After researching transplants for three years, I decided to choose a clinic where the doctor performs every step of the procedure, including extractions, incisions and implantation. I didn’t want to take any risks with my grafts. I was left with three choices: 1. HLC, 2. Keser & 3. Dr. Kaan. I read every single case report out of these three clinics, including on English, German and Italian forums. In the end, I decided on Dr Kaan because of his excellent results and relatively affordable prices. I am very happy I did!
ABOUT ME
Age: Turning 28 this month
NW3 with very gradual hereditary frontal recession (I have two brothers in their mid-40s who are still NW2 and NW3.5)
Medication: None currently. I tried various strengths of finasteride over the course of a year but had to stop due to side effects. Trust me, I tried. This is a decision I have made and I accept the risks.
Total grafts transplanted: 2,200
THE SURGERY
If I had to use one word to describe Dr. Kaan it would be this: ethical. My feeling was that he really cares about preserving his patients’ grafts. After sending my pictures initially, Dr. Kaan estimated I would need around 2700-3000 grafts. During my in-person consultation on the first day, we discussed hairlines and transplants in general for almost an hour, talking back and forth about the best possible plan. In the end, we decided on a more conservative approach, which I am happy we did. Dr. Kaan took the estimated number of grafts down to 2,500. This number would come down once again after the first day of surgery to around 2,200 after it was determined I had very thick donor hair and therefore would need fewer grafts for a good result. There is no incentive for him to do this other than to save your donor hair, as fewer grafts means less money for him.
My surgery was split over two days, with around 1,100 grafts extracted and implanted on the first day and rest done on the second day. As extractions are done manually, this is the most time-consuming part of the process. I feel it is worth it however, as manual extraction generally processes fewer transections and dead follicles. Dr. Kaan performed every step of the procedure, including extractions, incisions and implantation. In fact the only times his assistants touched my head was when they shaved and washed it! also really appreciated the fact I could talk to Dr. Kaan during the surgery and ask him how everything was going.
The clinic itself is very comfortable. I was served delicious breakfasts and lunches. I stayed at an AirBnB next to the clinic. Everything was perfect.
PRE
PLANNING
POST-OP
8 DAYS POST-OP