MachoVato

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It does kind of seem that you are injecting a negative spin into your procedure. The numbers are the numbers, you apparently have a lot of singles. And it makes sense considering the punch size used. No reason to doubt the graft count, it all looks on track, and shouldn't expect to be given the transection rate (I've never seen anyone be given this). No need to create doubt the work performed. You went to a legit clinic and everything looks as it should. Relax.

I don't think there's anyone better than the other. But I think a couple are called in for beard/body transplants. And when I was there, another patient was having a repair done and he got a specific doctor for that. So there might be some specialization. There's a translator there but all the doctors speak English. You can watch their videos on their YouTube, there are some with interviews with the doctors.

I'm very pleased with my results. It's just my opinion, but HLC seems to be graft aggressive (not a bad thing), they really like dense packing, yet still good at hairline naturalness. But I've been real impressed with Bisanga's donor management and refinement in the hairline. I want to slightly close my temple points and for that I want a softer touch. Besides, HLC's first opening is in October. Bisanga had an opening in 5 weeks. I did reach out to De Freitas, but I haven't back from them yet and I think they have a long waiting list. 9 months out shouldn't be a problem. The work won't be in the previous recipient area. The crown and temples are untouched.

Month 8 Update A few quick pics. It doesn't feel much different than last month. The hair might feel a little more natural (less course). This might be my last update because next month I'll be getting my second transplant to cover my crown and some hairline refinement, especially my temple points. Approximately 1,500 grafts. I'm booked with Dr. Bisanga in Belgium and I'm super excited!

It's worth mentioning that Dr. Pekiner was formerly a doctor at HLC. There are about 5 doctors at HLC. Usually, more than one will work on you.

It's already a perfect outcome at 9 months! Congrats!

You should do more research on beard transplants.

That's a fee for driver service to/from airport, staying in their apartment across the street from clinic (small 4 room unit, shared with other patients), and dinner delivered to the apartment by a local restaurant. There's nothing wrong with the better Turkish clinics (I went to HLC). The hundred others I'd stay away from. I think the issue is that you can get Arocha for about the same cost as you could get from HLC/Pekiner including airfare. You could save money with Bicer at 1.5 Euro for motorized FUE, but maybe only $1-2k. Some feedback on the HLC quote... it'll change once you're in the chair and go through the hairline drawing process. They are big on "dense packing" at 50 grafts/cm2. Usually it's just the front 1cm across the hairline, but it sounds like they are quoting 50 for the whole area. And they are likely to add density behind that front tuft. Again, you would have a lot of input into the design and density, which determines the graft count. Personally, I live in Houston so Arocha is local to me. But I still went to Turkey. 4200 grafts would have cost me over $21k in Houston. But I spent about $15k in Turkey, flew business class, and stayed an extra week for some sight seeing. I'm a little adventurous... I'm planning my second transplant, roughly 1000-1500 grafts, and I'm flying to Belgium for that for a lot more $/graft.

We've come a LOOOONG way since the 70's!

I agree that the hairline could use a little more density. And yes, the crown is always last to fill in. The next 3-4 months should see more growth! Thanks for sharing.

Yes, I understand that traveling restrictions are changing by the week. It's crazy! I'm close to locking in the date for my second transplant with Dr. Bisanga. I'm looking forward to it! 😎

Hello all, I'm looking to schedule a trip to Brussels, coming from the US. I believe travel to Turkey is fine, but any word on Belgium travel restrictions? Anyone travel there recently? Thanks!

Big improvement over your last pics! Hairline looks great. Your before/after difference is already impressive and will get much better over the next few months. I'm only at 7.5 months. So far, my right side is more dense than my left but it's catching up.

@T95good How's the progress?

This is the only styling paste I'll ever use. Great hold without shine. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CWJ1YW

On the other hand, Dr. Vories charges $5/graft, so that's a possibility. https://carolinahairsurgery.com/hair-transplant-costs/

Who in the US is offering $5/graft for FUE? The best, arguably Konior, charges like $13/graft for FUE. You might get a top doc for $6-8 for FUT. I'd prefer any of the above docs at €3/graft doctor than a US doc at $5. That's what I did. I went to Turkey and paid $12,500 for 4,200 grafts @ €2.5/graft at HLC Ankara. Considering that a US clinic would have been at least twice that much, I flew business class and stayed a week in a 5* hotel... and still saved money. And got a mini vacation out of it.

Of those low-cost options, I would only consider Demirsoy and FueCapilar.

In Turkey, HLC is 2.7 Euro/graft. Dr. Pekiner is around 2.25/graft. Dr. Bicer is 3/graft. I think Dr. Keser is 3.5/graft. These are the most expensive clinics in Turkey Elsewhere, I'll offer my personal favorites. In Spain, there's Dr. Lorenzo and Dr. De Freitas. Dr. Cuoto has some brilliant use cases, but he's not accepting new patients. In Portugal, there's Dr. Bruno Ferreira and Dr. Bruno Pinto. And you should consider Dr. Bisanga in Brussels. Prices will be from 3-5 Euro/graft. All top shelf surgeons.

It doesn't really matter. Cuoto isn't accepting new reservations. He's booked until 2023, or something like that.

I would prefer they take it to a new thread. Instead of hijacking this use case.

Is there much of a language barrier there? Or do you speak Spanish?

Are you on finasteride or minoxidil? That would be the absolute first step.

I think you need to approach this another way. Repair cases require a more experienced hand. Don't go to a technician-led clinic, like Cinik. They will not have the skill to extract beard or chest hair, and place them in scarred recipient area. And your donor area on your head is very depleted. Cinik won't know how to handle that. You won't be able to over your crown with just beard/chest hair. How about contacting Dr. Bicer. She has over 20 years experience, including chest and beard. And she can do FUT, which you should really consider.