Worth the trip!

I am a 41 y/o barber in the Bay Area, I have been receding for most of my adult life. Dr. Ilhan Serdaro?lu was referred to me by a Turkish client of mine who traveled back to have his transplant done after a couple years of us discussing this as a possibility. Having seen the before and after I was sold and the price was literally a sliver of what it costs here in the Bay Area. I was extremely happy with my experience in Istanbul. The Dr. arranged for the car service and the hotel stay which was all included in the cost of the procedure. If I had it to do over again I would have arranged for my own hotel both a little more upscale and within walking distance to the Doctors office. I arrived on a 14 hour direct flight Friday evening we did my surgery on Saturday morning, I rested on Sunday, and Monday morning we had a post-op visit that lasted about 10 minutes and I then headed directly back to the airport and took another direct flight home. It was really very easy. We did 2500 grafts on the front top and temples. That was 9 months ago and the top has come in fantastic. The hairline is really great and its fuller than any other transplant I've seen performed in the states. If I had to change one thing it would be the temples. I did them on the Dr's recommendation against my better judgement at the time. I wish I had not done them at all for two reasons. 1. I wear my hair so short on the sides that there is no reason to have done them. (this should have been determined during the consultation) 2. The area around them is still way thinner than the donor area so now there are these thicker patches down the side that look awkward regardless of length I wear it. I feel like this could have been avoided if the Dr would have spent just a little more time examining my hairline and growth patterns and inquiring about how I wear my hair. The consultation felt a little to quick in my opinion. I am a barber and the one thing I know is it that the consultation is the most important part of a haircut. Knowing my clients hair type, growth pattern and the way he wears it is the key to giving them what they need. But besides this I would have given the Dr. 5 stars. He was very friendly and professional, his office was very nice and the staff were all very professional and friendly. Being a barber I have seen a lot of before and after transplants here in the states and they have all seemed like a racket to me. Half the grafts for 5 times the price! I would definitely recommend Dr. Serdaro?lu if you plan on traveling abroad. Theres no way I'd give a Doctor in the states upwards of 20k to get 2500 grafts in 2 separate surgeries when you can have that accomplished for $2500 in one visit to Istanbul. I find it amusing that the Doctors in the States will warn against going to Turkey as if its a 3rd world country or something. When in fact its one of the oldest and most sophisticated cities in the world. Good luck wherever you decide to go and one more thing don't overthink it, just do it. You'll be so glad you did!