Flying to a hair transplant alone

[consequence]

For those of you that flew somewhere distant, particularly out of country, for your transplant -- did you have anyone with you? I have heard some people say they have to spray saline every few hours after surgery etc.

Would it be an idea to hire a nurse or medical assistant to stay with me the first day or two to make sure everything goes without a hitch?

[HappyMan2021]

if you have money to burn then sure. I would hire a medical assistant and also a bodyguard who can keep people from accidentally bumping into you and dislodging a graft. 

[GoliGoliGoli]

Personally I didn't feel my grafts would be secure with just one bodyguard so I hired an entire retinue. Mostly guys from the French Foreign Legion. Wouldn't have felt my grafts were safe any other way.

[consequence]

It's not that expensive actually, particularly compared to the surgery.

It just seems difficult/unrealistic to me that after being so wonked out from surgery all day that I will have the presence of mind to spray my head with saline every 2 hours.

[HappyMan2021]

Floyd Mayweather and all these other athletes are absolutely traveling to Turkey or wherever with their entourage and minders. If celebrities can do it then why cant everyone else. 

[GoliGoliGoli]

1 hour ago, consequence said:

It's not that expensive actually, particularly compared to the surgery.

It just seems difficult/unrealistic to me that after being so wonked out from surgery all day that I will have the presence of mind to spray my head with saline every 2 hours.

You won't be too wonked out if you're getting FUE. I'm pretty sure I went out for drinks the night after my surgery. Maybe the same night/day of the surgeryI can't remember. Not that I recommend doing that. 

Edited May 22, 2023 by GoliGoliGoli

[Gatsby]

3 hours ago, consequence said:

For those of you that flew somewhere distant, particularly out of country, for your transplant -- did you have anyone with you? I have heard some people say they have to spray saline every few hours after surgery etc.

Would it be an idea to hire a nurse or medical assistant to stay with me the first day or two to make sure everything goes without a hitch?

You will be fine. 👍

[Bucky O Hair]

2 hours ago, consequence said:

It's not that expensive actually, particularly compared to the surgery.

It just seems difficult/unrealistic to me that after being so wonked out from surgery all day that I will have the presence of mind to spray my head with saline every 2 hours.

You won't be wonked out from anything.

They use local anesthesia to numb your scalp.  They're not going to gas you or put you under or anything like that.  You probably won't even take the painkillers they provide you after, since most of the time it's virtually painless (I never took anything).

You'll be fine. 

You may be bored, though, so maybe hiring an escort or someone to keep you company is probably a good idea.  They can spray the saline too.

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Bucky O Hair

[Turkhair]

Why are the replies so sarcastic and mocking the OP? 

You should go with a family member or friend. You can definitely go at it alone but it will be difficult.

Everyone has a different reaction to anesthesia, I was dizzy and completely loopy and extremely cold. I would come to hotel and be knocked out. 

If you are alone, you have to order food yourself. You have to go out of the hotel and deal with that nonsense to get your order if you don’t want to order from hotel. I saw a guy with a bloody head looking for his food when I first came to the hotel and couldn’t stop staring. Everything you have to do yourself.

You can do it but it’s not fun. It’s boring. With someone by your side, you can just rest while they get stuff done.

It’s also very difficult to not bump your head because of the effect of drugs and the swelling. Your coordination will be seriously affected. 

Yes, if you have the money be a boss and hire a nurse or assistant. But if not, a family member/friend will do fine. You will spend most of the day in clinic or chilling while your support enjoys Turkey and it’s beautiful.

[Turkhair]

5 hours ago, consequence said:

It's not that expensive actually, particularly compared to the surgery.

It just seems difficult/unrealistic to me that after being so wonked out from surgery all day that I will have the presence of mind to spray my head with saline every 2 hours.

The saline helps with itching and helps wounds heal faster. You don’t have to necessarily do it like clockwork. I would do it earlier than 2 hours or after 3-4 hours depending on if my scalp would dry out or start itching. If it’s summer, you may even have to do it hourly. When it’s dry then it becomes annoying and you must absolutely not touch your scalp or face as that introduces germs. 

 

A few days afterwards, it helps keep the scabs loose and not get super dry hard to come off. I did it up until day 14 when all of them finally came off. Itching wasn’t an issue for me and I used just pure saline and afterwards boiled water. No aloe or anything.

[A_4_Archan]

Don't worry ...i went alone and many others over here too...still if you yourself are scared and got those surgery fobia than you can take one of your family member or friend with you...hiring a medical assistant is not required in this....bt still if you want to hire someone than hire me...so i can get the chance to travel one more country or if the surgeon is good and affordable to me i can do my crown work with him/her and i will take care of me as well as you..😅

Edited May 23, 2023 by A_4_Archan

[StillAlive]

I can understand how the OP could be stressing out, it's a pretty big decision.

That being said, there is absolutely no need for a minder and thousands of men do it solo every single year. I had my brother meet me in Istanbul for the fun aspect for the trip, but I never once needed him to actually assist me with anything. Also this whole 'spray with saline every 2 hours' bit is not some kind of sacred necessity without which your transplant fails. The saline is meant to provide comfort with itching and dryness on the scalp while you are healing. Aftercare is not half as complicated as you think it's going to be pre-op. 

Also, I'm far from the most graceful or agile dude in the world and I never bumped my head once. You have to be careful, but it's not like you are suddenly made of glass. Believe in yourself and all will be good. 

[Rahal Hair Transplant]

@consequence,

I traveled about 7 to 9 hours by flight with a connecting flight for my last two hair transplants.  I was alone both times and everything went well.  I know that it’s always good to spray your scalp with saline solution but it’s not required for your hair transplant to grow. Now, some clinics/doctors will include this in your postoperative instructions because it helps the area stay clean. But if you have the area covered such as by wearing a loose fitting hat or a bandanna that’s not putting any pressure on the newly transplanted grafts, then you’ll be fine. Your scalp will also stay relatively clean for your flight. You can always spray your scalp with saline solution when you get home to help clean your scalp of any sweat, etc.

I hope this helps.

Rahal Hair Transplant

Edited May 23, 2023 by Rahal Hair Transplant