The Patient Said
So back home in the UK, finally get time to write a review based on my personal experience with going with Clinicana "whilst its still fresh in my head"!!!!... Lol ;)
I did my research and I had read a lot of reviews over several months, and also spoken to several clinics in Turkey. One of these clinics was Clinicana. When I got in touch with Clinicana and spoke to Mulham Attar (GM).
In comparison to most clinics, I felt at most comfortable and ease whilst speaking to Mulham. I was reassured with every question I raised about the procedure. This was important to me as I am confined in a wheelchair and that I need not worry, and everything would be taken care of.
After pondering over and deciding the pros and cons, I finally decide to go for it, and booked the flights, and have the FUE Transplant.
On Sunday 21st February 2016, I flew out with a close friend of mine to Istanbul. As per plan, we were met by a driver holding up a name plate with my name on it. We were then driven from the Ataturk international Airport to The Marti Hotel.
The next day we had breakfast at the hotel, and then headed for the clinic to have some bloods done and tested. Being in a wheelchair I thought that, I would find the journey to the Acaibadem Hospital a problem. I was surprised it only took me 10 minutes to get to, even though being in a wheelchair.
I was told to take the lifts outside to the left of the hotel, as you step out of the hotel. These lifts are for use to get to the lower floors of the car park. Once in the lift you press P4 level (-4). As you walk out the lift, you go into the car park and take a right. Carry on walking straight for about 15 metres and you then come to a ramp going down to the next level (at this point you will see the exit/ entrance control barriers of the car park), make your way towards this to exit the car. Take a left down the ramp and then a left again, you will see directly opposite the Acaibadem Hospital.
I reported to the reception, and was taken up the lift to the 5th Floor to Clinicana. The hospital has been recently built, very clinically clean and modern.
I was taken to the waiting room where there were several other clients visiting to have the HT, and was met by Mulham (GM who I spoke to via Watsapp message/ call). I was introduced to Eyad & Rawad, and the rest of the team. He arranged for bloods. The next day Tuesday 22nd Feb, I was told to be at the clinic early at 7am, and was provided with breakfast. I was then consulted and given the all clear from the blood test. I was met by a consultant who wanted to asses my donor area and to talk about what was possible as per treatment as my donor area was weak. I knew my donor area was weak and settled to have a new more defined hairline, to the forehead and stopping at the crown area, where I had no treatment.
The operation started around 10am, with first applying several injection of anaesthetic to the donor area (I think it must have taken about 5 minutes, slight discomfort but not too bad). After which followed the abstraction of the follicles (This procedure is done, whilst lying flat on your belly, on a kind of dental chair/ become operation bed) from the donor area, which took about 1hr 20mins in my case. I then turned around on the dental chair/ become operation bed, onto my back. There was a little pause whilst they arranged the grafted follicles etc. After which Rawad Attar drew out the area to take the donor hair. Once this was done, I was given a mirror to see and to give my approval before the next stage of the procedure.
I was happy, so the next stage of the operation was to anaesthetise (more injections “Lol”) the area to take the donor of the grafted follicles (in my case, from in between the new hairline and towards the crown area, but not the crown area). The donor area then had the extraction and unplugging of shafts to receive the grafts. This was done by a very fine needles. Whilst this was being done another assistant started the next procedure to set the new hair grafts (the ones which were taken out earlier from the donor area) into the unplugged shaft area. Once all the unplugging had been completed by the specialist, she too joined with placing the grafts in its locations. The donor area was also kept moist throughout this stage of the transplant. By about 2pm (Approx. total time of 4hrs, the operation was complete, I had approx. 2000 grafts in total). Finally my head was wrapped up in a bandage, looked like a babies nappy!!!... “Lol”
I then went to the waiting room, and was given instructions in managing my hair, and medication/ shampoo & Skin and lotion cream. I was given a certificate and guarantee. I finally paid my bill.
The whole procedure was very pleasant and went well, and I felt very comfortable throughout the operation, and had no dizzy spells or discomfort.
I went back after 2 days to have the bandage removed and head wash. Then they withdrew some blood too prepare PRP, once done, the PRP was injected into several locations around the new implanted area.
I went to the waiting room, and an assistant put a headband around my head, took some photos with Mulham, Eyad and some of the team members and said my goodbyes.
Next day I was picked up from the Marti Hotel, by their driver and taken to Airport for my flight home. Overall very satisfied and recommended to all.
To get a feeling of the total experience and what to expect, from the full service from Clinicana, I recommend that you watch the short video on Clinicana
I hope my review of Clinicana, helps others looking for FUE Hair Transplant.
Treated by: Mr Mulham Attar