My Experience at HLC Ankara

[1talian]

After months and months of research, contemplating between clinics, countries and surgeons I decided to take the plunge and go for the HLC Clinic in Ankara. 

A bit of background about me:

I am 40 years old, Norwood 6 and not taking any medication. I decided to go for HLC due to many of the positive reviews, the fact that the doctor carries out the full surgery and the fact that HLC are experts with beards. Due to being so far down the Norwood 6 I would need a combination of head and beard for ample coverage. 

HLC provide accommodation with the costing, a shared apartment, however as I was travelling with my brother we decided to stay in the hotel. The hotel is called Hotel Samm, it is literally across the road from the clinic. 

There is only one direct flight to Ankara from London, only on Thursday's, however this was not suitable for my surgery dates. I therefore travelled indirect via Istanbul, if you can go direct, I would strongly recommend this.  If you are travelling indirect, please note if you have any checked in baggage from London, it arrives in a seperate section at Ankara airport. We were not aware of this and wasted 45 minutes at the baggage conveyor belts waiting for our bags. 

On arrival our driver was waiting for us and took us to the hotel. Around 30 minutes from the airport.

Day 1:

I arrived at the clinic at 0800 am and was greeted by our patient coordinator. We had breakfast and I met three other patients who were at different stages of their surgery. At round 930 I was taken in for a shave and then my hairline consultation began. This included three doctors including Dr Oztan and a couple of nurses. Dr Oztan would ask about your requirement and draw a hairline. Unfortunately the hairline consultant did not arrive at the clinic at this stage and we therefore began this process without her. Dr Oztan is very patient and is happy to make changes as per your request. I am glad my brother was there as it is beneficial to have a second opinion plus I had my wife on a video call.  On the consultation, Dr Oztan was pleased with my donor area and suggested extracting 4000 grafts from the back of the head and 700 from my beard. I would need a second session in around 6 months to cover the back (crown area). I was happy with this as I preferred a mega session and I was pleased my donor can harvest more down the line. 

Next a doctor is allocated and he starts working with his team of nurses and technicians. Dr Cengiz performed the surgery on myself and I have to say he was excellent. He kept me posted with what was going on and was very attentive with his work. Also at this stage I would like to say the technicians and nurses are amazing, their English is not the best but they are well organised, on the ball and the operation runs like clockwork. 

Initially 1000 grafts were extracted from the back of the head. And at this stage I was asked to lie on my tummy while these were extracted. We then had a break and the next stage was to implant the grafts. As echoed by many patients the injections are the worst part and I must have had 7-8 injections across the implanted area of my head. It is a sharp pain but something which is expected. At this stage you can lie on your back while the team are working away and you can watch some television while the artists are at work. Once this was over, we had a lunch break provided at the clinic and the next round of extractions and implantation's took place. We finished at around 630pm and a bandage is applied to the area. 

Day 2

 

I arrived at the clinic at 0800 and the day was similar to day one with 2000 grafts being extracted and implanted.

 

Day 3

 

I arrived at the clinic at 0800 and the beard extraction of 700 grafts started at 0900. Once again the process is the same with the needles being the biggest pain point. Once this has been completed your patient coordinator will go through the post op care and you can carry out any final payments.

 

Day 4

 

Arrived for the bandages to be removed.

 

Medication:

 

Antibiotics two tablets a day until course is finished

1 coraspin every morning

Take pain meds when needed

 

You will also be provided with the saline solution for the recipient area and cream for the donor

 

Overall the experience was fantastic, however the biggest negative is the after care which comes with such a heavy surgery. As a patient who has travelled far, paid a significant amount of money, I would expect a quick discharge run through, where the doctor would run through what was carried out, how well the surgery went, grafts which have been extracted, next plan of action, medication etc. I didn’t receive any of this, not even a summary report. Once the doctor completes the surgery, he says goodbye and moves on. If they would nail this part of the process and provide a more of a personal touch with the patient then I would not hesitate to give them a 10/10. This was the same feeling felt by some of the other patients who were there for the surgery. I did however request a quick chat with the doctor as I had an extra day in Ankara to answer a few questions I had.. He obliged and it was good to get that piece of mind rather than leave with unanswered questions.

 

I hope this gives you some insight into my experience with HLC and I will update you with further photos and developments.

 

With regards to Finasteride, the Dr stated that my sides are thinning and he advised that I start finasteride. I am a Norwood 6 and never contemplated going down this route as there is not much hair to save and is it really worth me going down this route at such a late stage with the hope I don’t experience any side effects? I would happily try a topical version, however this has not yet been approved and not readily available.

 

Would be great to get your thoughts on this.

[Melvin- Admin]

Happy growing do you plan on doing the back? 

[ciaus]

Even hair in your donor area can eventually thin from DHT, 40 is not as late in the game as you think. Some guys are in there 60s on here. Take care of yourself and you wont have to run as fast to catch your old lady girlfriends in the nursing home in your 80s

 

[1talian]

@Melvin-Moderator I am definitely planning to do the back. I have come this far, I might as well go the full hog. 

Finasteride is my only conundrum for now. Shall I, shall I not.arghhhhhhh 

[giegnosiganoe]

+1 for trying out finasteride. Your donor hair could still thin over time.

How's it looking now?

[Gatsby]

The lack of of post operative care is only just one of the many criticisms of surgery in Turkey (and in clinics in the West I should also add). This is an extremely important part of a hair transplant for the psychology of the patient after the procedure in the days, weeks and months to follow. That being said, I would DEFINITELY recommend that you start on finasteride now. It will help your donor hair from the miniaturization process that occurs over time. I look forward to seeing your future updates. All the best!

[1talian]

Thanks for all the feedback. Here are some pics 4 weeks post op with very slight shedding and now I am 6 weeks post op and I have not had the shedding which many people experience...is that normal? 

[Fernand]

Hi there, as I'm contemplating to have an hair transplant at HLC in the coming months, I would like to know an update, if possible. How is it going? Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Domino]

Would love to see your progress.

[Britanium]

Yup agreed with @Dominoplease do come back and update us 🙏

[Melvin- Admin]

Would love to see how this looks now.

[MachoVato]

On 11/16/2020 at 4:40 AM, 1talian said:

Thanks for all the feedback. Here are some pics 4 weeks post op with very slight shedding and now I am 6 weeks post op and I have not had the shedding which many people experience...is that normal? 

How about an update?! 😎

[1talian]

Hi All. apologies for the delay in providing an update. After my initial round post 1.5, please take a look at the picture. . I needed a second round to cover the mid/crown area. I visited HLC last week for the second procedure where they have implanted 3750 further grafts from beard and back of head.  It looks like I may go for a SMP at some stage down the line. 

Also you will find below pictures of me 1 week post transplant after the 2nd round. All seems ok however I am a little worried about the black blood clot as you will be able to see from the image. The clinic stated it is nothing  to worry about and should wash out after my 10 day wash. what do you guys think?