FUT - 18/12/15 - 4030 Grafts - NW6 - Dr Karadeniz - 18/12/15

My story on the HT journey started some 26 years ago . That was the day that someone pointed out to me at the works Christmas party that I was developing a bald spot . Still so vivid it seems like yesterday .

I grudgingly accepted my fate , but would periodically check out whatever the latest fad was being marketed to combat hair loss . Nearly all of them seemed to good to be true , and were .

Last time I checked out hair transplants was 10 years ago. Spent a good deal of time researching , but the quality of the HT's at that time were variable , and without the options available today were prohibitively expensive .

Fast forward 10 years and this is where I'm at . Spent the last 2 months or so endlessly researching the subject - the forums , the blogs , the websites . I spent every spare minute I could to increase my knowledge and understanding of the process .

After some deliberation , and following several online consultations , I decided to go with Dr Karadeniz . As Dr K had only assessed my hair loss via submitted photo's , the surgery options were left open pending a physical inspection .

I arrived in Istanbul on 16th December and after only 6 hours sleep headed of to the clinic the next morning at 8.45.I met Dr K at 9am whereupon we discussed the options . Dr K's opinion was that 4000 grafts plus would be required , to provide a good camouflage density to the frontal area and mid scalp regions . The crown would be untouched on this occasion , but sufficient grafts remaining should a further procedure be required . In consideration of my level of hair loss and the donor area characteristics , we agreed upon FUSS as the initial choice , with a potential further FUE the following day if the strip alone were to be insufficient for my requirements .

The usual pre-op photos were taken and hair design marked out . At around 10am the procedure commenced and I was on the operating table , and the first anaesthetic injections were administered along the strip line . These were pretty much painless , which was good as I was expecting worse . Much less painful that a dentists needle . Didn't take long for the head to be suitably numb and the strip procedure
commenced by Dr K . I was aware of things happening at the back of my head , but that's all it was , a slight sensation .On completion , the strip was passed on to the technicians for dissection .

With the strip removed , a lunch break was taken . Upon returning to the surgery, the technicians reported that in excess of 4000 grafts were taken .

On to the operating table once again and the recipient area was anaesthetised . Dr K made all the recipient site incisions . Again , I was aware of things happening , but was not painful in the slightest. Whilst the recipient incisions were being made , a team of technicians were dissecting and preparing the grafts .

Dr K made the initial graft placements to check for any potential popping ( elevation ) of the grafts . There appeared to be no issues , and the graft placement commenced , undertaken by a team of technicians . Strangely enough , although the time period from commencement of surgery to completion was around 9 hours , it didn't seem to drag at all .

The no's details are as below :

No. of grafts - 4035

1's - 780 grafts - 19.33% , hairs 780
2's - 2350 grafts - 58.24% , hairs 4700
multiples - 905 grafts -22.43% , hairs 2715

Grafts Total = 4035 ; Hairs Total = 8195 plus

Approximate area covered = 100 cm2

Grafts per cm2 = 40.35 average

Grafts were more densely placed at the frontal area and taper off to the rear .

I left the surgery around 7pm and returned to my hotel. Sleep that night was intermittent , although pain killers and other medication were taken to reduce pain / swelling .

I returned to the clinic the next morning for the hair wash and post-op instructions given .

Luckily enough , no swelling was suffered and little pain experienced . I am now at 7 days post-op , and the area appears to healing well . The scalp feels slightly tight , and light bruising is apparent to the recipient areas . Other than this , everything appears well .

My experience with Dr Karadinez specifically , and the clinic in general was very positive .

I will give further detail on the clinic in a separate post . Below are my pre-op and post-op pictures . I'd be glad to answer any questions .

I will update post op photos periodically .

Now at 8 days post op . Happy with the way things are going . Inflammation has greatly subsided and the FUSS incision seems to be healing nicely .Itchiness has almost completely disappeared . Scalp still feels a bit tight , but sure that will change when the staples are out .

Hello Suarez, congratulations on your new HT, it looks like everything about your HT has gone well for you, it seems you have found a good clinic and surgeon, and I look forward to seeing updates in the new future.

Alan.

Things have been going fine . Recipient and donor areas are healing well . The strip incision is looking very good . Have not shed any of the transplanted hairs yet , but unless I'm part of the lucky 10% , this will happen fairly soon.

Removed the staples at 14 days - 61 of the suckers in total . Wasn't as painful as I'd feared . I'd say 50 came out with no pain whatsoever , 10 with a slight smart and 1 that I did feel . The soak in a bath for 20 minutes before removal would have helped I'm sure .

Only problem is , and was my major concern prior to surgery , both donor and recipient areas are fairly visible .Even to the extent that I've been dreaming about it , so obviously playing with my psyche .

I may have been a wee bit optimistic as to how it would look 2 weeks after surgery . Anyway , back to work in 2 days and the panic has set in ! To be fair , it's not really panic , but more a case of what I do now . I have 3 options the way I see it :

1) Use cover up at both areas and try to mask the donor scar also with Toppik
2) Get back to work and just tell everyone that I've had a HT done
3) Wear a hat to work for a while

I work in an office , so wearing a hat would be a bit strange , but my employers would be fine about it .

It's a common recommendation by serious clinics to wait at least a month before applying any kind of cosmetic product to the recipient area, because there is a risk graft survival could be reduced. And speaking with experience, it is quite difficult for white skinned people to hide such dark red color as you're experiencing.
If you still want to try, then I can warmly recommend L'oreal CC Cream Anti redness http://www.loreal-paris.co.uk/make-u...m/anti-redness
If you go that route then don't expect dark redness to become totally invisible, just significantly less visible.
The option of wearing a hat would be the best by far. I hade fue surgery and used a baseball cap and no one noticed anything. No one asked why i suddenly began wearing the cap either. With strip scar, you'd need something that cover farther down on the back of the head.
Wish you luck!

Thanks for your comments August .

I've checked out various forums in relation to trying to conceal surgery post op , and opinions do seem to differ . I hardly ever wear a hat , so people will be curious as to why I have started to ( my friends suspected pretty quick ).

Lucky enough , if I wear a baseball cap , the back strap does in fact cover the strip scar if positioned right.

Thanks for the advice on the Loreal cream - I'll check it out .

Hi Suarez,

I'm really happy to read your review and see your progress being shared online. Well done!

I'd like to recommend that you keep in touch with Dr. Karadeniz with your post-op questions (if you aren't already), especially when it comes to what you should and should not put on your scalp so soon after surgery. I understand and encourage people to research this on their own as it helps them to understand the overall picture but I also recommend that in the end, one should follow their own doctor's recommendations and not those of a doctor that is not familiar with your case.

Keep up the good work!

Hi Joe - Thanks for the comments .

I did intend to put any questions to Dr K before applying any concealers / cover up etc. However , I think I may just ride this out anyway and just wear a cap for a few more weeks until it's settled somewhat .Personally , I do like to garner others opinions as to what / does not work for them , but to be fair it's a circular research anyway in that the same solutions come up time and time again .

As far as posting my progress , I think it's only fair to give back to the forums for all the information I received when researching the H/T scene .

Good luck and I hope you heal well.

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Last time I checked out hair transplants was 10 years ago. Spent a good deal of time researching , but the quality of the HT's at that time were variable , and without the options available today were prohibitively expensive .

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I just wanted to say that you could have done the same surgery you just had, 10 years ago. Not all that much has changed in 10 years, especially considering that you got a strip excision. In that regard, basically it's the same procedure. You might have found a favorable price in Turkey, but other than that, I wonder what differences you are referring to now, that you didn't come across 10 years ago?

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Originally Posted by arfy

Good luck and I hope you heal well.



I just wanted to say that you could have done the same surgery you just had, 10 years ago. Not all that much has changed in 10 years, especially considering that you got a strip excision. In that regard, basically it's the same procedure. You might have found a favorable price in Turkey, but other than that, I wonder what differences you are referring to now, that you didn't come across 10 years ago?

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Thanks Arfy .

It's a while ago now , but most likely at that time I would not have considered going abroad , and the results from the UK surgeons at that time weren't that great from what I could see .That coupled with prices made it a none starter .

I also think that the sheer choice of options now , coupled with advances in surgical techniques such as trichophytic closure has made it a safer bet ( in theory ) than back then.

Just past 9 weeks post op so a quick update on how things are going.

Just to point out , my HT was to the frontal and mid scalp areas - the crown was untouched in this session .

Happy with the way things are going generally . Very light redness still in the recipient area .Recipient area is still very slightly numb but improving by the week .Still a bit numb above the strip area , but again this is getting better almost by the
day . Also mindful that I'm not out of the woods yet as far as scar stretch , so doing all I can to keep tension from the area . Can't wait to hit the gym again , but not going to do anything at the moment that may compromise scar healing / stretch. Doctor recommends to leave any heavy lifting until the 3 month mark .

The scar is not visible at this point , so I'm happy on that score.

Unfortunately , had some shock loss below the donor incision ( may be an inch long or so) , so fingers crossed that will resolve itself over the next few months . On the photo below I have applied a small amount of Toppik to the shock loss area.

Although I shed as everyone does , have had some growth to the recipient area. Not any real great density at the moment , more fine , light and wispy , but more than I expected anyway.

At just over 2 weeks post op , I was hoping to return to work without wearing a cap. 9 weeks later I'm still wearing it ! That's probably more paranoia on my part , as my wife thinks that no one would guess now that I've had the procedure.

The first photo was taken at 3 days post op , the rest are 9 weeks post op.

Any comments / questions - fire away !

2 months and already some growth, good signs already.

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Originally Posted by HTsoon

2 months and already some growth, good signs already.

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I can see a hairline for the first time in years so good on that score . I'm particularly happy with the scar - initially intended to go FUE but after discussions with the surgeon decided that FUSS was the best otion to take . Now for the tough part just waiting it out - got to stop looking in the mirror which is tough in a house full of mirrors !

Saw your recent updates and your progress is fantastic - it must feel like christmas every day :)

Just past the 3 month mark and things seem to be going OK .

More hair on the old bonce than pre-op , so pretty happy with the progress to date . Feels strange to have hair on top after so long - almost feels like I'm wearing a hat sometimes .

Shock loss seems to be resolving , but the pimples are still having a field day .

Just passed the 4 month mark . Things have started happening - hairs are starting to mature and additional grafts are continuing to pop through .

I'm pleased with the progress to date . Just had my first proper haircut ( a number 3 to 4 guard on the clippers ) - the scar is pretty much invisible and the shock loss has grown back well .

I was a bit concerned abut scar stretch , so have avoided the gym up to now , but resumed training this week .

Any comments or questions welcome .

how is the progress coming along?

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Originally Posted by saiarulkumar

how is the progress coming along?

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Probably not a lot different than it was 8 hours ago when he updated us:)

lol didnt realize it was 8 hours ago Joe. thanks!

Any thoughts on the difference between AEK, ASIMED and AHD clinic? besides marketing..

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Originally Posted by saiarulkumar

lol didnt realize it was 8 hours ago Joe. thanks!

Any thoughts on the difference between AEK, ASIMED and AHD clinic? besides marketing..

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I don't want to hijack Suarez's thread but I'll say this; research and learn as much as you can about any clinic you are considering, not just in Turkey. AEK is a small one man operation. ASMED is a powerhouse of efficiency and Dr. Erdogan has some interesting ideas on advancing the field. I don't know much about AHD right now as they've gone through some changes recently so I can't comment with any sort of accuracy.

If you speak with any patients, which you should, do not tell them your name, do not tell them where you live (country/state/province, etc.) and do not tell them your online handle because many places apparently resort to paying patients a commission if they refer new patients for surgery. Use separate email addresses for your communication with other patients and with any clinics you are speaking with. By keeping as little information about yourself available as possible then no one can claim you as a "sale" thus it will help to weed out the testimonials that are paid from the ones that are genuine. In fact, any patient you speak with you should ask them up front if they are getting a commission or some sort of kickback for their testimonial. Then ask yourself this; are you considering Turkey because you feel the options there are of a higher quality than anywhere else or is it strictly because it is so cheap? If the former, proceed and good luck. If the latter, be SUPER careful and don't get sucked in to the pricing game where 25 cents per graft will sway you. Cheap is cheap and when you start choosing between Turkish clinics because one is cheaper than the other then your priorities should be reviewed.

looking at it from which clinics employ techs to do the procedure vs doctors. Yes ASMED looks like a powerhouse which has the marketing gameplan down.

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Originally Posted by saiarulkumar

looking at it from which clinics employ techs to do the procedure vs doctors. Yes ASMED looks like a powerhouse which has the marketing gameplan down.

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I think you should start a new thread to discuss this. Let's keep this on point for Suarez and his results.

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Originally Posted by JoeTillman

Probably not a lot different than it was 8 hours ago when he updated us:)

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Ha - beat me to it !

I'm pushing 7 months post op now , but took these photo's at the 6 month mark . I'm very happy with the progress to date , and hopefully another 6 months at least of new hairs sprouting and maturation .Attachment 47733Attachment 47734Attachment 47735Attachment 47736Attachment 47737

Attachment 47738Attachment 47740

May I ask ,how much did you pay for 4030grafts.Why isn''t the crown area covered with grafts?

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Originally Posted by siow

May I ask ,how much did you pay for 4030grafts.Why isn''t the crown area covered with grafts?

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I am no expert. But based on my recent consultation and looking at the before surgery photos there may not have been enough donor area to cover the crown and cover the front hairline and scalp with dense enough coverage. I was told by a specialist during my recent consultation that the crown would be the last part of the head to be covered because it is on the very top and the least noticeable to others. Fix the other parts first basically before the crown

At the time , the cost was around 1 euro per graft .

As a NW6 , the full area will never get full coverage in a single session of 4000 grafts . As the frontal hairline is the more important aspect in most peoples decision to go for a initial HT , this was the area addressed initially .I've not been for a 2nd HT as yet , as I'm pretty happy with the result from my initial HT . I may go for a 2nd surgery at some point , but don't feel the urgency to do it right now. It will also give me additional time to assess my situation should any further hair loss occur .

Some people do go down the route of coverage to the full area in a single session , but you have to take on oard that coverage will not be that dense until a further seession is undertaken . Hairsgone who posts on here went down this route and ended up with a very good result doing it this way .

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Originally Posted by Realenglishnic

I am no expert. But based on my recent consultation and looking at the before surgery photos there may not have been enough donor area to cover the crown and cover the front hairline and scalp with dense enough coverage. I was told by a specialist during my recent consultation that the crown would be the last part of the head to be covered because it is on the very top and the least noticeable to others. Fix the other parts first basically before the crown

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Pretty much correct . However , it wasn't limited donor that affected the decision , but the size of session to go for .

4000 grafts is about the limit I would consider in a single session . You can go above this figure , but there are risks in doing so . Also , there are very few surgeons I would trust to go above this figure.

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Originally Posted by suarez

Pretty much correct . However , it wasn't limited donor that affected the decision , but the size of session to go for .

4000 grafts is about the limit I would consider in a single session . You can go above this figure , but there are risks in doing so . Also , there are very few surgeons I would trust to go above this figure.

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Hi Suarez, this is good you have more donor to contribute to your crown. Wouldn’t you know after a year though of having your last transplant done if you can now go ahead and get the rest of your crown done?

I only recently learned from Joe Tillman yesterday similar to what you state above, that it’s risky going for anything more than 3000-3,500 grafts in one session because if your new hairs don’t take then you pretty much mess up your donor area which could lead to catastrophe for future hair transplants.

I have been enquiring with Asmed clinic (Dr Erdogan) as many have stated such amazing results and his work is exceptional. However Asmed clinic has assessed that I would need 5000 grafts for my surgery. I am only between Norwood 3/4, 5000 seems a hell of a lot to me and also €12,500 euros is out of my budget. It’s risky as well tampering with 5000 grafts for my first time but Asmed seem to do this with others. I am thinking of getting FUT for a 1/3 of the price (3,500 grafts) for my first hair transplant so I get good coverage and have more donor area to use at a later stage and then a couple of years down the line if needs be getting it all topped up,thickened up and the rest of the lost parts with Asmed FUE. I’m not sure but need to try not to jump too far ahead.

How would you rate Dr K from AEK ??

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Originally Posted by Realenglishnic

Wouldn’t you know after a year though of having your last transplant done if you can now go ahead and get the rest of your crown done?



How would you rate Dr K from AEK ??

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Hi ,

I've stated in the post above why I didn't feel compelled to get the 2nd transpalnt done yet.

As far as Dr K is concerned , I was happy with my result .