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Day 11 (My camera sucks, so forgive the poor photo quality) All the scabs are mostly off, with only those remaining in my donor area. Transplanted area is clear of scabs. They started to fall off during showering around Day 8. Did not push them to do so. The first couple days of applying lotion/washing with shampoo, I was rather timid about touching the area/scabs. But, by Day 4, washing/applying shampoo felt quite good. I was surprised how little I itched or had the urge to do so. Honestly, my donor area scabbing is what has itched; the rest, not. Anyhow, happy the scabs are gone. Front is the only area that is red; the rest has returned to my normal skin color. Now, it's a waiting game.

Ah, one part I forgot to mention: the flights back. Once I arrived at the Istanbul airport, I wore just my sunglasses. I noticed quite a good number of others who had undergone hair transplants. I had read earlier, somewhere on this forum, that that is to be expected. So, I honestly didn't feel self-conscious. On the flights back to New York via Frankfurt on Lufthansa, masks are required. I just took my sunglasses off. The main thought in my mind during this whole return: what is the likelihood that I will run into anyone I know or ever meet again? I was unable to wear a hat, hoodie, cap, any head covering. So, what could I do about my predicament? Not a thing. It is what it is. In my layovers, I watched movies on my phone, which helped me ignore anyone who may look me over. Once I reached my destination airport, I threw the sunglasses back on, headed to my car, drove home. I had stocked up on a ton a food before my flight out. So, when I returned, I just have hunkered down. I'm not going to lie and say how my head looks is attractive and I want to head out on my usual errands around town. Hells naw. I walk the dogs at night. I work from home. But, small sacrifices now for the benefits that await.

Okay, photos attached is Day 3 post-op.

UPDATE: Well, overall the experience was fantastic. I flew out of the US from JFK via Lufthansa on 6 Sept. The flights went without a hitch to Istanbul (Had a layover in Frankfurt). My biggest concern was the challenge involved with obtaining free wifi. For those without a Turkish phone number, you will need to use your passport at kiosks to obtain a password for 1-hour use. NOTE: These kiosks are at the exit of the airport -- you will need to pass departures, passport control (PPC), duty-free, baggage claim, and then exit before you find one. More on this in a moment. In order to leave passport control, you will need a visa. CARRY US CASH. There is a big blue sign to the right of PPC with "Visa" on it. For an American, the cost is $30. A sticker is attached to your passport page, and you can proceed through PPC (someone at the entrance to PPC will tell you this and where to find the visa). Finding your way through the rest of the airport is rather easy, with a MASSIVE yellow/orange "Exit" sign at the end of baggage claim that leads you to the final hallway, where all the doors leading outside are located. Now, the wifi. Before you fly to Istanbul, whoever your assistant is should send you a small map, which shows what door to exit outside and what "driver" number to look for once you pass through the door leading outside. When you leave baggage claim, and walk under the massive "exit" sign to the last hallway, you will walk down this wide hall leading to the door outside, likely Door 13. Instead of turning left to exit outside, walk straight ahead, and there will be a pillar with a wifi symbol and a small white machine. Slide your passport, as the directions indicate, and print you password. Now, you have wifi. This was an ordeal for me. I honestly wished I had purchased Verizon international travel pass (like $10/day). There will be more times where you are in Istanbul, where having connection to you assistant for information will keep your stress level down -- but you won't have it because wifi is not nearby. But, this is me; others are okay with wifi only. Meeting up with my driver was good and smooth; though, his english was rather poor (more on language later). Enjoy the drive into Istanbul. It's wonderful. I opted to stay in the clinic suite, which is in the same building as the clinic, but different floor. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, know that the clinic is on level 17, and the suite is on level 10 of the same building. My driver told me "tenth floor" and then left -- me not knowing what floor the clinic is on. Upon arrival to level ten, there is nothing. The hall is dark, with lights only triggered by movement. No one is on the ground floor reception for the building. There is no building map. But, very fortunately, a girl and her friend arrived on the 10th floor. I asked for help finding the office, and the girl helped me out, calling the doctor office (REMEMBER -- once you leave the airport, you will not have wifi nor a way to reach your assistant), and leading me up to level 17, exit right from the elevator, to the office. I met with my assistant, Dr. Biçer (pronounced Beecher, like teacher), took some blood, filled out some paperwork, chatted. I was then led down the level 10 to the clinic suite. This is an excellent option (Dr Biçer had even said this is better instead of a hotel suite) -- nearby the clinic and shops, great views, good wifi. My assistant told me to send photos of the menu (on the suite table) what I'd like ordered; he ordered it, and the delivery arrived not long after. NOTE: I ordered a lot of food. I ate most for dinner, ate the rest at breakfast -- along with the breakfast they provide for you before the procedure. Having a full stomach will help. Enjoy what night(s) you have before the procedure, as sleep will be much harder to come by. On the morning of the procedure, I showed up upstairs at the appointed time. My hairlines were drawn, photos taken, changed clothes. And entered the surgery room and given a relaxant. Now ... the application of the anesthesia is the only painful part of the procedure -- basically, a short-needle applicator gun is used. There will be a lot of shots, depending on how much work will be needing done. Just grin and bear it; that's all you can really do. More of an annoyance pain than anything. There are three parts to the surgery, and you'll break for lunch after, I believe, part 1. I passed out for most of parts 2 and 3, waking only momentarily for glimpses of what was happening. My procedure lasted 8 hours. I was somewhat dizzy after (normal, according to Dr. Biçer). I changed, had some photos taken, given medications, and told to rest up and show up the next day in the morning. I returned to my suite, ordered food, ate, slept (or tried to). I propped some pillows from the bed on the end of the couch. There are other chairs in the suite, but I think the couch was the best because I could prop my feet up. Oh, there will be prayer from the mosques when it is dark (I'm assuming this is tied to time instead of time of day) that may wake you up, too. I slept okay. I was given another breakfast. I packed up my belongings and returned to the clinic for a de-briefing with the doctor. A taxi was called, was late-ish -- not too big of a deal as my flight was at 14:00. The office is aware of how much time you need to leave the clinic and arrive at you departure flight. Taxi was scheduled for 09:30, arrived at 10:00. Once at the airport, being dropped off, walking through PPC and the rest of the airport to reach my gate did take some time but I had about 1.5-2 hours to spare when I arrived at my gate before departure. But, you should have plenty. Be sure to grab the free wifi password before you enter PPC. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. Hope this guide helps.

Question for you: I just had my surgery today with Dr Biçer and confirm the good qualities about her from my own experience. I'll be talking to her tomorrow morning before my return flight back to the US. So, I have a few questions: 1. When you flew out of the Istanbul airport, where did you pack your medications? I'm concerned that security at Istanbul, Germany, and/or the US may take them. I am considering asking Dr Biçer about a prescription to show security. What are your thoughts? 2. How did you sleep on the plane upon your return. I"m happy I was provided a pillow, but I thought I'd ask you, with recent experience. 3. Odd question: But, are the different airline check-in desks available before the security? My phone is about to die (didn't purchase a voltage coverter for Turkey) and will likely need that desk. I think I might ask Dr Biçer's office staff if they can print mine out before I leave.

Yes -- I reached out to the office, and, yes, it turns out he was on vacation. I have been reached out to by him and worked out the final steps. Thanks for this help -- much appreciated.

So, I have an appointment on 8 Sept with Dr. Biçer. I'm scheduled to fly out on 6 Sept. from the US. Problem is, the liaison — whom I have been talking to since my appointment was set up earlier this year — has not responded to any of my texts or email about finalizing my trip in the past few days. For example, I was told some months ago that I'd be provided specific information to help my trip go smoothly: plate of car picking me up, driver's number, etc. What do I do? Should I just stick to the flight itinerary and head to Istanbul without this information? Or cancel? If anyone else has an appointment with Dr. Biçer, too, but had a different liaison they have been in contact with, could I give you my information to pass along so they can reach out to me, so I'm not left high-and-dry? I have my deposit invoice and contract if you need proof of that. Not going to lie, but my stress level is pretty high right now not having this clarification that I'll be taken care of upon arrival. Thanks!

@HortonCGood to know about the wifi. Being able to communicate with them is, honestly, one of my biggest concerns. But, it sounds like this is all good. Hope your surgery goes well. If you post anything about your experience, I'd like to check it out.

Ah, okay (about the wifi). We've been communicating via WhatsApp. And I'll definitely ask about the surgical cap -- thank you.

I have an appoint set. for Sept. 8 with Dr. Biçer, which I'm very excited about. I had initially reached out to her office in November for an appointment; about 5-6 weeks later, I received a reply from Doruk Biçer, which then kicked off setting up my FUE procedure date/time. I have been very happy with his replies, information, and availability. Added to this was establishing a short, 3-way meeting with Doruk, Dr. Biçer herself, and me, which was most welcome and informative. Estimated grafts is 3,500. Left open the possibility of a second session at a later point. I started losing my hair in my late 30s. Big loss at first, mostly from the crown. Then the frequency of loss tapered off to be rather quite mild. A lot of my desire for a transplant has been loss of self-esteem. And tired of wearing a cap all the time around strangers. I had shaved my head at one point to see how I would look, whether that would be enough to bypass a transplant. But, I was left pretty unhappy with how I looked. I like having hair. I have read a lot of the support among the members here for those who have undergone procedures. This felt like a good place to express how I have been coping with the hair loss, as well as my anticipation for my upcoming procedure and, later, results ------ I do have some questions, more on the practical side of preparing. I live in the US and will be flying out to Frankfurt, then Istanbul. 1. Doruk said Dr Biçer's office will provide a neck/head pillow for the return flights. From those with experience with her office, will their provided pillow be good enough? If not, what do you recommend? 2. I have an Apple phone with Verizon. I'll be reaching out to Verizon about setting up my phone for international communication in Germany/Turkey. Is this the best way to do it? Or should I buy a SIM card that allows communication with my phone while in Turkey? I really want to make sure I am in good, reliable contact with Doruk and his team when I arrive, as I'll be picked up by them. 3. Any form of paperwork/online information I need to fill out or submit for traveling into Turkey? 4. What other items would be good to have/use once my procedure is done and I'm flying back to the US? I want this whole experience to be as easy and stress-free as possible. I honestly don't care about stares I'll likely receive during my return journey (what's the likelihood I'd ever see these people again?), but I'll likely be wearing sunglasses most of the time. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Any feedback/help would be most welcome