Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 21, 2020 Regular Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 I went to Turkey with a Turkish friend last month. After we had been there a while, I found out he had received a hair transplant a couple years back. I never considered it but after seeing how well it worked out for him, considering it’s affordability along with the fact that Turkey is seemingly the world capital for hair transplants and of course that I was already there, I decided to go for it. After speaking with the person there, sending some photos and getting their recommendation, I arranged a procedure on the 26th September. I was asleep for the FUE process, awoke numb and then received 3400 grafts followed by Acell. After, I arranged to stay at a few different Airbnbs around Istanbul to recover for a while and see the city a bit before a long flight home on day 11. I had no idea how strange it would be to look in the mirror that week with a swollen head and different appearance. At the moment I’m closing in on the end of my first month. About a week ago over the course of three days, I watched all the hair fall out of my donor area on the right side. I understand it’s normal for some hair to drop but after looking around on the internet (which I’m aware can be dangerous) and finding other cases which looked similar to mine, it looks like what I’m experiencing may be considered post operative effluvium. It’s nice that there’s a name for it but neither the clinic where I had the procedure nor the parts of the internet where I have been have give me much information on how to care for it other than with time and vitamins. It feels like I’m in that spot again of not knowing like the first week except, it seems It will last longer but yet everything I read and hear says it will resolve with time. So here I am. I’m trying to stay off the medication if I can help it. Thank you in for reading my story. If you happen to have knowledge ofother useful things I can do besides just wear a hat and take it easy, I’d love to read them. Also, if the best things I could do are in fact, just wear a hat and take it easy, positive energy and confirmation is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 21, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 That does indeed look exactly like post operative effluvium. And as I’m sure your aware can take up to 6 months to grow back. Which clinic did you go to? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Ajamilo Posted October 21, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 how was your donor before the operation? Do you have pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 21, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 Sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 21, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the confirmation John. Yes, I’ve been reading it can take about 6 months to grow back. I went to Esteworld in Istanbul. Edited October 21, 2020 by Hairtodaybacktomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 21, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 Please keep us updated though! Did you email the clinic the pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 21, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 Indeed. In Their own way way, they confirmed it would take about 6 months to grow back by saying if it hasn’t grown back by 7 months, we could talk again. Until then, I will wear hats, take biotin, fish oil, b vitamins, d vitamins and do my best to remain at peace with the process. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 21, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 Yes remain positive, maybe the regrowth will coincide with your transplanted hair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 21, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 21, 2020 Much appreciated. I’ll be back in about 6 months. ✌️ 🙏🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Melvin- Admin Posted October 21, 2020 Administrators Share Posted October 21, 2020 Wow that’s pretty severe shock loss, please keep us updated with on how the donor looks in the next coming months. I’m a paid admin for Hair Transplant Network. I do not receive any compensation from any clinic. My comments are not medical advice. Check out my final hair transplant and topical dutasteride journey: View my thread Topical dutasteride journey Melvin- Managing Publisher and Forum Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog. Follow our Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 22, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 22, 2020 One more question if anyone knows: Is it ok to exercise while experiencing this (post operative effluvium/shock loss )? I enjoy being out on the water surfing and have taken the month off to recover from this procedure. As my month is about to end, I’m hoping to get back in the water. I know I should try to keep the scalp out of the sun and got a couple caps to try and do that with. Any tips for care of this? I’ll be sending the clinic a message about this too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 22, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 22, 2020 Yes dude your ok to return to exercise after 4 weeks. So you will be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 22, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 22, 2020 And yes best to keep your head out of the strong/direct sunlight at least for the first few months. You have done one month already. So at least say another 3 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valued Contributor Gatsby Posted October 22, 2020 Valued Contributor Share Posted October 22, 2020 What was the name of the doctor that performed the surgery on you? If you can I would definitely consider taking finasteride now and commit to it if you can tolerate it. You may find it may help in your donor region as well as your transplanted hair. Wishing you all the best and I look forward to your updates! GATSBY 'UNPLUGGED!' 15,671 (3 surgeries) Grafts FUE+BHT Dr. Sethi Eugenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 22, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) The surgery was performed “under the auspices” of Servet Terziler Since it was his hospital. There was a doctor who made the hairline, and one who came in to make the incisions for the grafts to be placed. Neither of them were him because they were female. I think it was a doctor doing the FUE but can’t remember because it was all a little much at that point and I was not conscious. As far as installing the grafts, that was done by nurses/techs . There was a team of three. Sometimes they rotated and sometimes, it was just one of them. I thought they had impressive patience. Thanks for the medicine recommendation, maybe it could help things regrow but then I may want to stop after six months. From what I understand about DHT blocking medicine like this is that after 7 days, it would be out of my system and things would go back to whatever normal is for that moment. It does seem like it’s main function is to Possiblyprevent more hair from falling rather than to grow anew. As far as possible sexual side effects... well, seems that only happens in 5% of patients suffer those so I’d hope that I’m done with the 5% lottery here and there wouldn’t be any issue. Both the guy who suggested Esteworld and a friend of his take proscar and say it’s been fine for them. I’m just not super excited about taking meds of any kind but this does seem an unusual situation. I brought some proscar back just in case... Wish they would make those 5mg pills easier to cut into 4. If I can get a system to cut them into somewhat even pieces, I’m thinking to perhaps begin and run until I see some improvement. I’ll be sending the clinic my one month photos at the end of the weekend and will list questions and observations to them as well. Their responses are encouraging but shorter and in broken English. I’m happy you guys are here. Thanks very much for being here and helpful! Edited October 22, 2020 by Hairtodaybacktomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted October 23, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) It’s been long enough I have about a 10 day time lapse from when I first noticed the drop on about the 11th until 22nd. Edited October 23, 2020 by Hairtodaybacktomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted October 23, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted October 23, 2020 Ok so to my eyes it’s starting to improve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted November 22, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 Here is an update as I close in on the end of my second month. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Britanium Posted November 22, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 Sorry to see it hasn’t changed. Fingers crossed 🤞 it starts to come back soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted November 22, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 It seems like it’s slowly filling in from the outside but will check back in another month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member ITA Posted November 22, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 If I were you, I would shave the entire donor area, to make it less evident Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Baboon Posted November 22, 2020 Regular Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 I must be frank and state, l have never seen such a severe shock loss in one spot. Typically when you face shock loss it goes into several patches in the donor. This doesn’t look as the usual shock loss. I do think you will recover, but l wonder if they have harvested a lot in this region or why only in that region. But l would say in the coming months (sorry, it will probably take some time) it will grow back. Hang in there, it’s not uncommon to occur😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted November 22, 2020 Author Regular Member Share Posted November 22, 2020 (edited) Since I’ve seen it filling in some, I’ve been feeling more relaxed it will get there and don’t mind the time. Besides, even if it wasn’t going to get there, my only choice for now is how I feel about it. You guys have helped me to relax about it some more with your words. Thank you 🙏🏻. As for cut it or don’t cut it... I probably won’t cut it. I am out in the sun a lot and usually have a hat on but think a little extra hair will help for protect me. I don’t mind if people see a bald spot on the side of my head for now..... I can say I got a bald spot transplant😂. Edited November 22, 2020 by Hairtodaybacktomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member JohnBob Posted November 23, 2020 Senior Member Share Posted November 23, 2020 (edited) This dude had a similar shockloss effect in his donor area (albeit not that big) and it ended up recovering. Hopefully given enough time yours will recover too Edited November 23, 2020 by JohnBob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Hairtodaybacktomorrow Posted January 3, 2021 Author Regular Member Share Posted January 3, 2021 I hope everyone had safe and enjoyable holidays and that your years are off to a wonderful start! Here I am a few days past month three. While I can still see the same outline from the device, it seems like there is some progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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