3500 Graft Fue Turkey - My Progress So Far

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
HI Guys!

I have returned from turkey after a 3500 graft fue, with dr acar @ Cosmedica. I am about 3 weeks post-surgery now and healing well. I’ll be documenting my results over the coming months so stay tuned for pics.

The trip/surgery

Pros

o Really looked after. Nice hotel, transfers and communication
o Clean modern clinic, friendly staff
o Efficient procedure, no issues
o Good aftercare instructions, medication and communication
o Excellent UK rep – GMH

Cons

o Feels a little rushed at times
o Minimal time with dr acar
o They promote needle free anaesthetic – this is a lie. I had about 10 injections
o Poor communication from the technicians

3500 grafts were transplanted to my front and crown area. This is 1000 more grafts than what any uk dr advised. Turkish dr’s seem to have much higher graft counts. I think this is a combination of over harvesting, but also a trend thing – they want to show value for money by extracting higher volumes for the fixed package cost. Or they are not telling the truth and transplanting a lower number. Either way I am cautious about my donor area now and will consider my next move very carefully.

Overall the experience was a good one. ultimately it comes down to the results and I will see how these turn out over the coming months. I have attached multiple pics, pre and post-surgery, donor area 3 days post and 1-week post from multiple angles. I will continue to update this thread with my progress.

Finger crossed for a good result
 

Attachments

  • hair 1.jpg
    hair 1.jpg
    154.2 KB · Views: 2,142
  • hair 2.jpg
    hair 2.jpg
    222.8 KB · Views: 2,000
  • hair 3.jpg
    hair 3.jpg
    190.2 KB · Views: 1,914
  • hair 4.jpg
    hair 4.jpg
    185.6 KB · Views: 1,906
  • hair 5.jpg
    hair 5.jpg
    215.7 KB · Views: 1,867
  • hair 6.jpg
    hair 6.jpg
    75 KB · Views: 1,943
  • hair 7.jpg
    hair 7.jpg
    98.5 KB · Views: 1,882
  • hair 8.jpg
    hair 8.jpg
    90.7 KB · Views: 1,884
  • hair 9.jpg
    hair 9.jpg
    74.1 KB · Views: 1,882
  • hair 10.jpg
    hair 10.jpg
    57.6 KB · Views: 1,921
  • hair 13.jpg
    hair 13.jpg
    82.4 KB · Views: 1,845
  • hair 12.jpg
    hair 12.jpg
    63.4 KB · Views: 1,856
  • hair 11.jpg
    hair 11.jpg
    61.8 KB · Views: 1,844
  • hair 14.jpg
    hair 14.jpg
    71.1 KB · Views: 1,987
Last edited:

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
3 weeks post surgery after cutting hair. Any thoughts on my donor area? Does it look ok? I feel there are signs of over harvesting :mad:
 

Attachments

  • A15AFF53-174A-4AA8-AB49-1046FBFDAD5E.jpeg
    A15AFF53-174A-4AA8-AB49-1046FBFDAD5E.jpeg
    140.1 KB · Views: 1,649
  • 728A4E86-626D-4179-9527-FE875AECA784.jpeg
    728A4E86-626D-4179-9527-FE875AECA784.jpeg
    117.4 KB · Views: 1,641
  • 6E7CF916-6980-4008-942B-250AFE4DF761.jpeg
    6E7CF916-6980-4008-942B-250AFE4DF761.jpeg
    96.8 KB · Views: 1,659
  • 11D7C698-33A6-4894-B456-1E695E565506.jpeg
    11D7C698-33A6-4894-B456-1E695E565506.jpeg
    134.8 KB · Views: 1,644
  • 7D806B4E-E7E3-4868-BBBA-EAEADF190453.jpeg
    7D806B4E-E7E3-4868-BBBA-EAEADF190453.jpeg
    130.1 KB · Views: 1,601

Joely

New Member
Reaction score
5
Looking at your latest pictures, maybe the extractions could possibly have been spread over a larger pattern. Maybe some shock loss in there to. Do you know what sized punch was used? Still very early, give it a few months and in most cases donor area sorts itself out.

3500 looks to be about right to be honest as looks like you've lowered your hairline as well as filling in bare temples and obviously the crown. Are you using meds? Good chance you'll have further loss in the crown and will need another procedure. For that reason, I'm not really in favour of having a procedure on the crown filling in slight loss without meds. Crown loss can suddenly accelerate fairly quickly imo and can be back to square one in no time.

Your donor hair looks good though so if the majority of it grows out, think you'll be on your way to a good result.
 

GrowPro

Established Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
265
Hi

I agree with Joely, it’s very likely just shock loss in your donor that just needs more time to recover and grow back. As for graft amount, 3,500 sounds about right considering you lost a lot on your frontal half of your scalp and some added grafts to your crown.
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
Thanks for the feedback joely and growpro. Ok that has put my mind at ease a little. I guess I’m just nervous because my donor area is still very red and patchy. Hopefully the shock loss recovers in the coming months.

My current regimen is biotin, saw palmetto and min. I will start derma rolling once I recover. I’ve used finasteride in the past with no results and only side effects.

I’ll post updated pics soon.
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
Here are my 30 days post surgery pics. The recipient area has healed well, and now I’m eagerly waiting for the shedding phase to start!

as for the donor area, that is still a mess. I’m using aloe Vera gel daily to help with the redness and itching. Hoping the shock loss grows back in the coming month or two as it awful being out in public right now. I’m trying to use hair Fibers to cover it up when I go to work.

anyone who is getting a surgery soon, be prepared for the mental drain the state of your post surgery hair puts on you. It’s exhausting :(

Short term pain, long term gain :cool:;)
 

Attachments

  • 643FF827-5B7C-4942-804E-0F77E7CA79F7.jpeg
    643FF827-5B7C-4942-804E-0F77E7CA79F7.jpeg
    108.9 KB · Views: 1,552
  • A076905B-248C-457A-8511-A57CAE2526F9.jpeg
    A076905B-248C-457A-8511-A57CAE2526F9.jpeg
    93.3 KB · Views: 1,468
  • 52FD5AC6-4A8D-4A3E-BF31-825E00CC3FEC.jpeg
    52FD5AC6-4A8D-4A3E-BF31-825E00CC3FEC.jpeg
    122.9 KB · Views: 1,474
  • FF7DCE98-6B0F-494F-A078-0A8FEEE3E5BF.jpeg
    FF7DCE98-6B0F-494F-A078-0A8FEEE3E5BF.jpeg
    102.5 KB · Views: 1,502
  • 72D5B482-C551-4836-A274-451483FC336D.jpeg
    72D5B482-C551-4836-A274-451483FC336D.jpeg
    126.2 KB · Views: 1,508
  • 715CFB0A-0D02-43F7-ABB4-9CBFF19F41D4.jpeg
    715CFB0A-0D02-43F7-ABB4-9CBFF19F41D4.jpeg
    84.6 KB · Views: 1,572
  • 45598880-11A3-4F82-A928-DB411A668CDF.jpeg
    45598880-11A3-4F82-A928-DB411A668CDF.jpeg
    112.4 KB · Views: 1,582

zaman

Established Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
194
Looking good, keep positive because i think you will get a great result
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
£3,250. That includes the dr opening the channels himself. I’m currently unsure if it was a good investment. Fingers crossed my donor area heals and my new hairs grow through
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
Thanks. I'm most likely gonna go with Cosmedica myself, I think.

Are you willing to wait a few months before booking? I only say this because they have left my donor area in a real mess. See images below which are 5 weeks post surgery. A lot of gaps. The clinic said I am suffering from shock loss, which some of it probably is, but my feeling and many others on different forums think it’s a serious case of over harvesting. I’m still very red after 6 weeks which is also unusual. Only time will tell to see if it recovers. Think carefully about the package style clinics, because there is a bigger chance of over harvesting.
 

Attachments

  • BEF290F3-D66B-44CB-97E8-7D2E33351114.jpeg
    BEF290F3-D66B-44CB-97E8-7D2E33351114.jpeg
    206.7 KB · Views: 1,181
  • 0E2FFB87-07A7-4241-B3EF-A1BD1716E19F.jpeg
    0E2FFB87-07A7-4241-B3EF-A1BD1716E19F.jpeg
    89.7 KB · Views: 1,176
  • B580B2D4-9FA5-45D3-81F3-2442B73676E7.jpeg
    B580B2D4-9FA5-45D3-81F3-2442B73676E7.jpeg
    122.2 KB · Views: 1,175
  • EAC5D764-9B7E-4030-BBAD-1A9ED5FE5FC5.jpeg
    EAC5D764-9B7E-4030-BBAD-1A9ED5FE5FC5.jpeg
    131.4 KB · Views: 1,201

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
8 week post surgery pictures.

now that my existing hair has had a chance to grow back on top, it’s clear that the transplanted area is actually a lot smaller than I originally thought. The transplanted area is slowly growing through, and I’m still waiting for the shedding to really start. 8 weeks in should I be seeing more shedding?

the donor area is still patchy. I’ve let it grow out which is covering most of the empty spaces, but if i were to shave it down to a grade 2 or 3, the shock loss/over harvesting would be exposed, so I’m having to deal with that currently. Donor is also still very red.
 

Attachments

  • 2DED02BF-8477-4263-80A3-F04265800E16.jpeg
    2DED02BF-8477-4263-80A3-F04265800E16.jpeg
    129.3 KB · Views: 1,066
  • 114FF225-6CA9-454D-B712-EA01FD53D8AD.jpeg
    114FF225-6CA9-454D-B712-EA01FD53D8AD.jpeg
    273.1 KB · Views: 1,044
  • 0DAD783D-C2DD-4E2A-89F1-D2E0511D985B.jpeg
    0DAD783D-C2DD-4E2A-89F1-D2E0511D985B.jpeg
    147.5 KB · Views: 978
  • C35C1B51-A733-4DD8-8395-537685951CB2.jpeg
    C35C1B51-A733-4DD8-8395-537685951CB2.jpeg
    177.3 KB · Views: 1,052
  • F1BCEC54-7C59-474E-B4E9-942105A81B84.jpeg
    F1BCEC54-7C59-474E-B4E9-942105A81B84.jpeg
    211.7 KB · Views: 1,073

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
3 month progress. The recipient area is coming along nicely. I’ve had very little shedding.

the donor continues to be an issue. I’m having to keep the area longer than the rest of my hair in order to cover the empty spaces. I’ve resigned myself to looking into smp to solve the emptiness in my donor :(
 

Attachments

  • 77179CAD-D1C9-4A41-A9CB-D5C09024D725.jpeg
    77179CAD-D1C9-4A41-A9CB-D5C09024D725.jpeg
    123.6 KB · Views: 1,176
  • 98385E7C-9910-483E-9680-5C082D1A5ADC.jpeg
    98385E7C-9910-483E-9680-5C082D1A5ADC.jpeg
    163.7 KB · Views: 1,138
  • 8BAF5E85-D5F2-4235-812C-3B3DFDF536E5.jpeg
    8BAF5E85-D5F2-4235-812C-3B3DFDF536E5.jpeg
    142.4 KB · Views: 1,114
  • 32C2C7F4-5F2F-4965-8843-90C049C15E83.jpeg
    32C2C7F4-5F2F-4965-8843-90C049C15E83.jpeg
    216.1 KB · Views: 1,157
  • 8232721C-E92B-480B-B9E5-465E99EBA0CB.jpeg
    8232721C-E92B-480B-B9E5-465E99EBA0CB.jpeg
    120 KB · Views: 1,201
  • ED763E71-B546-4837-AE32-0A38558B2E84.jpeg
    ED763E71-B546-4837-AE32-0A38558B2E84.jpeg
    155.8 KB · Views: 1,145
  • 6B4FC820-4A01-4812-9E2C-EE2177A622AF.jpeg
    6B4FC820-4A01-4812-9E2C-EE2177A622AF.jpeg
    149.5 KB · Views: 1,215

topicalthunder

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
32
Shock loss, from my little research, only begins to start growing out again at around month 4. I’d try hold out as it just looks like shock loss to me, you’ve just unfortunately had quite a bit of it.

It still looks pretty red/pink underneath so may just need a bit longer. Most of these things sort themselves out in the end. Have you thought about using minoxidil on the donor zone at all to stimulate growth?
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
Shock loss, from my little research, only begins to start growing out again at around month 4. I’d try hold out as it just looks like shock loss to me, you’ve just unfortunately had quite a bit of it.

It still looks pretty red/pink underneath so may just need a bit longer. Most of these things sort themselves out in the end. Have you thought about using minoxidil on the donor zone at all to stimulate growth?


Yea I’m sure some of it is shock loss, but it’s all quite random. Plus the redness still at 3 months which shows that extensive work has been done to the donor... to much work perhaps
I am using min on the donor too. I’ll give it 2/3 more months before deciding on smp. Fingers crossed
 

topicalthunder

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
32
Yea I’m sure some of it is shock loss, but it’s all quite random. Plus the redness still at 3 months which shows that extensive work has been done to the donor... to much work perhaps
I am using min on the donor too. I’ll give it 2/3 more months before deciding on smp. Fingers crossed

Once the redness goes, it will look a lot better. Try to stay positive, it’s difficult but things never turn out to be as bad as they seem.

Im trying to follow that for myself haha!
 

MR sinister

Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
17
Yes vip package. He did the incisions himself. But the extractions and insertions are all done by technicians. You barely have any time with the dr himself as he is running between 3 or 4 surgeries on the day.

have you had your hair done or planning to do it?
 

bananas

New Member
My Regimen
Reaction score
1
Yes vip package. He did the incisions himself. But the extractions and insertions are all done by technicians. You barely have any time with the dr himself as he is running between 3 or 4 surgeries on the day.

have you had your hair done or planning to do it?
I've made the decision to definitely get it done, I'm just trying to decide who to go with and I'm leaning towards the VIP package with Dr Acar at the moment... Would recommend or go with the same clinic/package? I also want to use my beard as donor area after seeing a guy called Mark Richards on YouTube. BTW I don't think your donor area looks bad, more like bedhead :D Another few months and it could improve even more
 
Top