Caverick

Hard to know without seeing pictures. Not sure I agree with the doctor's office that you've lost more native hairs in such a short period of time given you are also on finasteride. Do you happen to be using a keto shampoo? It made my hair extremely thin after using for a few months. It could be the hairs just shed as part of the cycle and will grow back stronger. I'd give it a couple more months before stressing, especially since you were making great progress at month 8.

@goli thanks! How has your progress been?

@MrOneSeriesI think that’s a good idea! Best of luck to you and keep us posted after the procedure! I have no doubt it will go smoothly for you.

@jj51702, Thanks, I hope you're right!

Day 8:

2 Days after Procedure: After two days, I removed the headband and the swelling started to travel down my face. Luckily it stopped right before it got to my eyes. Swelling was subsided by day 4.

Day of the procedure: There are some areas where it looks like they missed transplanting a graft, but I still have quite a bit of native hairs in those regions which the photo didn't capture.

Background: I am 30 years old and started noticing my hair loss approximately four years ago. Thanks to the forums, I learned of Finasteride and have been taking it for the past 1.5 yrs which has slowed down the loss and repaired the crown; however, the hairline has continued to recede. I had been researching hair transplants for a long time but I live in the US and couldn't justify spending $17k for the procedure. That's when I learned of Turkey and how affordable it was. Although I was very impressed with the results I saw online, I had many reservations traveling to a foreign country for a medical procedure. After months of contemplating, I finally pulled the trigger and reached out to a few clinics. I ended up deciding to proceed with Dr. Cinik. Shout out to @Donjamo for posting his experience and putting me at ease. Travel/Day 1 in Turkey: The 14 hour direct flight from San Francisco was not the most enjoyable experience, but the logistics upon arrival were great. I won't go into too much detail as it's been covered by others, but just want to say that Dr. Cinik's office had everything covered as far as lodging and transportation was concerned. Day of the Procedure: I was quite nervous/excited the day of the procedure. Some people say the experience feels rushed, but I didn't have that impression. They withdrew my blood for the PRP treatment and then introduced me to Dr. Cinik. He looked at some photos when I was younger and we agreed on a hairline. During my online consultation, they recommended 2,000-2,500 grafts. However, after inspecting my scalp, he said I could achieve great density with only 1,800-2,000 grafts. I was happy to hear that as it leaves me with more in the future should I need another transplant. Next, I was taken upstairs to pay, take pre-op photos, and have my head shaved. I was then brought back downstairs to begin the procedure. I had the option of "pain free anesthesia" for an additional 300 euros but felt it was a ploy to get more money from me and declined. I regret this as the local anesthesia was extremely painful. I felt the first 20 injections and there were many more to follow. I would encourage everyone to take the pain free option as I'm told it's about 50% less painful. At least I saved 300 euros Total procedure took approximately 5 hours which was shorter than I expected. I guess this is in part to the limited number of grafts I required. The technicians did most of the work, but Dr. Cinik opened the channels on the recipient area. Pre-Op Photos:

Just had my procedure yesterday and reading your update from the hotel. Wish I had taken your advice on the pain free anesthesia. I opted to save the 300 euros and it was the most pain I’ve ever experienced!

Seems to be healing well! Unfortunately I have to go back to work three days after my procedure. Not looking forward to it.

The first wash definitely seems intimidating! I have already watched several youtube videos on the process. I'll be flying out the day after my procedure so will also be doing the first wash at home. My hairloss started around 26 and I'm 30 now. I've been on finasteride for a year which restored my thinning crown; however, the hairline continues to recede, but at a slower pace. I'd say I am a Norwood 3 on one side of my hairline and a 2.5 on the other. Dr. Cinik thinks I require 2,000-2,500 grafts. Any pics after the first wash?

Looks great and am excited to see the progress you make. My booking is later this month with Cinik. Pretty nervous flying to a foreign country for surgery, but posts like this put me more at ease. Were you awake for the entire procedure? A lot of folks say they are given a pill which made them really drowsy. How was the flight home? I'll have a 14 hour return flight to the US.