My Turkish Hair Transplant Experience

I get it. I’ve been there. And it suckkkksssss.

I started losing my hair in 2012 when I was in college, and it went fast. Luckily taking the Finasteride medication saved me a few years but ultimately by 2019 I knew I was either going bald or getting a transplant. Some people have pretty shaved heads, I am not one of them—so going bald wasn’t in my cards. I was quoted a transplant in the USA for around $15,000. NOPE.

The Glow Up

That’s when I started digging into doing it abroad. The information was so freaking overwhelming. So many clinics. How do you know what reviews are real and fake? How can you guarantee results? Is this safe? Will I still have two kidneys when I’m done? Etc.

Recently I posted about my transplant and got over 100 messages of people inquiring about the clinic and tons of others questions. I’m writing this article to simply inform you all, and hopefully give you the little inspiration you need to take the leap, because if you’re like me or the other 9 friends of mine who have gotten hair transplants since I’ve gone public, it will be the best decision of your life.

What Hair Clinic Did I Choose?

I often don’t say the name publicly simply because I get referral credits for people who I send their way, so before spilling the name I just ask that folks use THIS LINK to contact them and let them know I sent you. It helps me a lot by tracking my referral and will also ensure that they won’t play around with you on prices, products, or services.

The clinic I chose is Vera Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ultimately, I chose this clinic based on hours and hours of research, and I am super happy I did. I paid a little under $3,000 (in 2019) and it was the best money I spent in my life. This clinic was slightly more expensive than others, but it was worth it to me. Since that time, I have referred 9 friends who have gone to the clinic and completed hair transplants and other operations, and all of them have been extremely happy with the results. I can’t guarantee everything will be perfect for you, but 10/10 isn’t a bad rate.

The entire package cost me just under $3,000, which included:

• Airport pickup in Istanbul

• A stay at a nice hotel

• Pre-surgery consultation

• The hair transplant procedure

• Post-op medications and creams

• Transportation back to the airport

• (Flights are not included but I can help you with good points and miles deals to get you there!)

I also took advantage of my time in Istanbul to explore the city beforehand. I highly recommend this if you're considering a transplant there—it’s an amazing place to visit.

Referral Link for consultation: https://www.veraclinic.net/?afmc=g0&utm_campaign=g0&utm_source=leaddyno&utm_medium=affiliate#bookconsultation.

Why Turkey for a Hair Transplant?

Turkey has built a reputation as one of the best places in the world for hair transplants. The country performs thousands of these surgeries every year, and the quality is often just as good—if not better—than what you’d find in Western countries, at a fraction of the price. That said, I wasn’t looking for the cheapest option. I wanted a clinic that balanced affordability with top-tier service and results.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Process

Was it painful?

The surgery itself was completely painless. The only unpleasant part was the numbing injections at the beginning, which lasted about a minute. After that, I felt nothing throughout the entire procedure.

How long did the surgery take?

I had 2,800 grafts transplanted, and the surgery lasted about six hours. While that sounds long, it went by fast since I was allowed to use my phone and relax. The cost typically remains the same whether you do 2,000 grafts or 5,000 grafts.

What was the recovery process like?

• First few days: Your head will be swollen and scabby as it heals. This part is unavoidable.

• First two weeks: The scabs fall off, and your new hairline is visible. At this stage, your hair actually looks pretty good, although there’s some redness.

• Weeks 2-4: The "shock loss" phase begins—many of the transplanted hairs fall out. This is completely normal and part of the process. Your implant area will probably be red but at this stage you can wear a hat.

• Months 1-3: The awkward phase. Redness may persist, and new hair growth is slow.

• Months 3-6: New hairs begin growing in, and things start to look much better. At month 6 you’re probably smiling.

• Months 6-12: The transformation is real. By the 12-month mark, most people are very happy with their results.

• Month 12-18: Even after a year, hair continues to thicken and mature. This is when you see the full results.

Final Thoughts

My one piece of advice is do it sooner than later. The main reason is because when you still have hair on your head, it’s a lot easier to cover up the transplanted areas during recovery. Some of my friends who did it on the very early side were back to normal life within 10-14 days.

Just pull the trigger and get it done, then come talk to me in one year about how happy you were you did.

If you have questions, feel free to hit me up. I know it’s a big decision.