FIRST-CLASS HAIR TRANSPLANT EXPERIENCE IN ISTANBUL
By Terri Guthrie
Considering a hair transplant and wondering what it’s really like? Here’s a personal account of a first-class experience in Istanbul, Turkiye — one of the world’s top destinations for medical tourism. Last year alone, Turkiye welcomed over 2 million medical tourists, and my husband was one of them. The country has built a global reputation for high-quality, affordable procedures — especially hair transplants.
Here’s my husband, Ron’s personal account:
Many people like us add on to the front of the trip and make a vacation out of it. I highly recommend starting your vacation with a time in Türkiye before any procedure. Enjoy this exotic, fascinating country first. You will be greeted with warm and welcoming Turkish hospitality.
As an overview for only the hair transplant, without a vacation first, I would allow about four days. Fly to Istanbul on day one, arriving on day two. A luxury limo met us at the airport and took us to our hotel to check in. Everything was seamless and straightforward. A medical technician from ESTANOVE, my hair transplant clinic, came to my room that evening to collect a blood sample. The next morning, day three, a limo picked me up and took me to their hospital. I promptly checked in, met with the doctors, and decided on my new hairlines. Next, the procedure is done. On day four, I returned to the hospital to have the bandages removed and my head washed. Afterwards, you can be taken back to the airport for your return flight to your country that afternoon, or you can stay another night, as we did.
The ESTANOVE package includes everything except for the patient’s airfare and dinner. I checked the price today and it’s $3,750. The stem cell treatment is optional, and it’s $1,500 extra. I did get the stem cell as well.
I chose ESTANOVE because a friend used them and had great results. He shared all the details of his extensive research in selecting ESTENOVE. I also conducted further research and felt very comfortable selecting them for my procedure. I contacted ESTENOVE, and soon they did consultations. We bought airline tickets and started planning our trip to Istanbul.
After a week of touring Istanbul, I checked into my ESTENOVE hotel. That evening, a technician came by my hotel room to take a blood sample. The next morning, I went down to the hotel’s excellent buffet breakfast. The scene was unnerving to me as a ‘new guy’; half a dozen men from around the world, who had undergone the procedure the day before, were down for breakfast. Bandages and raw-looking scalps everywhere, what had I gotten myself into? I got a knot in my stomach at first. I was already a bit nervous, and these sights pegged my anxiety meter. After a couple of conversations with the guys, I settled down. I can do this…I was committed. After an all-too-short limo ride, I was finally walking through the hospital doors.
I was met by a delightful English-speaking assistant who was assigned to me to ensure there were no language problems. That was a relief. Positive and upbeat, she guided me through the check-in process and to the doctor’s office, where he drew (on my head with a marker) the new hairline and coverage I desired. As stated earlier, I had already researched the doctor’s extensive background. He was a highly trained and experienced medical doctor, having performed over a thousand procedures.
The procedure was performed in several distinct parts: anesthesia, donor extraction, graft incision, and graft insertion. After changing into a hospital gown, they started an IV to keep me hydrated. Anesthesia is the big question on everyone’s mind: THE PAIN? This is a significant cause of apprehension and a potential deterrent to undergoing the procedure. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad. The doctor used a needle-free anesthesia injection system that felt like being popped with a rubber band. Next, they inserted needles in my head. It was for saline injections used to lift my scalp for the extraction procedure. Even with the anesthesia, I thought the injections hurt. However, the pain is very tolerable, so don’t let it deter you.
Now to the extraction phase. I had three techs working on extracting 4,400 hair follicles from the donor area. Thankfully, the extraction was painless, and I actually fell asleep during the procedure. While they took the grafts out to process them, the doctor came in to make the incisions to insert the grafts – 4,400 of them! The angle and spacing of the incisions determine the hair pattern and growth direction of the grafts as they grow and mature. It’s important to know that if the doctor gets it wrong, you will wind up with wonky-looking hair. My doctor was an artist, and I could not be more pleased with how my hair looks. It’s critical, and I think he nailed it.
Next, the medical techs bring the processed grafts in and started inserting the hairs in the incisions the doctor made, one hair at a time. They are very efficient, much like machines. All you hear is a slight clicking, and thankfully, no pain at all. In fact, I fell asleep, and they would wake me to turn. They finished and put bandages around the area where they removed the donor grafts (no bandages on the new transplant area), and suddenly, I was done. All the apprehension and worry leading up to this was for nothing. I was very excited, and it only took about six hours in total. I had lunch, then visited with the doctor about the procedure and results. My limo then took me back to the hotel.
Now came the most challenging part of the entire transplant experience – sleep! I had to sleep in an elevated position on my back with nothing touching the surgical area for two weeks. This is very difficult and challenging. I used pillows and my suitcases to build an elevated bed so that I couldn’t turn over in the night. The first night, I slept for only two hours. When I returned home, I slept in a recliner, which helped.
The morning after the procedure, with a swollen, bandaged head. I went back to breakfast and gave knowing smiles to the half dozen anxious-looking men fidgeting over their breakfast and their upcoming procedure. That afternoon, we took the limo back to the hospital to have my bandages removed and my head washed. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to wear any bandages after that. I had ‘hair transplant head’ for about two weeks. Patients are warned to be super careful not to bump or scratch their heads, as it can damage the transplants.
Once you’re back home, most people need to return to work and go out in public, and understandably, most are anxious about it. I would recommend taking a couple of days off to catch up before returning to work. I discovered that you can’t really wear a hat or hide ‘hair transplant head” – so own it. On the bright side, the post-op care is thorough and reassuring, even though you are back home. You’ll swear things aren’t right; however, the team will guide you through it. It’s your first time, their thousandth. They communicate well and often give guidance and keep track of your progress.
It’s been nine months since my procedure, and I’m thrilled beyond my wildest dreams. I went from wispy, fly-away hair to a full, thick, and natural hairline. All this was quite an experience, but totally worth it. I am very satisfied and cannot recommend it enough.
Uncover the hidden gem of medical tourism in Turkiye, where you can find top-notch medical services amidst a beautiful and culturally rich destination. You won’t regret it.
Our Sources
Physicians at EsteNove Hair Transplant Clinic – Dr. Zafer Çetinkaya and Dr. Emin Guler
EsteNove Communications Director – Ozge Seckin Abadan
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Information about Health Tourism in Turkey. Listings of Hospitals, Clinics and Travel Agencies in Turkey | MedicalTourism.Review
Terri Guthrie is a travel journalist based in Dallas, Texas. Her syndicated work appears in numerous publications across North America and beyond. She is formerly a broadcast news director for WFTW Vacationland Broadcasting and a radio announcer for Florida’s AP Network News. Her husband, Ron, a retired USAF Fighter Pilot and Commercial International Airline Pilot, globe-trots with Terri as her assistant and videographer. Having visited 50+ countries across all six continents, Terri’s travels focus on cultural immersion, local gastronomy, unique activities, and incredible journeys. She is obsessed with our national parks, historic hotels, and photography. Terri avidly promotes responsible travel experiences. Visit https://travelwithterri.net/
