POSTED UNDER FUE Hair Transplant Reviews
45 Years Old, 3500 Graft - FUE - Transest Clinic, Istanbul
UPDATED FROM djames210
1 year post
1 year, 8 months
WORTH IT$1,900
Hello fellow hair growers. It’s been awhile so I wanted to check in with a quick update and some new pictures. I had a haircut a few days ago which motivated me to give an update.
I’m currently 20 months post-HT, so I wouldn’t expect to see any new growth. I stopped taking Rogaine (Minoxidil) several months ago. I noticed no shedding after stopping the Rogaine, but my libido improved. I realize this runs counter to every study that says Minoxidil does not affect libido, but I disagree.
I continue to take Finasteride (1mg/day) which seems to be working nicely, with ZERO side effects. Overall, I’m very happy and grateful for what I have. I’m hoping Turkey will reinstate issuing Visa’s to the U.S. soon, so that Americans can get back to transplanting the hair they desperately need.
I don’t check in often on RealSite because I absolutely hate the changes the site has made to the feeds and auto-correct... the user experience stinks! RS might want to consider replacing the man in charge.
Happy hair growing!
I’m currently 20 months post-HT, so I wouldn’t expect to see any new growth. I stopped taking Rogaine (Minoxidil) several months ago. I noticed no shedding after stopping the Rogaine, but my libido improved. I realize this runs counter to every study that says Minoxidil does not affect libido, but I disagree.
I continue to take Finasteride (1mg/day) which seems to be working nicely, with ZERO side effects. Overall, I’m very happy and grateful for what I have. I’m hoping Turkey will reinstate issuing Visa’s to the U.S. soon, so that Americans can get back to transplanting the hair they desperately need.
I don’t check in often on RealSite because I absolutely hate the changes the site has made to the feeds and auto-correct... the user experience stinks! RS might want to consider replacing the man in charge.
Happy hair growing!
djames210's provider
UPDATED FROM djames210
1 year post
18 month update
Just checking in with an 18 month update. Not bad for someone who started as NW 6/7.
I'm looking forward to an opportunity to revisit istanbul for a follow-up procedure, hopefully early next year. Good luck to everyone!
I'm looking forward to an opportunity to revisit istanbul for a follow-up procedure, hopefully early next year. Good luck to everyone!
Replies (5)
September 28, 2017
Looks great again!
Seems to have thickened up.
This is a great look.
What changed and do you think finasteride helped?
September 29, 2017
It does seem to have thickened a bit. It's really very difficult to pinpoint why that might be the case.
I've been taking finasteride for about 17 months now. Initially 1.25mg every M, W, F. Then about 2 months ago, I upped it to 1mg/daily. Not sure if that had any effect on the hair, but surprisingly it effected my libido, for the positive. Not that it was bad before. It may have something to do with the increased free testosterone in my system. Dunno, but I'm king to stick with the daily dose.
I also discontinued use of Rogaine about 2 months ago, to see what might happen. I plan to monitor and report any noticeable changes in a few months.
September 30, 2017
Thanks again for the update, djames210.
What are you using to colour your hair nowadays? I developed an allergy to the comb through Restoria Express Men...
What are you using to colour your hair nowadays? I developed an allergy to the comb through Restoria Express Men...
September 28, 2017
It's taken at least 10 years off you. Well done.
Do you think you can get more out of the donor area as you mentioned it was a bit thin there?
September 29, 2017
Hi Capri. Thanks for the compliment.
I have a base now, so even 1,000 or 2,000 grafts from the back should make a difference to reinforce the front, temples, and fill in the crown. (The crown will require a lot of grafts). Some clinics will take from the chest or beard area, so I will probably look to one that will supplement with BHT if needed, either Dr Altan or Dr Cinik.
September 30, 2017
Looks like you've had a recent haircut and have the sides cropped very close. #2 or 3?
October 1, 2017
The barber may have used a #2. Thick sides give me the look of a mushroom head. Lol! Anyway, I think short sides make the top look fuller.
September 30, 2017
Nicely done Djames. I did the daily finasteride for the first 3 months. I dropped it to 3x/week but you're making me reconsider that lol. I guess my hair is fine now so it's not so important. I'll do an update next week when I hit 7 months. It's nuts the difference some hair makes in one's appearance huh?
October 1, 2017
After using Rogaine for about 5 years, I dropped it completely, so it's one less product to worry about. I hope that upping the finasteride will help to maintain what I have. (Weekly dosage increased from 4.5mg to 7mg). Anyway, it's hard to tell what works and what doesn't .
October 1, 2017
I never liked Rogaine. It's a bandaid solution. I stopped it years ago. You're spread to slowly come off it so you don't shed but I didn't know that at the time.
October 1, 2017
Hi CaliD3 and Djames210,
Back to your discussion of finasteride, I finally started on it, daily, a couple of weeks ago.
Like you started, I'm on it daily 1mg and hoping to get up to a certain level before possibly dropping it down a bit.
Like both of you I'm happy with my hairline but thinking of getting another session in future, so when did it begin to work?
Back to your discussion of finasteride, I finally started on it, daily, a couple of weeks ago.
Like you started, I'm on it daily 1mg and hoping to get up to a certain level before possibly dropping it down a bit.
Like both of you I'm happy with my hairline but thinking of getting another session in future, so when did it begin to work?
October 2, 2017
I can't speak for djames but it seemed to thicken up my hair within 4-5 months. I'm definitely glad I went for the 2nd session. Not sure if it was the Finasteride but I healed up so quick after the 2nd HT. I'll update my post in a few days when I hit 7 months.
October 1, 2017
Hi there,
Your review posts were very informative, thorough, and entertaining. My husband may someday want to do this procedure, and I really enjoyed your descriptive journey of your process, and now I want to go to Turkey. Thank you. You look wonderful. (-:
UPDATED FROM djames210
1 year post
12 month update!
This review for March 18 represents my 12 month HT anniversary. It feels like just a few months ago I was planning my trip to Istanbul. I started as a NW6 and now have pretty good coverage with 3,500 grafts.
Despite being very happy and satisfied with the results, I can no longer recommend Transest since my HT doctor (Dr Altan) has left that practice. When I return to Turkey for a follow-up session to hit the crown, I will most likely book with Dr Altan at his new clinic Aestepool. (CaliD just returned and had good things to say).
Although I doubt any new hairs will be sprouting at this stage, I'm confident that the transplanted hairs will continue to thicken in the coming months. Of course, I will never have a mop like Trump or Geert Wilders, but that's actually a good thing. Haha
I've attached a few pics. Let me know if you have any questions.
Despite being very happy and satisfied with the results, I can no longer recommend Transest since my HT doctor (Dr Altan) has left that practice. When I return to Turkey for a follow-up session to hit the crown, I will most likely book with Dr Altan at his new clinic Aestepool. (CaliD just returned and had good things to say).
Although I doubt any new hairs will be sprouting at this stage, I'm confident that the transplanted hairs will continue to thicken in the coming months. Of course, I will never have a mop like Trump or Geert Wilders, but that's actually a good thing. Haha
I've attached a few pics. Let me know if you have any questions.
Replies (2)
March 16, 2017
Excellent improvements djames. I can tell you that at least for me there was a solid improvement in hair quality from month 12 to month 16. My brother in law came with me for the 1st FUE and had his hair done as well. He also commented on his hair improving by month 16. The new "Story" style realself reviews won't let me put the Doctor's name in my review until he is approved by the website. I let Dr. Altan know and he said he's working on getting approved. 13 days post-op for me and the only way I could be happier is if I had more than 1,800 donor grafts this time around. Oh well, it should still make a big difference. Congrats again.
March 17, 2017
I hope you're right about the continued improvement past 12 months. Luckily your crown is in good shape. That 1,800 grafts you put in will go a long way to fill in any gaps in the front and top. I haven't noticed the new review format but I will check it out.
I'll be curious to see how many donor grafts I might get with another procedure. It's nice that body and beard hair can be used as a donor source (if needed) with the newer technology. Happy growing everyone.
March 27, 2017
I recently watched a wedding video from 12 years ago. I have more hair now than I did then. The old saying goes, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." Well, that applies to everything except hair transplants from Istanbul. Happy growing.
Replies (3)