Dr. Robert Leonard has FUE Hair Transplant Performed by Dr. Matthew Lopresti
This article was originally published in August 2014 and documents Dr. Robert Leonard’s decision to have Dr. Matthew Lopresti perform his Follicular Unit Excision, or FUE, hair transplant. The procedure used ARTAS robotic technology, which is no longer offered by Leonard Hair Transplant Associates.
After spending decades performing hair restoration surgery himself, Dr. Robert Leonard had an opportunity in 2014 to experience hair transplant surgery from a completely different perspective. This time, instead of being the surgeon, he would be the patient.
One of the most important decisions was choosing the physician who would perform his FUE hair transplant. Dr. Leonard selected Dr. Matthew Lopresti, whom he had personally trained in hair restoration surgery.
“Since I personally trained Dr. Matt Lopresti, I put all of my faith in his surgical skills and artistic abilities to be my hair restoration surgeon,” Dr. Leonard wrote at the time. “What better stamp of approval from me than to have him be my doctor?”
Preparing to become a patient also gave Dr. Leonard a different perspective on the instructions and planning involved before hair transplant surgery. Because his 2014 procedure used ARTAS robotic technology, his donor area was cut very short in preparation for the procedure. He gradually shortened his hairstyle in the months leading up to surgery rather than making the change immediately before his procedure.
The procedure also required transportation arrangements because medication prescribed for the surgery meant Dr. Leonard could not drive himself. His experience reinforced something he had previously viewed primarily from the surgeon’s perspective: preparing for hair transplant surgery involves planning both before the procedure and for the trip home afterward.
Dr. Leonard’s FUE procedure was performed by Dr. Lopresti in 2014. Subsequent articles documented his early growth and the continued development of his transplanted hair during the months following surgery.
Dr. Leonard retired from Leonard Hair Transplant Associates in 2018. Dr. Matthew Lopresti now serves as Chief Hair Restoration Surgeon and performs both FUE and FUT hair transplant surgery for appropriate candidates.