I will immediately say thanks to Bookimed for the initial organization of the referral to the clinic, and personally to the manager Svetlana! About 2 months before the trip, I agreed on the desired date for hair transplantation. About 2 weeks before the trip, I contacted the coordinator at the clinic itself, she is also a translator - Anna, thank you very much! She gave me important recommendations and an algorithm for meeting the driver at the airport. At the Istanbul airport, I immediately took a little cash at least to pay for food in the hotel room (next to the 9th exit from the Airport, there are ATMs a little further, I took 290 liras from the HSBC ATM, 10 liras commission from Tinkoff - there was no more at the ATM, so it would be no commission). Further, at the exit, at the agreed place, I was met by a Turkish driver. A good old man. I would have learned Turkish just to wipe it in the car for my life. Helped me to carry my luggage to the car. I took to the hotel, helped with registration in my own language with the administrators. The hotel is normal, though the room was noisy, tk. 1st floor with windows to the courtyard. In the morning they served a good breakfast, although I did not feel well after the flight, I could not fully appreciate it. But perhaps this is for the best, as. then soon there was a lot of lying on his stomach. So do not get too carried away with breakfast either (although Anna said to have a hearty breakfast). The driver came for me, took me to the operation. Anna, the coordinator, meets at the clinic. After filling out the papers, they put them face down on the couch and the nurse begins to give injections of anesthesia in the back of the head - it is very painful. When it starts to work, grafts are taken from the back of the head. By the time probably 2 hours. Then you can roll over on your back, do anesthesia in the head, this time where to transplant. Very painful again. After that, the surgeon makes a marking with a marker and, upon completion, begins to make many holes in the head - the procedure for another hour. Then take a break. The food in the clinic is quite good. Due to unwell after the flight, I again did not lean heavily. At the end of the break, the most difficult part begins - they put them on their backs and begin to insert donor grafts. Time drags on, the back and neck become incredibly numb over time. Try to somehow, at least for a minute, sometimes during the doctors' pauses, rise up, stretch your neck to the side and move your hands. In general, brace yourself at this time. During the entire operation (more than 8 hours) Anna practically did not leave me in case of translation help or to say what. I even felt awkward in front of her. Thanks again! When it’s over, they’ll bring painkillers with them and take them to the hotel. They will also give you medical gauze - put it on the pillow in the hotel, so as not to stain it with blood residues. I didn't want to eat, took a pill and fell asleep. Immediately in the morning, the feeling was already much better, nothing really hurt, the view was so-so. It was a little embarrassing to go to breakfast, but I saw 2 more of the same guests with bandaged heads there. So the staff are used to it. Several clinics can be seen cooperating with this hotel. After breakfast, I asked at the reception about food, they gave me a menu for ordering food in the room and with it I had already retired to rest in my room. There was no desire to walk down the street with such a view either. Yes, although the description of the hotel says that they speak Russian and English - I spoke in broken English, like everyone else around, that was enough. I ordered food in the room (each dish on the menu has a serial number - you call the serial number at the reception), so the withdrawn cash came in handy. It seems like if you can change money in the hotel itself, but it may not be profitable. Then they took me to change the bandages, gave me a hat almost like Boyarsky's. In order not to frighten people around with wounds on the head. On the 3rd day of shampooing, they tell the nuances, offer to buy additional different products. The price tag is generally adequate (as on Amazon for the same funds), only now again for cash, which of course is not with you, and ATMs nearby give out already with a large commission. So clarify this question in advance - do you need to buy additionally what. Prepare cash in advance if necessary. The driver took me to the airport. It’s a pity again that I don’t speak Turkish, I could thank the driver more sincerely. I wrote it on purpose in such super-detailed way to make it clearer what will wait and have more confidence in the trip. On the topic of the result of the trip - time will tell. So far, a week later, the transplanted grafts seem to be still in place) Lay as much vacation as possible for this business. A week for the operation and at least another week to recover from the trip. A week later, my appearance is still so-so - traces of dried blood and other nonsense are falling from my head. So I would lay down 3 weeks of vacation for sure. Good luck to all!
