Hair tranplsant with Dr Koray Erdogan due in 6 weeks

[TakingThePlunge]

Good luck Yaz! I'm looking forward to your updates.

[Yaz89]

Hi guys! I arrived home yesterday evening and my operation was completed on the 8th of October. I will be writing an long update today.

[stinger99]

anxious to read about ur experience

[Yaz89]

Here goes...Finally the time came to fly to Turkey in the early hours of Monday morning. My flight left Luton at 6.30am and I reached Turkey Istanbul at 12.25pm. A driver from the clinic was waiting for me. It took about 25 minutes to arrive to the clinic. All the staff and Dr Koray warmly approached me with kind smiles and handshakes. After introducing myself and vice-versa, Dr Koray asked if he could see my hair which of course I was happy to! I was offered lunch in the canteen which I enjoyed...perfect Turkish cuisine. There was an Spanish patient there who was leaving that day and we had an long chat, he seemed really tired. After having lunch an staff member took my pre-op photographs and then Dr Koray took me to his office for consultation.

 

We spoke about my hair loss and what I expect to achieve. He noted my donor area was quite thick which should lead to an overall good result. He mentioned proscar and how it would help with future loss and protect the crown area. I stated I was afraid of the side-effects and was told side-effects are quite rare (such as having man-boobs!). He draw an hairline which I liked right away and Dr Koray said he will draw a better one before the operation. I sorted all the finances at the end with Dr Koray's staff. I was then dropped off to the hotel where the driver sorted my booking. I had an extremely long shower as I had been awake for more than 60 hours and called it a night as I had to be awake at 7am the next day.

 

I awoke at 7am, had an quick shower and then had an light breakfast at the hotels restaurant. The driver arrived at 8am and we proceeded to the clinic which was only 5 mins away from the hotel.

 

8.30am I had two English translators who were with me all the time through my surgery as I am hard of hearing Dr Koray wanted me to be comfortable thus two people were directed to be with me. All the staff at the clinic speak perfect English apart from one person who I think was an driver.

 

With my two translators we headed to the prep room where my hair was shaven and washed. Dr Koray draw an perfect hairline and then took photographs. I then was let to have an final check up with blood tests.

 

9am I had changed into a surgical gown and was let to the operating room. I must have had various shots to numb the back of the head which hurt! After a while the area had numbed down. My translators had chosen English DVDs for me and they covered me up with an blanket to stay warm...I felt like a prince! I was always asked if I needed a drink or if I had felt pain. It took about 3 hours to extract 2400 grafts and during that time I had watched two dvds which were Rocky and The Taking of Pelham 123.

 

I had an short break with lunch and then went back to the operating room were Dr Koray made the incisions. This took about 90 minutes. Again I felt no pain and had an small break.

 

Now the worst part, planting of the grafts...this took such an long time. During this stage I felt cold, tired, my back felt it was about to snap even despite placing soft padding and blankets under my legs, on my back and under my back. I also felt sleepy. Near the end I kept feeling short bursts of pain....I think the anaesthetic shots were wearing off. Finally I was off the table and the nurses bandaged my head. I stayed in sitting position for a few mins. I was quite unsteady on my feet and was helped to stand. The nurses were all smiling and Dr Koray came in to see how I was. All during the operation Dr Koray kept walking in to check everything which shows how much he cares about his patients.

 

I noticed the time was 5.40pm and had so much pain; my head was throbbing. I was led to the prep room where Dr Koray spoke of the operation. He stated the grafts were of good size, strong and the hairline looked good. A nurse placed this thing which looked an comb with lasers over my head; I think it counted the destiny of the grafts which I do not know. I didn't ask Dr Koray of the grouping of the grafts, I will email soon to ask. I was handed an blue pill to help ease the pain. Everyone bid me goodbye and driver dropped me to the hotel. I stayed in my room for a few hours and then headed downstairs for dinner. I hit the bed around 10.30pm. I slept like an dog apart from waking up at 6am as my throat was really dry.

 

Once awake at 6am, I watched tv for a bit, cleaned my room and packed my bag. I checked-out from the hotel at 7.30am, had breakfast and driver came to pick me at 8am. Back at the clinic everyone came over to say hello and asked how I felt. Dr Koray gave me an big hug! He let me to an staff member who had all my medicine etc shampoo, cream and an four month course of proscar. The nurses proceeded to cut my bandage, helped me change my shirt and washed my hair. They then showed me how to wash my grafts and how to look after them. All was done and I walked around the clinic bidding everyone farewell. Dr Koray shaked my hand and I thanked him for everything. I was getting emotional a bit as I will really miss them. They really looked after me with love, kindness and great care. Due to my bad hearing no one left an stone to help me. I sat in the car and waved everyone goodbye. My flight was at 12.55pm

 

I reached Luton at 3pm. As soon I came off the flight I felt cold and tired. My friends picked me from the airport and I reached home in the evening. My mother cried and hugged me, after seeing my state she cried even more...you know how mothers cant see their children in pain. She had cooked an delicious meal for me which I had.

 

So far (today) I am feeling well, slightly weak as I think I lost a lot blood and my forehead has swelled. I also applied cream and washed my hair twice as instructed by Dr Koray.

 

Of course I did sight-see in Istanbul but that is irrelevant to hair restoration.

 

Here are some images. The left one was taken right after the surgery and the second one was taken today a few hours ago, you see how much my forehead has swelled.

 

MY surgery was done at the new clinic. It was quite impressive...four floors which were if I can recall rightly:

 

Ground floor contained the waiting lounge, admin staff offices, entrance to the clinic.

 

First floor: Dr Koray's office

 

Basement level 1: Camera room, prep room, canteen, toilets, courtyard

 

Basement level 2: Patient rooms with bed, tv, lockers, shower and toilets. Two surgery rooms?

 

I received 2400 grafts and PRP treatment

 

If anyone is trying to contact Dr Koray, please have patience for an reply as he is training several new members of staff which include admin staff who handle calls and emails. I must have seen more than 15 members of his team and they conduct at least one or two surgerys a day. He runs a very tight operation.

Edited October 16, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

It has been eight days now since my h/t and things are looking good. The scabs are falling off and the donor area is healing well. I also have started on proscar as Dr Koray advised me to. The swelling has also gone and I am feeling much better now. The image on the left is without flash and the right one with flash

[HARIRI]

Looking great YAZ89. Keep it up, you went to one of my favorite FUE surgeons who I do really respect and appreciate. Dr. Erdogan uses latest technologies at no additional cost just to satisfy his patients, Indeed a real Turkish hospitality :-)

[Yaz89]

Very true say Hariri! I agree with you...that's why I am going back next year for a proper holiday in Turkey. I am in love with the place. Dr Koray certainly is a kind guy. When I met him, he looked a bit different from photos....he's sporting facial hair now and looking much slimmer lol. Hariri, I started proscar which he recommended but from reading online, the side-effects are scaring me.

[stinger99]

looks like good clean work. im surprised at reading how much pain u seemed to have gone through

[Yaz89]

Thanks Stinger. I am not sure myself but I had lost a lot blood. They did give a few more shots of anaesthetic at the end but it made no difference. Maybe my physique didn't help. I am only 5'8 and 63kg in weight. Feeling much better now, the past few days have been really rough

[Yaz89]

18 days update: Some of the transplanted hair have started to fall off when washing. This is normal as the grafts should be safe and secure under the skin. I also had a haircut yesterday; trimmed the back and the sides with a grade 1. Donor area has healed up well. Hardly any noticeable scarring. My barber said he has seen many hair transplants but mine is one the best and cleanest work he has laid his eyes on. He asked which doctor it was...I replied one of the best in the world! Dr Koray Erdogan!

[HARIRI]

18 days update: Some of the transplanted hair have started to fall off when washing. This is normal as the grafts should be safe and secure under the skin. I also had a haircut yesterday; trimmed the back and the sides with a grade 1. Donor area has healed up well. Hardly any noticeable scarring. My barber said he has seen many hair transplants but mine is one the best and cleanest work he has laid his eyes on. He asked which doctor it was...I replied one of the best in the world! Dr Koray Erdogan!

 

Indeed he is. You are looking great buddy

[Yaz89]

Indeed he is. You are looking great buddy

 

Thanks Hariri! I hate this waiting game; waiting for the finished look! Patience is virtual

[Yaz89]

Right, 4 week update. Majority of the transplanted hair have fallen off, I take this as a good sign. Also have been on proscar for 4 weeks with no side-effects at all. Everything is working as it should be. Also had a haircut today. Used a beard trimmer (grade 0) on the sides and back of the head. Really, really close haircut; like a shave. No scarring visible. Photos are taken under bright light with no flash.

[Denny]

Hey man, thank you for the update! You are looking good with this hair cut! Be patient, the best is about to come! Good growth!

[Yaz89]

Hey Denny, thanks mate. Your emails helped me calm down. I realised shedding of transplant hair is normal. I am hoping to see regrowth in December. Finger crossed

[Yaz89]

I have created a new thread in the patient result section. As this was section is primarily focused on surgeons reviews. I will update my coming months in my thread patient restoration section

[EK]

Hey Yaz89

 

First of all thx for sharing your experience. Very insightfull and interest read.

However I have some question I need answered if u dont mind and others can participate the conversation.

 

What is the waiting time to get an surgery? Im like very desperate getting the surgery during Dec 2013/Jan 2014 will that be possible?

 

Why is their website still under construction?

 

Writing an email with pics of your hair is sufficient enough to be considered to get an appointment? How long before do they reply?

 

50 - 100 EURO for one night stay at the clinic?

 

I sorted all the finances at the end with Dr Koray's staff. I was then dropped off to the hotel where the driver sorted my booking. I had an extremely long shower as I had been awake for more than 60 hours and called it a night as I had to be awake at 7am the next day.

 

 

 

What I've read they add additional 18-20% tax on credit cards. Paying cash is much cheaper but how am I able to carry all that cash with me to the clinic? I dont feel very secured about that or is there a bank nearby where the staff can escort the patient to/from the bank?

[EK]

Yaz89, it seems like I cant private msg.

[Yaz89]

Not a problem, I think you need a certain amount of posts before private messaging is enabled. Anyway can I help you?

[EK]

How many days after the surgery can I return to work?

 

How will the payment be arranged? By cash theres no tax on 18-20%. Do I need to bring the whole cash amount with me as I meet up to the appointment?

 

The most important part is that the time is very crucial for me. I really prefer to have the surgery done in Dec 2013 or latest Jan 2014. Will that even be possible?

[Yaz89]

I will try my best to answer:

 

1. I had 2400 grafts which was a one day surgery. As Dr Koray only extracts and implants 2400 grafts in a day. If you require more than 2400 grafts for example lets say you need 3500 grafts. Then 3500 grafts will take 2 days.

 

I personally feel you should give your self 7-10 days for the donor area to heal. You will have swelling which will begin from the transplanted site and it may proceed to the forehead, eyes and the nose. The swelling affected me but went away within 7 days. The donor area heals quite fast as well.

 

2. Payment wise EK....I booked my operation in May and sent a deposit to secure the date (Booking was done in May to secure my operation for October), I paid the remaining cost in cash (Euros). If your flying from a EU country like I did, then it shouldn't be a problem carrying such a large amount of cash. I did; I had nearly 7000 Euros and 800 British pounds with me. Turkey is a really safe country. I wasn't asked to declare money either in England nor in Turkey. You will be quite safe.

 

3. Your surgery days: Well when I had mine done, there were 2 another patients having their procedures done. I was told they usually conduct 2 surgeries a day. EK, the top doctors in the world (I rate Dr Koray in the top ten) usually always be fully booked. So I am not sure if the dates you would like would be available. Ask Denny, he would be able to help.

 

I know your having a bit of a struggle trying to contact Asmed. They moved into their new clinic I think three months ago. My operation was conducted in the new clinic. Their website is down as they are creating a better one.

 

Meanwhile if you require any help, do contact me. I be more than happy to help. Check my other thread which I am regularly updating my progress:

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/172963-my-journey-hair-transplant-dr-koray-erdogan-2400-grafts-prp-08-10-2013-a.html

[Yaz89]

Hey Yaz89

 

First of all thx for sharing your experience. Very insightfull and interest read.

However I have some question I need answered if u dont mind and others can participate the conversation.

 

Writing an email with pics of your hair is sufficient enough to be considered to get an appointment? How long before do they reply?

 

No EK, Dr Koray needs to examine your scalp, hair type, density of donor hair. I was quoted 2400 grafts through the photographs I send via email but after Dr Koray examined me, we found I needed more. As I have slight thinning in the crown area. Dr Koray advised me to start proscar (finasteride) to help keep the crown and possibly to grow more hair from the crown area. I have been on fin for the past 8 weeks now and I hoping it will help to stop the need of having another transplant in the future.

 

50 - 100 EURO for one night stay at the clinic?

 

The hotel where I stayed is only 10 minutes away from the clinic. The cost is 65 euro single bed or 85 euro double bed which includes breakfast. I advise you bring Turkish Lira currency with you. I paid euros for the hair transplant and euros again for the hotel. Other services such as taxis, take-aways, local shops and restaurants only accept Turkish Lira. I made the mistake of exchanging a small amount of Pounds to Turkish Lira and I suffered!

 

What I've read they add additional 18-20% tax on credit cards. Paying cash is much cheaper but how am I able to carry all that cash with me to the clinic? I dont feel very secured about that or is there a bank nearby where the staff can escort the patient to/from the bank?

 

I think I answered that already. Dr Koray has no control over the tax on credit cards as it is Turkish regulations.

[EK]

Cheers m8.

 

I've contacted them pr. email. Now is the waiting time:)

[Yaz89]

Great to hear. EK, I have answered your first post which you posted today at 11.11am. I have answered it but its not showing yet. Just have to wait for the moderators to approve it. It answers your questions about hotel costs and the tax added if paying using credit cards. Anything else, fire away the question. Also Denny is a great help too. Denny really looked after me and I am still in regular contact with him

[Denny]

Hi EK, feel free to send me a message to dcaldeiron@gmail.com with your questions. I am glad to help you. Best,