Hair transplant diary (ongoing)

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

Ok some of your responses are fair enough. I have some further questions:

- Why have you rebranded under a different name in Ireland rather than keeping the smiles hair clinic?
- Is it anything to do with a number of negative reviews on Facebook groups, such as ? One comment below attached from a number of comments.
- Do you have any on-going legal cases in Turkey regarding customers who have taken actions against the clinic?

Yup, I second this, Smile has a bad rep across hairloss forums. It's a shame GrowClub has choosen them as their partner.

GrowClub wrote: »

snip

That is fair enough.

Your responses here to the questions have been really great so thanks for that.

rooper wrote: »

I went with Dr. Nel and it was an excellent experience. It was 8K euro for 2K grafts (dearer than some but way cheaper than Blackrock, seemed like the best balance of price/quality) but he actually goes way above and did 2.3somethingK grafts during the surgery for the same price. During the initial consultation he doesn't do the salesman routine and just gives very good advice in general (even on how to prevent future hair loss) and leaves it up to you. He actually talked me out of getting the crown done as well (as it wasn't too bad), which would have netted him more money, and said that the treatments and medications he recommended would restore some of it anyway (already seeing results from that). The day itself was very easy, him and his staff are very friendly and easy going. You chill and watch Netflix and don't feel a thing. I'm 2 months after now and have experienced zero shock loss. In fact my head looks fuller instead as a decent amount of the transplanted hairs didn't shed. I'll post again when the rested follicles grow back, but in the meantime don't hesitate to PM me with any questions. I would definitely recommend it for anyone that's on the fence. If you don't have the money up front he has a payment scheme to pay it monthly with zero interest. Also once the scabs fall out and before the transplanted hairs fall out you can see the exact job they did. I got asked for ID in the supermarket despite the fact I'm in my 40's. I couldn't imagine Blackrock or anywhere else positioning them better.

how much was the initial consultation?

do you have to medication/treatments after the operation?

Hey dellboy,i understand your suspicion,im the same way too.Im not connected to growclub{ya right says you}Im just trying to suss things out.It can be difficult to discern between the good guys and the shysters.thats why im on this forum.Nobody wants to be deceived so we research.

Thats a pity. More info was always a good thing. Hopefully they do the contact thing

Such a pity. More information is always welcome and we were hearing it direct from the company. The decision is upto us whether to use them or some other provider. Perhaps they would have given us,boards members some incentive as well.
Just scared them off.crap

How much would a prescription for finasteride cost?

HairySalmon wrote: »

How much would a prescription for finasteride cost?

You can get a script online for €25 from https://www.webdoctor.ie/pages/hair-loss-finasteride

(I don't work there, don't ban me! )

Hi guys, I’m new to this website, I’ve never posted anything like this before, but wanted to give guys who may be considering this procedure a view of an Irish clinic in COVID lock down.
I’ve been considering a hair transplant for 2 years. I visited the expensive Irish clinic that a few people have mentioned on here for a consultation in January 2020. They asked me if I would like to go on minoxidil and proscar, I had done my research on both, they didn’t push them , they just said it was n option. I took the prescription and thought about it for a week before buying them.
DRUGS. With the drugs, I took them for 2 weeks, but convinced myself I was having side effects. I have a healthy sex life with partner, and convinced myself it wasn’t happening as much in those 2 week- so stopped taking them. I did more research on line and watch hours of you tube videos- in the end I went back on them- I took 1/4 table of each, every second day. I continued taking them until1 month ago. Honestly, I can’t tell if they had any effect on the hair. 100% saw no thickning or additional growth, and I think inthinned further over the period. On the flip side, I had no side effects, sexual or other wish, get that bit out of your head and you will be fine.
During lock down, the expensive clinic called me and offered me a zoom call consultation to see how I was progressing. I accepted and they then asked for 250 euro up front to secure the 20 minute call. This for me was the final straw with them. I had already spent close to €1000 with them on consultations - I should also mention that they offered me a transplant , they called it medium to large, and said it would cost €16,000. They also said I would probably need another in a few years. Because of the 250 consultation I was put off by using the clinic anymore I did my research and came across MHR clinic and Aylesbury clinic.
MHR CLINIC- I visited a major clinic in September 2020. I met with Kim and she Talks through my options. The first warning sign I had when entering was the smell of cigarette smoke In Kim’s office. Her office is on the third floor and instead of going down to the ground floor it appears she smokes out the window. Kim quoted me €2500 for what needed to be done. I asked about the after care and if I would need to return and she told me no. This didn’t fill me with confidence. She also spent most of the consultation complaining about her business partner in Manchester and how they have fallen out, I found this to be completely unprofessional. €2500 was tempting- but he manner and aftercare put me off.
AILESBURY CLINIC. I met with Ailesbury a week later, The consultation was great, Their offices are clean and tidy and they showed me the operation theater. They quoted me €5000 for 2500 hairs. I left clinic I did more research online about them I could find little or no bad comments.
I booked my transfer for November 1 paid 500 deposit , Under 4500 balance on the day of the operation.
HAIR Transplant t 24 hours ago on November 1 I had my Hair transplant. From the moment I arrived at the moment I left I can say nothing bad about the clinic. Every single member of stuff was so professional and helpful they made me feel safe and comfortble.
The extraction process is very simple to give you a few medsbefore hand and I actually fell asleep a number of times during extraction ( I’m a dad to twins- this was like a spa treatment to me) . We stopped while I had my lunch but they provided and returned for the hair implant.
The whole thing was done in 6hours or so, and it flew.
They explained How I need to contact to hear over the next 24 hours and give lots of aftercare help. I just removed the bandages and the donor area looks like a few bee stings.
The transplant area looks amazing, even at this early stage. I know they will fall out over coming weeks as new hairs push through, but I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I know many of you will understand this bit. I had become so self aware of how my hair looked around my fringe and temples and was forever brushing it down if the slightest wind hit it and holding it back in place like an old man with a comb over.
I know this post was long, but it’s my experience of how I got here.
If there was no COVID, would I have gone to Turkey, yes probably. After going to Ailesbury I have no regrets, I just wish I did it sooner. It was nice to come straight home after the transplant, to sleep in my own bed, get feedback and reassurance from my partner and not have a dreaded flight ahead of me.
I’ll post a few before and after pics later today. Happy to take any message because load of guys were good enough to offer advice to me along the way.
Paul. November 2 2020

HairySalmon wrote: »

How much would a prescription for finasteride cost?

Perscription cost me €25 in a regular pharmacy. It was the 5mg tablets of Proscar though and I use a pill cutter to split into 4. If you go with the 1mg tablets they cost €100 I think (Propecia)

aaronelon3001 wrote: »

Hey Guys

Just had a consultation with Growclub. Very happy with how it went. Maybe a bit too good to be true, now to prove theyre not actors trying to take my money. lol!!!

Nice keep us posted

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

Best of luck, if you do proceed make sure you are aware of the actual surgeon completing the procedure, how much they will be doing versus technicians, that they are licensed to operate in Ireland by the medical council and that they have no pending legal cases against them. It was noted in a Facebook group that some of the guys were taking cases against Smiles in Turkey so just do your homework beforehand. Best of luck and I hope it works out for you.

Hey

So they are awaiting their IMC reg number but they assure me its on the way. This is a little concerning maybe. The surgen i have spoken with seems legit and really informative. Again more research and homework to do. I may not book a date until the have received their Irish medical number. They charge €500 for a deposit and its refundable up until one month before procedure.

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

What’s the surgeon’s name?

If I were you I would not be handing over any money. Refundable won’t be much good if they go bust.

Dr Ahmedov Firdavs

He is the 3rd member of the Smile Hair Clinic team and has been trained and mentored by Dr Mehmet Erdogen & Dr Belgin, the founders of Smile Hair Clinic... Ive some digging to do....

Hi guys,

Sorry now I'm just wondering have anyone here been to Cosmedia - Dr Acar? I was booked in last year to go with them but something came up with work and I had to cancel. I still have my deposit there but I'm happy to lose it if there are better recommendations for under the 5k mark. I had read good reviews from people on here about the clinic but they have since deleted their accounts which worries me a little.

I've gone quite light on the temples but quite thick everywhere else. I would need roughly 2500-3000 graphs. I also need to keep the top of my head unshaved.

Anyone else here have experience with them?