Erdoganfue

3 hours ago, Gasthoerer said:

Wow, I would never thought there would be 10 000 FU in this donor.

You look 10x better with hair than without, even though with the yellow colour you look like a from a college rock band from the 90s. Good luck with your last procedure and keep us updated. Not many patient reviews from Dr. Baubac online. 

Thank you! Haha well better to look like I have rockband hair from ANY decade than to be bald like I was, in my opinion. I know what you mean though and I have gotten some questions as to why I dyed my hair, but I don't really give a you know what, it's always better to have a ton of dyed hair than no hair, and in any even it's all being shave before my upcoming procedure on March 1. Assuming I get the cover I desire from Procedure Number 3, I don't intend on going Eminem again.

As far as 10,000 head grafts, I hopefully do have it, but I may decide to use some beard hair instead as I mentions. Thanks for commenting! 

3 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

May I ask why the change in Doctor for your upcoming procedure?

Of course! A number of reasons:

1. Dr. Baubac's results have always impressed me, his clinic is about 30 minutes away as I live in the Los Angeles area, and he had an opening on Friday, March 1, 2019. I am looking to do this procedure ASAP and before my upcoming 40th birthday. Dr. Baubac also does beard hair as well as donor hair, while Dr. Koray Erdogan does not do any body hair transplants. As I mentioned, and as everyone knows, head donor hair supply is a precious and limited resource, and 10,000 grafts from anyone's head donor is a lot. So, I have the option with Dr. Baubac to do a mix of head and beard hair, yet to be decided with Dr. Baubac on the day of surgery, and I am still mulling that over that option. Using beard hair has multiple pros and cons to consider which I am thinking about.  However any difference in beard graft price versus head graft price is not factoring into this major decision.

2. As I mentioned Dr. Erdogan does not do body hair transplants. His estimate of my remaining head donor was on the more conservative side, somewhere between 1,000-2,000 head grafts, but based on his assessment 18 months ago he was not able to say if he would be able to provide me with satisfactory coverage for my vertex on a third procedure. Again, that was 18 months ago in Turkey after Procedure # 2.  Dr. Baubac recently analyzed my current donor and was not as conservative in his estimate, and says he think I have more like 2,000-3,000 head grafts available, but also agrees I have good beard donor supply should I choose that. He understands why I would potentially choose a mixture of beard/head hair over just 2,000 more head grafts, so at least with Dr. Baubac I have that option which I would not have with Dr. Erdogan. I also sent Dr. Erdogan's patient coordinator who I worked with before photos of my current donor, but never heard back. This is not to say they ignored me, I am sure they get tons of e-mails, but oh well it is what it is. I would definitely not go back to Turkey again without a strong feeling that they will provide ample coverage on the crown on this third procedure. My next choice in Turkey, HLC Clinic which does do beard hair along with head hair FUE, quoted me around 1,000-1,500 grafts, and it would take an entire week of staying in Turkey. I felt that was a low estimate especially given the cheap graft price per graft in turkey, and when I followed up to tell them I would want to be able to know the max amount of grafts they would do after seeing me in person since I would be travelling all the way to Turkey, I never heard back.

3. I also met with two other highly reputable doctors in the LA area, Dr. Umar and Dr. Marc Dauer. I have nothing bad to say about either consult. Dr. Umar quoted 2,300 grafts as a mix of head and beard hair, but is not available until the end of May at the earliest. Dr. Dauer quoted 1,500 grafts, a mix of head and beard hair. I think the first opening was in at least six weeks. In the end, I just liked my consult with Dr. Baubac best so it was my personal preference, the prices for FUE in Los Angeles for all the top docs are basically all in the same ballpark, I have the option of beard hair, and the fact that he had a March 1 opening worked out perfectly.

I hope that answers your questions and I will be sure to keep you updated!.

New thread is below re: second procedure:

Hello all. Below is the link to a brief summary of photos of my final results after two procedures of 8118 FUE grafts with Dr. Koray Erdogan (5518 in August 2016 and 2600 in July 2017). I am 39 years old. Photos show current state of my hair in February 2019, and I used hairspray to style it. The hairline and front looks really great in my opinion, but obviously the crown still needs more work. Thus I bleached my hair for now to help conceal the thin crown, which stands out more with dark hair on fair skin.

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/profile/29707-erdoganfue/?tab=field_core_pfield_10

I am now 18 months after Procedure #2 of 2,600 grafts in July 2017 with Dr. Erdogan in mid-July 2017 to fill in gaps, crown and add density (and 2.5 years after Procedure #1 with Dr. Koray Erdogan of 5,118 grafts in August 2016). Procedure #2 took one day, no surgical complications to report, everyone at the clinic was great as the first time (more details on my profile page) and always super nice. I did experience severe facial and head swelling in the first week following surgery. You also have to sleep in a head pillow for 7-10 days when you get crown work down to protect the grafts. I used ATP spray every four hours for a week after the procedure as well (provided by clinic). Considering where I began before procedure #1, it is pretty remarkable what a difference 8,100+ grafts by a great clinic make, and it is only going to get better!

Here is the link to where I was at before any procedures, about a Norwood V status, age 37:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/profile/29707-erdoganfue/?tab=field_core_pfield_23

I now have Procedure #3 for 2,000 grafts scheduled with Dr. Baubac Hayatdavoudi of the Alvi Armani clinic in Beverly Hills, CA on March 1, 2019 to focus on in crown/vertex/mid-scalp and any minor touch ups. This will put me at approximately 10,118 total grafts over three procedures between August 2016 an March 2019, a major overall transformation! 

I am currently deciding whether I should use only head hair as donor, or do a mixture of head and beard hair and preserve some of the remaining head donor area for the future (remaining head donor estimated somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 head grafts). I have ample available beard hair on the neck to use, should I choose to do so. Attached on my profile for Procedure #3 are some photos of my beard donor area. I may solict the forum's avice on this issue in another thread, but would welcome on this thread your thoughts on my results from my two prior procedures!

My overall profile page link is below (also in my signature) with a more detailed breakdown of the whole process, before and after photos from both procedures, and where I'm at now:

https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=3340

Finally, here's the link to my original Procedure #1 thread of 5,518 FUE grafts by Dr. Erdogan, performed in August 2016: 

On 5/16/2017 at 10:34 PM, ErdoganN5V said:

You're right on track and I have been closely watching your case with Dr. Koray. I am flying to IST May end for 5000 grafts. ..

 

What sort of questions did you've for him first time around pre-op consult; a day before your surgery? Is is just a formality, because one has already made up his mind before flying half way around the world to Asmed.

 

Did you speak to him before flying out from the US?

 

Do you mind sharing your progress again? Any pointers do you have for first timers going to Dr. Koray?

Please respond.

My apologies for the EXTENDED delay, but here is the final result after procedure Number 1 of 5518 grafts, after almost 12 months, at the clinic in mid-August 2017, just before I had my second procedure with Dr. Erdogan, with wet and dry hair. Dr. Erdogan estimated from my donor I would be able to have approximately 2,600 grafts implanted for procedure number 2 to fill in gaps and begin to fill in crown ( which had not yet been addressed) and increase overall density, bringing the total grafts to essentially 8,100 over two procedures. 

I welcome feedback on your opinion on the result of the first surgery, but based on where I started I was very happy and always knew at least one or two more procedures would be needed. Needless to say I was happy with the outcome, as you will see as I go to Procedure Number 2.

Link to result is here: https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/journal.asp?CopyID=11200&WebID=3340&ProcID=4860

8 month update is here:

https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/journal.asp?CopyID=11046&WebID=3340&ProcID=4860

You can also click the link in my signature. Operation number two to fill in crown and hopefully the visibly thin spots on each side in between donor and transplanted area is set for 3 months from now on July 14. I am estimated to have 3000 grafts left but donor looks good to me, hoping to squeeze some more. May need a third body/beard hair transplant in the future to finish the job, but we will see how Op #2 goes!

Very happy overall...such a difference from where I was! I get carded for buying lotto tickets now (you only have to be 18, haha!)

Also, someone asked if the clinic accepts the deposit transfer in US dollars, and the answer is YES. But you have to ask them for it, their default is Euros. I wish I had known that the first time and would have saved on the conversion, but oh well. I sent it in dollars this time.

Questions/comments welcome!

Based on the Euro conversion rate, even at 2.5 euros per graft I still don't think it is "very expensive", especially for what you get for your money. I'd take a lifetime of hair and driving a cheaper car, etc., 8 days a week

Save that money and go for it!

No, he said he estimated I would need 9,000 for a "complete restoration", however during the consult he measured my donor at 8,500. We'll see what magic he can work in Op #2, and I always have the option of a small third procedure using beard/body hair with another doctor in the future if needed,

I have now also posted Month #7 results with the head shaved to a #1 guard.

Good progress. May I ask, in the first set of pics (post-op) there seems to be no redness but in the next set, the bottom pic with you wearing a sports jersey, there appears to be redness. Is this the light? WHen did the redness go? Also, how long after did you start lifting again? Finally, I would say my donor area is much better than yours (my hair seems much thicker) and you've already had 5,500 and are going back for me. I have been told between 5,000-6,000 for me. Do you have any opinions about this?

The redness was noticeable for whatever length appears in the pics....a couple months. Be ready to blame it on a sunburn for new people, and if same people keep asking keep saying sunburn or come up with something new. Or just shrug your shoulders. Who cares?

I started lifting again a few weeks after the procedure...they have instructions about how long (I think they say a month) but I don't think I waited quite that long. The patient advisers will tell you. In the long run it's worth some time off.

I was recently again estimated by Dr. Koray to have about 3,000 left for my donor. So 8,500 total which I am told is "good" but not "outstanding". He thinks I needed 9,000 for a "complete restoration" the first time around...we'll see if he can work his magic on operation number 2. If I'm still unhappy with the vertex area (which will prob be the area which needs more) I have no problem using some body/bear hair t "complete" the restoration. In fact, I heard that body/beard hair is better used for the vertex area anyway. But that will be over a year from now after Op #2, if needed. I don't have an opinion on your donor, because honestly I felt like mine was "great" but until they do a measurement with microscopes, in person, you really have no idea. If you don't live near Dr. Koray you could try getting a consult from a local doctor to measure/approximate your donor supply so you can plan long term.

ErdoganFUE,

I've read and reread your detailed post and seen your amazing transformation in last couple of days. I think I have a pretty close match in terms of age, hair loss pattern, its extent and what I intend to achieve. So congrats and I'm very happy for you. The looks and confidence gain is evident in the snaps.

Thanks!

By the way, I have my first upcoming surgery with Dr. Erdogan June 1st, and 2nd. If I may, I was wondering if you could help guide me on a couple of points.

 

1) Did you fly immediately the day after your surgery once you had your first wash?

Due to a travel problem with changing the return schedule (nothing to do with the clinic, just the travel agency I used), I ended up flying to Rome the day after the second day of the procedure (so, Wednesday afternoon after Mon/Tues procedure). I then had to stay at a Rome motel near the airport before flying home on Thursday to CA. I am not going to lie, I had major swelling and looked pretty freakish. I wore Ray Ban sunglasses all the time to cover my face and the swelling. I did not wear anything to cover my head. Not even the fisherman hat. I did not want to mess up the grafts. Plus, although your head was just operated on, it for some reason doesn't' look that bad, and I really didn't care what random travelers or the flight attendants thought of me. The worst parts is having to stand in long immigration lines, and take your sunglasses of each time you go through security/immigration officers, with your face looking nothing like your passport. However they take one look at you and you tell them it was an operation and they feel sorry for you should have no problems. Assuming you have swelling like me, which is prob likely if you do a two day massive procedure.

2) Given that it is 14-15hr long flight back to the west coast, how was your flight in terms of pain/swelling etc? Did you care about people giving looks?

See above. Get a window seat. Have the stewardess bring you ice if you can...they refused to refrigerate my ice pack from the clinic. They ended up giving me ice wrapped in plastic which started dripping and making a mess so after the second ice bag I gave up. Pain was manageable, I'd bring Aleve or whatever you can use. Also your neck will be in an air pillow from the clinic. Its not a fun trip but you just get through it, like everything else in life.

3) I see that you spent 2 weeks prior vacationing in Europe - would you suggest taking family along? In Turkey?

I vacationed with a girlfriend in Europe prior, but she left before I went to Turkey, solo. I kind of liked being by myself and just staying in and around the hotel, to be honest. Family would be kind of a distraction and you have no time to do anything after day 1 of the operation starts. You won't want to leave your hotel room, only when you have to. But if you want to feel safer in a group and are worried about it then I guess so.

 

4) Last but not the least - after wiring the initial deposit; could I as well wire the remaining 11500 after consultation so that you don't have to travel with money?

Travelling with the money was not fun and stressful. I would recommend a money belt. Also, Euros are fancy, not like dollars, and bleed when they get wet...thank goodness I kept mine dry. But it wasn't easy. You'd have to talk to the clinic about wiring more. I think they would let you wire some more, but I don't think the whole thing. Ask them.

Would they accept dollars instead of Euros?

I think they only take Euros. I even had to pay for the wire transfer and buy all the Euros in advance, so you take a hit on the conversion. Try to call around and get the best rate. I don't think they take dollars, they aren't really useful in Turkey

5) Are you continuing Minoxidil/Propecia now?

Been taking 1/4 proscar tablet every day since about one month prior to procedure with no sides.

Thanks a lot in advance. I hope to hear from you.

My pleasure.

I have added my 7-month pics and updated my progress. I wanted to take these pics right before shaving my head back down to a one-guard, to show the progress. I just think having it short as a one-guard makes the vertex less noticeable. The hairline is still great looking even at a one guard.

I'll post the pics with the head shaved as well, so you can compare. As I've said, I think it's a good look for me until I can get to Op #2, and will continue to do so. I am planning Op #2 with the clinic for either July or August.

As usual, I try to show all angles. The first set of pics is with the bathroom light on. Then I turn the light off. Obviously, having the light off makes it look way better.

Thanks!

Attached is my link to my journal and 6-month update. I had 5518 FUE grafts to the front/mid scalp section with Dr. Koray Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey on August 15-16, 2016. I am a 37-year old Caucasian American, who was around a Norwood V I think. We decided to leave the crown for the second session.

https://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=3340

I tried to be as comprehensive as I could in my journal/pics, but if you have any questions I will try to answer them.

So far, I am very happy with the results at 6 months, and am planning a second procedure this summer to address the crown area and touch up any other areas. At the time of the pre-op consult, I was estimated to have about 8,500 donor grafts by Dr. Erdogan prior to the procedure, and he estimated I would need about 9,000 for a "complete restoration". I had 5518 grafts used, leaving me with approximately 3,000 head grafts left to address the crown and touch ups. Am hoping this is enough, or that he may somehow be able to extract more that originally thought for a "complete restoration". If not, and I am still looking for more coverage a year after the second procedure, I may consider a small third procedure using body/beard hair.

Good luck to all in your journey! I decided to make this post to give back to a community that was vital in helping me take the plunge in both getting a transplant and selecting Dr. Erdogan.