Dr Yaman, 7000K 59yr old male, long post on HT experience Nov 23-24 2023

[Siggy]

Yes, 7000K graphs. Some would say crazy but at my age only going to do this once and risk of losing more hair is unlikely. If this does not work, I am ok shaving my head  

I followed this forum for a few months before deciding to to fly to Turkey from USA.  100+ hours of research and got quotes from all the "big name clinics"

I did a Whatsapp video interview with several doctors before deciding on Dr Yaman

I followed @StillAlive post and must have read it 10 times while deciding (Thanks man, you helped with the decision to go down this path! )

I wanted to share my journey in the hope it will instill confidence for those on the fence about getting a transplant

I will update my progress on a monthly basis and share the good or not so good results.  The job is done, no sense worrying about if it turns out good or bad, it will be what it is and I am good with that.  Of course my hope is to have flowing locks and rocking man bun in 12-18 months (kidding, will never have a pony tail lol)

Another member here who is also posting about his journey @DannyDevito was getting his transplant on the 2nd day of my operation. Will be watching your progress my friend!

 

Pre operation

Communication with Dogma, the translator, office manager, my main interface was outstanding in the weeks before the surgery and while in country

My wife and I hung out in IST for 8 days before the transplant, the day of operation, the clinic driver picked us up at or Karkoy hotel and drove us directly to clinic

There was 1 other patient on my first day, a guy getting a front hair line (2000K graphs)

I spent 20-30 mins with Dr Yaman, having him examine my density, drawing hair line, taking pictures and explaining the procedure.  Dr Yaman speaks good english and has a calm sense of confidence.  We had previously agreed to do 6000K and his examination of my density and donor area confirmed that was possible

After the 2nd day, I was pleasantly surprised to hear they were able to pull 7000K by going into the beard area for donor hairs

Operation

move from dr office to take pictures and head shaving, dr marks the donor area after shave and away to the operation room.  

On advice I read here, I asked for a zantac to help relax (really not needed and did not take one on the 2nd day)

Room is a small operating room with TV playing Turkish music videos, 3 technicians, 2 removing graphs, one sorting

As I was face down most of the time I could not really observe what was taking place and the zantac was kicking in

Yes, the needles are a bitch, no way around it, I had a large area to cover so there were a lot of injections, seemed to last for 10 mins. pain scale 6.5/10. if you are doing under 3000K I am sure its not as bad.  No one is going to ask "are you doing ok?, do you want a break?"  they are very methodical and patient comfort is not a primary concern.  Not a big deal but no one is going to pamper you LOL. 

The next 8 hours on the table were kind of a blur.  A IV was inserted (rookie tech came in for that and it took here a few attempts to find a vein) I took advice I read here and had a audio book down loaded on my phone that I listened to during the operation.  Once the injections in head are done, there is zero pain. you will be in uncomfortable positions as they move your head around to do their work. The team does not speak good english but I would raise my hand and say I need to re postion my face on the table when it became too unforgettable or I needed a bathroom break

At some point after the harvesting, Dr Yaman came in to do the incisions, again very painless. He may have come in several times to check but being face down and drifting in and out of sleep, I really dont know 

Lunch Break

I told Dogma that it was my birthday when I arrived and was surprised to have the staff present me with a cake at lunch time while singing "happy birthday". Nice touch!  Food was good and it was nice to have a break from the table

Back to the table after lunch Dr Yaman did the incisions and the techs started to insert the graphs operation finished around 5:30-6pm

Zero pain post op, was feeling great but a little tired from the events of the day.  

Post Op 1st day

Hotel is a nice convention center hotel, decent buffet breakfast,  dinner dining is ok but after eating our way thru Istanbul for 8 days prior, it was just ok IMO

Pro tip, ask to be upgraded to suite, larger room. Clinic can arrange upgrade for nominal cost

Forget about using the supplied neck pillow.  Pro tip, order a travel pillow from Amazon, a expensive one with good reviews. It will be your best friend for the next 5 days

I ordered 3 pillows before trip and returned 2 after settling on the one that fit me best

This will be the most important you have to try and sleep for the next 3-5 days.  

When I tell people about the operation, I stress the hardest part of this whole procedure is getting sleep.  There is absolute paranoia about disruption the graphs and wasting this time and money to have the graphs get ripped out on a pillow...

you will not sleep but a couple hours the first night,  propped up in bed, with a neck pillow paranoid about anything touching your head. It does not get better for the next 5 days...

Sleep will be a challenge, a serious challenge

Ordered room service 1st night as was pretty tired from the activities of the day

Again no post op pain at all.  The donor area will be sensitive and as it heals it it will feel like a skinned knee to the touch but thats it, pain free for the rest of your journey                                 
Day 2

Early pick up at hotel

There were 3 of us today, I was only one doing 2nd procedure. 

Same as first day (less birthday cake) this session went a little longer, I think we finished up around 7pm. We all rode back to hotel in good spirits dreaming of new hair!

My wife and I met up with @DannyDevito for a nice dinner 

Tried to sleep but lost that battle

Day 3

Check in and shampoo

Just as described, was given 6 month supply of vitamins, some pain pills (not needed) supply of antibiotics and  post op shampoo and taught how to shampoo hair

Pro tip 2, if you have someone with you, ask them to video tape the washing instructions and procedure.  You are going to be on kind of on "a new hair high" and details are important. capture the debriefing on your phone so you dont have to ask questions later

Post op to present (1 month)

I booked 3 extra post op days as I wanted to be close to clinic should anything happen post op.  In hindsight, I would only spend 1 extra day in country and would rather recover in my own home.  You will be chasing the elusive sleep, better to do it in familiar surroundings rather than a hotel room

The saline solution given by clinic is 100ml,  ok to bring in carry on bag, if staying a few days post op, bring a spray bottle with you.  The spray in the first few days helps with the scabs and provides a level of comfort

I was lucky to have very little shock loss, maybe none or its all going to fall out in the next couple of weeks   Growth has been quick and I feel like a baby duckling

The redness has started to fade but the pimples are starting to show up, not bad but annoying. I started taking oral Minoxidil 2 weeks post op the help with growth

The scabs came off by day 10, I sprayed my head 4 times a day with saline solution to help with the scabs and continue to spray at least a couple times a day

Was able to sleep normally by day 9, maybe I was a little paranoid but better safe that sorry

Donor area is still tender and stared itching around day 5.  Aloe Verde gel gets applied to donor area but I dont really think it is doing anything for itching but probably helping in healing process 

 

Now the wait begins...

I understand this is quite a lengthy post but wanted do document what I experienced in the hope it helps someone make the decision to undertake this journey a little easier

I will post monthly updates as I think that is important and what we are here for, to see the end results (good or bad!)

 

[Siggy]

2 weeks

Edited December 26, 2023 by Siggy

[Siggy]

8 days

[StillAlive]

Everything looks on point, clean work through and through.

Glad my story helped you pull the trigger, it's a terrific, VFM investement in your looks

Happy growing man!

[DannyDevito]

It was very nice meeting you, was definitely great having someone to share the experience with. 

Very happy to see you progressing well. Everything looks good and seems to be on track, will definitely be following your updates. 

Can't wait to see you rocking a Jon Bon Jovi haircut this time next year 😂 Happy growing!

[BaldGuy]

Happy growing man. Dr Yaman is a great surgeon for higher norwood cases like yours. Both plan and deisgn look very good. Can you tell us how many beard grafts had been used? I wish you all the best !

[AB2000]

Will be interested to see how this turns out. This is a fair amount of new coverage so it should be a good transformation.

[LikeAJungle]

incredible amount!  The cake was a nice touch, happy growing 

[Siggy]

One month pic. Really liking how it is growing. If all hairs stay in place ( can’t imagine why they would not) I thin this will be good in 9 more months

 

@BaldGuy  appx 500 beard graphs were used

Count of transplants

 

[mr_peanutbutter]

wow, will follow this closely. hope you post many updates. happy growing

[Gramatik]

14 hours ago, Siggy said:

Yes, 7000K graphs. Some would say crazy but at my age only going to do this once and risk of losing more hair is unlikely. If this does not work, I am ok shaving my head  

I followed this forum for a few months before deciding to to fly to Turkey from USA.  100+ hours of research and got quotes from all the "big name clinics"

I did a Whatsapp video interview with several doctors before deciding on Dr Yaman

I followed @StillAlive post and must have read it 10 times while deciding (Thanks man, you helped with the decision to go down this path! )

I wanted to share my journey in the hope it will instill confidence for those on the fence about getting a transplant

I will update my progress on a monthly basis and share the good or not so good results.  The job is done, no sense worrying about if it turns out good or bad, it will be what it is and I am good with that.  Of course my hope is to have flowing locks and rocking man bun in 12-18 months (kidding, will never have a pony tail lol)

Another member here who is also posting about his journey @DannyDevito was getting his transplant on the 2nd day of my operation. Will be watching your progress my friend!

 

Pre operation

Communication with Dogma, the translator, office manager, my main interface was outstanding in the weeks before the surgery and while in country

My wife and I hung out in IST for 8 days before the transplant, the day of operation, the clinic driver picked us up at or Karkoy hotel and drove us directly to clinic

There was 1 other patient on my first day, a guy getting a front hair line (2000K graphs)

I spent 20-30 mins with Dr Yaman, having him examine my density, drawing hair line, taking pictures and explaining the procedure.  Dr Yaman speaks good english and has a calm sense of confidence.  We had previously agreed to do 6000K and his examination of my density and donor area confirmed that was possible

After the 2nd day, I was pleasantly surprised to hear they were able to pull 7000K by going into the beard area for donor hairs

Operation

move from dr office to take pictures and head shaving, dr marks the donor area after shave and away to the operation room.  

On advice I read here, I asked for a zantac to help relax (really not needed and did not take one on the 2nd day)

Room is a small operating room with TV playing Turkish music videos, 3 technicians, 2 removing graphs, one sorting

As I was face down most of the time I could not really observe what was taking place and the zantac was kicking in

Yes, the needles are a bitch, no way around it, I had a large area to cover so there were a lot of injections, seemed to last for 10 mins. pain scale 6.5/10. if you are doing under 3000K I am sure its not as bad.  No one is going to ask "are you doing ok?, do you want a break?"  they are very methodical and patient comfort is not a primary concern.  Not a big deal but no one is going to pamper you LOL. 

The next 8 hours on the table were kind of a blur.  A IV was inserted (rookie tech came in for that and it took here a few attempts to find a vein) I took advice I read here and had a audio book down loaded on my phone that I listened to during the operation.  Once the injections in head are done, there is zero pain. you will be in uncomfortable positions as they move your head around to do their work. The team does not speak good english but I would raise my hand and say I need to re postion my face on the table when it became too unforgettable or I needed a bathroom break

At some point after the harvesting, Dr Yaman came in to do the incisions, again very painless. He may have come in several times to check but being face down and drifting in and out of sleep, I really dont know 

Lunch Break

I told Dogma that it was my birthday when I arrived and was surprised to have the staff present me with a cake at lunch time while singing "happy birthday". Nice touch!  Food was good and it was nice to have a break from the table

Back to the table after lunch Dr Yaman did the incisions and the techs started to insert the graphs operation finished around 5:30-6pm

Zero pain post op, was feeling great but a little tired from the events of the day.  

Post Op 1st day

Hotel is a nice convention center hotel, decent buffet breakfast,  dinner dining is ok but after eating our way thru Istanbul for 8 days prior, it was just ok IMO

Pro tip, ask to be upgraded to suite, larger room. Clinic can arrange upgrade for nominal cost

Forget about using the supplied neck pillow.  Pro tip, order a travel pillow from Amazon, a expensive one with good reviews. It will be your best friend for the next 5 days

I ordered 3 pillows before trip and returned 2 after settling on the one that fit me best

This will be the most important you have to try and sleep for the next 3-5 days.  

When I tell people about the operation, I stress the hardest part of this whole procedure is getting sleep.  There is absolute paranoia about disruption the graphs and wasting this time and money to have the graphs get ripped out on a pillow...

you will not sleep but a couple hours the first night,  propped up in bed, with a neck pillow paranoid about anything touching your head. It does not get better for the next 5 days...

Sleep will be a challenge, a serious challenge

Ordered room service 1st night as was pretty tired from the activities of the day

Again no post op pain at all.  The donor area will be sensitive and as it heals it it will feel like a skinned knee to the touch but thats it, pain free for the rest of your journey                                 
Day 2

Early pick up at hotel

There were 3 of us today, I was only one doing 2nd procedure. 

Same as first day (less birthday cake) this session went a little longer, I think we finished up around 7pm. We all rode back to hotel in good spirits dreaming of new hair!

My wife and I met up with @DannyDevito for a nice dinner 

Tried to sleep but lost that battle

Day 3

Check in and shampoo

Just as described, was given 6 month supply of vitamins, some pain pills (not needed) supply of antibiotics and  post op shampoo and taught how to shampoo hair

Pro tip 2, if you have someone with you, ask them to video tape the washing instructions and procedure.  You are going to be on kind of on "a new hair high" and details are important. capture the debriefing on your phone so you dont have to ask questions later

Post op to present (1 month)

I booked 3 extra post op days as I wanted to be close to clinic should anything happen post op.  In hindsight, I would only spend 1 extra day in country and would rather recover in my own home.  You will be chasing the elusive sleep, better to do it in familiar surroundings rather than a hotel room

The saline solution given by clinic is 100ml,  ok to bring in carry on bag, if staying a few days post op, bring a spray bottle with you.  The spray in the first few days helps with the scabs and provides a level of comfort

I was lucky to have very little shock loss, maybe none or its all going to fall out in the next couple of weeks   Growth has been quick and I feel like a baby duckling

The redness has started to fade but the pimples are starting to show up, not bad but annoying. I started taking oral Minoxidil 2 weeks post op the help with growth

The scabs came off by day 10, I sprayed my head 4 times a day with saline solution to help with the scabs and continue to spray at least a couple times a day

Was able to sleep normally by day 9, maybe I was a little paranoid but better safe that sorry

Donor area is still tender and stared itching around day 5.  Aloe Verde gel gets applied to donor area but I dont really think it is doing anything for itching but probably helping in healing process 

 

Now the wait begins...

I understand this is quite a lengthy post but wanted do document what I experienced in the hope it helps someone make the decision to undertake this journey a little easier

I will post monthly updates as I think that is important and what we are here for, to see the end results (good or bad!)

 

happy growing...it looks like an interesting case which i will be following. How much did you pay for the 7000 grafts in the 2-day session ?

[Hairwolf]

7000 grafts is ballsy man 😁 Hope it works out, so will be following this one. Best of luck!

[Siggy]

9 hours ago, Gramatik said:

happy growing...it looks like an interesting case which i will be following. How much did you pay for the 7000 grafts in the 2-day session ?

6500 USD which included 4 nights in upgraded suite at hotel

[Reina]

Happy growing. The work looks great. Do you know how many grafts were implanted in each zone (frontal third, midscalp and crown)?

[Gatsby]

On 12/28/2023 at 7:07 AM, Siggy said:

6500 USD which included 4 nights in upgraded suite at hotel

That’s very inexpensive! @Siggy by the end of the year you are going to look a good ten years younger at least! Happy growing! 👊🏻

[Spring15]

7000 grafts damn. Looking forward to your progress

[andy_+_+]

7000 grafts - awesome man. I hope you grow great and get the desired outcome your aiming for.

[Siggy]

2 month update

very pleased with the top/front growth

i I know the crown is going to take a while but there are fine hairs growing everywhere 

at the 6 week mark the donor area stopped itching just this weeek (7) the redness subsided 

pure aloe really did not do anything for the tenderness itching in donor area 

I have kept the area very clean but still was still experiencing pimples almost daily

i I went to dermatologist on another matter ( check up ) and asked her to look at it. She prescribed clindamycin phosphate topical solution 1% which I apply 1-2x’s per day. After 4 days the pimples stopped showing up 😀

pictures don’t do justice to the amount of hairs popping out!

I was one of the rare/lucky guys that did not have shock loss  I think it’s safe to type that after 2 months!

the donor area is filling in nicely but still a way to go  

will post up in a month and share how it’s going

patience is key and I am cool with that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16 by Siggy

[Steverino80]

Third pic looks really good. I am hoping for progress is as good as that.

[Napoli]

20 minutes ago, Siggy said:

2 month update

very pleased with the top/front growth

i I know the crown is going to take a while but there are fine hairs growing everywhere 

at the 6 week mark the donor area stopped itching just this weeek (7) the redness subsided 

pure aloe really did not do anything for the tenderness itching in donor area 

I have kept the area very clean but still was still experiencing pimples almost daily

i I went to dermatologist on another matter ( check up ) and asked her to look at it. She prescribed clindamycin phosphate topical solution 1% which I apply 1-2x’s per day. After 4 days the pimples stopped showing up 😀

pictures don’t do justice to the amount of hairs popping out!

I was one of the rare/lucky guys that did not have shock loss  I think it’s safe to type that after 2 months!

the donor area is filling in nicely but still a way to go  

will post up in a month and share how it’s going

patience is key and I am cool with that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

happy growing. The work looks very good and Dr Yaman seems to be a good choice. I'm also considering Dr Yaman for my hair transplant. How was your overall experience from your hair transplant ? Are you satisfied ?

Edited January 16 by Napoli

[Siggy]

1 minute ago, Napoli said:

 

happy growing. The work looks very good and Dr Yaman seems to be a good surgeon. I'm also considering Dr Yaman for my hair transplant. How was your overall experience from your hair transplant ? Are you satisfied ?

I think the results are better than expected at this early stage, there are hairs growing in places that were bald and growing at a pretty good rate.   Will see how it fills in another 10 months.  Based on what I am seeing and projecting the outcome to be, I am happy.  The only thing that I feel is a little lacking is post op follow up, my questions are answered in very short responses and not exactly detailed. I would say that is the only thing that I am a bit disappointed with.  There is a wealth of info on the net, 1000's of guys have done this procedure and you can find almost any answer.  Would I recommend Dr Yaman, yep. Just need to understand this is not USA type aftercare. Setting realistic expectations is the key,  I was never going to look like Bon Jovi circa 1985 but If I cover the bald spots and have a decent hairline, I am going to be happy.   What I am learning, everyone is going to have a different outcome depending on health, age, genetics after care, meds ect.  One size does not fit all.  Outcomes from same doctor WILL be different.  The more data points that you can gather and setting the correct expectations is the key to future happiness!!

[Thoro]

Thank you for a great review. It looks very impressive so far. May I ask how long it took for the beard donor area to heal? Maybe you have post-op pictures of the beard donor area?

Cheers

Tom

[Siggy]

Beard area (appx 500 graphs taken) healed very fast,  I think I shaved it 2 weeks later with no noticeable scaring pic below taken today

Edited January 16 by Siggy

[Thoro]

Amazing - thank you!

[DannyDevito]

Looking better than I expected at this early stage, this is gonna turn out great! Enjoy the growth