Dr Bicer | 3610 Grafts | 2 October 2023

[Jaz159]

Hi everyone,

Long post.

A thank you and a few special mentions.

Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to this forum. The information contained within, real patient reviews and engagement from physicians has undoubtedly helped lots of people and now I am included in the list of those this forum has helped. @Melvin- Admin the time and effort you have put into this network is incredible; thank you.

I am one day post op and I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr Bicer and her team. They run a slick operation, and are extremely efficient throughout the process. I knew what was happening, where I was going and what was coming next at all times. The team are diligent in what they do and the whole process was seamless, which is a huge relief with something this nerve racking.

A special note regarding going to a clinic which has one patient per day. Whilst I was going through the various processes of the procedure, I took a lot of comfort in knowing that the entire team's attention was focused on me for that day. This is not to say that other clinics that run multiple surgeries per day cannot be effective, but I personally took great confidence in the fact that the entire day was focused on my result.

Also a particular thank you to Dr Bicer. As I has a previous surgery, she personally did ALL of my extractions and ALL of my incisions. I imagine that this mammoth task is extremely tiring on one individual. The fact that she took this step demonstrates her unwavering commitment to her patients; something that is evident by the patients on this forum who have experienced surgery with her.

The admin

Flights - I booked my flights from London to Istanbul main as it was easier to get a direct flight there, than it was to get a direct flight to Istanbul Sabiha. I wanted a direct flight on the way back in particular. I decided to stay a week so as to not risk anything. I just got an Uber from the airport to my accommodation which was around £50.

Accommodation - I initially thought of getting a hotel, but then realised that the Deluxia Suites complex where the clinic is, has Air BnB apartments. The benefit of this is you're in the same building as the clinic so you don't have to worry about going outside immediately post transplant or when you go back for your post op day bandage removal. The disadvantage is that you've got to cook your own food! I meal prepped the day before surgery to minimise my workload after surgery. 

The Surgery

Previous surgery implications - As I have stated, I had a previous surgery of 900 grafts in the front corners of my hair in 2011. The surgeon is well renowned in England, but I feel that the FUE methodology has developed significantly since then. I think my donor area may not have been managed as effectively as it could have been back then. Some of the recipient angles were not to Dr Bicer's satisfaction (other Drs agreed when I was consulting). As such, she decided to re-draw the hairline and remove this grafts that didn't seem right. Additionally, she implanted grafts through the previous transplant recipient area to change the angle of growth. I am very glad she did this as I have always had a slight issue with styling and I think this will correct it.

The Plan - The initial plan was to tackle the front and mid scalp with c. 3800 grafts. These areas were quite important to me. However, Dr Bicer recommended that we tackle the crown area and the front area, which will produce a satisfactory aesthetic for the mid scalp. I agreed and this was the plan. However, Dr Bicer managed to also transplant into the mid scalp, effectively covering all areas. She also did this with 3600 grafts. When I was going for other consultations, one fo the Drs mentioned that my donor hair thickness was 6 microns (upper end of thickness), which gives it a greater coverage value per hair. I assume that the grafts gave a good coverage per graft, so she had some additional grafts that could be used for the mid scalp. Ultimately, she achieved full scalp coverage with fewer grafts than expected and I am delighted. Clearly, I don't know the density at this stage, but if they all grow I will be very happy. Let me know what you think in the comments please as I am just speculating.

The procedure - I'll keep this part short as I think it has been covered.

• Step 1 - Preparation - Pictures were taken, hair was shaved (the worst part) and anaesthetic was given (slightly painful, but its a short 10 mins process). 
• Step 2 - Donor extraction - This was completed entirely by Dr Bicer. She talked me through how it was going throughout. Meticulous planning and she was reassuring and realistic with me throughout.
• Step 3 - Recipient incisions made - This was completed entirely by Dr Bicer. She asked my priority between crown and recipient area and then offered her advice on my expectations.
• Step 4 - Implantation - This took around 4 hours and was by far the longest part of the procedure. I opted to not have any breaks as I wanted the hairs back in my head ASAP to improve the survivability rate.

How I am feeling

I feel positive about the experience. The fact that she covered the entire scalp with some degree of density, whilst focusing most density on the frontal area (my priority) is incredible. I did not think I would get that coverage with 3600 grafts. Dr Bicer was positive this morning about how the surgery went and how it looks now. Hopefully my donor recovers well and the hairs all grow and hopefully I have enough beard and donor area left for one more surgery in 5 - 10 years. Ozen has been great throughout the process and has agreed that I can go back to the clinic on Thursday and they will do my first wash for me.

Thanks again to the community, I'd love to hear about your thoughts on the pictures and I would also be happy to answer any questions I can more generally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by Jaz159

[Big Rome]

really like the hairline design 👏🏻

[bru]

Looks great congrats u will be a new man 👍

[Melvin- Admin]

I’m so excited to follow your journey. You’ve selected one of the very best in the business 🙏

[Gatsby]

You have chosen one of the best. Looking forward to seeing your updates!

[Jaz159]

Day 3. 5 Oct 23 - Post First Wash

Went back to the clinic today, where Ozen did my first wash and Dr Bicer checked over the work. Positively optimistic at this stage as it seems that the healing stage is going well. Dr Bicer's donor management seems to be first class and hopefully this gives me options for the future if required. The larger already healed scars, nearer the bottom of the donor area, are from the previous transplant of 900 grafts.

[Spring15]

Slick bald crown but donor looks good, interesting. Good luck pal

[Naderali]

How much did you pay ?

[Jaz159]

3 minutes ago, Naderali said:

How much did you pay ?

I booked last year when it was 2.5 euros per graft. I believe it is now 3 euros per graft. Whilst cost was a factor, it was more important to find the right surgeon and if that wasn't affordable, I would have waited. You only get a few shots at this and it is on display forever, so for me it was worth investing.

[Jaz159]

Day 7

Leaving Istanbul today. The clinic has been monitoring progress and offered to do my head wash each day which was kind of them.

Seems to have healed up reasonably well and most of the scabs have come off now.
 

Looks like there’s uniform coverage and the donor management seems to be very good. Even 7 days post op it’s not too noticeable.

 

[Ccd99]

Looking good, can't notice much redness! The donor looks great too, your back and sides sure grew quickly!

Btw, Did you notice any swelling yet? And, did Dr Bicer comment on how many donor grafts you have left for the future?

I am booked in with Dr Bicer for March 2024, but haven't decided yet on how many days I should stay.. either 5 or 7.. reasoning for staying less is to get home before swelling kicks in, on the other hand staying longer means I can access the surgery if needed.

Edited October 9, 2023 by Ccd99

[Jaz159]

5 minutes ago, Ccd99 said:

Looking good, can't notice much redness! The donor looks great too, your back and sides sure grew quickly!

Btw, Did you notice any swelling yet? And, did Dr Bicer comment on how many donor grafts you have left for the future?

I am booked in with Dr Bicer for March 2024, but haven't decided yet on how many days I should stay.. either 5 or 7.. reasoning for staying less is to get home before swelling kicks in, on the other hand staying longer means I can access the surgery if needed.

Yea it’s gone really well healing wise.

She said we’d evaluate once the donor had properly healed. Probably another 1000-1500 in the donor and 500 beard. Will be more noticeable in the donor next time though but I can live with that.

The swelling and healing phase wasn’t that bad. I think the swelling was worst on day 4 and 5 though so I’d definitely recommend staying for 7 days. That way you have peace of mind that you’re all healed before getting on a plane.

[Jaz159]

Two weeks post op. Most of the scabs have gone now. Bit patchy but I am optimistic. Trying not to get a haircut until the 4 week point.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Jaz159]

4 weeks after surgery. Got a haircut today just in the donor area. This is a grade 2 on the back and sides with nothing off the top. Both the donor and recipient area feel fine now. Patiently waiting and hoping for a great result!

[HairFunk]

Excellent case photos. Keep the updates coming. I'd be keen to see how this looks in time!

[DavidSheer]

this looks really good ! 

[cool.person07]

Hey dude, great write-up!!!

I am planning to get my HT done next year at Dr Bicer's clinic.

Would you pls provide a cost breakdown including how much you spent on Airbnb etc.? 

[Jaz159]

Hey everyone, 2 months progress pictures  below. I think I’ve shed all of the transplanted hairs which I am hoping is normal? Really difficult stage to be in and trying to stay positive.

I haven’t cut the top of my hair but I continue to cut the back and sides to get some contrast between short and long. The donor seems to have healed quite well.

Hoping to see some growth soon. What does everyone think?

[Spring15]

Looking good for 2 months 

[Gatsby]

Two months is when everything looks it’s worst so don’t worry how anything looks at this point. By month three you will be coming out of the ugly duckling phase and that’s when the growth really begins. 👍

[2ndchance]

Yeah still early days, i hope you are happy with everything after 1 year. How much does Dr Bicer charge per graft ?

[Jaz159]

18 hours ago, Gatsby said:

Two months is when everything looks it’s worst so don’t worry how anything looks at this point. By month three you will be coming out of the ugly duckling phase and that’s when the growth really begins. 👍

Thanks @Gatsby appreciate the positive words. I’ll keep an eye on it over the next month and hope to see some growth soon!

[Jaz159]

8 hours ago, 2ndchance said:

Yeah still early days, i hope you are happy with everything after 1 year. How much does Dr Bicer charge per graft ?

Yes I hope so too. I had a chat with Dr Bicer over WhatsApp and she said everything is normal at this stage. She charges €3 per graft. 

[cap2020th]

the price is too high

[Jaz159]

Hey everyone,

It's now been 3 months since my surgery with Dr Bicer. I've noticed a lot of my pre surgery hair growing back, which has made a positive difference aesthetically; more acceptable than my two month update. I haven't tried but I think with a few of fibres, it would look good now. I had a haircut with a grade 1.5 yesterday on the sides and nothing off the top.

There are some transplanted hairs starting to grow but it is very early days yet. I can feel stubble when I wash my hair, so I hope I'll see a positive difference by month 4.

I've got some seborrheic dermatitis, which I think is severe dandruff in the hairline. I spoke to Dr Bicer and she advised Nizoral shampoo and Elocon scalp lotion a couple of times per week. Does anybody have any experience with this? I am hoping it doesn't impact the final result.

Grateful for your thoughts.