Hair Transplant, Liposuction, and Gynecomastia Surgery

I had a great experience from beginning to end. I arrived in Istanbul and there was a driver (Samet) there waiting to pick me up at the airport. He sold me a prepaid SIM card for my phone which was extremely useful and convenient. I was transported to the hotel (Mia Berre) in Istanbul. The next morning the driver picked me up and drove me to the hospital. I met the nurses there (Buse, Elif, and Nisa). They were very warm and although their English wasn't the best there was always an interpreter around (including Murat who is very cool). I felt very relaxed. The doctor (Dr. Murat Gurel) came in and drew on my body. There wasn't much communication between the doctor and I about what he planned to do, but they already knew it was for liposuction and gynecomastia. I woke up several hours later in EXTREME pain (which I was not expecting). I was very naïve about how painful the recovery from liposuction would be. Especially because he took 13 liters out of me. I had four drains that I had to carry around. The first night I woke up and they got me out of bed. There was blood/fluid all over the floor -- I was not expecting this. The nurse reassured me that this was quite normal. I was in the hospital for three nights. The call light in my room did not work and there was no circulating air in the room. I had to have the window open and the noise from the traffic was disruptive, but I was fairly comfortable. On the fourth day I was taken back to the hotel. I couldn't even sit up in bed I was so sore. You need to prepare yourself for this. The pain is significant and it really is very smart to take someone with you to help you. They'll need to help you empty your drains, help you sit up in bed. By the seventh day I was able to get up and around.

I was taken by Samet (driver) to have my hair transplant procedure done. This was on Saturday, December 18. Murat (interpreter) met me there and was with me the entire day -- and what a long day it was. We started about 8 a.m. and the procedure did not end until 7 p.m. I was thankful for the great job they did, but I was so very ready to leave. The hair transplant procedure was painful, but only when they injected the lidocaine into my scalp. It felt like they were scraping barbed-wire across my head. You need to prepare yourself for this. You'll need about 25 injections on the back of your scalp when they harvest the grafts and then about 7 on the top of your scalp when they plant them. Be ready for the pain. It is extreme!

I felt the price was reasonable for the procedures I had done. They have excellent reviews and I researched the doctor. He is very intelligent and definitely knew what he was doing.

Tips: 1) Take someone along with you. I went alone and this is not something someone should do by themselves (although it is possible). The nurses had to come into my hotel room and help me. I tipped them well for doing so and I appreciate that they were willing to help me. 2) Have towels and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag. I started leaking out fluid at Heathrow airport. I had to have the stewardesses bring me fresh blankets because I was leaking on the flight from London to Chicago. It was extremely embarrassing. Have towels and clean, soft clothes with you to change. 3) Buy a prepaid SIM card from the driver. He will offer you one. I got 2.5 gig of data for about $25. If you are staying at Mia Berre this is important because their wifi is terrible. It loses connection, etc. I bought two more SIM cards from Samet. I just texted him on WhatsApp and he let me know when he was in the lobby. 4) The food in the hotel is excellent and very inexpensive. The breakfast is excellent as well. I recommend it. 5) Make sure you purchase an electrical adapter BEFORE you go. 6) They will offer you a massage after your liposuction for around $130. I recommend it. They do it for you in the hotel room. 7) Money talks. If you need something make sure you tip (although not necessary).