NewLook2015

Appreciate your informative replies, Betterlate! As for the 2K euro deposit to secure the surgery dates, I wonder which option is more economical: transfer through my bank, money gram, western union. Haven't used money gram before but seems my bank provides cheaper transfer fees than western union. Which mode of payment did you end up using? There seems to be a bit of confusion as I wanted my surgery in March but the ASMED email stated April, so hoping Sevinc, who has been very helpful, sorts it out. Yea, i might consider PRP, have already started Fin. Hope there is minimum side effect.

Thanks for taking the time to write back, Betterlate! I've also read that clinics provide a spray to keep the recipient & donor areas moist. Does the security allow it? I guess during long flights, it makes sense to have it in carry-on and use it a few times?!

Thanks for the update Betterlate! Visuals are always better to get an idea of the various stages of recovery. Though this may sound trivial, but any suggestions on a suitable type of hat? Seems you flew back a day after your surgery. Would you recommend that? Most flights to east coast from Istanbul has layover in Europe and its a long flight nonetheless. I'm also debating between booking my return flight on the 2rd day post-op or even stay a bit longer (hopefully ASMED will continue the special rate). I read in one of the posts that the grafts are securely anchored/taken hold by 4th day so less risk due to wearing a hat. But ideally, I should return back as soon as possible. Based on other documentations here, your growth will begin at faster pace soon... finger crossed!

Thanks for the update Betterlate! Visuals are always better to get an idea of the various stages of recovery. Though this may sound trivial, but any suggestions on a suitable type of hat? Seems you flew back a day after your surgery. Would you recommend that? Most flights to east coast from Istanbul has layover in Europe and its a long flight nonetheless. I'm also debating between booking my return flight on the 2rd day post-op or even stay a bit longer (hopefully ASMED will continue the special rate). I read in one of the posts that the grafts are securely anchored/taken hold by 4th day so less risk due to wearing a hat. But ideally, I should return back as soon as possible. Based on other documentations here, your growth will begin at faster pace soon... finger crossed!

Glad all worked well with you, Denny! The research phase and choosing a doc is like a second full time job! Your transformation has been awesome! Just hope everyone gone through ht gets satisfied result while keeping reasonable expectations. Another thing that concerns me is the physiology of patients and slow growers. Seems docs can't really do much about it, but I have read some patients' testimonials that some clinic may use that as a strategy to pass the burden on the patients. I've been researching and reading about ht experiences recently and though i have narrowed it down to a couple of surgeons, yet it is still overwhelming.

Hey Decow, Hope you have healed well and regrowth is ongoing! Any photo updates? I'm in similar situation and have been suggested 5K grafts. The clinic has been forthcoming on who does the extraction, incision and implantation. Just trying to follow Dr E patients on here before making a decision soon. It would be great to see some updates!

Redchilli, do you have a thread for your procedure on here? i would like to see your pre and post-op pictures.

Hi Denny, Congrats on an awesome transformation! Just went through your thread and wish the rest of us go through similar growth phases once getting our surgeries! Was this your first HT btw, or you had a previous one also? There were some minor scars on your right side towards the back in the extraction photos. Dr E is on the top of my list. I have had online consultation for 5000 grafts. Some members here have voiced caution over mega sessions and cite low yield. There are only a few single session (or two consecutive day) sessions documentation online of Erdogan patients, and wish there were more. Nonetheless, he remains among my top choices. As for payment, is Paypal a viable option to obviate the 20% tax?

Congrats on your HT, Eptesicus! look forward to your updates!

Agree Betterlate, not surprising how we go through similar thought processes when it comes to a surgical procedure, in this case hair transplant. The intellectual side of it and the value added (hopefully) given the physical appearance. Thanks for providing the link to financial disclosure! Just hope they don't come up with stricter measures on carrying cash in view of the tragedy in Paris. BTW, what is Dr Erdogan's policy on corrective/follow up work in case results were not satisfactory. Hope this does not happen to anyone but thought you may have inquired this during your visit there.

Kdub87 and cryingoutloud, Both doctors Erdogan and Doganay are on my list, particularly Erdogan. I've been following Erdogan patients' posts on this forum lately, and most look good. If you guys have evidence of sub-par results, please share with the rest of us. Eptesicus, How many grafts? Do you have your own thread here (will look for it)?

Hi betterLate, appreciate your informative posts! And congrats on your ht! Saw the pre and post-op photos, the hairline looks great and the procedure neat! Happy growth here onwards! For a 5000 graft, whats the quantity of anesthesia they inject? Seems pain due to injection is unavoidable, just want to get an idea on the number of injections to prepare myself mentally:) Also, was your head sill swollen during flight back home? Perhaps, I will pm you on the payment methods optimum for those of us in the US. Look forward to your updates! Happy holidays!

Awesome result, Cloudy! And nice write up and documenting progression of your ht experience!

Glad to hear that things got sorted out and you stayed the course despite the flight cancellation! Hope first part of the surgery went well! Look forward to seeing your pictures, pre-op and immediate post-op if possible. And it is always nice to see proof of good procedures right before one (case of french ht patient)! Hope to continue seeing detailed documentation of your experience, betterlate!

Yea, leap of faith seems to be an important part of the decision:-) I would favor 2 smaller sessions than 5000 graft in a day as you finally decided. Look forward to your upcoming posts! As we both agree, you are in safe hands.

Emailed and submitted online consultation with Dr Lorenzo's clinic over a week ago but no reply so far. Is that common with Dr Lorenzo as I can imagine he is probably getting a ton of emails daily?

Seems most of us go through similar phases at the initial stages of our research, Betterlate! Particularly your post here is a good reminder, at least in my case. I have done online consultation with a couple of clinics. Some replied back quickly. I still have to hear back from Dr Jose Lorenzo's injerto capilar (online consultation and emailed) despite the fact that over a week has passed since my inquiries. Sevinc from Dr. Erdogan's clinic was forthcoming and she replied back on time. Seems we are in similar situation - need 5000 grafts. This forum has been a tremendous source of research so far (admit I've been a lurker for a while:) and hairweare and few others have voiced concern over 5000 graft session. Did you separate it to two sessions with months in-between? In other words, what would be an optimum period of time between the two procedures?