Regular Member Quasimoto Posted June 9, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted June 9, 2016 Hey ersko How are you coming along at 6 months? Quick question, When you were shedding, did your skin texture seem different? I've just started the shed a bit at 18 days post op. The area is still super red and the skin texture has changed - kind of lumpy with a shine. I sent some pics to Asmed and they say this is normal. Do you have any close ups of your recipient area around the time you were shedding you can send me? Cheers mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JustJax Posted June 12, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted June 12, 2016 Looking forward to your 6 months pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member kalvin Posted June 17, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted June 17, 2016 Hi Everyone, On 8 December 2015 I had 3400 FUE at Asmed Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. Here’s my review. About me I’m from Australia and 43 years old. My temples and hairline began to recede in my twenties. I was self-conscious, and downright frightened of how it would progress. By the age of 26 (back in 1998) I had my first prescription for Propecia (Finasteride). I’ve had zero side effects and have stuck with Finasteride for the past 17 years. My hair loss slowed remarkably, but did not completely halt. My donor hair is fine (40 microns, it turns out), however is reasonably dense all over. My research I was looking for a doctor with proven results in densely packed hairline restoration. Had I been approaching my first HT earlier in life, a conservative approach might have factored more into my decision. But I’m in my forties, have 17 years of prevention under my belt, and I’ve managed to hold it at NW2. I wanted a FUE doc who had the best chance of constructing a believable restored hairline. I scoured this forum before moving to a shortlist for online consultations. Before locking in Asmed, I private messages 10 past patients. I mostly reached out to forum members who has posted their original results then gone quiet, and to my surprise I heard back from all but one. Of the 9 that responded, eight were pleased with their final results, and one was openly disappointed. Despite the single negative response I remained comfortable, paid a deposit, planned a holiday around the procedure and booked flights. My consultation Nothing out of the ordinary. Photos, blood work, met Erdogan, he measured caliber of hairline and density, discussed expectations, drew a great hairline that was easily agreed, final number of grafts locked in, and head shaved (gulp!). Having my hair caliber confirmed as 40 microns was a bummer, but hardly a surprise. I made the final decision to proceed with the surgery the following day, and paid Euros cash. Note: Asmed requires cash payment to avoid paying a 20% tax. This means that to proceed at the 2.5 Euros per graft quoted you need to acquire a massive amount of foreign currency before you leave home, and then travel with it. This is a major hassle/worry, and I was relieved to finally hand it over. Surgery day Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Erdogan’s first assistant Dilek was assigned to my surgery. I’d seen her name numerous times on the forums, and was comforted knowing she had many years of experience. There was also another tech involved, however Dilek spent the most time worklng on me. I estimate she performed 80% of the extractions, and over half of the implantations. There were 3 surgeries happening at Asmed the same day as me, and 4 the following day. Anyone considering Asmed should go in with the understanding Erdogan’s involvement will be limited to the hairline design and incisions. I knew this going in, and was fine with it, however it could be a surprise to others. One thing I do distinctly recall was the impact of the medications. The anesthesiologist offered me a Xanax in the morning to calm my nerves, then a Tramadol at lunch for the pain. Well, what a combination. After lunch I was drifting in and out of vivid dream scenarios and calmly waking up in the middle of my HT. That happened on repeat for hours. I spoke to other patients and none of them had the same trance-like experience – so it must have just been the medication’s impact on me. I was in surgery until almost 8pm and was too swept away in the various dreams to be bored…so I was more than okay with it. I had the optional PRP, and I really hope it does something hurry along his dreadful redness. My stats • Total grafts – 3404 (3200 was originally planned, and was only charged for this) - 420 singles - 1790 doubles - 1134 triples - 60 quadruples • Average hair per graft – 2.24 (7643 hairs) • Caliber: 40 microns • Donor capacity: 8500 My tips Try to connect with other patients. Do your best to find out if any other forum members will be at the same doctor/clinic the same week as you. Before leaving, I connected with another Australian who had surgery booked the day before mine, and he had connected with another forum member booked for surgery the same day as me. By the end of it there were a few us catching up at the Radisson, and we’re now connected on Facebook swapping recovery stories. Hair transplants are a major life experience, and connecting with real people who have chosen the same path, going through the exact same thing, at the same time, has been an unexpected surprise and comfort. Don’t rush back home I went over with partner by my side, and we travelled for 2 weeks following the op. It was great to be able to walk around overseas not caring what strangers thought of my bald, massacred, head. I’m back home now, and to keep the procedure quiet I’m having have to carefully manage any social appearances…I wish we had stayed away longer. Results It’s way too early to tell. I’ll take pics every month to track my own progress, and will be happy to share them. Fingers crossed, I’ll have good news to report in around 6 months. Either way, I'll return the favour and report back honestly with success or regrets. Ersko72 It seems your had a job! Coongratulation. I wanna hair transplant too. But there are too much questions on my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member kalvin Posted June 20, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted June 20, 2016 Woow! Good result! Conrgatulation you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted July 16, 2016 Author Senior Member Share Posted July 16, 2016 These pics were taken just after my 7 month milestone. I'm super pleased with the outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member r5000 Posted July 16, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted July 16, 2016 There might be some great Hair Transplant Doctors in Turkey and the prices are great but right now is not the time to be traveling over there. Everything is a mess over there and it is very dangerous. Do not go to Turkey right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JustJax Posted July 16, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted July 16, 2016 These pics were taken just after my 7 month milestone. I'm super pleased with the outcome. Looks awesome ersko72! has anyone noticed or said anything in the past few months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Raman Posted July 16, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted July 16, 2016 Congrats Erkso, looks natural mate. We got in and out of in Turkey at the right time, crazy over there right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mav23100gunther Posted July 17, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted July 17, 2016 These pics were taken just after my 7 month milestone. I'm super pleased with the outcome. Looks really good mate. Knew it was going to be an outstanding result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maybh330 Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Hi any new update would love to know your current status please post some pics if you can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member patrick1916 Posted November 14, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted November 14, 2016 Excellent, I'm really looking at him for my second one. If I get anything like that I'll be delighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted December 11, 2016 Author Senior Member Share Posted December 11, 2016 Looking back on the past year the first 4 months were very, very rough. Between months 4-7 I was cautious about social gatherings, especially where there was any chance of bright lights. From month 7 I was in the clear, and there was no looking back! I've continued to see improvement since my 7 month update, and I'm very happy with the final outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member mav23100gunther Posted December 11, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted December 11, 2016 Looking back on the past year the first 4 months were very, very rough. Between months 4-7 I was cautious about social gatherings, especially where there was any chance of bright lights. From month 7 I was in the clear, and there was no looking back! I've continued to see improvement since my 7 month update, and I'm very happy with the final outcome. Congratulations buddy - you won! An absolutely outstanding result and the hairline is perfect. I reread the thread, and think your case is the perfect example of how red it really gets, and for how long it can stay red for. So many surgeons just brush it off, but as I also experienced, it is very real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member YouOnlyLiveOnce Posted December 11, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted December 11, 2016 Nice results, though it seems the temples have been lagging? I've outlined in your last three set of pics what I'm talking about and it seems they've consistently been behind the rest. Any ideas/thoughts why? Month 5 Month 7 12 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted December 12, 2016 Author Senior Member Share Posted December 12, 2016 Nice results, though it seems the temples have been lagging? I've outlined in your last three set of pics what I'm talking about and it seems they've consistently been behind the rest. Any ideas/thoughts why? Hi YouOnlyLiveOnce - Well spotted. Yes, right up until today behind the temples is not as thick as the first couple of centimetres behind the hairline. I'm guessing the cause is that lighter density is applied further away from the hairline, that whole 'illusion of density' thing. That said, even up close I appear to have a full head of hair that can be styled standing straight up at the hairline and it would take a fine eye to spot my temples are a little thinner ....so it's not something that worries me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JustJax Posted December 13, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted December 13, 2016 Looking back on the past year the first 4 months were very, very rough. Between months 4-7 I was cautious about social gatherings, especially where there was any chance of bright lights. From month 7 I was in the clear, and there was no looking back! I've continued to see improvement since my 7 month update, and I'm very happy with the final outcome. Ersko, its looks great! Curious to know if you get any comments from people that haven't seen you in a long time? I'm just hoping/praying for a similar results myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member wibbles180 Posted December 13, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted December 13, 2016 Hey Ersko , thanks for the update ! What does your hair look like when wet ? Or with product In ? Does this highlight the change/drop in density from the hairline to the native non transplanted hair ? Have you been in touch with the clinic ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted December 13, 2016 Author Senior Member Share Posted December 13, 2016 Hi JustJax, yeah, I get a few comments - most people ask if I've lost weight and got fit or something. Others closer to me suspect something like a HT, but only one friends has come out and asked me direct. I remember my aunt saying a few months back 'what's going on? you look 10 years younger'. I thanked her, told her I had lost weight and the conversation moved on. Hi Wibbles - my hair looks fine wet; the change in transplanted hair to native hair is no more noticeable than when dry. I'm one of the rare few who doesn't bother with product so I'm not sure how that would go, though based on my hair looking good when wet, I'm guessing product would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member wibbles180 Posted December 13, 2016 Senior Member Share Posted December 13, 2016 Thanks for getting back to me , glad to hear you are happy hope you get even more growth and maturing going forward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Vpac Posted December 16, 2016 Regular Member Share Posted December 16, 2016 Great result erkso, so happy for you mate! You can now enjoy your life with one less thing to worry about. Also thanks for all your guidance and advice when I was considering Erdogan. I am currently 6 months in and really enjoying the new hair. For me, it feels like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders and I can now put my energy towards enjoying and improving other aspects of my life. It has also given me a well deserved confidence boost - I hope it's similar for you. Did you notice much of a difference after the 6/7 month mark leading up to 12 months? From what I've read the hair is suppose to 'mature' and 'thicken' giving a better illusion of density during the second half of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member palma13 Posted January 25, 2018 Regular Member Share Posted January 25, 2018 Hi JustJax, yeah, I get a few comments - most people ask if I've lost weight and got fit or something. Others closer to me suspect something like a HT, but only one friends has come out and asked me direct. I remember my aunt saying a few months back 'what's going on? you look 10 years younger'. I thanked her, told her I had lost weight and the conversation moved on. Hi Wibbles - my hair looks fine wet; the change in transplanted hair to native hair is no more noticeable than when dry. I'm one of the rare few who doesn't bother with product so I'm not sure how that would go, though based on my hair looking good when wet, I'm guessing product would be fine. How are the temples looking now? Properly filled in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted January 26, 2018 Author Senior Member Share Posted January 26, 2018 One temple filled in perfectly, the other remained a bit thin. Overall, I'm happy and if I could pick one fault it wouldn't be the thin temple. The hairline is just a little artificial looking; it is quite straight and doesn't have the regular variation and small short hairs just in front that a natural hairline has. That said, overall I'm happy and have no regrets....though I do recall vividly the ugly duckling phase and not sure I'd be lining up for that again in a hurry, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member palma13 Posted January 26, 2018 Regular Member Share Posted January 26, 2018 Oh ok well I am glad to hear that. You know what its so interesting you mention that about the hairline because I have noticed that with other cases from Dr Erdogan as well. Don't other docs throw like streaks over the hair line so it kinda mimics natural randomness of a hairline. I wonder if this is something one could request. Did you ever look into that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ersko72 Posted January 26, 2018 Author Senior Member Share Posted January 26, 2018 When the hairline was drawn I did ask about natural looking variation and he replied that he would factor in enough 'micro and macro' variation to look natural. And to be fair, there is enough variation that the hairline passes as natural......though I would recommend to anyone else to request more variation, eg use a few less grafts so that hairline arches upwards a little at the temples, which is an ironic request as receding temples is the exact problem we want corrected..though I believe just a slight curve remaining would look more natural. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member coolboy Posted January 27, 2018 Regular Member Share Posted January 27, 2018 I am also interested in Asmed. Is 3400 grafts done in 1 day or two days ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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