3.5000 Grafts Transplanted // NORWOOD 7-8

Hello everyone!!!!
Thanks for checking in. Already seeing growth, so I guess I'm a bit ahead of the curve. About 20% of the donor area is still a bit discomfort, no puss just a few sore lumps that itches a bit-but getting better each day but I've applying T/Gel Shampoo (ONLY on the donated area) and I notice improvements!!!!
One more thing...I have had 3 hairstylist look at my head since the op. All 3 have said it is one of the best transplants they have seen. Let the Doc and team know that their skillful work is greatly appreciated! Just in case, I'm using The Vitamin (biotin) and shampooing/conditioning (pics attached).... I will take some pics then I'll post them after July 17 !!!! *****I will gladly send some pics when I have more hair growth so you all can see my progress!!
YES!!!! Right now I feel I want to lower my hairline (depending on growth options) ...

Hello everyone!!! I'm Brazilian/American. I started to lose my hair at the age of 20, and it truly became visible at around 24. All men in my family are very bald, and I’m probably genetically geared towards a Norwood 7 or 8. My hair loss is particularly evident in the front, but also present on the crown. I tried FINASTERIDE in the past but I stopped due to the side effect then I added Rogaine recently, which seems to be giving me an additional edge.
In May 2017, I decided to undergo a hair transplant, and started to document myself. Even thou I'm a medical professional in Boston, US and Brazil, I spent maybe about 100 hours reading blogs as well as scientific articles online, until I had all the information I needed to make an educated decision. I decided to go for it because: i) cosmetic surgery seems to me most useful at any age, when one is at his maximum effort both professionally and sentimentally, and ii) the sooner I get my hair transplant, the longer I will enjoy its benefits, thereby getting better value for my money. Being a very resolute person, once I decided, I just did it without any hesitation.
The Choice of the Surgeon
I considered all of the surgeons in the list published on this site. I focused on Istanbul, Turkey and surroundings, but didn’t neglect other respected physicians around the globe. I also focused on surgeons with a proven record in FUE, as I didn’t want to have the conspicuous scar that derives from the strip methods and of course affordability.
I ended up choosing Doctor Tugrul Maral.
It’s been almost five weeks since the operation, and I’m very satisfied with Doctor Tugrul and his team work. I would strongly recommend him to anybody looking to undergo FUE. I will proceed with giving more details and narrating my experience in its various steps...
The Procedure
I had two consultations; one via email and one via WhatsApp (very interesting app which I used to submit my pictures. This APP is similar to FaceTime) with Doctor Tugrul. He was clear in answering all my questions, and I felt his answers were overall honest, knowledgeable and to the point and very caring (DETAIL; I never mentioned being a medical professional)
We agreed on scheduling my HT and i’d be undergoing FUE for about 3,500 grafts. Most of them would go to the front.
I flew to Turkey in 5 weeks later, got picked up at the airport by his team directly to the hotel and the surgery started next morning after making the payment, meeting up with Dr Tugrul (assessment, discuss what to expect, pictures taken, etc) Doctor Tugrul did mark the areas. The numbing, the extraction work, and also the incisions to indicate where the grafts would have to be transplanted were performed by his team (The staff was polite, friendly, and caring) The operation lasted for about 9 hours with no complications. I felt moderate pain at times, but, upon my signal, the nurse was always prompt in sedating the painful areas again.
I came in at 9:30 AM and left in the late afternoon, at about 20:00. I actually found it a fascinating and educative experience, not particularly painful or taxing. I do see how some people may suffer the sheer length of it. Very sensitive individuals may also complain of the pain, but in my case I wasn’t bothered in the least. Overall, I felt Doctor Tugrul and his staff did an excellent job, both taking care of me as an individual from the technical/medical standpoint.
The Post-Op
The hardest part was going through the next 24 hours!!!!! I had minimal swelling, some itching and a just little pain (I was prescribed antibiotic, steroids and antiflamatory/pain Meds). I couldn’t wash my hair properly and had to bath my head with special care. Anyway, Doctor Tugrul gave me clear instructions and I followed them to the letter. I'm sure I will need a second procedure. I want to lowering the hairline.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Istanbul is truly a city I would return to in order to revisit its markets and islands and taste its ice-cream and apple tea, the food, the drinks etc. If we're able to look beyond our visual hang-ups, we'll find some of the friendliest people in the world. I felt myself safe and happy over there!!!!!!
SO FAR SO GOOD.....After a couple of days I could shower properly and gently wash away the scabs. I didn't lose most of the transplanted hair at that point. After a month I had evidence of the operation in the transplanted areas. However, it still showed pretty clearly that something had been done to my donor areas. They were a bit red and the hair less dense. I also experienced hypersensitivity in certain parts of my donor area.