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My 3,488-graft FUE experience with Want Hair / Liv Harley Street Hospital – what I wish I knew before booking

I’m posting this because I wish I had found a detailed account like this before booking my transplant.

I had a 3,488-graft FUE hair transplant in July 2025, arranged through Want Hair and carried out at Liv Harley Street Hospital / The Harley Street Hospital.

My main concern was my crown. Before booking, I sent photographs and specifically said: “I only need the crown done, brow done two years ago.”

I was also worried about who would actually perform the procedure. Before booking, I specifically asked about the surgeon’s involvement and was told in writing that the surgeon would do the surgical aspects of the transplant.

That reassurance mattered to me.

On the day, a treatment design was produced and 3,488 grafts were recorded. During the procedure I was told they could not fit any more grafts into my crown and that the remaining grafts would therefore be placed further forward to create density.

Three technicians were substantially involved in carrying out the transplant. I do not recall being clearly informed beforehand that this would be the delivery model, being told who they were, or being given information about their qualifications and experience.

I also have photographs taken immediately after leaving the clinic and over the following days, when the recipient sites were still clearly visible. Those photographs provide a contemporaneous record of where the grafts were actually placed.

As the transplant matured, I repeatedly raised concerns about the crown and the developing result. I followed the advice to wait rather than judge the outcome too early.

It is now around 13 months later and I remain extremely dissatisfied with the crown result.

Want Hair’s position has been that I should wait 18 months. However, independent hair-transplant professionals I have consulted have advised me that while some further maturation can occur, the result at around 12 months is generally representative of the eventual outcome. I am now obtaining independent professional assessments in writing regarding the original planning, graft distribution and result.

I made a formal complaint and requested a refund or compensation. Neither Want Hair nor Liv Harley Street Hospital has offered me a refund or compensation.

I have also referred my concerns regarding the doctor involved to the General Medical Council. I’m not suggesting the GMC has made any finding; I have referred the matter so that the appropriate regulator can consider it.

One of the biggest lessons for me has been to independently investigate the people and organisations involved rather than relying mainly on marketing, reviews and impressive before-and-after photographs.

I checked the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) membership directory and could not find Want Hair or the doctor who performed my procedure listed as members.

If I were booking again, I would insist on written answers to these questions before paying:

• Who will actually perform each stage of the procedure?
• Who will extract the grafts?
• Who will create the recipient sites?
• Who will implant the grafts?
• Will technicians perform substantial parts of the procedure?
• Who are they and what are their qualifications?
• How many grafts are actually intended for the area I specifically want treated?
• What happens if the agreed plan changes during surgery?

This experience has cost me more than the £3,194 treatment price, including travel, recovery, time away from work, and a huge amount of time and stress pursuing the matter afterwards.

I have retained the contract, WhatsApp correspondence, treatment design/clinical record, pre-op photos, immediate post-op photos, current photos and complaint correspondence.

I’m posting this so other people researching Want Hair or Liv Harley Street Hospital know the questions I wish I had asked before booking.

Based on my treatment, the result and the way my concerns have been handled, I would not choose either provider again.

My 3,488-graft FUE experience with Want Hair / Liv Harley Street Hospital – what I wish I knew before booking

I’m posting this because I wish I had found a detailed account like this before booking my transplant.

I had a 3,488-graft FUE hair transplant in July 2025, arranged through Want Hair and carried out at Liv Harley Street Hospital / The Harley Street Hospital.

My main concern was my crown. Before booking, I sent photographs and specifically said: “I only need the crown done, brow done two years ago.”

I was also worried about who would actually perform the procedure. Before booking, I specifically asked about the surgeon’s involvement and was told in writing that the surgeon would do the surgical aspects of the transplant.

That reassurance mattered to me.

On the day, a treatment design was produced and 3,488 grafts were recorded. During the procedure I was told they could not fit any more grafts into my crown and that the remaining grafts would therefore be placed further forward to create density.

Three technicians were substantially involved in carrying out the transplant. I do not recall being clearly informed beforehand that this would be the delivery model, being told who they were, or being given information about their qualifications and experience.

I also have photographs taken immediately after leaving the clinic and over the following days, when the recipient sites were still clearly visible. Those photographs provide a contemporaneous record of where the grafts were actually placed.

As the transplant matured, I repeatedly raised concerns about the crown and the developing result. I followed the advice to wait rather than judge the outcome too early.

It is now around 13 months later and I remain extremely dissatisfied with the crown result.

Want Hair’s position has been that I should wait 18 months. However, independent hair-transplant professionals I have consulted have advised me that while some further maturation can occur, the result at around 12 months is generally representative of the eventual outcome. I am now obtaining independent professional assessments in writing regarding the original planning, graft distribution and result.

I made a formal complaint and requested a refund or compensation. Neither Want Hair nor Liv Harley Street Hospital has offered me a refund or compensation.

I have also referred my concerns regarding the doctor involved to the General Medical Council. I’m not suggesting the GMC has made any finding; I have referred the matter so that the appropriate regulator can consider it.

One of the biggest lessons for me has been to independently investigate the people and organisations involved rather than relying mainly on marketing, reviews and impressive before-and-after photographs.

I checked the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) membership directory and could not find Want Hair or the doctor who performed my procedure listed as members.

If I were booking again, I would insist on written answers to these questions before paying:

• Who will actually perform each stage of the procedure?
• Who will extract the grafts?
• Who will create the recipient sites?
• Who will implant the grafts?
• Will technicians perform substantial parts of the procedure?
• Who are they and what are their qualifications?
• How many grafts are actually intended for the area I specifically want treated?
• What happens if the agreed plan changes during surgery?

This experience has cost me more than the £3,194 treatment price, including travel, recovery, time away from work, and a huge amount of time and stress pursuing the matter afterwards.

I have retained the contract, WhatsApp correspondence, treatment design/clinical record, pre-op photos, immediate post-op photos, current photos and complaint correspondence.

I’m posting this so other people researching Want Hair or Liv Harley Street Hospital know the questions I wish I had asked before booking.

Based on my treatment, the result and the way my concerns have been handled, I would not choose either provider again.

Pictures: Before and After.