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Foti Kallergis' Blog

by FotiKallergis from Austin, TX

Last Post 7 days, 4 hours Ago


Hair Transplant Surgery
May 15, 2008 | 10:15 PM
Category: News
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BALD ISN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL

Not everyone has a head that's shaped for a clean shave. Before I got my first job in TV, I tried it. And that's when I noticed that the top of my head comes to a weird point.  Luckily, it all grew back before I was hired.

I have to admit, since I've gotten into the news business, I've notice my hair has been falling out at a faster rate. Call it stress or call it genetics. My twin brother Mario is completely bald now. We are 27 years old.

I had the hair transplant surgery because I felt bad about how I looked...not only in the mirror and but on camera. I've become really depressed and obsessed about it. 

So why did I decide to get the surgery done in front of the public? One, because it's hard to hide, but most importantly, I wanted to make men feel like it's okay to be open about being bald.  Men don't like talking about their thinning hairline or bald heads.  They don't like pointing it out.  

I hope we (men and women) can become more open about it.  And if the surgery isn't your calling, then maybe the series can help lead all of us towards acceptance.
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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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texasson read my blog view my photos
May 16, 2008 | 9:04 PM

Dear Foti,
I would hope that you would realize that your vanity is more obvious than your receding hair line. If God intends to make your hair fall out, or turn grey, or blue, or whatever it does NATURALLY, it is His gift to you and your badge of honor. It's "You". Wear "you" well and remain humble. Don't place so much importance on how you look, rather focus on how you think and act towards others. Be giving of yourself and you will appear as a shining star to others, regardless of your physical appearance. In the final analysis, we won't be judged on how we looked...Get my drift?

The Messenger
brer-fox read my blog view my photos
May 17, 2008 | 10:36 AM

Foti,

I think this is excellent! Thank you for doing this. I, myself, don't suffer from hair loss (yet anyway). But, for those men and women out there that are contemplating doing something about it, I feel like you are definitely leading the way with this. And by your brevity for doing this on television for the Fox viewers, you are relieving a lot of the "fears" that may be holding them back from making changes that can only be positive in their lives.

I disagree with texasson on this being vanity - it is NOT. If this is vanity, then so also is brushing our teeth and taking a shower/bath and buying clothes that are stylish - by his definition.

We viewers are proud of you for being a leader on this topic and we look forward to seeing the rest of this series - excellent! Be proud of what you're doing here - it's awesome! If the science exists for this, then by all means YES!
texasson read my blog view my photos
May 17, 2008 | 3:35 PM

Vanity is keeping oneself clean? Get educated before you comment, brer-fox. Vanity is placing your appearance above your behavior. It has nothing to do with personal cleanliness, or a lack thereof. I guess it's O.K. to treat people like BLEEP and regard yourself as above others, just as long as you look good doing it, huh? Good luck with your life.

The Messenger
FotiKallergis read my blog view my photos
May 17, 2008 | 5:11 PM

Brer-fox:

I can see that you've gotten gist of my series. Thank you for the nice comments. I don't always get nice feedback, and that's okay too.

texasson:
Call me what you want. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a procedure done to help my physical appearance. You don't know me. So for you to suggest that I need to work on how I think and act towards others is wrong.

I understand what you are saying about accepting the flaws that god has given us. I have flaws that I choose not to do anything about. We all have the right to pick and choose.

If it makes me feel better about myself, then why is it so bad for you?
texasson read my blog view my photos
May 17, 2008 | 8:10 PM

He could make you feel better about yourself...
brer-fox read my blog view my photos
May 19, 2008 | 8:12 AM

There's one in every crowd, Foti. Listen, regardless of what texasson (or any other radical, for that matter), your doing a good thing.

I could also apply this same philosophy to getting your eyesight corrected and having cancer removed. Just because our eyes are bad or we have a cancerous growth doesn't mean our creator "gifted us" with it. Let's get back to the real world, shall we. (I'm sure he'll make another comment to follow - I'm waiting. LOL)
brer-fox read my blog view my photos
May 19, 2008 | 9:21 AM

When hair transplant surgery first started to "take root" in the early 90s (yes the pun was intended), there were some doctors who were botching things up. These mistakes were primarily with hair plugs and not the actual transplanted follicles. But, the mistakes that were made with bad hair plugging caused a lot of men (and women, too) to be very leery of, and ascetic toward, getting follicle transplant surgery like you did.

That's a sad note (both for the industry and those who are experiencing balding). This transplant surgery (like you received, Foti) is really cutting edge, and is only improving as time moves forward. Both the technology and the practitioners are getting better and better. This physician appears to be very skilled at what he is doing and knowledgeable about his field. That's very reassuring to any of us that have had prior doubts. Again - Thank You Foti.
FotiKallergis read my blog view my photos
May 19, 2008 | 10:47 AM

I'm glad you mentioned it. I need to take the time out to mention Dr. McGrath's credentials. I researched this extensively. He's has an office near Beverly Hills and worked along side a prominent hair restoration doctor before he opened his own office. He's the doctor in Austin who does hair transplantation full time. He's only ONE of SIX in Texas who's a diplomat for the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery.

On the other hand you're right brer-fox. Hair plugs have really put people off. Dr. McGrath does Ultra-refined Follicular Unit Hair Restoration. It's the gold standard these days.
BeckyOzuna read my blog view my photos
May 19, 2008 | 11:38 AM

I just watched your surgery. Ick. But bravo to you for having the balls to do that on TV.
Debby5855 read my blog
May 20, 2008 | 2:31 PM

We, as individuals, have the right to do what we deem important. Keep things in balance and keep a good perspective on the changes you make to your appearance and make sure you are making them for the right reason.
quirkeejames read my blog view my photos
Jun 8, 2008 | 10:33 PM

I just started growing my receding hair back out after shaving it (not bald, though) for the last 2.5 years. I also have an odd shaped melon that was once referred to as a wine cork by a former restaurant manager. I always hated that little jerk.

Kudos to you for putting yourself in the spotlight for this! And your Homer transplant cracked me up!
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FotiKallergis

Foti Kallergis joined the FOX 7 News team in March 2007. A native Texan, Foti began his journalism career as a General Assignments Reporter at KFDM-TV in Beaumont, Texas. Three months into the job, Foti began covering Hurricanes. In late August 2005, Foti reported on Hurricane Katrina and the mass evacuations that followed. About a month later, Beaumont was hit with its own natural disaster, Hurricane Rita. Foti was on the front line of the evacuations and aftermath. While in Beaumont, Foti won numerous Regional Press Club awards and 6 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters awards including Best General News Assignment and Best Reporter (Division 4). Foti graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Media Production. He is married to his college sweetheart, and chef extraordinaire Myrna Sloan. They have two four-legged children, Junior (Pug) and Olive (Terrier-Mix). The latter, a Hurricane Katrina survivor. If you would like to give a story idea or tip, email foti.kallergis@foxtv.com

Member Since: 4/23/2007


 

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