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POSTED UNDER FUE Hair Transplant Reviews REVIEWS

44 Years Old Found the Best Hair Implant Doctor, Clinic in Istanbul Turkey.

ORIGINAL POST

I was considering a hair Transplant a few months...

jsul917
WORTH IT$1,880
I was considering a hair Transplant a few months ago but reconsidered after dealing with an arrogant doctor named Tugrul Maral. During the initial consultation, he got upset because I asked for a discount (Read my other Review for Details)
Anyways, after that horrible experience, I decided not to go forward with the procedure. However, just a few months later, I found another doctor named Dr Ahmed Altan. I sent him an email and he replied within 24 hours. His response was polite, professional and courteous. He responded with how many graphs he thought I would need and a cost of $1880 US dollars which is their flat rate for an unlimited graphs for one day. He made me feel so comfortable I decided to move forward. I purchased a plane ticket online immediately, got a ViSA online and emailed the doctor my Itinerary. Again he replied quickly and told me my dates were confirmed and that the driver would be at the airport to pick me up. He even gave me his whatsup account info so I could contact him if I needed. The day of the flight, I texted Dr Ahmed Altan through whatsap letting him know that I was about to get on the plane so he knew I was definitely coming (I wante to make sure that someone was there to pick me up).I finally landed in Istanbul and went out to look for my driver but could not find him. I started to panic so I called the good doctor on whatsap and he picked up right away (I was very happy). I told him I could not find the driver or my name card anywhere. He asked me to stand by a specific phone store and that he would have the driver go there. The driver showed up 2 minutes later. I was so relieved.We got to the hotel within 15 minute and I was given a very small room with no ventilation. It was small hot and stuffy. I didn't want to complain because the rooms were free and I assumed that was all they had. About 2:30 am I couldn't get to sleep because the room was just too hot and there were no windows. I finally went down to reception and asked if I could be upgraded to a suit and that I would be happy to pay the difference. I guess I asked the proper way because he changed my room immediately to a very nice room at no charge. I was so grateful that I gave him a very generous tip. I was told to be ready by 8:50am so I got ready and went down at 8am to eat the complementary breakfast (by the way, the breakfast was amazing, something you would expect from a fine hotel. I then realized what a nice hotel this really was). I was picked up on time and was taken to the hospital by 9:00. I was introduced to the good doctor and I was just the nicest guy. I was young seemed very knowledgeable. The hospital was very clean and they had other doctor there as well. I was introduced to 3 other doctors who where the for different procedures. The doctor sat me down and explained the details of the procedures and the steps they would take. I felt really comfortable by this time. Everything was so well organized and professional, my mind became at ease. They took me into another room where I met the 2 techs that were going to work on me. They too were very friendly. They didn't speak any English and I didn't speak any Hungarian, but we were able to get to know each other pretty well simply because they were very nice and took the time to understand what I was saying anytime I had something to say. The whole procedure took about 9 hour with a 1 hour complementary lunch. In all they were able to do 2600 graphs. I just did not have enough hair loss to do more I guess. I men another patient there who had 4600 graphs done at the same cost. He had much more hair loss than I did so I guess he had the space. After the procedure the good Dr took me into his office and gave me all the medication and shampoo I needed. Explained each one thoroughly and even gave me a print out instructions just in case. This Clinic was just awesome. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am right now. I cant tell you how it looks yet because only a day has gone by since the procedure, but the Transest made the process as pleasant as possible. (I also want to mention that my flight schedule changed and my return flight was pushed back a day, the generously told me he would cover the extra day. Definitely when above and beyond. I told him about the room incident and he called the hotel to move me to the top floor but my new room was so nice, I declined.I will post more pics later.Here are some pics of the hotel, hospital and surgery. clinic (Transest).
There are actually 3 doctors that I met there.
1. Dr. Ahmed Altan
2. Dr. Ayse Ozturk
3. I cant remember his hame

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jsul917 rating for Dr. Altan:

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Replies (40)

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March 10, 2016

Thanks for paying it forward and sharing your personal experience and including so many helpful photos. I look forward to your updates and seeing your progress -- good luck!

March 10, 2016
I had my ht opp with Doctor Maral 2 weeks ago and it was as smooth as your procedure. It's unfortunate you had bad experience with him. All I can think of they know they are doing their job with great standard for much less money then Europe and US . It must frustrate them when someone ask discount on top of that. Do you mind telling me if Dr Ahmed give you discount?
I was advised 3000_4000 grafts by Dr Maral by email but they have managed to get 5200 grafts for same quotation:-)
Last thing , what's Hungarian language to do with when you are in istanbul? Was your doctor Hungarian?
March 10, 2016
I think we can see a pattern here. If you are a great candidate, Maral flat pricing is a great option. If you need fewer grafts or have had previous procedures, you are not going to get such a great deal. I'm also a Maral client and they do huge volume, this is part of the reason for "standard" pricing and "go elsewhere" responses. For me there were some small issues (didn't get the best deal, got bumped) but Maral's team are very experienced and justify these small inconveniences.
March 17, 2016
Dr ahmed also has flat rate pricing. 1880 us dollars for unlimited graphs. I did not ask for a discount because tge price was excellent. I only asked maral for disciunt because he qouted higher than other reviews that were posted. Maral qouted $2500 qouted opposed to $2100 paid by other reviews. He got offend becauses I brought this to his attention.

By the way there was another patient I met at dr ahmeds office and he got 4600 graph compared to my 2600 and they paid exactly the same as I did.
March 18, 2016
I hope all works well .
What i meant was if Dr ahmet charges 4600 graph you should have paid half price to him if you had 2600 graph! That was your argument with Dr Maral.


I had a chat with Dr Maral over weekend about my opp and I couldn't stop asking him about your pre consultation . I have been told , the only reason you have been refused by their clinic was you were asking them to match the transets price.
As I said it before they have fixed price which is €2100 (not $) equivalent to $2400 I think that's were all the complications comes from.
Wish you all the best .
April 1, 2016
Monty15 you should keep your comments to yourself if you do not know what your talking about. He quoted me 2500 when another patient of his who put up a review here on realself just had his procedure for 2100. When I called him on this he got really defensive and became very rude. I didn't want a lower price than the other patient, I just wanted him to be fair and give me the same price. My procedure at Transest only cost 1880. When finished, I tipped them 300 for there great service. Its not the money, I just don't like getting ripped off!!!
April 1, 2016
By the way, I do have his apology in email. He is an arrogant doctor and I am not the first patient to point this out. He is great when you agree with everything he says. Tells you to go somewhere else if you ask him questions that make him uncomfortable.
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April 2, 2016

I'm jumping in here to cool down this conversation before it turns into an argument. I understand that it can be difficult to read the intention of others comments, and I ask that when commenting to please be respectful and supportive, here is a link to the Community Guidelines that speaks to this. Any questions, please connect with me directly by sending a private message. Thanks!

May 21, 2016
Phoney!!!
August 23, 2016
Okay I have pictures before surgery, during surgery and after surgery and you call it phoney... LOL I got a bridge to sell you LOL.
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September 4, 2016
I agree. Your reply also explains why Maral Klinik operates the way it does. Highest quality, great experienced people, long term profit share, means they keep great technicians, it has a great culture and this makes for a consistent standard of service.

Which is why I saw so many people at the hotel pre and post op and why people from Western countries come back for their second procedures.
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September 4, 2016
I didn't realise you were quoted higher than the standard rate.
So do you know why you would be charged a higher rate? I figured you would have been quoted a price based on your needs, before you travel to Istanbul.
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March 10, 2016
Congrats and good luck on future growth. I fly out next week for a procedure March 18. Did you get to see the city, and feel safe walking around? Please keep us updated with your progress.
March 17, 2016
I stayed in the hotel mostly, but I did visit the 212 Shopping Center. Istanbul felt very touristy. The language barrier was the biggest issue.
March 12, 2016
Will await the patient's reply as I'm always wary when someone criticises a clinic and then talks up another one. I'm sure it's a legit review, however.
March 17, 2016
Im definitely a real patient. I just had such a negative experience with dr mural thay I guess I really appreciated the excellent treatment by dr ahmed.
March 17, 2016
I had my procedure a day before jsul917 with Dr. Altan so I can vouch for him!
UPDATED FROM jsul917
9 days post

7 days post op.

jsul917
Hair is growing in quickly and head seems to be recovering very fast, but I am experiencing several headaches. Dr Ahmed said this is normal in some patients and should go away shortly. Hair seems to be growing in evenly so far.

Replies (1)

April 10, 2018
How does it look now?
UPDATED FROM jsul917
24 days post

4 weeks post op. Hair is growing in evenly.

jsul917
Its been 4 weeks since my procedure and my hair seems to be growing in evenly. Happy with the results so far. Just had my first hair cut to even out. Donor area still feeling slightly sore to the touch.

Replies (6)

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April 1, 2016
thanks
for sharing and good to see the positive progress of your hair growth. You taking any medications or using topical ?
April 3, 2016
The only thing I am using is the shampoo they gave me.
June 5, 2016
Good write-up. I was all set to go to see Maral but have read your review and a lot of other very positive reviews for Transest. Now I have a dilemma!
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June 6, 2016
Capri, both clinics are reputable and for the most part, you really can't go wrong either way. You can base your decision on the consults, and clinic location and cost. I found that Transest was cheaper, and they include PRP. However, Dr Maral is very experienced and (based on many reviews) you can trust his judgement. For what it's worth, I went with Transest because reviews fairly equal and I saved $400-500. But I'm sure I would be equally happy with Maral.
June 6, 2016
Cheers djames.
August 17, 2016
The same dilemma here, but thanks for the input djames210.