I met with the doctor in his office, which was in a hospital. He spoke some English, but was more comfortable talking with the translator. We arranged a hair transplant of 2000 grafts on the head, and 600 of eyebrows. In this stage we discussed methods, and the tools that would be used to ensure the hairs were placed realistically, and facing the right direction.
After paying, and some long wait, my surgery began. It was only after I was semi-sedated, and the operation had begun that I realised the doctor operating me was not the one I met with, but another person who hadn't even bothered to introduce himself. Moreover, he was not using the set of tools we had discussed, but a different, quicker method. I called in the translator, protesting. He promised that the result would be the same, and as I was already under the knife at that point I had little choice but to let them continue.
Six months later, I can see the results. The hair on the head is a bit thicker, but still doesn’t look natural or full. The implanted hairs stick straight out, sometimes in random directions, not following the direction of the rest of the hairs. Especially the implanted eyebrow hairs look quite odd, and I would prefer to pluck them out than have them look unnatural.
My honest feeling is that I was tricked for a little bit of extra money, and to save time. If the doctor could have taken some extra care, or used the right set of tools, or been honest and upfront about his inability to do this kind of transplant properly and professionally, this could have been avoided.
My report of this overall experience is therefore be a negative one. There are many such hair transplant centres in Istanbul, and even more slippery salesmen. Take care when choosing your doctor.
