First Hair Transplant with Dr. Resul Yaman - 3400 grafts

[KLHT]

Hello everyone,

 

A little bit about myself. I’m approaching my mid 20s and have been suffering from hair loss ever since I was probably 17. Going bald at such an early age sucks; I’m sure a lot can relate. Been researching hair transplants since the age of 20 and thanks to this community, I have gained some knowledge regarding this subject and the importance of choosing the right doctor and most importantly having realistic expectations.

 

I’ve been on minoxidil 5% for around 4 years, maybe more as far as I can remember so I was pretty aware that the first line of defense against hair loss is medications, primarily minoxidil and finasteride. Never took finasteride even though it is claimed that the side effects will disappear once I stop, noting that I am aware it is the most effective medication. I haven’t completely ruled out the possibility of taking it yet however, I actually bought it today just in case I change my mind. Regarding minox, can’t say much about it except that I feel it might have slowed down the rate of my hair loss although I still lose some hairs, so I don’t know exactly how effective it is.

 

My father is a NW6 and like me he started losing hair at an early age so I know where I’m headed. I also am keeping the possibility that I might end up even worse. His donor is still strong though.

 

Anyway, a year and a half ago, I contacted lots of clinics and sent them pictures for some consultations. Most of them (the reputable ones) turned me down because I was young, I knew I was. Dr. Yaman was one of those who turned me down and advised to get on medications. Almost a year and a half later, I started sending my images to a lot of doctors to get some insights, all recommended by this forum and some were coalition members. Their approach was a conservative hairline transitioning into the mid-scalp without touching the crown which should be tackled at a later stage. So after a lot of research and considering several factors, I focused on Turkey. So I started looking there and narrowed my choices to 3-4 doctors, including Dr. Yaman who is recommended. I contacted the patients from this forum who had their transplants at his clinic and they were satisfied with the experience. I also contacted patients on other forums and they said their experience was positive. Therefore, I booked my procedure on October 18, 2016.

 

All communication was through Fikret. Very nice and funny; top guy! Answered all my questions and was there to help from day one. He always made sure that everything is going fine. I arrived to Istanbul a day before the procedure and was picked up by their driver who took me to the hotel. Then I met Fikret who accompanied me to the clinic. Dr. Yaman checked my donor area and said that it is good and that I have several double and multiple grafts, measured my hair caliber, drew a preliminary hairline etc... Due to my young age and taking into account future hair loss, we agreed that we will focus on the frontal third by restoring the hairline and adding some density to the mid-scalp, leaving the crown for future procedures.

 

I asked who will perform the procedure, and Dr. Yaman specified that he will design the hairline, initially apply the anesthesia and perform all incisions. He also said that he can do all extractions if that’s what I wanted (I was the only patient in the clinic on this day as per my request) but there is Ali, the only person who is allowed to extract besides Dr. Yaman. Dr. Yaman and Fikret assured that Ali is the expert for extractions and has been working with the doctor for 6 years. So I agreed. The nurses will collect the grafts and plant them.

 

And this is what happened. Dr. Yaman designed the hairline the next day and did all incisions. He took some time to design it specifying that it is very important to get it right. Ali extracted the grafts, and the nurses planted them. Dr. Yaman checked on me twice or 3 times and said that I will have very good results (hopefully ☺ ). Fikret was always there to assist.

 

I started the procedure at around 11 in the morning and was done on 20:30 including a 15-30 minute break. It was a long day. Didn’t feel pain except a little of discomfort when the anesthesia was applied, then nothing. When I was done, I was given some antibiotics, a pillow, some pills for the swelling, shampoos… I went to the clinic 3 times to wash my head and they always made me feel welcome. I also bought some Xpecia (multi-vitamins that include saw-palmetto, biotin, zinc…) and a box of Propecia that I might try. I will also be buying MSM, and plan to continue minoxidil in about 2-3 weeks. I will be adding lipogaine or nizoral as well at a later stage.

 

 

Information about the procedure, my hair, and plans for the future.

 

Total Donor Capacity: Around 5,400 grafts

Hair Thickness: 0.06 mm (I have wavy hair)

Grafts Transplanted: 3,400 as per the below:

 

680 single

1850 double

870 multiple

 

We decided not to touch the crown. I reckon it will be bald in a couple of years if I don’t get on Finasteride.

 

Around 1,350 grafts were used to restore the hairline with a density of 42-44 grafts/cm2, and 1,950 behind the hairline and in the mid-scalp with a density of 25 grafts/cm2. You can see in the pictures that I still have hair there. The rest (about 100) were put into a scar on my left temple that I had since I was born. Let’s hope I don’t encounter any shock loss of my native hairs. The procedure was divided into 2 sessions done on the same day: One for 1,650 grafts and the other for 1,750.

 

The doctor said that in the future I might use a few of the remaining grafts for re-touch if needed and plant the rest in the crown area.

 

I personally am willing to leave the crown very thin if not bald, or use the least amount of grafts there along with some beard and body hair (I have excess and very thick beard and body hair). My main focus would be on the hairline, mid-scalp and lateral humps.

 

Here are some pre-op (one under very harsh lighting), immediately post-op, and 8 days post-op images.

 

All in all, it was a positive experience and I am satisfied with the way things went. I will have to wait for the results which are the most important part. Hope this helps others considering a hair transplant. Let me know what you think or whether you have any questions. Will try to update on a monthly basis.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Kalab23

[Spanker]

You should really consider fin. You invested in this procedure and you will be back to square 1 in a few years without it. You have a LOT of hair left to save. It will be a big mistake not to, unless you don't mind having a thinnish front and your crown only going down hill from here.

[Nsar]

All the best kalab dr yaman is a great doc happy growing

[hyperhair]

This 100%

 

you should really consider fin. You invested in this procedure and you will be back to square 1 in a few years without it. You have a lot of hair left to save. It will be a big mistake not to, unless you don't mind having a thinnish front and your crown only going down hill from here.

[KLHT]

Thanks for the advice and for your replies Spanker, Nsar and Hyperhair. As specified, I already have bought Propecia and will most probably start taking it in a low dosage next week.

 

Today is 10 day post-op and I started gently massaging to remove the scabs. I noticed that some hairs were falling as you can in the images.

 

Is that normal? Can someone explain if they are lost grafts? Since I read somewhere that at this stage it is very hard to lose grafts and if no bleeding is evident then the grafts are still secure, but I just want to make sure.

 

Thanks!

[baldbeard]

that looks like a hair with a piece of scab , quite normal as long as you have no bleeding. It is assumed that the bulb of the graft is still in place so dont worry but by all means check with your doc

[KLHT]

that looks like a hair with a piece of scab , quite normal as long as you have no bleeding. It is assumed that the bulb of the graft is still in place so dont worry but by all means check with your doc

 

Thanks baldbeard!

 

Like I specified before, I started massaging gently in circular motions starting yesterday (day 10 post-op) to remove the (many) scabs that I have. I am doing this twice a day. Today, 11 day post-op, I finished my first shower and there were also a lot of scabs with hairs falling. (no blood though). You can see in the picture a part of what I was talking about; this is at least what I could take a picture of, but there were more of these. I checked with the doctor and he said that there is nothing to worry about.

 

Note that I still have a lot of scabs and I am still being gentle, afraid of putting more effort so I do not see more of these hairs with scabs.

 

What do you all think? It it normal and should I apply more force? Wanted to hear your opinions and people who have already went through this just to put my mind at ease.

[Nsar]

Hi kalab

 

Nothing to worry about it's all normal tht is just scabs with the hair shaft the quicker they fall the quicker they will grow lol.u need to get rid of the scabs as quick as u can

[KLHT]

Hey everyone,

 

I am now 17 days post op. I have some questions that I would really appreciate if anyone can help and reply.

 

Even before my HT, I had an oily scalp. I think due to my shaved head, it is now more evident than ever and it's really bothering me and leading to dandruff. By oily, I mean extremely oily. I think the oil has increased after I stopped using Minoxidil around 15-18 days before my hair transplant.

 

I've been using the shampoo recommended by the clinic. As soon as it is done, I will have to go back to using a shampoo of my choice.

 

Is there any shampoo that is able to combat this oily scalp while also having some benefits for my hair (lipogaine, nizoral ...?) Any suggestions? I'm also open to any other methods. I have also spoken to the clinic and I'll wait for their suggestions, but I'd like to hear your advice.

[rdg1982]

Hey there. Just wondered if there were any updates? I am considering going and doing a hit with Yaman soon....

[Jaidosbra]

Would be very keen for some updates as I have just had my hair transplant done by Dr Yaman and had my extractions done by Ali as well which I was a bit suss on... So some reassurances would be nice

Thanks

[chevenowner1]

u got any pics ?

[lukeyb1687]

Kalab23, do you have any updates? I thinl a few of us are very interested to see how your progress is coming along, especially as you're at about 7-8 months now.

[Sandy112233445566]

All the best kalab dr yaman is a great doc happy growing

 

Hi , nsar

 

I am following since your surgery .. didn't get update since last 2-3 months .. could u update your recent pic please ?

[Sandy112233445566]

Hey everyone,

 

I am now 17 days post op. I have some questions that I would really appreciate if anyone can help and reply.

 

Even before my HT, I had an oily scalp. I think due to my shaved head, it is now more evident than ever and it's really bothering me and leading to dandruff. By oily, I mean extremely oily. I think the oil has increased after I stopped using Minoxidil around 15-18 days before my hair transplant.

 

I've been using the shampoo recommended by the clinic. As soon as it is done, I will have to go back to using a shampoo of my choice.

 

Is there any shampoo that is able to combat this oily scalp while also having some benefits for my hair (lipogaine, nizoral ...?) Any suggestions? I'm also open to any other metho

 

 

 

 

ds. I have also spoken to the clinic and I'll wait for their suggestions, but I'd like to hear your advice.

 

 

 

 

Any update ??

[KLHT]

Hi everyone! 

First of all, I want to apologize for not providing any updates. I know it would've helped many of you but a lot has been happening during the past years so apologies again.

Anyway, I'm attaching images of my hair after around 3 and a half years post-op. These were taken after a hair cut and in normal lighting conditions. Under harsh lighting, the hair looks so much thinner (both the donor area as well as the transplanted one). I believe most of my existing hair on top is gone - I'm still using minox and tried finasteride but had some side effects so I had to stop. However, I'll be trying finasteride again soon. 

All in all, I am not happy with the results and with how my hair currently looks -  I believe it is very thin and the hairline looks unnatural. Before I judge and decide on whether it is fair to speak to the clinic if possible, I would like to know the forum's input on whether this is what I should have expected given the transplanted area and the number of grafts. You guys have more experience than I do so please let me know what you think.

[hyperhair]

Hey Man,

While I decided not to post on this forum anymore, I got an email notification and I think you were one of the threads that encouraged me to go to Yaman back in 2017.  My hair looks exactly like you 3 years after this disastrous hair transplant. This is just the Yaman results my friend and I think most of the posted cases on this forum are similar. I don't know what the mods will tell you to do but don't expect to get anything from the clinic no matter what anyone tells you here and I am telling you from personal experience. Also don't let that guy touch your hair again. I consulted everyone from Cooley to H&W and your donor is probably depleted just like me and won't be enough for future transplants 

We got what we paid for

Good luck I hope you can find a solution to your problem

Edited June 25, 2020 by hyperhair

[chevenowner1]

Hey , this looks very disappointing .

[aaron1234]

Looks like the transplanted hair grew but the native hair fell out.  This is what can happen for diffuse thinners who are either unable or unwilling to commit to taking Finasteride longterm.  Was this a FUT or FUE transplant? 

[Melvin- Admin]

^ I agree with this assessment, you can see your hair was severely diffused prior to surgery, looks like the only hair you have left was transplanted. 

[ITA]

@KLHT , could you show how your transplant evolved in the first year / two following the procedure?  Do you have pics of 2017/2018?

[KLHT]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! @hyperhair I remember it was the other way around. It was your thread that encouraged me to go to Yaman. Anyway, I have already consulted with some top clinics and they confirmed that there are still some grafts (not a lot) that can be extracted from the back of my head and my beard. The only way to be sure is to be accurately assessed in-person. I'm not losing hope yet. 

@aaron1234 and @Melvin-Moderator Let's suppose that as you said, I've lost all my existing hair and the only hairs left are the transplanted ones.

1st question: do you think this still is a satisfactory result given the amount of grafts and the transplanted area? I think the hairline, which was not there prior to my transplant and completely constructed from scratch during it, is extremely thin and unnatural knowing that a good amount of grafts was placed there. Any comments on that?

2nd question: do you think the donor area has been well taken care of?

I'm here for honest opinions and I want the clinic to be fair with me and vice-versa. 

@Egy Let me check if I have any pictures showing the evolution from that period. I will definitely upload them once I find any.

[aaron1234]

@KLHT Do I think it's a satisfactory result?  Definitely not.  I think you're right that the hairline should have better density.  It's clear you got some growth however.  I'm sure during the surgery grafts were placed around existing native hairs.  Those native hairs fell out, leaving you with gaps.  Fin might have helped prevent that from happening, impossible to say that with 100% certainty.  The donor looks thin behind your ears, so I assume it was FUE (?).  That's good to hear that other clinics say you have some grafts available.  Don't lose hope.  You actually have a decent core on top to work with.  Just go to a clinic you completely trust.  The stakes are higher for your second round.  

[Melvin- Admin]

16 hours ago, KLHT said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone! @hyperhair I remember it was the other way around. It was your thread that encouraged me to go to Yaman. Anyway, I have already consulted with some top clinics and they confirmed that there are still some grafts (not a lot) that can be extracted from the back of my head and my beard. The only way to be sure is to be accurately assessed in-person. I'm not losing hope yet. 

@aaron1234 and @Melvin-Moderator Let's suppose that as you said, I've lost all my existing hair and the only hairs left are the transplanted ones.

1st question: do you think this still is a satisfactory result given the amount of grafts and the transplanted area? I think the hairline, which was not there prior to my transplant and completely constructed from scratch during it, is extremely thin and unnatural knowing that a good amount of grafts was placed there. Any comments on that?

2nd question: do you think the donor area has been well taken care of?

I'm here for honest opinions and I want the clinic to be fair with me and vice-versa. 

@Egy Let me check if I have any pictures showing the evolution from that period. I will definitely upload them once I find any.

Well, it's hard to say, because you didn't update the thread after 12 months. I recall telling you that this could happen before you had surgery. Assuming you've lost all of your native hair, 3,400 grafts on a Norwood 6 scalp will look similar. Again, without pictures from 2017 and 2018 it is hard to say if your results were satisfactory or not. That said, I definitely think you need another hair transplant, and you're probably in a better position now, as you are older and have lost more native hair. Now you can build a foundation. 

[ITA]

@KLHT In my opinion, this could have happened: in the two years following the transplant, you got a decent result, then, as often, indeed, almost always happens, you started to lose your native hair and also several of the transplanted ones (my theory is  what I always repeat and of which I am ultra convinced, transplantation is not for life) until you are reduced to the state in which you are now and you need a new procedure, but remember, even the second one, if you will do it, do not  it will be forever.