Although its been five days since the experience & I will not be able to update you on the results of the operation, the experience overall was good!
Pre -op: Instructions were thorough, logistics were tidy and efficient. Smile arranged for transportation from the airport to the hotel & from the hotel to the clinic for the operation and the post-op analysis/ protocol. The airport was difficult to navigate (this is purely for future clients who are reading reviews for guidance), I suggest mapping this out with the Clinic in advance, you will not get a lot of help from locals at the airport.
Expect a 1.5 hr drive from the airport to the smile clinic.
I cannot speak on the 5 star hotel, as we downgraded to the 4 star to save money. The hotel was difficult for someone of my size. Very small and single beds. This likely won't be an issue for someone shorter than 6 feet or who chooses to stay with the 5 star hotel. Food was good, but pricey; expect 60-70$ each.
Upon arrival to the Smile Clinic we were greeted immediately and the staff were friendly. You will need to sign a series of documents outlining your participation in the surgery and waiving liability- this felt very rushed, but nothing disconcerting.
The initial consult with Dr. Ahmedov was thorough. He was charming, had great bedside manner, a ton of knowledge and was able to give me forecasted results (number of grafts) that were accurate. While Dr. Ahmedov essentially traced my previous hairline, it looks PERFECT right now and I am very happy with it. The procedure itself takes approx 6-8 hours, purely dependent on the client & the number of grafts. Mine was 7 hours and Dr. Ahmedov was able to harvest 4500. The anesthetic is PAINFUL (expect a sharp and burning sensation), but only lasts 7-10 minutes. The harvesting or extraction phases lasted approx 2 hours. Its an uncomfortable process, as your head is positioned in an awkward manner the whole time. This is certainly not a reflection of the technicians (who are all excellent at what they do). but just an observation for someone looking to get the surgery. The Sapphire incision process lasted approx 1.5 hours and was completed by Dr. Ahmedov. He did an excellent job! There were one or two times where a part of my head was not frozen, but he was quick to rectify it! Ensure to advocate for yourself, don't fight through the pain.
Lunch was provided and it was delicious! Expect approx. 10-15 minutes as they want to ensure the grafts maintain their viability and the freezing doesn't wear off.
Lastly, the Implantation phase (2-3 hrs) was super smooth! I was comfortable and almost fell asleep a few times. Technicians were great!
After the procedure I was able to chat with Dr. Ahmedov. He took the time to elaborate on the results of the surgery and ensure I was okay. I was bandaged up and sent on my way.
The following day was the post-op. The shuttle takes you back to the Smile Clinic. Dr. Ahmedov was available for consultation & the clients were provided with an in-depth explanation of post-op protocol. All clients are given a duffle bag with hair products, antibiotics, pain meds, anti-inflammatories and an AWESOME booklet with FAQ, and a chart with timelines for everything!
Do not expect to sleep for a week! This is standard. You'll be utilizing a neck pillow and sleeping upright to ensure your head doesn't touch anything for approximately a week.
Overall, great experience with Smile. They are knowledgeable, friendly and handle all the logistics! Excited to share my results in 12-18 months.
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Dr. Mehmet Erdogan and Dr. Gokay Bilgin, "Hair Restoration Surgeons", are performing hair transplant operations in their own clinic. With more than 10 years of experience, Smile Hair Clinic provides the best service with the best quality to its patients.
