Hi Everyone,
Over the last few years, this forum has been a wonderful source of info as I researched having a hair transplant. I can honestly claim that if it wasn't for this forum and the input shared by members, i might not have had the will to go through the procedure myself. The stories shared by patients such as @lukeyb1687helped me decide on going with Dr. Cinik. As such, to give back to the forum, i will share my own experience below.
My contact in Dr. Ciniks office (Funda) was amazing, very responsive and assisted with all the bookings. I flew in from San Francisco and was picked by the driver from the clinic who dropped me at the hotel. On the day of the surgery, they picked me up from the hotel and i arrived in the office around 9: 30 AM. After doing some tests, Dr. Cinik inspected my hair and suggested that I would need between 3700-4200 grafts. I did request for the maximum grafts possible. He was very nice about it and said they would try the best possible solution for my hairline.
I opted for the painless needless and went for the exclusive package (Dr. Cinik opening the channels). Although i felt the pain from the needles initially, the staff were very kind and kept asking if i felt pain. The surgery was quite smooth and to be honest i was asleep through most of it. I did wake up a couple of times to go to the restroom (someone held my hand and guided me all the way to the door) and back. I was provided a light lunch (sandwich, dessert, apple juice). After the surgery i was provided the medications etc and i was happy to know that they had transplanted about 5000 grafts (3500= back of the head, 900= chest, 600= beard). I was then dropped back to the hotel.
The next morning i had breakfast on the 18th floor of the hotel (with 360 degree views of Istanbul). I was picked after breakfast and taken to the clinic, where they removed the bandage and provided information (medicine etc). I went back to the hotel and slept through most of the day.
I had my flight back to San Francisco at 1 PM. They picked me from the hotel at 8 AM and took me to the clinic, where i had my first wash. They provided the shampoo and foam as well as a Aloe vera paste. I also got 1 biotin and 1 saw palmetto from the clinic. At the airport, i bought another pillow, which helped on the flight back.
All in all i have to say that I have been very impressed with the service that i received right from the beginning to the end. The hotel was great, the drivers etc. were extremely kind. The clinic staff were extremely nice and did their best to answer any questions as well as in making me comfortable throughout the process. Thanks to Funda (from the clinic) again for everything she did.
I am posting a couple of images. One is from the day of the surgery. The other one is after the eight wash where i removed all the scabs etc.
I will keep this forum posted in the months ahead. Thank you to this forum and all the members once again.