cloudy

Better go to the sun exposure to at least 10 minutes daily and you'll get more vitamin D than taking crappy pills if you want more vitamin D

Very nice, you had no bleeding in donor area, amazing.

Thanks again for kind words everyone. Here is update after 16 days: Donor are is very good, I (almost?) see no signs that 3100 hairs were extracted from the back. My light brown-bluish hair helps that a lot since the contrast is not big. There is small itching from time to time in donor, no pain and see no scars, holes or any other disturbing visual and physical problems. Recipient area is starting to shed. First there were a lot of hairs and it slowed down so I hope some hairs will stay until new grow up. Redness has faded nice, of course there is still some but much better than 7 days ago. I trimmed the sides to 3mm and hairline looks satisfying. You can see on my back portion of scalp that wasn't under procedure some pinkish flaking which comes from my condition of seborrheic dermatitis.

Sorry, he does not do beard or chest, just classic FUE but with style

TomGM182, you have PM with details

Thank you all! Yiddo - I can't say it was a problem, just a different type of skin. I have soft skin so when a extraction motor has to penetrate, my skin is like a trampoline a bit. So Dr. Demirsoy had to tighten the skin to be more firm and that's about all. It's been exactly 10 days since the procedure. At 7 day I removed all the scabs extremely gently with a small paint-brush after applying Bepanthol lotion several times a day to moisten and soften the scabs. You should never remove scabs when they are dry! Never leave them on the head more than 14 days because new hair cannot penetrate through skin - also, no air cannot come through skin to feed vulnerable transplanted roots. These are taken today - donor area and sides - donor area is itching and hurting a bit but that's normal because everything is healing: Front line (Redness is going down day by day - I have some red flaking in center of scalp and you can see some pinkish red flakes in back portion of the scalp which had no transplant) from seborrheic dermatitis - it's more obvious when having short hair and in winter when air is cold outside:

You an read big write up with photos here: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/172919-dr-erkan-demirsoy-istanbul-turkey-3138-grafts-november-2013-a.html

As I promised, a review about procedure of Dr. Erkan Demirsoy and his great team in Istanbul, Turkey. I'll get to the point right away. 30 years old male, I am having seborrheic dermatitis for at least 7 years now from a lot of stress. Since then, my hair started to shed and probably with combination of genetic hair loss from my mother side grandfather who was completely bald. In last two years it started to shed faster in front and a bit of top - first third of the scalp. Remaining part of scalp is, interesting, same for several years which is good. I always had temple (sides) and never had a straight hairline. My goal was or is to revive this third of the scalp as is was several years ago - not to be like when I was 14 'cause that's chasing ghosts and is totally unrealistic from my point of view. Everything was arranged over Clemens Weber, Dr. Erkan's man for foreign citizens. I 'tortured' Clemens with many emails and after all I calculated that we changed over 25 emails We made a date for procedure, I have sent him 500EUR deposit which is clinic policy for securing themselves if someone suddenly does not show off. I arrived to Istanbul one day earlier. Clemens arranged drier from airport Ataturk which is on European side to hotel on the Asian side of Istanbul. Next day Dr. assistant came to pick me up at 15:15h, extremely nice man, well spoken English, behavior natural and soft personality, explaining me a lot while driving to the clinic. I immediately saw that this is all well organized without doubt of 'massive cattle production on a track' which results in poor result and communication. Clinic is settled in a luxury building where everything is at it's place - from material finish of underground parking to the aesthetics of the garden. As soon as from entering the door of the clinic, you can't enter more than 6 feet (1.8m) and everybody has to put protective wear for shoes to minimize the contamination of the space. That bought me immediately. Finally I saw in vivo that someone thinks about that and not just 'money money money'. Two doctors girl assistants were welcoming me, offering something to drink while waiting in a big 'receive' room. They gave me few papers to read carefully and sign, in short, that there is always possibility of risk for new hair not to grow in wanted amount, risking of small scars and other small aesthetic complications that can be caused as a result afterwards. (That is normal to be given by every clinic since I have signed once when doing a nose-job even that I take risk of possible death because of total anesthetics.) When signed, I got received at the doctors office. Dr. was very welcoming and smiley without fake smile but also serious when explaining things about procedure. His assistant was continuously with me translating everything. I think that everybody expected same stories how a patient wants a thick, well natural density over half-empty scalp filled more with thinned hair... so he was a bit reserved at start waiting for my wishes. My wishes were simple - don't need mega blasting density with straight hairline but density as I have now in back portion of the scalp since my hair is wavy and even 30-40% of my donor density would be more than enough. Simply explained - I just wanted a small refill first third of the scalp, restore my previous hairline and refill a bit central portion of the scalp a.k.a. top to secure of ongoing losing hair for a little while and no Hollywood style since that would be totally unnatural change for me. Two of them immediately stopped talking for a few seconds, smiled and said 'hmmm, usually people want opposite'. Yes, but I want to save the grafts for the future hair loss since it's not going to be any thicker. And risk of my sebborheic condition is also included a lot so it would be wise to put grafts in totally bald areas because who knows how will they receipt after and in what density. Let's call this a experiment with a big possibility to achieve at least 70% of satisfaction. Doctor said my wishes were very much realistic and it's good for me to accept that. Then he started to draw frontal hairline with my suggestions to follow my current few hairs that remained and not to go out more than 0.5 - 1cm out of that area. He said that my temples will we revealed and yes, I wanted them, they suit me and my personality for many years now My hairline is a bit more edgy than average and always had a sharp end on my forehead even younger. Never had a nice slight curved hairline. We managed to get the linings of working zone, went to procedure room, shaved and prepared me. We agreed to 3000 grafts. Around 19:45h first shots of anesthesia came to donor zone. I read many times that people were in pain because of that. To be honest, this was the best part. This was not pain but just a not ordinary feeling. After 15 minutes, doctor came, started extracting grafts. One thing I didn't know was that grafts are not extracting immediately after cutting but waiting to finish a good portion, then his to girl technicians came and started to extract grafts. First was done one side of donor area and then other. I noticed that doctor was doing aprox. 4-6 punches with a motor (0.8mm) and stop, than again punches, which is good - immediate planning and working. My problem was that I have very soft skin and he had to tighten my skin while working to extract grafts properly. People with harder skin will do better. Sound of motor extractor is bit strange since you hear it how it's chewing your skin Again, not everyday feeling but no fear, that's what it must be done. Some anesthetic had to be inserted again since it's amazing that just one millimeter of skin is insensitive and just a millimeter beside is sensitive. I noticed how anesthetics affects me - I started to tremble and shiver fee seconds after I got shots. At first, I thought "damn, I am not scared, whats wrong with me?" and they told me that shots contain a small dosage of adrenaline so I got euphoric a bit not scared After extracting girl technicians started with separating grafts. I got a small notice that hair in my donor area are OK but some are containing grafts where one hair is OK and second is affected with thinning. That was not a good news but also it was since I now know that and will keep to prevent and slow further thinning with supplements. Pause for dinner - they asked me what should they order for me, said something traditional and guy with food came very fast. Food was amazing! After dinner, doctor started to make small holes for future grafts while technicians were still playing with grafts. I saw that he was very careful with choosing the right angle of the hole so the new hair will grow with natural look. Many surgeons at this point are making big mistakes but not Dr. Demirsoy. He does that very carefully with a zig-zag pattern and not straight one which is VERY important to get good look of random placed hair and not robotic look. Dr. Demirsoy thinks about it all! He is not just an average good doctor who does his job by standard everyday pattern, he does it with passion where every move is calculated. After incisions the graft implanting started - new girl technician came and were two of them from each side of the head. It started exactly at midnight and lasted three long hours. While inserting grafts, we all had a good time with small conversations about many topics and all was sincere and honest without standard killing time questions. So everything was done in about 03:15h and one thing I noticed is that everybody were more awake in this late hours than at the beginning . Dr. Erkan Demirsoy immediately photographed me and burned photos to a CD, he insisted to burn them right away even if I didn't need them that day. He once again proved himself to be more than a professional because he likes job done right away, nothing should wait for tomorrow! He said he could do another session like this, he was not tired at all His good assistant drove me back to hotel where I 'spent a night on needles' afraid not to touch it, sleep accidentally on recipient area and destroy transplanted grafts. My forehead got swollen from anestetics so I looked like an alien That is normal and it has to be compromised. That day I didn't geot out from the hotel, just chilling, watching episodes over laptop and resting. Next day his assistant once again come to pick me up for first washing of scalp and explaining me aftercare procedure with special shampoos, cremes, lotions and supplements. They asked me if I have bring a cap with me and I told them that I didn't since I understood that I cannot wear hat because implanted grafts can be easily get out if stuck to a hat when taking it off. His assistant immediately went out and brought me a Kappa baseball cap and a Nike tennis band. I asked him how much do I owe him and he said it was on doctors! I just couldn't take that offer, that was too much for my lack of attention for not bringing a cap (even If I could have bought one on Turkish market for cheap money...). They insisted and said not to worry. I was amazed... and a bit shamed since I didn't deserve that kind of attention. They gave me cremes, lotions, medicaments, anti-histamine pills and shampoo all for free which is a practice in most clinics but not all! Many of them charge even that! When I was paying to doctor, he said that we agreed to 3000 grafts (EUR) and he has done 3138 grafts so these extra grafts were not charged and he also said I have a discount of 100EUR because of our common interest in photography. WOW, that was enough!! I was stunned! I am aware I will need one or even more procedure in next 10-15 years, who knows, it all depends of genetics. It's a shame since I am not even a smoker, nor drinker, I am a more than a recreational sportsman, don't eat meet for 5 years (yeah, it's not B12 deficiency, I started losing hair way before started not eating meat) and then, seeing many people who don't care about themselves they have thick hair - I ask myself, is this fair? I flew away from Istanbul with amazing experience. Nobody will bother you bcause of cap, I saw few guys like me, customs are used to this, just asking to lift the cap a bit to see and it's all good. First, It's a huuuge city, no city in Europe is big as that. If Paris is big, this one is like 3 Paris or more, 16 million people. People are more than polite, everything is in order, clean streets, neat architecture, clean air, beautiful sea no aggressive individuals like in many European or world cities, no ghettos. Of course keep your things beside you and you'll have positive experience! My total expenses: Airplane ticket - 185EUR Turkish airlines Deposit 500EUR + 40 taxes over Western Union = 540EUR Hotel 3 nights, 4 days - breakfast and WiFi (6Mbs) - 105EUR Driving taxes - 140EUR Some additional expenses during 4 days and food around 50EUR HT procedure of 3138 grafts with discount - 2900EU (-500EUR deposit). Total 3420EUR aprox. PHOTOS: Just before procedure Just after procedure Day after procedure - I like the randomness of taken grafts! Head was swollen.

Search for name Clemens Weber in google and also include maybe Demirsoy in search also since they will not answer you fast as Clemens his 'PR'.

All is finished, I will write when I wake up, it was a long and good procedure surrounded by excellent team.

Hello guys, Just wanted to inform you that in a couple of hours I'll be at the clinic of Dr. Erkan Demirsoy. His contact in Istanbul (Clemens Weber) and I had a coup of coffee this morning, very nice young man, polite and encouraging. Istanbul is huuuge, reminds me of my Balkan by culture so I feel comfortable here. Anyway, procedure is gonna take some time until late hours or more so I'll be writing tomorrow and hopefully insert couple of photos in a new tread.

Dont worry, Turkey is more safe than USA. Same for Eastern and Southeastern Europe. People generally don't know that but usually leading themselves by brainwashing TV news. I live in southeastern Europe and have many contacts with western people. They are amazed how they can get out in the middle of the night EVERYWHERE and nobody will bother them, beat them, take their money, steal something or even worse. We don't have ghettos or forbidden places. So, don't worry, in Turkey, people are very generous (of course there are bad people like everywhere) because they appreciate tourists who are bringing them money. It would be far more better choice to choose Turkey, less money spent, better result and you'll see a country which have far more history or culture then you could imagine. About airline, don't fly with western airlines. Turkish airlines are one of the best air-companies in the world and will get you to Antalya with as much low possible flight changes. Or choose Qatar or Fly Emirates. Avoid European airlines...too over-rated.

Damn, I looked your photos BEFORE at page 1, this is great transformation for only 4 months!!!

Serious job, only 4 months??? Great! You'll be amazed in 8 months, just keep informing us of the situation. Well spent money!

Don't get us wrong but if you are not satisfied with this amazing result (look your photo before and latest photo), you should talk to someone about motivating you because you obviously have some other issue since you're depressed. It's something we all go through are lifetime, some once, some several times. No big deal. Your hair look better than Bred Pitt's, we are not saying this to encourage you, we say it because that's a FACT! Go dive into some girl now!

Thanks you, I hope for myself and others (to show result and encourage everyone) that the procedure will go good. I am not expecting hair like I was a teenager but a decent result which will, of course, be much better than this state of hair is right now. People are losing their sense of reality when talking about RESTORING hair. I will not waste my donor hair for side-temples. Instead I'll use it to thicken current state and hopefully have hair something like younger Jude Law. Everything else is waste of grafts since my hair will not get any thicker in years to come.

I am from Serbia, so just an hour and a half from Istanbul by plane. No big deal about travel I am not nervous since this is just a procedure and it can't get worse than it is now, only losing money if procedure does not work since I have a risk from seborreic dermatitis which I have in a small amount... Not afraid, I had once a nose job because I broke it when I was younger and when you pass all horrors from nose job, this is nothing Yeah, Dr.Demirsoy asks for deposit of 500EUR and minimum procedure is 1800 grafts, which means 1800EUR. Charges for driving around Istanbul is 140EUR + hotel I took is 35EUR/night, don't need luxury craps 100EUR/night. Don't know about Dr. Keser but I think he charges a lot for my standards...

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough... I did choose Dr. Erkan Demirsoy but procedure is booked for November 12th 2013. So, just a couple of weeks from now. Anyway, difference in price is no problem for higher 'western standards', but for us from south-eastern Europe where average paycheck is 400EUr per month, it is Dr.Erkan Demirsoy charges 1EUR/graft while Dr.Hakan Doganay takes 2EUR/graft or 2.5EUR/body graft. It's a double price and both of them will do a good job as much as I can see.

Any update considering your progress? I would love to see some new photos since I am going to Demirsoy in a couple of weeks. Thanks!

I was in the same 'problem', couldn't choose which one but eventually price had took the Erkan Demirsoy as my option. I got estimated around 3500-4000 grafts.

Just WOW, great!

Wow, looks amazing for just 2 months. Your donor area have no scarring or signs of thinning. I can't wait for just more than a month to have my HT.

Wait for some days/weeks so everything comes at it's place. Redness will fade in a couple of weeks. Send some photos, it's hard to imagine your problems without pictures

Don't overreact. It's been only two days since the procedure. There always has to be a balance - to cover the area you had problems with, you had to shave your donor area. That's how it goes. Wait a few weeks for redness to fade and several months to grow new hair in recipient area. Shawed hair in donor area will grow in and fade in rest of the hair in just a couple of weeks. Wear a hat when you get out. Like I said, it's all about compromise. Be good !

Well his agent replied to me that November was the earliest time for procedure. Probably he is overbooked until then. Of course you can always ask and see if someone has canceled procedure in the meantime. 1EUR per graft is his standard price, no more, no less but you have to do at least 1800 grafts, so 1800EUR at least to spend + hotel + airplane expenses. I asked for a cheaper hotel since 3 nights in a hotel with transportation is around 380EUR which is a lot for me.