Dr Koray Erdogan 5019 FUE 19-20th April 2018

[highlander6]

Choosing Asmed

Hi guys ... long time lurker here. Its taken me 5+ years to decide on a HT. I am 38 from the North of the UK. I have chosen to go with Dr Koray Erdogan of Asmed in Turkey, I have not taken this decision lightly and believe Asmed to be at the forefront of FUE from my research, hopefully I am proven correct!

Of the negative reviews I can find of Dr Erdogan, I believe it to be more the wrong patient than a bad hair transplant.

 

 

I have researched heavily on this forum and others, the following members helped me choose Asmed & Dr Erdogan:

DEBS

Vchorro

SK78

HG1

And a youtube diary:

HT Fanboy

 

Thanks to all these guys for your in-depth reviews!

I will try to leave a review in DEB1982 style as I feel this review made up my mind!

 

Pre Surgery Care

 

My patient coordinator is Sema , she has been excellent so far, made the deposit and all information I need to comply with so clear, it has been a breeze so far. Deposit paid, flights booked, insurance bought, visa bought.

 

 

Finances

After having bank transferred the initial deposit to Asmed, about a week before travel I exchanged 10,100 euros at Eurochange to take with me to Istanbul for the final payment. This took longer than I thought, Eurochange did plenty of checks on me and asked me lots of questions. I just told them I was going travelling through Europe for a few weeks. It took about 40 mins at the desk to get the money, and that's after I informed them by phone I would be coming for that amount.

 

Flights

Sema informed me of the times and dates I had to arrive/depart for. I booked my flights accordingly but could only find one that arrived at 11pm the night before the consultation.

So I took enough money to book 1 extra night at the hotel as only 3 nights are included with the price. (Upon consultation, I was told I didn't have to pay for the extra night, it was yet another gift for me )

 

I decided to declare the money I was taking as customs can confiscate it for 48 hours and fine you upto ?5000 , so didn't want to risk it. Was really simple, filled in and printed out 2 copies of the C9011 form, kept one and dropped the other in the customs dropbox at the airport (ask a customs guy after security scans for where this is). More info can be found here.

 

My nerves started to kick in when I was sat in the airport, not about the HT but about the money I was carrying. I was also a little on edge as I was travelling to a country I had never been, I could not speak the language, it was next to a war zone etc etc.

 

Arrival in Istanbul

 

The flight went smoothly and I arrived in Istanbul at 11:00PM. The driver recognised me within seconds of coming through arrivals, he was holding a sign with my name and I also instantly recognised him from the photo send from Asmed.

He took my carry bag (containing the 10,000) and we headed for the minibus. On the way he phoned Sema and we had a chat that he was taking me to the hotel and she'd whatsapp me in the morning to tell me when id be picked up for the consultation.

We got to the minivan, really smart and clean with complimentary drinks,nuts, and haribo's in the back!

The driver was really pleasant.

 

The Hotel

 

It took maybe 35 - 40 minutes to get to the hotel Radisson Blu.

I was relieved to finally get there and it took about 5 mins to check in and the driver showed me and and bid his farewells.

I would 100% recommend staying in the hotel for your duration. Comfortable, great food. And you meet plenty of other Asmed patients ( As you will read later).

I was shown to the room by the concierge and suddenly realised i'd brought no Turkish Lira for food & tips etc. I apologetically explained and asked where the nearest ATM was for the morning. ( I will attach an image of the route to the nearest ATM from the hotel).

On arrival I forgot to ask about the safe (thinking i needed to have it switched on) but I was tired so just un-packed, stuffed the money under the matress, had a shower and went to bed.

 

Below are some images of my hair pre HT

[highlander6]

Consultation Day

I woke around 9:00, knowing I was in no rush while I waited for Sema to message I checked out the TV and room, I got showered and dressed and decided to go get some Lira from the ATM.

What to do with the 10,000? The safe seemed broken!

Call reception and get someone to fix it? I have no money to tip!

Take it with me? Maybe i'll take a wrong turn and get mugged!

I know, i'll hide it under the plastic bag in the bathroom bin, no-one will look there and I've only been here 8 hours it won't be cleaned.

In the lift on the way down I decided i'd have a quick breakfast in the buffet bar. Gave them my room number and went in.

The breakfast buffet has a large selection of breads, fruits, cereals, yoghurts, juices, and you can also have eggs poached and omelettes made etc.

After breakfast I walked to the ATM and drew some Lira for tips and evening meals and walked back.

On returning to my room I realised the cleaner was in, I walked in and said "hi", she was in the bathroom, but she didn't hear me... I think she was shocked by what she had found in the bin, anyway she looked at it, realised what it was, put it back in the bin, and replaced a new bin liner over the top of it she then turned round, saw me and jumped lol. I explained to her the safe didn't work and she rung reception who sent someone to fix it for me.

What an honest trustworthy lady! Hats off to her!

 

Sema text about 12 to say I would be picked up at 13:20,

the driver was bang on time and I sat in the minibus and 2 other guests jumped in. They were from Australia, cousins, one was a return patient, having 3000 grafts, his cousin was having a 2 day procedure of 5500. I was still nervous carrying all this cash!

 

Sema

Upon arriving at the clinic, Sema was at the door to meet me. Sema is beautiful, gently spoken, and how I imagined a Turkish girl to look. She instantly put me at ease and my worries started to fade. Throughout my visit, Sema was there whenever I needed her and answered all my questions. She is very reassuring, to me she has a sisterly nature about her. She does a lot this girl and I think she is indispensable to the clinic! I cannot thank her enough!

 

Clinic & consultation

On arrival Sema showed me how to wrap my shoes in plastic at the front door, then we walked into the reception of the clinic which is immaculate, with finance department to the right, and a lady on the piano to the left (nice touch).

Sema showed me downstairs where I was greeted by more beautiful girls! Seriously!

We went straight into the photography room and I had photos taken of all sides with dry hair and then with wet hair.

This was the point I really started to relax! After years of hiding my hair, I was now at my most vulnerable with wet hair and 6 or 7 beautiful girls all looking at me and taking photos. It felt quite liberating to be honest.

 

After photos Sema and I went back upstairs and chatted and filled the forms in whilst waiting to see Dr Erdogan.

 

Dr Erdogan

 

Dr Erdogan is professional, and always smiling, I had confidence in him.

He examined my hair with a loupe, did some calculations, told me my donor capacity, and asked if id like to try a hairline. The first he drew was just how I wanted it, but I asked him to look at some photos of when I was younger just to check, which he did, and we both agreed on the hairline. I was maybe with him for 15 minutes, and this is all we needed.

 

Health checks

 

After the consultation, Sema and I headed downstairs into a room with 2 nurses. I was asked to remove my top and lie on the bed. Again in front of beautiful women! I'm fine with needles but many must not be as the nurses were trying to be as calming and re-assuring as possible. My blood was taken and I had an ECG and blood pressure test.

 

Finance

 

Back upstairs again after my health checks came back all clear. Finally got rid of the 10,100 that had weighed so heavily on my mind! They ran it through a cash counting machine, and gave me back the extra money I had bought for an extra nights stay!

 

Head shaved and more photos

Back downstairs into the salon, I took a last photo of myself with hair, then off it went I really enjoyed having it shaven, and didn't look too bad with a shaved head. You also get to keep the razors after the HT.

I then went back into the photography room and had the days final snaps with a skinhead and blue lines.

Dr Umut

I also met the anesthesiologist Dr Umut? while downstairs. He gave me a Xanax and explained to me the certain drugs I could be administered.

I have got to say I love this guy, to me he seems like an old Yorkshireman , dour and intelligent with a dark sense of humour, a real movie buff. Very funny guy who I also think was keen to chat. Id loved to have gone out for a few beers with him!

 

Upon leaving Sema handed my some printed information to read about the following days and told me i'd be picked up at 07:10, we bid our farewells (I had been there maybe 3 hours)and the driver took me back to the hotel where I watched movies and ordered an Aberdeen Angus cheeseburger from room service and went to sleep.

[highlander6]

Surgery Day 1

I woke at 6ish and went down for breakfast wearing a cap as I had blue marker on my head. I sat with one of the Aussie guys and we had a laugh. The driver again was bang on time and myself the Aussie and 2 French guys headed off to Asmed. I also took my Xanax Dr Umut had given me.

On arrival the 4 of us went into a room to change into the surgery clothes and then were escorted outside for breakfast where we chatted.

After breakfast I was led downstairs to the surgery room, I was having 2500 extractions before lunch. I was sat in an upright position for the 4 hours this took. The injections were fine for me , but every hour I needed to get up to stretch my back and legs! During the 4 hours, I chatted to Sema and Dr Umut, watched a movie and vikings.

 

Once the 2500 grafts were extracted, it was time for lunch and time for me to stretch my back! Dinner was really nice Turkish food and I sat with Dr Umut.

 

After lunch it was time for the incisions, again I was anaesthetized, which was fine. Dr Erdogan performed the incisions which took about 30 mins. For the incisions and implantation I was in a more laid position which for me was really comfortable, I kept nodding off and jumping back awake ! (It must have annoyed the technicians because I was moving my head).

We went straight on to implantation after as I was comfy and I just wanted to get finished up. This took another 2.5 hours and again was painless.

 

After I was taken upstairs for the laser treatment which is meant to help with healing. Dr Erdogan came to check over the work and Sema told me how to look after my HT that evening. I was back at the hotel by 5PM.

 

I found the first day really easy and relaxing. The hardest parts were the extraction as I have lower back pains. The worst part for me was the cold ATP spray they moisten your scalp with

 

I ordered room service in the hotel and tried to sleep with the pillow but probably only slept 2-4 hours!

 

I took paracetamol incase of any pain.

[FarsanUk]

Great start to the write up. So you gave them the cash in pounds i take it? And was the conversian rate they said what you were expecting ? You had 5019 grafts, did they charge you for the extra 19? Sema is also my co ordinater shes great. I also arrive there too late to have a consultation so they will give me that extra night free aswell! Ill be staying at the clinic.

[highlander6]

Great start to the write up. So you gave them the cash in pounds i take it? And was the conversian rate they said what you were expecting ? You had 5019 grafts, did they charge you for the extra 19? Sema is also my co ordinater shes great. I also arrive there too late to have a consultation so they will give me that extra night free aswell! Ill be staying at the clinic.

 

Thanks ... I've written a lot more but its been held for moderation, ive written up to day 6 post op all with photos. I transferred the deposit via bank transfer in euros, and I exchanged pounds for euros at eurochange in the UK. No they didn't charge me for the extra grafts, nor the extra nights stay.

 

so they will give me that extra night free

Don't be too demanding, these guys do a lot

 

Ill be staying at the clinic

Why would you not want the hotel? Where are you going to eat evening meals?

[FarsanUk]

Im booked in October so they have already arranged to give me that extra night. Yes ive heard good things about the hotel and how near it is but i just rather be at the clinic. I guess ill just order food and stock up on sandwiches will keep my extra spending to a minimum.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Highlander,

 

Thanks for such a great write up about your experience both before surgery, during your hair transplant procedure, and after. I appreciate you posting some pictures of your head before and during your hair transplant as well. Dr. Erdogan is exceptional and I trust you will have a fantastic results with for years to come when it all grows in. But be patient, it takes a good solid year to 18 months for a hair transplant to mature.

 

Curate you to continue posting monthly updates with Photos. I also encourage you to create your own patient website by going to http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog. They are you can add multiple hair transplant procedures, add and rate your hair transplant doctor, add photos, videos and more. You can also link your patient website into your discussion forum signature… That way, anybody who reads your posts can easily find a link to your documented hair transplant journey.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[highlander6]

Surgery Day 2

 

I was awake really early, and after showering and getting dressed, went down for breakfast at 6:30. I met the other guys down there and we complimented each others hairlines lol. We got few double takes from other guests but by now you don't care what people think and we were probably the loudest people sat and breakfast chatting and laughing.

Again the driver collected us at 7:10.

Today was very similar to yesterday except the injection pain was much worse for me but I had declined Dr Umut's IV anaesthetic. If you can't handle pain i'd advise to have this! Also today incisions and implantation of the crown were performed face down, which was also a comfy position for me!

 

Buket

Today I met another patient coordinator who looked after me. Her name is pronounced "Bouquet". I have a massive crush on this girl!! We seemed to have everything in common with our hobbies and pastimes (movies, fitness, food etc)! She is very alluring and it shows she used to be a teacher by her caring nature. Wish I could've stayed in contact with her!

 

After returning to the hotel, I too was weak and shaky but I have felt like this a couple of times before when I have had full 8 hour sessions on my tattoos. I believe its just your body reacting to 1000's of micro traumas. I put the heating on and got in bed with a chocolate bar and a coca cola, within 30 mins I was fine, and again ordered room service.

 

Again I didn't sleep well with this neck pillow! 2 - 4 hours!

 

Regrets

I really regret not learning basic Turkish, to show my gratitude to this great staff. I regret not keeping in touch with Dr Umut and Buket.

[highlander6]

Post Op Day 1

I was flying home today, so had to be at the clinic for 9:20 and I had a slight swelling but not massively noticeable. I also think I lost 1 graft last night! I had my bandages off, which felt a little raw but was fine. Sema was there to describe the washing process which was easy and didn't hurt and she gave me my goody bag including: shampoo, mousse, usb, hat, charging dock and a present from Dr Umut... a Xanax pill, I asked for this so I wouldn't give a f*ck in the airport I bid a sad farewell to Sema and off the driver took me to the airport.

In the airport I saw 2 other guys who had HT's... one with the horrible hat on and one with the headband on, i sat there quietly thinking to myself how wrong they had been choosing those clinics . I was really enjoying the Xanax and didn't have a care in the world!

On arrival to the UK the Xanax had warn off, my head had swollen on the plane and I looked like a mutant, everyone looked at me and the digital passport control couldn't recognise me .

This day I had no pain what so ever.

Also I had bought the neck pillow JustJax had mentioned... wow what a difference this made, you can actually sleep on your sides/front without damaging the grafts!! I got a full 7 hours sleep with this

[highlander6]

Day 2 Post Op

Wow the swelling reached its peak today, I have one eye nearly shut and am glad to be at home as I look like a mutant/alien! But the donor seems to be healing rapidly. Also this day the pains in the donor started for which I am taking 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen. Today I also started taking the MSM and biotin supplements.

Edited April 26, 2018 by highlander6

[highlander6]

Day 3 Post Op

 

Swelling working its way down my face, black/red eyes. Donor healing more. Im getting a little more firm with the washing, and I bled a little. Still on pain relief every 6 hours.

[highlander6]

Day 4 Post Op

Swelling reduced again. Still on pain killers every 6 hours. Photo 4 is directly after shampooing.

[highlander6]

Day 5 Post Op

Starting to look normal now, have slight colour under eyes. Think the donor pain has peaked today, I could feel it even with pain killers.

[highlander6]

Day 6 Post Op

Feeling really good today 60-70% of scabs are off. Been to the shops with a cap on, been to see my friends and work mates. Pain in the donor is almost gone and I've stopped the pain killers. Started to itch like f*ck though! Photos 1 and 2 are pre shampoo, 3 & 4 after shampoo. Might go bk to work tomorrow Apologies for the poor photos!

[highlander6]

Highlander,

Dr. Erdogan is exceptional and I trust you will have a fantastic results with for years to come when it all grows in. But be patient, it takes a good solid year to 18 months for a hair transplant to mature.

 

Thanks Bill, yep I been lurking round here long enough to realise this now

[highlander6]

Im booked in October so they have already arranged to give me that extra night. Yes ive heard good things about the hotel and how near it is but i just rather be at the clinic. I guess ill just order food and stock up on sandwiches will keep my extra spending to a minimum.

 

OK, each to their own, but i found it liberating stopping in the hotel

[HairDew]

I'll have to agree. Hotel is a better option and you get to meet (and maybe dine) with other ASMED patients. Hotel is really nice and their food is great.

[highlander6]

I'll have to agree. Hotel is a better option and you get to meet (and maybe dine) with other ASMED patients. Hotel is really nice and their food is great.

I also feel it vastly improves your self esteem about the hair transplant, meeting & seeing others in your situation dissolves any embarassment !

[Bill - Seemiller]

Interesting point that many of you are making about the hotel. I know that when I underwent my third and fourth hair transplant, I travelled to Vancouver from Pennsylvania which is a little bit of a hike… So I had spent two nights at a nearby hotel which was very nice and it gave me a chance to relax a bit. To me, staying at a nearby hotel will be much more comfortable than trying to stay at the clinic if that’s an option for you, but that’s obviously totally up to each individual.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[highlander6]

Day 7 Post Op

 

So today I went back to work Everyone was really impressed by the density and quality of the work. Really given me a confidence boost. Also Im loving the shaved head look... I might keep it. Gonna be a shame when I start to shed. Today I started with aloe vera gel and anti-histamine for the itching. No pain anymore just tingling and itching. More scabs off today, I think im on target to be scab free by 10 days. Already a week has passed since surgery day 2 although I miss Sema & Buket but i'm glad to be home.

The time has come for a celebratory drink tonight, 10 days off alcohol already!

 

Must also note that im really really happy with the result so far, looks really dense on inspection and I hope the final result is as good as the initial result.

[HG1]

Day 2 Post Op

Wow the swelling reached its peak today, I have one eye nearly shut and am glad to be at home as I look like a mutant/alien! But the donor seems to be healing rapidly. Also this day the pains in the donor started for which I am taking 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen. Today I also started taking the MSM and biotin supplements.

 

Hi highlander,

Batten down the hatch's, the first 10 days are crap. Enjoy your 5000 little friends, you will be parting company with most of them over the next few weeks. :eek: Once you get to 3 months, the worst will be over and the magic should start from around 4 months. Everything looks nice and tidy so far. Time to me appeared to 'stand still' for the first 3 months, the last few months have flown by. By chrimbo you should be sporting a nice barnet my friend. Good luck

[DEB1982]

Looking very dense and it seems that you have recovered perfectly. I see nothing but good things to come. Just be patient. It's the best bit of advice I can give you.

[highlander6]

Looking very dense and it seems that you have recovered perfectly. I see nothing but good things to come. Just be patient. It's the best bit of advice I can give you.

 

Batten down the hatch's, the first 10 days are crap. Enjoy your 5000 little friends, you will be parting company with most of them over the next few weeks. Once you get to 3 months, the worst will be over and the magic should start from around 4 months. Everything looks nice and tidy so far. Time to me appeared to 'stand still' for the first 3 months, the last few months have flown by. By chrimbo you should be sporting a nice barnet my friend. Good luck

 

Thanks guys.. i know what awaits thanks to your threads

[highlander6]

Ok guys im currently at 37 days... 18 days post op I still had a great head of hair... at 24 days 90% had shed :eek: God what a change in 6 days!!! Cant believe how quickly it went!

At 5 weeks though I can see a lot of little black dots, im hoping it is early growth

 

I must say the donor pain was a lot worse than I imagined and id stock up on painkillers for the first 10-14 days post op.

 

Other than the shedding the recipient area is fine, numbness went after 3rd week and not too red/pink. but definitely well into ugly duckling phase

 

Donor zone.. God its been irritating as f*ck, loads of little spots and yellow heads from 14 days onwards... Sema advised it could be hair transection and to shampoo more firmly on the donor... which I have but to no avail. I asked about antibiotics-antiseptic but was advised it wasn't needed.

At present I have about 16 yellowheads in the donor and 2 huge hard spots and maybe 15 small hard spots... Just hoping it relieves itself in the next week or ill seek more advice.

 

Images are attached at 28 days... if you zoom in you can see the pimples in the donor! They have got worse since but my hair has grown to conceal them

At the minute the HT doesnt seem worth it but I guess everyone goes through this stage

[Payam]

Ok guys im currently at 37 days... 18 days post op I still had a great head of hair... at 24 days 90% had shed :eek: God what a change in 6 days!!! Cant believe how quickly it went!

At 5 weeks though I can see a lot of little black dots, im hoping it is early growth

 

I must say the donor pain was a lot worse than I imagined and id stock up on painkillers for the first 10-14 days post op.

 

Other than the shedding the recipient area is fine, numbness went after 3rd week and not too red/pink. but definitely well into ugly duckling phase

 

Donor zone.. God its been irritating as f*ck, loads of little spots and yellow heads from 14 days onwards... Sema advised it could be hair transection and to shampoo more firmly on the donor... which I have but to no avail. I asked about antibiotics-antiseptic but was advised it wasn't needed.

At present I have about 16 yellowheads in the donor and 2 huge hard spots and maybe 15 small hard spots... Just hoping it relieves itself in the next week or ill seek more advice.

 

Images are attached at 28 days... if you zoom in you can see the pimples in the donor! They have got worse since but my hair has grown to conceal them

At the minute the HT doesnt seem worth it but I guess everyone goes through this stage

 

Hang in there, the donor problems slowly go away, in my case they are not gone completely but not even close to as bad as one month ago, it gets better. Use aloe vera and antihistamines regularly so you don't scratch the pimples.