Rudiz31

Hey all! Think it's time for an update - 6.5 months / 31 weeks. Feeling very well overall, still washing with a baby shampoo and THAT'S IT 🙂. No other special treatments etc.

Great question 🙂 I think something like after 2 months.

Hey All! As promised, sharing some updated photos taken just today - almost 19 weeks after 🙂 I feel pretty well so far, no serious itching and there's no longer redness in the front, also nothing in the donor area - overall I'm very pleased with my current situation. Looking forward to continuing growth!

@blackislback DUDE this is absolutely AMAZING!! So sorry for the radio silence, was a bit off lately due to some work related stuff but I'm so happy to see your progress and by looking at the photos it seems Dr. Bicer have made such a professional, very gentle and solid work with you front, huge kudos!! Also healing looks very good which is very important. Glad I could assist with my perspective and happy you took that chance with Dr. Bicer - she's really one of a kind!!

Hello! After almost 2 years of researching, I decided to finally go through with a HT. I will try to share my experience and progress with you all. 34 yo, been suffering from hair loss since I was 28. The major drop was between 29-32, for some reason it had stabilized in the past 2 years. I didn't take any medication in that period, especially because of the fear of side-effects but I guess I've could avoid getting into NW5-6 by 34 by taking some meds. Because my hair loss was pretty advanced and I have a very thin hair, I didn't want to do the HT in a hair mill. On the other hand, all clinics told me that I'd need 2 sessions for a full coverage with a high density so I needed to take budget into consideration for a longer term plan. I found Dr. Bicer's clinic through this forum - and all the good reviews she gets in this forum made me feel confident to go through with it. It was especially important to me that I go to a clinic where I'm the only patient, and not a 'hair mill'. Dr. Bicer made a 1st evaluation through pictures of 3,800 grafts, focusing on the frontal + mid scalp for the 1st session, leaving the crown for the 2nd session. I contacted Ozen (Dr. Bicer's coordinator) via WhatsApp, who was very kind & answered all my questions. The communication was very smooth and straightforward. The level of support and transparency that I got from Dr. Bicer herself prior to the HT was absolutely AMAZING - Ozen arranged not one but 3 different video calls with Dr. Bicer via WhatsApp, where she answered every single question I had (and I had a lot!). The great experience plus a few 1x1 conversations with other patients of Dr. Bicer made me realize that I'm dealing with such a professional, well-experienced doctor. Taking all this into consideration was the final confirmation for me. I got very lucky while booking the appointment - I first spoke with Ozen and she mentioned they're fully booked until Apr-22. After I explained to Dr. Bicer my current situation and limitations, she came back suggesting Nov 1st as she had to reschedule one of her other patients. So I managed to book 2-3 weeks in advance. Oct 31st Arrived at the hotel around 12:00 PM. Since it was Sunday Ozen told me that we will meet the day after for all the paperwork and the operation itself, so I travelled a bit in the city. I booked 4 nights at the Radisson Blu Asia hotel which was a bit far from the clinic (5-mins by car) but you can also stay at the Sheraton Grand hotel which is right next to the clinic. Nov 1st (operation day) Woke up, had a very good breakfast and shower and headed to the clinic. Told the guard at the building that I'm there for Dr. Bicer and he let me in and told me the room and floor. I met with Dr. Bicer's Assistant, Ozen. She was very welcoming & kind, explained to me the steps for the procedure and brought me forms to fill out, as well as the offering with the price quote. She even had the forms in my native language! You have to sign at the bottom of each page and fill some other details occasionally. Then I also had to copy a few paragraphs with my own handwriting (apparently part of the bureaucracy mandated by the Turkish government). A few minutes later I met with Dr. Bicer. She explained to me the overall procedure and examined my hair closely in order to decide the extent of the surgery. On site, she told me that the 3,800 grafts is still the current estimation, given my donor area situation, age, potential future hair loss, possible 2nd session, etc. I had my pictures taken and then went back to Dr. Bicer to draw the hairline. Dr. Bicer chose a very conservative hairline for me which was exactly the same that I used to have (was very satisfied with this, again, given my current hair loss pattern). She noticed a difference of 0.5cm between my right temple & left temple and said that it's a sign of a future hair loss in my temples that needs to be taken into account. I was worried about my crown situation, hoping to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, but we didn't want to compromise density over coverage so the doctor mentioned that during the operation she'll see if she can take some grafts to the crown without damaging the density and of course the donor area. Once she finished drawing the hairline and temples, I went to get shaved, and also got a blood test to check covid-19, sugar levels and other metrics. After the blood tests & the shaving we went back to Dr. Bicer's office and she explained the operation phases, who is responsible for each phase, how long it will take roughly, etc. During all time she encouraged me to ask any questions I may have in order to feel confident. Operation The operation room as on the second floor of the clinic. I had to take off my shoes at the entrance. I then changed my shirt for an operating vest and layed on the table. There were three technicians helping Dr. Bicer with the procedure. They were very nice & gentle. I had high blood-pressure levels (probably due to the excitement), so they had to give me a pill to lower my BP. Once it's over (10-15 mins) they connected me to an anti-allergic infusion via a needle. First I had needle-free anesthesia (feels like a stapler without the actual pins, lol. can't really explain), it's a very acceptable pain (maybe 3 out of 10), just a bit long and annoying (maybe something like 10-15 mins, where you feel the pulse every 5-10 seconds). From that moment, I didn't feel ANYTHING, my head was completely numb. I guess they just injected the needled-anesthesia by that time. After that Dr. Bicer made the incisions and extracted the grafts with automated FUE, together with her technicians. I don't really remember how it felt (maybe because I didn't feel anything), but I think this whole part took like 3 hours. I didn't really have a sense of time during the surgery, and during this part I apparently even fell asleep. After that they bandaged the area. At around 14:00 we had a break and I was treated to Turkish Doner. Take the Kebap - you won't be disappointed! 🙂 During lunch break, Ozen then gave me a cap hat, a neck pillow and a small bag with medications and lotions and usage instructions. Please be sure that you are given enough pills - I didn't check and ended up not having enough medicines for the entire 5 days of the treatment! Then we resumed. I was again given anesthesia and skin dilation (this time to the recipient area). Dr. Bicer then did the incisions. Again maybe something like 2-3 hours. Last part was putting the grafts in the incisions. This part was annoying - not only because it was the longest part (I think around 4 hours), but also because my lower back started to seriously hurt due to the prolonged-laying. The technicians tried to relieve my pain by bringing more pillows and it helped a bit. They did most of this part while Dr. Bicer came in occasionally to supervise. I had to take 2 quick toilet breaks during that time. Throughout the operation (in every phase), every few minutes both Dr. Bicer & her technicians kept asking me how I was feeling to make sure that I'm fine, and literally didn't continue until they confirmed I'm okay. Finally when we were done I was given some sweet juice to make me feel a bit less exhausted. Put on my shirt & shoes again and the doctor took a few photos of my recipient area. We ended at 19:30. Given the fact that I think we started around 11:30, the overall procedure took like 8 hours. Then I headed to the hotel, had dinner, took an antibiotic and went to sleep (on my side). Nov 2nd (1st day post-op) Arrived the clinic at 10:00 AM and met with Dr. Bicer who examined my donor & recipient area. Then Ozen took a few more photos. After that I had a conversation with Dr. Bicer where she basically summarized the operation (for example - she mentioned the high blood-pressure levels at the beginning) and provided me with the metrics: 3,880 Grafts were extracted in total by the following allocation 1,100 Singles 2,300 Doubles 480 Multiples - 3,480 Grafts were implemented in the frontal + mid scalp area, while 400 Grafts were implemented in the crown. To summarize, regardless of the fact that I got such a high level of service, both from the staff but also from the doctor, I felt that I'm being treated by one of the best HT surgeons in the world, from explaining about the procedure in very details, through setting up the desired density aligning with the expectations - everything was managed in a SUPER professional way. The following weeks were very normal (in terms of the edema on the first week, scabs, regeneration of the donor area etc.) and I was always communicating with the doctor herself, on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. It's been 18 weeks now since the HT and things are starting to move, very exciting!! I'm sharing some before-after photos, and I'll share an 18-weeks update in the 1st reply. please feel free to comment and provide feedback. Would like to thank again to Dr. Bicer, Ozen and the rest of their amazing team for owning this experience. Looking forward to sharing more updates and results throughout this wonderful journey! @Dr. Ozlem Bicer Clinic

@_Hairman_ & @Portugal25 Thanks a lot for your feedback guys! I basically disqualified Cinik and currently stayed with Dr. Bicer, Dr. Christos Tsakalos (from Choiexpert and also still works for DHI Glasgow) & HDC Cyprus @ Dr. Christina. I got an evaluation of 3,500 grafts from HDC for 2 days session, focusing on hairline + mid scalp with high density, and 4,000 grafts by Dr. Christos Tsakalos for 2 days session as well, 1st day for crown + 2nd part of the scalp, 2nd day he will do the 1st part of the scalp and will also design the hairline a bit. HDC mentioned I would need 2nd session in the future to cover the crown, whereas Dr. Christos mentioned he can work on the entire head but with graded density. (high density in the front + mid scalp, low density in the crown). What's your opinions about Dr. Christos & HDC Christina, compared to Dr. Bicer mainly (because I already understood that Eungenix are your most preferred clinic in this scenario) for my situation?

Thanks for your feedback @JohnAC71. I've actually consulted with Eugenix clinic in India, and they sent me the following evaluation earlier today (see attached pic) with a basic package of 1.4 EUR/gft (doctor do the planning, design and 100% slits, extraction & implementation under techs responsibility) - Conservative Approach You have Norwood – Hamilton Grade VI of Baldness Total Grafts – 4000 Your procedure will be completed in 2 Days Your scalp Donor will yield 3000 grafts. Your Beard Donor will yield 1000 grafts Marked Area will require 4000 grafts for reconstruction of hairline, corners, and rest of the frontal scalp with a natural looking hairline and density filling, with coverage The remaining area will show improvement with medications OR Aggressive Approach Full Coverage You have Norwood – Hamilton Grade VI of Baldness Total Grafts – 6000 Your procedure will be completed in 2 Days Your scalp Donor will yield 4000 grafts. Your Beard Donor will yield 2000 grafts Marked Area will require 6000 grafts for reconstruction of hairline, corners, and rest of the frontal scalp with a natural-looking hairline and density filling, with coverage The remaining area will show improvement with medications I'm a bit worried about the 2nd approach and concerned about if my donor areas can produce 6,000 grafts in 1 session and will be implemented successfully without any long-term damage? Overall - what do you think about this diagnosis, VS to Dr. Olzem Bicer's (3,800-4,000 grafts 1 session without the crown, just front + part of the scalp/forehead) VS. Dr. Ilker Apyadin (3,000 grafts - 2,000 for the front + 1,000 for the forehead, no crown) VS. Dr. Emrah Cinik (3,700-4,200 grafts 1 session without the crown, just front + part of the scalp/forehead) VS. Dr. Hakan Doganay/AHD Clinic (approx. 3,000 grafts from beard & head, focusing only on frontal + part of the scalp/forehead). I'm still waiting for an evaluation from HDC Cyprus & perhaps another one from Dr. Chris Tsakalos @ Choiexpert Saloniki. @Gatsby, @Zoomster, @BDK081522Overall how do you guys analyze & compare these clinics so far, given the above evaluations? Appreciate your advice

Thanks @Zoomster & @Gatsby four inputs, will definitely consider taking meds in the meantime. In regards tomy question, I've also got an avaluation from Dr. Hakan Doganay at AHD clinic Anatalya of approx. 3000 grafts from the hair (2€) and beard (2.5€) + 25% discount after 2,000 grafts, with a focus on the front and part of the vertex (see attached pic). Was wondering why there's such a difference between Dr. Bicer & Dr. Doganay evaluations (1,000 grafts), and also curious to hear your feedback about this clinic compared to the ones that I listed above? Thanks in advance 🙏🏼

Thanks @BDK081522. Didn't take as I was a bit worried of the side effects. Which meds would you consider taking? Do you think that taking meds and my current situation should prevent me from doing a srugery, or it has nothing to do with it? I just got a diagnosis from Dr. Bicer of 3800-4000 for one session and focusing on the front/part of the vertex, and leaving te crown for 2nd session (see attached pic).

Hi Everyone, First, I wanted to thank all of you for everything you do here. This forum is one of the best and most informative I've sewn for a while. I've finally decided to take the final step in my hairloss journey and going with the surgery. A little bit of background: 34, male, men go bald in my family around 28-30, I've never took any medicins or other treatments to avoid hair loss. I've started investigating different clinics 2 years ago, especially in Turkey due to a limited budget. At the beginning, I consulted with a well known hair mills such as Dr. Cinik & Dr. Serkan Aygin, however the more I studies, the better I realized that doctor's involvment would be a key factor for me. Second important factor for me would be someone who has a well-proven and tracked record of working on low-density & a VERY thin hair type (please see pics attached). On the other hand, my budget is limited to roughly 5K€. Therefore I've narrowed down my search and come up with the following list - 1. Dr. Bicer - awaiting diagnosis. 2. Dr. Ilker Apyadin - awaiting diagnosis. 3. HDC clinic Cyprus - Dr. Christina (because she's a bit cheaper than Dr. Maras) - awaiting diagnosis. Interested in getting volume in front/close the temples as well as my vertex, and some work on the crown. Based on my two most important concerns (doctor's involvment/well-experienced team, preferably nurses + high success rate with very thin hair types, who may be your best choise out of the three (or amongst other clinics)? Appreciate all of you!