TXGuy

This is 10 days post transplant. I’m definitely pleased with the results. The healing has gone remarkably well. I knew I would have to come back for a second surgery given the extensive loss and poor donor area, but I feel with another year of Finestriside/Minox combo, I should be able to go back and get another 2,000-2,500 grafts to largely complete things (save for the crown area).

I definitely did it to myself. There was a psychological aspect where for the first time in my life I started to like how I looked in the mirror—-and then I lost my freakin’ hair and I would rather have that back than anything. But yes I did labs. Definitely was on the very high end test wise to exceptionally high at times….but don’t recall looking at the DHT levels. I also did a cycle of something else that when combined with the test was…a problem. Anyhow—-anyone doing any kind of TRT should be very careful. Low doses spread 3x a week is the way to go.

Here are a couple before. I’d obviously need to return to finish the job, but this was the conservative approach given my donor area and large amount of coverage needed. This loss was 100% due to an excessively high TRT dose. Warning to all considering TRT. Do not play with fire.

After doing extensive research and deciding between Dr. De Freitas and Dr. Bicer. Both have excellent reputations in the industry, but my rapid hair loss (due to excessive amounts of testosterone) has caused me great mental anguish, and being that I am in Europe for a year, I felt that getting the procedure now and being able to recover in relative anonymity was preferred to waiting for another 1.5 years (De Freitas waiting list is very long) and having to live with this anguish and facing recovery at home. I felt quite optimistic with my choice in clinics leading up to the surgery with good communication both via WhatsApp message and video consults with Dr. Bicer herself. I knew my donor area going in was rather weak and my hair loss substantial, so I didn’t have unrealistic expectations. Several clinics refused to work with me while several others sold me the world. I respected both Dr Freitas and Bicer for their honesty and integrity. Upon arrival the first day, they arranged for VIP shuttle at a very fair price of 50 Euros from Istanbul Airport to the 5 star Sheraton right next to the clinic. Super convenient for medical purposes and plenty of good restaurants walking distance. Its about a 15-20 euro ride into the city center, and I took the first 1.5 days to sight see. Istanbul is a pretty incredible city so added bonus of a little vacation built in. I reported direct from the airport to the clinic to meet the team, take before photos, take some bloodwork and an EKG to ensure all was “good to go”. A couple days later I reported for surgery. The day started at 830am. I changed into gown outfit, we agreed on the hairline (she drew several and had her staff also weighing in) and we continued until I was happy with it. I wanted it to look like it did a few years ago before all this loss occurred. She then brought me in and nurses shaved my head. We then touched the hairline up again and she drew also for the donor area and all of that. We then went in and more blood was taken so plasma could be separated for PRP, where the hairs would rest once extracted. The nurse and anesthesia tech administered local anesthesia. It was not super painful but was like Botox into the skull. Got very swelling feeling and they kept pricking my head with needle and if I felt anything they would andminister more. In the end it was very numbed and the incisions and extractions began….all this also done by Dr. Bicer. No pain. After this was done a very delicious kebab lunch was served with Turkish tea and water. After, the two nurses performed the implantation. They have worked with Dr. Bicer for 17 and 20 years so are credentialed and very experienced. I ended up dosing off several times. Dr. Bicer would check in from time to time but for 85% of the process she was not in the room for the implantation. Afterwards at 800pm or so I was sat up and bandaged. I went down for an after surgery consult with Dr. Bicer, more tea, and she told me that while originally we spoke about 3,500 and hoped for 3,700, she stopped at 3,000 roughly due to bleeding and feared poor circulation. She did not want to over harvest and wanted to preserve remaining. Wanted to ensure a better healthier result and lessen risk of complication. She said she would refund the money the following day. Integrity. I alrewdy had my pillow and meds so was off to the hotel to sleep. Day following surgery I reported at 900am to remove the bandage, clean the area, and talk. We went over final numbers (3,050 grafts), she refunded me 1,500 euros), discussed starting on medication a month later (minoxidil and finestriside) but I’m going to ask tomorrow about just a topical finestriside/topical minoxidil combo) or a topical dutesteride. Anyone have experience and suggestions on those? I’m trying to prevent further loss and strengthen my existing hair in hopes of returning in 12-16 months for a second transplant to thicken frontal area and mid area more and touch the crown to show a little coverage there. im attaching pictures. This is the 2nd day after the FUE.

Follow-Up. I took the HT plunge now and went with Dr. Bicer. We had discussed 3,500 and possibly more, but as she was extracting she felt that due to the bleeding and described poorer circulation she thought it best to dial back to 3,050. Showing her honesty and integrity throughout, she informed me afterwards and refunded me money. She hopes that within a year we can strengthen the remaining donor area and also take beard/chest grafts to further strengthen the frontal hairline and mid scalp and touching the crown to cover some of that as well. The procedure went quite well. No significant pain throughout. After removal of the bandage the following day I slept that night using the next pillow and woke up to blood and puss on my hotel pillow which was unsettling, though the Dr. tells me this is not abnormal. There is a ton of redness particularly on the large donor area. I will post updates as things proceed. I really am hoping for the best with this first HT, and if results are good I will return for a second to fill in and obtain even more significant results. She did tell me to start on minoxidil and finestriside to strengthen existing hair and prevent further loss. I do not want to do oral finestrisid due to the sides. Keeps makes a topical combo product, then there is the Xyon dusteseride (but I’m not as familiar and it is very expensive). Thoughts?

All, thanks for the replies thus far. I will look into the topical finestriside (XYON). Not cheap at $99/month but if it works really well—-we will see. I’ll have to do some research. The oral minoxidil is intriguing as well. I don’t know much about Dutesteride unfortunately. Using which combo and in which dosages (and avoiding unpleasant sides) isn’t easy to figure out! I started out being more conscious of cost, but now (not that I have deep pockets—more worried about this really being a one shot deal—so need to get it right, and with my advance thinning and not the greatest donor region, I want to be sure) I am more concerned with which doctor gives me best chance of positive results. I like De Freitas, and I know the long wait list is indicative of his talent, but having to wait until May 2025 has me worried (what if hair loss or donor region further degrades in interim). I am hopeful I will respond positively to the medication and the laser helmet and shampoo and all that but you never know. de Freitas actually said 2800-3000 over 2 days and Bicer said 3,000 but perhaps a bit more and done in 1 day. also want to know who is better for Post op care - I read some not too flattering reviews about the lack of after care for Bicer (no first wash, poor instructions and information provided etc.

Hello - been a lurker for a while now, but would appreciate some advice from the group. I experienced pretty rapid (and significant) hair loss due to hormonal issues (was on far too high of a TRT dose for too long), and went from a pretty full head of hair (save for some minor receding) to the attached. It’s been mentally hard to say the least. I am in Europe for the next 10 months and was researching clinics in Turkey and Spain I started thinking I’d go for a better but cheaper option (Dr. Yaman - who recommended 4500 grafts - if they could even be extracted in that quantity), but am now looking at Dr Bicer and Dr De Freitas. I can get into see Bicer the summer of 2024, but cannot into De Freitas until May 2025 at this point. Both doctors tell me (3,000 grafts due to my donor region - at least the first surgery—will evaluate whether 2nd is possible after. I feel this more conservative approach is probably realistic given my hair loss and donor region. I do have thinner hair. I understand my crown is likely gone but the hope is to re-create the front hairline and middle portion (all clinics say this will be the focus). I have NOT to date been on medication. Years ago I experienced sides from oral propecia and disliked the Rogaine foam. I have a iRestore coming any day now…along with Nizorale shampoo. I also have a topical liquid Minoxidal coming and am considering a derma pen . Dr Bicer said nothing about medication whereas De Freitas said once booked a medication treatment plan would be prescribed and must be followed prior to the surgery date. My hair loss (from what I see in shower and pillow) has stopped mostly bc my hormone levels are now well managed. Any advice regarding what doctor to go with and medication suggestions?