3.5 Months In 3600 Fue With Dr. Ilker Apaydin

[Parity07]

OK so decided to post my journey so far on here as Real Self only seem bothered with Dr Cinik, hopefully this may help others.

I went for a 3600 FUE with Dr Ilker in Istanbul on October 31 following extensive research to help patch up my NW5. I went through a company called Get Hair who are based in the UK and this was great to know. They were extremely attentive from Day 1 and never ever pushed, just gave me the info I needed and were there to answer any questions at any time.

Dr Ilker looked at the photos I provided and suggested 3600 grafts to rebuild the frontal hairline which had completely gone and add as much density as possible.

Unlike other doctors, Dr Ilker will not go over 4000 grafts in one procedure unless you combine the FUE with a FUT. This in a way was good to know as he obviously doesn't want to take anything to chance and risk over harvesting and causing problems.

The day itself was fantastic, mild discomfort with the initial injections but nowhere near as bad as I thought. Dr Ilker himself performed the all important opening of channels and began the initial extractions before leaving the rest to his technicians.

Yes, this is what you get with the 'cheaper' doctors, that's just standard. If you want a doctor to perform everything from opening channels to implantation, then go pay 4x the amount if you can by all means, I certainly couldn't afford that.

So cutting the long story short here I am 3.5 months after the procedure and the growth has been insane which started just after 2 months.

I'm putting most of that down to a double daily dose of 5% Kirkland Minoxidil and a daily Biotin tablet - I've also been on Finasteride since April.

I was told to start expecting first growth around 90 days, but it started around day 45 and since then it's gone crazy. Some hairs are over an inch in length already.

Anyway I've attached as many photos as I can, I've been documenting from Day 1 so have uploaded the photos I think are the most relevant.

I'm so happy with the results already considering what a mess it was before and the fact I should only be seeing the first signs now, so I'm extremely excited to see what occurs in the coming months.

I was so down and fed up regarding my hair, using concealers daily and praying for no rain! I don't have the right shaped head for a buzz cut so that was never an option. I'm certainly no Jason Statham! So this has given me such a fresh lease of life and even now just 105 days in I'm a billion times happier than I was before.

Dr Ilker was a very nice, well presented surgeon very smart and trendy in appearance and paid attention to my fears and concerns which made the entire procedure better than I could have ever imagined. The fact he's also a super experienced Plastic Surgeon too I'm sure works in his favour with regards recovery.

Anyway ill try to keep posting monthly updates and hope some of you found this review helpful.

Any questions please fire them over.

Peace.

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Looks ok for 100 days, how much did it cost?

 

[Parity07]

Looks ok for 100 days, how much did it cost?

It was £3200 for the procedure alone. I know that's a little more expensive than others, but I used a UK company called Get Hair who are the 'go between' and they naturally take a commission. If I did it again, I'd just go straight through the clinic and save a fair amount of money, but I was little nervous about the whole thing, so the fact they had an office in the UK helped no end.

I've posted a photo a week before 4 months is up, it's grown more and can feel loads of little spikey stumps when I run my hands through so lots more beginning to poke through.

 

[orange86]

wow top progress!

my temples are slowly receeding, do you think it's too soon to get hair transplant?

 

[Parity07]

Thank you. How old are you mate?

 

[orange86]

32, turning 33 in may

 

[Parity07]

It's hard to tell without a photo to be honest to see where you're at. Is it just the sides receding or are you thinning all over?

 

[orange86]

see post 8 on this thread: https://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/interact/threads/visit-to-advanced-hair-studio-in-england.114653/

are you in england?

 

[Vinc2097]

32, turning 33 in may

how old are you ? nice transplant btw

 

[Parity07]

I am yes.

Just read your story and it sounds like you're fed up with the treatments. A transplant would indeed thicken that up nicely. Your main body of hair is still nice and thick and doesn't look to be going anywhere fast so you've probably got time on your side. I was gone and you can see from photos so had nothing to lose.

When I was over in Turkey there was a gentleman from London I met who had 1800 grafts planted alone the hairline and temples not too disimilar to yours, I still keep in touch with him and we exchange photos. His is much slower growth than mine but he isn't taking any medication 6o speed it up like I am, but the early signs are there and it's looking like it's going to look very nice indeed.

Have you spoken to any clinics to gauge advice?

 

[Parity07]

how old are you ? nice transplant btw

Thank you. Yes it has gone so much better than I could ever have expected. I'm 43 and lost a shed load of hair at a crazy rate between 36 and 43, although I've always had thin hair. It's already thicker now than it was in my 20's, I'm absolutely buzzing with it I'll be honest and I'm only 4 months in.

 

[Andrew11]

Nice , should be great !! You said you have thin hair, did the dr say how many grafts you have left ??

 

[Parity07]

Nice , should be great !! You said you have thin hair, did the dr say how many grafts you have left ??

Hi. Thank you. He said he'd get another 3000 easily enough. The donor area has healed really well, to be honest I was a little worried to begin with as it did look a little 'gappy' but I definitely suffered shock loss and its grown back really well. I'm currently shaved down to a number 1 and it looks fine.

 

[Parity07]

A couple of days short of 5 months now and really couldn't be happier! So chuffed!

 

[Murkey Thumb]

A couple of days short of 5 months now and really couldn't be happier! So chuffed!

That is a great result! One of the best i have seen.

 

[Parity07]

That is a great result! One of the best i have seen.

Thank you. It's grown so quickly since the last update, from 2.5 months to 5 months it's been bizarre.

I'm wondering how much the 5% minoxidil and daily Biotin tablets have helped, guess I'll never know but I think they've definitely had an effect. My nails are growing like mad and very strong, so the Biotin could have something to do with it.

My wife has been blown away by it so bought some Biotin tablets herself and her hair is growing rapidly too.

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Thank you. It's grown so quickly since the last update, from 2.5 months to 5 months it's been bizarre.

I'm wondering how much the 5% minoxidil and daily Biotin tablets have helped, guess I'll never know but I think they've definitely had an effect. My nails are growing like mad and very strong, so the Biotin could have something to do with it.

My wife has been blown away by it so bought some Biotin tablets herself and her hair is growing rapidly too.

Its likely that the Minoxidil has had a lot of effect but be careful with it as you may get unexpected sheds in a couple of years time. I wouldn't bother with it as it will cause an unnatural hair cycle.

 

[Parity07]

Its likely that the Minoxidil has had a lot of effect but be careful with it as you may get unexpected sheds in a couple of years time. I wouldn't bother with it as it will cause an unnatural hair cycle.

Yes it's a tricky one. I'm kinda scared to come off it just in case, there are a lot of videos around where men have stopped taking it and regretted it. I have cut down to every other day now, so see what happens

 

[Parity07]

Here's the comparison at 5 months with a similar style (if you can call that embarrassing first photo a style ) . Again with a little wax but not particularly styled as in a bit of a rush. The difference tho is staggering.

Seriously if you're thinking of getting it done and keep putting it off, trust me, follow your heart, research your doctor thoroughly, then just get it booked and go do it.

I first had a consultation 6 years ago, and I've had a holiday away every year and not once did I put my head under water in the pool. Making excuses not to play water polo which I love. Literally being the only one not jumping into the sea when going out on a boat trip. Wearing a cap just in case one it those annoying little brats soaked me in the pool. Amazing how much it gets you down as I'm sure so many can relate to. Now I can't wait for my next holiday!

I wish I'd done it sooner, HOWEVER - if I'd gone with the 1st, 2nd or 3rd (UK) company it wouldn't have looked anything like it does now and I'd be skint! So do your thorough research, but don't drag your heels.

Good luck to all.

 

[Rocknroutlaw]

Its likely that the Minoxidil has had a lot of effect but be careful with it as you may get unexpected sheds in a couple of years time. I wouldn't bother with it as it will cause an unnatural hair cycle.

Could you elaborate on 'the sheds in a couple of years time'? I have been on Minoxidil/Finasteride combo for just over 3 years now, and had a transplant 3.5 months ago, with continual usage plus microneedling. Do you mean your grafts are expected to shed after a couple of years if you use Minoxidil? ...or does this apply to those who begin using Minoxidil ?