My journey: Hair Transplant with Dr Koray Erdogan, 2400 grafts and PRP (08/10/2013)

[Yaz89]

Hi everyone,

 

I had already reviewed Dr Koray Erdogan in the surgeon review section and I thought it was best to start another thread showing my progress. I am so far 6 weeks post op. My journey so far:

 

(Copied from my first thread for those who are not familiar with my background)

 

At the age of 21 an close family member passed away (my Uncle). I loved this person to bits and my heart couldn't take it. I was diagnosed with severe depression. I had the depression for an year and this resulted in mood swings, sleepless nights (with nightmares), breakdowns and hair loss. During this period I postponed my entry to university as I was in no state to study. I noticed my hair started to thin around the temples badly. My family told me not to worry as I was ill and hopefully the hair should grow back. A year on once the illness had gone and my health improved but there was no sign of the hair growing back. I visited my GP who conducted blood tests and so on. Everything was normal. Please be aware, I have no hair loss for the past 3 years but DID have hair loss when I had depression which resulted in both temples now being bald.

 

I have tried no hair loss regime such as regaine or finasteride as I do not believe pills/chemicals are worth the risk long-term. (I am currently taking finasteride which I started after my transplant).

 

For the past year I have been researching hair transplant clinics aboard. There was no way I could afford an procedure here in the UK and secondary I do not trust the private medical sector here.

 

I contacted many hair transplants aboard but Dr Koray Erdogan stood out from the rest. I emailed ASMED in May and they swiftly replied. Judging from the photographs which I send, Dr Erdogan stated I would need 2400 grafts. I booked my hair transplant for October by sending a deposit to book the date. Currently my airline ticket, hotel and visa have been booked. And the operation date is 5 weeks away! I will carry on updating this thread with photographs and information. So far, ASMED have replied back to every single email with detailed responses and I can say they are really an professional team. I cannot wait to meet Dr Erdogan himself. As I am south-Asian (British-born) lets see how Dr Erdogan handles my case as I have read online he is popular with patients from Turkey and Europe.

 

To those who would say that I am too young (24 years od age) for an hair transplant please understand my hair loss was due to my medical problem. My father is 60 and he started to go bald at the age of 45; due to his illness. My younger brother is 22 and has an head thick of hair which resembles an hedgehog lol. My secondary reason for an hair transplant is that I am due for cochlear implant surgery in November as I am severe deaf. I need hair to cover the outer audio processor. Currently as I have no hair in the temples, it looks really odd when I let my hair grow; this results in hair growing from the sides, top of the head and back of the head. I look really odd and my hair loss has really changed my appearance.

 

 

How I looked before:

Edited November 20, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

(When I left for Turkey)

 

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 which was free, a truly kind gesture by Dr. Koray.

 

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.

 

Right after transplant:

[Yaz89]

As soon I reached home, I started on proscar (fin) as instructed by Dr Koray. I intend to stick to it for life. So far I have been on fin for the past six weeks and no side-effects at all. I also started to apply Bepanthol cream for 10 minutes and then washing the grafts slowly by using a finger with lukewarm water. My mum helped me to this for three weeks! Bless her, tending to an 25 year old man at her age lol. The cream and special shampoo were provided by the clinic. At day 3:

Edited November 20, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

From week 1 to week 4, I hardly had any shedding. The pinkness in the transplanted area had gone by week 2. Swelling had sustained by the beginning of week 1. I was amazed to be healing that quickly. I did have the slight itchy feeling in the donor area at week 3 which resolved it self. Photographs at day 8:

Edited November 29, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

By week 4, I had a haircut to clean the sides and the back of the head. The transplanted hairs were also growing and majority of scabs have gone

Edited November 20, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

At the end of week 4, I started to lose the transplanted hairs. I began to panic and bombard Denny who is Dr Koray's rep on here with emails. He ensured me that all is normal and it is part of the healing process. He stated it was actually good news as the grafts are safe and secure by now; I figured out this was the 'ugly duckling phrase'. Pics at week 4:

[Yaz89]

Professional photographs taken by Dr Koray showing before, after and hair line design. Dr Koray has closely matched my hair line the way it was before my hair loss. Many would point out the slight thinning at the crown. Dr Koray also mentioned it; he has a fine eye for detail and planned ahead with the future in mind thus why I am taking fin.

[Yaz89]

That's all for now. Today I am on week 6 and 1 day! Will update on week 8 (month 2) progress.

Edited November 20, 2013 by Yaz89

[Yaz89]

Grouping of grafts:

 

Single: 489

Double: 1159

Triple: 700

Multiple: 54

 

Total number of grafts: 2402

Average hair per grafts: 2.13

 

Plus PRP

[Mask]

This looks excellent, am a big fan of Dr. Erdogan since he uses manual punch crafted as this results less, undetectable scarring, and low transection. Do you know if he used Manual on you?...

Edited November 21, 2013 by Mask

[Yaz89]

Hi Mack, yes Dr Koray only does manual-punch using his one-step approach to extract grafts to minimise low transection rate. This is because the punching and graft removal process occurs at the same time resulting in less scarring . He has mastered this approach and is a really kind doctor.

[scooter]

looking very good,congratulations I am sure you will be very pleased with the final result !

[Yaz89]

Thanks Scooter! I am hoping to have some growth after christmas. I hate this ugly duckling period. Good thing is I am looking like how i was before my transplant.

[rev333]

wow! great result at week 4 which will be your final result but much thicker

 

this will be a total transformation!

[Yaz89]

wow! great result at week 4 which will be your final result but much thicker

 

this will be a total transformation!

 

Thanks Rev! Yep I cannot wait for the final result. The week 4 pic shows some small shedding where the head pink. Here is a week 3 pic where the grafts were growing and I had no shedding at that time. The shedding began in the middle of week 4.

[Denny]

Wow! That is a great report! I am on this trip with you, mate! Thank you for keeping us updated. I am sure you will have a great result!

[Yaz89]

Thanks Denny, I will update my 2 month progress on the 3/12!

[Yaz89]

As promised month 2, 8 weeks post-op update. Time flies! I have been really busy the past 3 weeks. Been preparing for my cochlear implant surgery which was done on the 25th. Just recovering from that which has been a roller coaster. You can see the stiches on my right side, near the ear where they had to shave the hair off.

 

Hair wise, not much has changed other than I have experienced no shock-loss at all. I am looking like the way I was before my procedure. Nearly all pre-op hair have grown back. There is a little redness in the transplanted areas and I can see thousands of small dots and whitey wisps which I believe are miniature new hairs. Donor has healed well, no itching or tightness. I also have been on finasteride for the two months now. No reports of side-effects and my younger brother thinks my crown area is looking much darker and thicker. I really hope growth starts soon. My last haircut was 5 weeks ago and I have promised my self I will hold my self back and not have a haircut till March! Usually before my hair loss began, I used to visit the barber every 3 weeks! Three month update on the 31st December!

[Denny]

Thank you for updating this post! You look pretty good. You cannot forget you have a long way to go. I'm sure you'll look great after a few months! Good growth!

[Yaz89]

Thank you for updating this post! You look pretty good. You cannot forget you have a long way to go. I'm sure you'll look great after a few months! Good growth!

 

Hey Denny my friend! Yep, indeed a long way to go yet. I know growth usually kicks in after month 3. Its going to be a good new year!

[Yaz89]

I have a question to ask. I am now nearly 9 weeks post op. Well the area where the grafts were inserted feels very numb and hard when touched. There isn't any pain but more like a sensation feeling. Feels very warm at times and swollen. Is this some sort of acne? Are the hairs trying to push through?

[Yaz89]

Not a single reply....anyone?

[Tigerkat]

Hi Yaz

 

I have sent you a pm.

[Yaz89]

Many thanks Tigerkat!

[trickydicky]

Hi yaz, a great account of your operation with dr erdogan in istanbul and im torn between him and dr lorenzo at the moment....i guess the cost will be the deciding factor!

 

The last post i read about your numbness but you didnt get anymore replies from forum members or there have been no more updates. So where do you stand now and more importantly are you more than happy with your procedure, can you recommend dr erdogan?