JustJax

So today (Saturday 11th) was my last day in Istanbul. Had my hair washed around 9:30 and then the driver picked me up at 11 am for my ride to the airport. It was quite funny at the airport, I saw several people with transplants walking past me and on my actual flight back to London, there were 7 of us in total with hair transplants. 😂 Flight home wasn’t too bad although I swear Turkish Airlines have their planes so hot. I finally got home about an hour ago and looking forward to my own bed again. Tomorrow will be my first wash at home. Definitely glad that I stayed an extra few days in Istanbul to get my hair washed daily (last wash this morning was my 4th wash). Off to shortly, but here are a few pictures again just after the wash this morning.

Got them to take some pics for me after it was washed this morning. Have to say I’m amazed how quick the back is healing. Obviously you can see it more on the sides but still happy the back is healing so quick. I guess it’s perhaps to be expected as it’s only 913 Grafts

Thanks, fingers crossed. 🤞

Agreed. I wasn’t overly paranoid but I wasn’t sure what the norm was these days and if it was permitted then would make sense to do it. I did ask at the clinic today and they suggested I’d have to put it in my checked luggage so I’ll do that.

Two pictures from yesterday, donor area before the wash. 2nd one is after hair washed. Think my donor area is looking pretty good. 😀

Sorry all, I’ve been a bit tired these past few days, as well as needing to switch between the clinic and hotel. Surgery on Tuesday 7th went well. I don’t recall the exact time we started but I think it was around 8am. Unlike in 2016, they now include some sedation, not just local anaesthetic, to help with the pain (you are awake, you just feel a little more relaxed, perhaps a little woozy when it first kicks in, but still very much awake). Feels like they also used a different tool to inject the local anaesthetic, kinda felt like lots of little micro needles and less painful and faster. Dr Koray suggested 900 grafts and they extracted and implanted 913 grafts in total. I was done by late lunchtime, I think by about 1:30 - 2pm maybe? Hard to recall so far back but I think this time around with sedation I felt a bit more drained and slightly fuzzy once I was back in my room. By around 4pm I think the anaesthetic was starting to wear off in some areas and I had a little discomfort and stinging sensation. It was at this point I did have a brief moment questioning myself why I was putting myself through all this again when I already had a pretty good result, but they gave me a painkiller (not sure what one, but apparently quite strong) and that helped and to be honest, I asked for another for later that evening, but didn’t need to take it. Despite the surgery and having to sleep a bit more upright, I think Tuesday night was oddly my best night sleeping as I managed to get in a good position. Wednesday 8th, I was up about 8am. This was the day of my first wash. That process was a little tender, but fine. Does seem they do quite a few things a little differently to 2016. For example, after the donor area being sort of bandaged up the first night, the donor area is left open to heal after the first wash where as I swear they smeared it in some sort of cream last time. Anyway, Wednesday afternoon was also the day I was moving over to the Radisson Blu for the remainder of my stay. The hotel had kindly upgraded me to a superior room and I swear it might have been the one I had in 2016. Anyway, things started off well, but then room was too hot and I couldn’t seem to cool it sufficiently, then after going to sleep I could hear a dog barking and turns out it was outside and I could hear it even 10 floors up. Then a few hours later I heard some weird noises in the bathroom and I turn the taps on and the water is brown and turns out there is a pump issue that they are working on (this is at 3am) anyway, basically totally crap nights sleep due to the dog, water issues, my mind working overtime and just not finding a comfortable positioned in the bed. Yesterday (Thursday 9th) I woke at 7am and despite being exhausted, I figured I’d just get up and have breakfast and see about changing rooms to avoid a repeat of the barking issue. Reception were fine and moved me to a room at the back of the hotel. I’d agreed with Sevinc (my patient coordinator) to come over for my hair wash around 10:30. I was ready early so walked over about 10:10am. For those unaware, the Asmed clinic is literally a one minute walk away from the Radisson Blu. Didn’t see Sevinc as she was busy with someone else in surgery, but at the clinic I got chatting to one of the few male staff while he was putting some cream on the recipient area before they do the wash and he asked if I was about day 6-7? I said no, actually only my 2nd wash. He suggested my donor area was healing fast. I’m guessing that’s probably down to it only being 913 grafts. I didn’t quiz him on his thoughts, I guess he possibly also thought the recipient area wasn’t looking too bad either, again probably due to less grafts/less trauma to the area. With that said, I should mention I definitely have some swelling moving down my forehead due to the local anaesthetic. I’ve been trying to ice my forehead regularly as instructed and it wasn’t too bad and I wasn’t looking to much like an alien. Anyway after the wash I just headed back to the hotel and relaxed. I was originally going to pop over to the mall which is 5 mins away but couldn’t be bothered and just sat watching Netflix. I was super tired late afternoon and kept nodding off, but didn’t want to sleep in case it messed up my sleeping overnight .. oh the irony, as it would turn out to be another poor night sleep. I did asked for more pillows last night so I could try and create a wedge of pillows so I couldn’t roll to my side and that helped, but last night it was more about my mind thinking about work tasks back at the office and I wasn’t overly feeling tired. So that’s now 4 out of 5 nights of rubbish sleep. Today is Friday 10th, its my last full day in Istanbul. Little up date on the swelling, unless I’m delusional from lack of sleep, I think the swelling has subsided so perhaps I’m over the worst of it. That reminds me, for past 2 days I am getting the odd tingle of discomfort and itching which is what I had last time as it all starts to heal. Nothing too bothersome, but a bit annoying. Anyway, I’m planning to get my hair washed again around about 10-10:30. After my hair wash, I’m determined to get out of the hotel and do something today. With that said, while I don’t really care how it looks, I’m a little anxious about my head being exposed to the elements. Lastly .. some official Asmed pics from before and after my surgery.

Has anyone recently flown back home post surgery via Istanbul Airport (IST)? Does security allow allow people who have had a HT to carry their post-op medications/liquids (special shampoos, creams, etc) on as hand luggage? Normal rules, which I believe apply in Turkey too, is you can only carry on liquids up to 100ml each. Now I could pack them in my checked in luggage, but of course there is a risk the luggage goes missing. But equally don’t want to check my main bag in and then get to security and be told I can’t take them in my hand luggage. When I had my first procedure in 2016 and went via Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport they allowed it, but I’m not sure about IST airport and current policy?

So it’s been years since I’ve regularly posted (posted one update in 2020 and then one in 2021), but I’m back in Istanbul and about to have a 2nd procedure at ASMED with Dr Koray and the team. History If you’ve searched old threads for info on ASMED, you may have seen my thread I started in October 2016. Back then I had 2700 grafts at ASMED and you can find the full thread here. I was very happy procedure and biggest regret was not doing it a few years earlier. With that said, while I was generally very happy with my results, there were a few weak spots. Admittedly they weren't overly visible, but it was more noticeable when I clipped my hair very short (buzz cut) in 2020. While my density was pretty good, in a certain light it bothered me a little and it would be nice to have a little more. So after thinking about it, in late 2019 I booked myself in for a small 2nd procedure for 31 March 2020. However we all know what happened in March 2020, a little thing called Covid, so that was cancelled. After the whole covid situation I was in two minds whether to bother, but finally rebooked last autumn and I’m back in Istanbul ready for my 2nd procedure tomorrow. 2nd Procedure So I arrived last night and I’m staying at the clinic for 3 nights before moving across the road to the Radisson Blu. Still haven’t seen the whole clinic yet, but I have to say the new clinic (it’s a few years old now) is amazing. Anyway, I had my pictures and consultation with Dr Koray this afternoon (I will upload the clinic pictures which I assume I’ll get tomorrow or Wednesday) and and we have agreed to approx 900 grafts. In my mind I was thinking 700-1000, so I’m happy with 900. Focus will be on addressing the little weak spot, strengthening the left temple, plus adding in a little more density. BTW, I have to mention the KEBot scan. This wasn’t something they had back in 2016 and it was fascinating to the computer/camera tracking my head and counting up how much of each graft (singles, doubles, triples etc) I had. I’ve been told the Procedure is tomorrow morning around 8am. I had a terrible night sleep last night, combination of an exhausting day travelling (4hrs delay due to bad weather) so I’m really hoping for a good sleep tonight. Have to say I’ve been a bit anxious about it all these past 5-6 days and yesterday was stressful travelling, but thankfully I’m feeling calmer this evening. I’m sure I’ll be nervous tomorrow morning. For those thinking “you’ve been through it all before, why are you worrying”? I guess it was partly not having had the luxury of a face to face consultant with the Dr before coming over, where as in 2016 I managed to see the Dr in London so I felt confident I knew what we were doing. The other big factor is knowing exactly what’s about to happen. Last time i didn’t have anything to compare it too, where as this time I know some of the short term cons/challenges, i.e numbing bit will be painful (for 2 mins), having to wear the darn neck cushion and sleeping upright for several days and then just that first few weeks of having to wash it very gently and the mild discomfort/itching as the scalp heals over the first few weeks, etc. Anyway, it will be worth it and no turning back now. 😀 Lastly I just realised I didn’t take any good pics this month before flying over and getting my head shaved. These are a few after a fresh cut from Sept 2022. I’ll wait post the Asmed pics from today once I have them.

Hi all, been meaning to post for such a long time but it’s always a bit of a hassle trying to take pictures by myself from all angles so kept avoiding. Not really much to update on but I see two people asking for an update above so figured I should post. I’m now 52 and it’s been 3 years and 7 months since my op. I generally don’t really think to much about my hair on a daily basis except worrying that I seemed to have gotten more gray (not overly noticeable in the pics) over the past year. Generally I’ve pretty happy with my hair, I do still have the weaker spots in the front and I have considered getting a 2nd small top up surgery for that and to add a bit more density. In fact I was booked in for a 2nd procedure with Asmed on 31 March 2020, but obviously had to cancel due to the pandemic. With all the travel uncertainty I haven’t rebooked and don’t know whether it’s worth the risk/stress. Anyway, here are picture from all angles taken today (April 17, 2021). I had my hair cut on Tuesday and I have a little styling product (just a little L’Oréal Studio Line Rework Putty, not any type of thickener or fibres in my hair).

Hi Stephen, just watched your latest YouTube (YT) video. Good video and as a former Asmed client myself, its really interesting for me to see what the new clinic looks like. I do hope you have the result you are looking for this time. Just one small bit of feedback, having watched a number of your previous YT videos, I do have to say I sometimes struggle watching as you are quite negative at times. I get that you weren't happy with the result, but even in the early videos just after your original surgery you were quite critical of things (Dr Koray not doing the entire surgery, you not being the only client that day, etc) that you would have known about if you'd done your research. Even in the latest video, your comments about the bed at the clinic. It is of course essentially a hospital room (and it was the same in the previous clinic) hence the bed is a hospital bed which are normally on wheels. Anyway, just an observation and as above, I do hope you get a good result this time and I look forward to seeing your posts and possible some more positive YT videos. 😉

Been meaning to post for ages .. looks amazing and I think the back/donor area is totally fine and looking forward to seeing your growth over the next few months too. 👍 BTW, really encouraged to hear that this 2nd HT experience has been much easier for you. I've been discussing a small 2nd procedure with them but I've been half put off as it was both physically and mentally draining for me the first time (doesn't help that I'm quite an anxious person), but your experience is motivating me to just do it.

Just getting properly caught up on your thread and just WOW, that hairline is da bomb! It looks amazing and as VicTNYC suggests, you wouldn't even think you'd had anything done. Will be interesting to see how it will look in a month/six weeks time when its fully shed and you are in the 'ugly duckling' phase. I'm assuming it'll be less noticeable this time as the main hairline is already there. Def curious to see that stage this time around. I did start some dialog with Asmed about a 2nd procedure myself but I have been in two minds whether to proceed as I'm an easily anxious person and found the whole thing physically and mentally stressful (guess it didn't help that I was being filmed last time), but seeing your result makes me more convinced its the way forward and I should just grow a pair and get it done 😂. I just need to try and figure out when as I have lots on this year which makes it a little challenging.

Hi Ben, thanks .. no massive change from 12 months, at least not that I've overly noticed. Still have a few little weak spots, although they are not obvious to others. I am still considering a small touch up/second procuedure with Asmed, but it won't likely been until early next year due to possibly moving home in the next few months. Interestingly, I was chatting to my personal trainer at the gym last week and talking about a 2nd procedure and he had no idea I'd had a HT to start with. Got to be a good sign! Anyway, I'll try and do some updated pictures this week, although expect much of the same.

They said free touch up, but I think I’ll have to cover hotel costs and of course my flight I don’t know what their bookings at like currently but I think I confirmed mine for Oct in May of the same year.

Hi, welcome to the board. Don’t worry, it’s not that I’m avoiding posting because I’m unhappy I’m just getting on with life and super busy (and stressed) with work which means I don’t really think to check the forum to often. As for the post above, I think I might have been having a bit of a panic and perhaps overrated. Is it perfect? no, but it still looks pretty darn good and I don’t regret it one bit. I only have to look at some pics from before my HT to see the massive difference. Sure there are some weaker spots and I’m of course conscious of those, but I have been in touch with the clinic and as well as recommending some ketoconzaol shampoo for the itching and asking me to send some follow up pics in April, they are happy to do a small touch up for me which I plan to do after the summer. So have you booked in with Asmed yet?

Hi Mikeyhwk, so are you saying it’s possible that some of the transplanted hairs are now in their resting phase?

Hi Speegs, I saw comments about seasonal shed too. Do you know if this is something that only effects areas where there is a mix of native because what appears to be thinning is just transplanted hair. Until about 2cms back, all the front of the hairline is transplanted hair and it’s only further back that it’s a mix of both. After posting yesterday and paying attention. I have realised that my scalp is a lot itchier than I had realised. As I said, you get use to things so you don’t fully notice or pay attention but now it’s on my radar, I realise that I find myself touching or wanting to touch my head because of itching perhaps 3-4 times an hour. As above, I’m not scratching it with my nails, just sometimes touching it as that in itself seems to ease the itch at least momentarily. Anyway, on that basis, I’m going to pop out today and get some medicated shampoo (T/Gel) to start helping smooth the scalp and I’ll also see what Dr Koray and his team come back with. While it could be lot of things, I guess in many ways I want the cause to be some something like seborrheic dermatitis because at least then I know that if treated the hair should grow back. Unless someone suggests otherwise?

Okay, so this is worrying. I think I might have shed/loss some of my transplanted hair a year after surgery. As some of you will have seen from my main thread I had pretty good growth, although a few weaker spots on the right side. Anyway all was seemingly fine but then over the past few weeks I’m become a little more conscious of the weaker spots. I put it down to just obsessing and poor lighting (apartment is all recessed spot light so are quite harsh) but then this past week I felt the the front definitely wasn’t as strong as it was and then today, after getting my hair cut and looking at it closer, it really doesn’t appear that I have lost some hair. The fact that it grew after the HT give me hope it’s just temporary, but I have to say it’s got me quite stressed. I will get in touch with Asmed on Monday to get some advice and thoughts from Dr Koray, but in the meantime I’ve been googling and I’m thinking it might be related to some skin condition. One of the articles and posts I found mentioned itchiness a year after HT and that brought up a number of skin conditions that can also result in hair loss. As it’s happens, my recipient area is still a little itchy and I find myself touching it (not scratching harshly of course) several times a day. TBH, I’d gotten so use to it that it didn’t overly cross my mind as it was a common and expected side effect for the first few months. Anyway, on the rare occasion it crossed my mind I just put it down to dry skin and kept telling myself I should get some moisturising scalp treatment. However, after freaking out a little today and doing some research, I am o wondering if this itching is related to the hair loss? One of the conditions mentioned was seborrheic dermatitis and that can cause hair loss. What do you guys think? I have taken a picture of my scalp, the light washes it out a little but I think it does look a little pink and inflamed.

Hey, funny enough its my right side thats a little weaker too. TBH I don't relish going through the process again, but part of me feels like having already spent the money to do it, I feel like I need to follow through and get a 2nd treatment to address the weak spots and overall increase the density. I'll be 18 months by mid-April so I'm considering popping over to Istanbul (its a reasonbly cheap flight) to see Dr Koray to get his thoughts.

Hi Kumar Looks great from the pics! I'm guessing you are in the ugly duckling phase at the moment? How have you found this the past few weeks?

Hi, sorry I missed your post (past few months have been a super busy so haven't been on the forum much). Congrats, I'll check out your post. :cool:

Hey, Happy New Year, I know in a later post you said probably won't bother, but curious as to what you were thinking of having done? I have been considering the same. I have a big birthday in July this year so I wouldn't get it done until after that, but I have a few weak spots that I would like touching up and perhaps another 750-1000 hairs to give more density.

Thanks, I think I was fairly lucky. A friend of mine still gets annoyed if I talk about the HT as he felt I really didn’t need it anyway ..which some might argue was true but for me it was just to restore a more youthful look, particularly at the temples. On paper I can afford a 2nd transplant but of course I don’t want to spend for the sake of it. I think I’ll give it the full 18 months just to be sure and then see what Dr Koray says. In my mind a 2nd procedure would prob be 1000 grafts max.

Hey, yeah zip up hoodie is probably ideal, what you don’t want is something tight that you have to pull over your head. If I recall I worse a vest type top (so really wide opening at the neck) and a hoodie although Turkish Airlines flight was like a sauna so didn’t actually wear the hoodie. As for my eyelid surgery. I had just my uppers done with Dr Taimur Shoaib at La Belle Forme clinic in Edinburgh. I could have had it done in London but it was around ?2000 in Edinburgh vs about ?2800 in London so I had a cheap flight up to Scotland instead. Looking at the their website it’s now showing as ?2600 including anesthetic, but I had mine awake (which is cheaper and was an option then), not sure if they still do that.

Haha, wish it was my 20th, but sadly def my 50th ..thanks for the good advice. I do wonder how much of this is us over thinking. Prob is I can't remember what it was looking at this area in harsh light before. :confused: Lol, thanks, not sure about the fountain of youth .. genetically a little lucky, but HT and upper eye lid surgery helps :D:D Good luck with your surgery, the whole team at Asmed are brilliant so you are in great hands. Yeah, general consensus seems to be I should wait, I think I will fly over at the 18 months mark (April 2018) to see Dr Koray and the team to see what they think. Thanks, agreed prob makes sense to wait the full 18 months. If I recall right, I think I was told I have around 8000 grafts available so still have a fair bit in the bank. To be honest if I had a 2nd procedure in the next 6-12 months, I wouldn't want more than 1000 grafts anyway. Glad my posts were useful. Dr Koray did a great job reframing my face. I think its only lowered about one inch, but doing the temples too has made a huge difference. Cost wise, it can depend, but I would that my 2700 grafts would have cost me at least double in the UK. I paid about ?6500 with Asmed. Hey Dolph, amazing how time has flown. I remember us PM'ing this time last year. Looking forward to seeing your pics. I guess it is a little hair greed, but I think I will go see Dr Koray next spring (when I hit 18 months) just to get his thoughts. Istanbul is only a reasonably short and cheap flight from London so can combine it with a nice long weekend in Istanbul . :cool: Hey, thanks for the positive feedback, not sure I'm "still young" but I know what you mean. I am generally happy so I think for now I'll just relax and enjoy it.