hour break for lunch. I didn't watch a movie. I didn't listen to my music. I didn't need a bathroom break. I sat and listened to the classical music they had on.My head was numbed. Dr. McAndrews took a centimeter wide swath of hair from my donor area. His technicians then dissected the hair into follicular units and then into those with 1, 2, 3 and 4 hairs. Meanwhile, Dr. McAndrews placed some 2,000 micro-slits' on the top of my head - approximately 20 per square centimeter. Then Dr. McAndrews and his head nurse, Millie, inserted the individual follicular units according to the plan he and I had agreed upon. I felt no soreness of pain during or after the procedure. A week later (i.e. this morning), the sutures were removed. Although they prescribed medication for sleep, pain and anxiety, I took none because I didn't have any pain, swelling or anxiety and I slept well.The day after the procedure I returned and they cleaned the donor area sutures and showed my wife and I how to take care of the suture and grafted areas. They covered the grafted area with Telfa pads covered with Vaseline. My wife did all the post-op wound care. Twice a day, she would clean the sutures and apply Vaseline and then would remove and replace the Telfa pads. With the pads removed, she would spray a saline solution to keep the area moist, put a little Vaseline on new Telfa pads and place them on my head. We have a stretchable swim cap from Coolibar that we then put over my head - it kept the Telfa pads in place. The use of Vaseline, Telfa pads and a beanie cap allowed me to sleep regularly and without having my head raised.Now I just wait 4-6 months :-)WHY I CHOSE DR. MCANDREWSMy wife and I had in-person consults with three California doctors - one in San Diego, one in Irvine, and Dr. McAndrews in Pasadena. We had discussions with two others - one in Atlanta and the other in Phoenix.We chose Dr. McAndrew because:1 He was recommended by a doctor whom I respect and admire and who is triple board certified - Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.2 His website is well laid out and provides a good sense of his background, his approach to hair transplantation, and useful testimonials not only from prior patients but from other physicians - that says lot.3 He is Board-Certified Dermatologist - understanding the scalp and hair growth is the key element of hair transplantation.4 The use of Vaseline on the transplanted area instead of simply using saline spray all day makes sense as keeping the graft moist and protected quickens the healing process and increase the number of grafts that end up surviving. It also allows one to sleep in a normal position, not sleeping with the head significantly raised.5 He holds the highest level of distinction - Fellow and Diplomate - in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery - the two leading hair restoration groups. His involvement includes writing the exams used by both organizations for certification of other hair restoration physicians.6 He has a small boutique-type practice and still practices 'regular' dermatology - he does only 1 procedure a day - he performs all the surgery and has worked with the head nurse for over 15 years - he charges a small initial consult fee and his 'per follicular unit" cost is on the high end. For us, these were all good signs.7 It was important to him - and me of course - to be crystal clear on what the hairline would be and where he was going to place the donor hair!8 In TV interviews- can be viewed on his website - he exuded a quiet confidence that if he did a transplant, it would look natural and undetectable as a transplant - ultimately that is what we all want.9 He has worked as a consultant for Pfizer and Merck on hair loss.

Dr. McAndrews is very professional. Very easy to get an appointment. Staff members are very friendly and helpful. Consultation is usually very short and focused on diagnosis and treatments only. I had a scar on my eye brow, Dr. McAndrews removed the scar very efficiently without any pain and was very caring during the process. He was able to claim insurance for the procedure and other than my co-pay, I did not have to pay an extra dime. When you see Dr. McAndrews, usually there's no small talk, while some people feel its not friendly and but I appreciate it because that's the way to achieve efficiency and probably the reason why I can always get an appointment. I'd rather have a doctor who is available when needed than someone spending 2-3 minutes to warm up with the patient before getting started, that extra 2-3 minutes can be used to see patients that have urgent needs instead.

The doctor saw me for less than 1 minute. The nurse who came with him was EXTREMELY RUDE AND NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ANYTHING. They "diagnosed" me in less than a minute and provided ZERO explanation or help regarding the issue. All they said "come back in two weeks and we're going to remove this from your back!!!"...I called back three times for more info and this was the same exact response I received. No details on the actual diagnosis, if further testing is needed, etc. Every single front desk lady was EXTREMELY UNHELPFUL AND PROVIDED ZERO ASSISTANCE. Do not waste your time here. They are unprofessional, do not return your calls or follow ups. Find dermatologist help elsewhere. ZERO STARS IF GOOGLE ALLOWED THIS.

My recent experience with Dr. McAndrews as well as his entire team of professionals was a positive one. I had contemplated some cosmetic surgery for quite some time and had consulted with Dr. McAndrews over the years before finally pulling the trigger last week. He has always provided straightforward, unbiased advice, carefully laying out the pros and cons associated with the procedure. I had done my research long ago and knew that Dr. McAndrews was one of the best, so I had confidence knowing that the surgery would go well. He and his team take great care, are patient and calming and the post-op experience has been equally as positive. I recommend Dr. McAndrews wholeheartedly.

He truly is one of the best physicians we have here in America. I wish there were more like him. Dedicated, professional, and a true asset to the profession.

Dr. Mc Andrews takes great care with his patients and is very accessible. He is calm, professional, and knowledgeable on all the latest in skincare and skin cancer detection. I highly recommend him.

He is absolutely fantastic. He worked on a family member. The results are phenomenal.

I have had 2 hair transplants by Dr. McAndrews over the last 15 years. He is an absolute savant when it comes to the artistic component of hair transplant. No one except my wife and salonist knows I have had a hair transplant. My salonist says he has never seen a hair transplant look so natural and wouldn’t know if I didn’t tell him I had a hair transplant. My salonist has since been referring all his clients with hair loss concerns to Dr. McAndrews. He thinks Dr. McAndrews can do no wrong.