POSTED UNDER FUE Hair Transplant Reviews
FUE Transplant at Transest Clinic (4,050 Grafts) Istanbul, TR
UPDATED FROM CaliD3
1 year post
12 Months Post Op
WORTH IT$1,950
This will be my last update. My hair seems to have thickened a tiny bit since my last update but I haven't noticed much more than that. It's a bit wavy compared to before the procedure but I don't mind. Is it perfect....no but the improvement is clearly visible. The transplant has restored my confidence quite a bit.
Thanks to everyone who took the plunge before me for their write ups, help and advice. This has been a turbulent adventure but I'm glad I did it. I wish you all the best with your hair journeys!
Thanks to everyone who took the plunge before me for their write ups, help and advice. This has been a turbulent adventure but I'm glad I did it. I wish you all the best with your hair journeys!
CaliD3's provider
UPDATED FROM CaliD3
10 months post
10 Month post-op update
So while the first 4-5 months seemed to take an eternity the last few months have flown by. Work and other obligations have kept me busy. I skipped the 9 month update but I'm doing a 10 month update. I specifically took pics under bright light to show that there is a small area where I can still see the scalp though only under bright light and nobody else seems to notice it. I can use a little sprinkle of hair fibers like Toppik to cover it want to but again I'm the only one who seems to see it.
I give about 70% of the credit of my transplant to the fine team at Transest clinic but I give the rest of the credit to Finasteride (generic Propecia). I have been using it 3x a week since about 2 weeks after my procedure.
This procedure has greatly improved my self confidence. I was ok with shaving my head if I had to (I've done it before) but I know I look better with hair. I can't thank the realself members enough for guiding me through this journey. I hope you find my update helpful.
I give about 70% of the credit of my transplant to the fine team at Transest clinic but I give the rest of the credit to Finasteride (generic Propecia). I have been using it 3x a week since about 2 weeks after my procedure.
This procedure has greatly improved my self confidence. I was ok with shaving my head if I had to (I've done it before) but I know I look better with hair. I can't thank the realself members enough for guiding me through this journey. I hope you find my update helpful.
Replies (4)
April 4, 2016
You look great! djames210 is right, still more growth to come...actually Doctor Bessam Farjo says "a full result may take as long as 18 months to be achieved, most will attain this at 12 to 14 months." [Read more]
Glad the community has been so great and has offered so much support to you throughout your journey. Till next update! ☺
April 4, 2016
Wow amazing results! Have you ever considered prp + astem to maintain the results? Also approximately how much did you spend in hotel stay and flights, food while in Turkey? So far looking well worth the trip considering the results and savings.
April 4, 2016
Thank you. I got 1 PRP included right after the procedure just before they bandaged me up. From what I understand if I'm on finasteride the PRP isn't necessary. Hotel meals were about $5-7 U.S. and the little cafe down the road was about 6 dollars a meal. Bottled water at the little store in front of the hotel was less than a dollar for a very large bottle. Breakfast was free so I'd say I spent 10-12 dollars a day.
April 4, 2016
so overall cheaper than doing it in the US plus you get a quick vaca out of it. Good stuff. I was thinking of doing some astem/prp before doing FUE to build up the skin. I was thinking PRP to maybe wean away from the pills but if you prefer the pills then more power to ya.
April 4, 2016
PRP/astem seems like a temporary solution unless you continue it regularly which of course you could. It's definitely cheaper than the US. I couldn't justify paying the prices here.
April 4, 2016
how much is Finasteride costing you per month? I found a PS here who can do PRP for about $400-$450 per treatment. And I believe normally you would only need to do 2-3 per year or maybe just 1-2 per year for maintenance in your case. Not sure.
April 4, 2016
Sorry to interject, but I recently filled a script for Finasteride (Proscar) and can share my experience. The cost you pay will depend on your prescription insurance plan, or whether you are paying out of pocket. Here is my own breakdown:
15 pills (5mg each) for $5.00.
I split each pill into quarters which produces 60 pills at 1.25mg each. I take one pill 3x per week (M,W,F).
The pills will last 20 weeks, or 5 months. So the cost in my case is $1 per month. Your individual cost could be higher depending on your insurance.
15 pills (5mg each) for $5.00.
I split each pill into quarters which produces 60 pills at 1.25mg each. I take one pill 3x per week (M,W,F).
The pills will last 20 weeks, or 5 months. So the cost in my case is $1 per month. Your individual cost could be higher depending on your insurance.
April 4, 2016
90 pills (5mg each) at Target Pharmacy costs me $27 without using insurance. Cutting each pill into quarters and using 3/4 of a pill a week gives over 2 years worth. So about a dollar a month.
April 4, 2016
Thanks djames! I don't take Finasteride so that's why I was commenting. Thanks for clearing that up!
April 5, 2016
CaliD, I had no idea you could get that price without insurance. Two year supply, I see a lot of hair growth in your future!
April 5, 2016
Yeah Target Pharmacy told me it was $9 for 30 pills. My doctor was nice enough to give me 3 month prescription so 90 pills. My insurance said they wanted more information before they paid for it because they were worried about me taking 5 milligrams a day which of course I'm not doing that. I decided to pay for it and skip the red tape.
UPDATED FROM CaliD3
8 months post
8 Month Update
Here are some 8 month pics I just took. I really feel that part of my progress is due to Finasteride. I cut up the generic 5mg tablet into quarters and take 1 quarter on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It's a low dose to avoid possible side effects but it's enough to reduce DHT drastically (blood work can prove it). I'm supposed to be at about 75-85% at this point. My hair isn't perfect but I think it's a huge improvement over how it looked before. I'm very happy with my progress. Tell me what you think.
Replies (5)
February 4, 2016
It's looking good. You have a front hair line now where before it was receded. I know it's a long process, but well worth the end result. Things look good already, and you will continue to experience even more progress in the next few months. Maybe even another 25% growth.
February 4, 2016
Thanks man. The 12 months are going to go by either way. You can stay looking the same or you can do something about it. I'll look forward to seeing your journey.
February 4, 2016
Looks good...I am 53 year old(going on 35) guy in the SF Bay are and just had full facelift and tummy tuck in Tijuana at Cosmedical Clinic. GREAT results! Hair is the last thing I want to do but, it is approx. $5K-$6K in Tijuana. I have been researching a lot and seen tremendous positive posts on the clinics in Istanbul. I was thinking go there and make a short vacation out of it also and save $3k... What is Finasteride? I also read they do some sort of optional injections in your head too after the procedure to increase hair production.. You look great. Nobody gonna call you baldy anymore :-)
February 4, 2016
Haha thanks. Congrats on your surgery. Yeah I considered Mexico but the work they do in Turkey was too impressive. Finasteride is generic Propecia. It comes in 5mg pills instead of 1mg like Propecia so get a pill cutter. The injections is called PRP and they did it right before finishing and bandaging me up. It was included in the price. They recommend a 2nd PRP treatment when removing the bandages (for an extra fee) but I turned it down.
February 29, 2016
@CaliD3.. The Doctors I've spoken with about PRP in Atlanta strongly discouraged PRP that is done less six weeks apart. Not sure of the reason ! But curious why Doc in offered two sets within such short period of time. Do you know why ?
February 29, 2016
Probably to make a few bucks or maybe they didn't know that. Not sure. Either way they asked politely and I declined politely.
February 4, 2016
I think your is looking great. it looks full, is it product that is giving it that effect?
February 4, 2016
Thank you. That's just my hair towel dried out of the shower. Nothing in it :)
Replies (4)
Thanks again for sharing your journey with us. Please do stop by from time to time and check in -- while your journey has come to an end we would love for you to continue to cheer on others who's journey is just beginning -- they love the support.  ☺