Patient Interview: James’s Hair Transplant Review in Turkey at DK Klinik

The after photos are always impressive.

This is because both our team and our patients put in a great deal of effort to achieve these results.

Many of the patients we meet are eager for results; they want to see that “after” picture in the mirror as soon as possible.

In many of our conversations, we have to remind them that they need to be patient. The first results usually become visible after 3–4 months, while the final outcome is typically seen after about 12 months.

Of course, we understand how normal and positive this excitement actually is.

The disappointment of gradually losing the thick hair we once had in childhood and early youth can sometimes be overwhelming. For some, it even leads to days of despair.

One of those stories belongs to James, a 30-year-old police officer from London.

During our consultation, James said:

I first noticed my hair starting to fall out when I was 15. By the time I reached my 20s, I had started to lose my self-confidence. I was spending most of my time before going out trying to camouflage my thinning hair with hair wax products.

We explained in detail that we believed hair transplantation was suitable for James and that we expected good results because his donor area looked promising.

Every month, at our hair transplant team meeting, we review and discuss the after photos sent by our patients. When we came to James’s photos, we remembered our conversation with him, and we were very pleased to hear that his confidence had increased after achieving results.

We also conducted an interview with James to learn about his experiences, his thoughts about coming to Turkey for hair transplantation, and his feelings now.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself – your age, where you're from, and what you do for a living?

I am 30 years old and from London, England. I work as a police officer.

What made you decide it was time to consider a hair transplant?

My hair was receding so much that I couldn’t hide it. My partner also noticed the rate of hair loss.

When did you first start noticing hair loss, and how did it affect your self-confidence or daily life?

I first noticed my hair loss when I was 15 years old. In my twenties, whenever I was going out, it really affected my confidence. I would spend a long time putting hair wax on before leaving, which often made me late. By the time I was 29, my hairline had receded so much that I couldn’t hide it anymore, not even with hair products.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself – your age, where you're from, and what you do for a living?

I am 30 years old and from London, England. I work as a police officer.

When did you first start noticing hair loss, and how did it affect your self-confidence or daily life?

I first noticed my hair loss when I was 15 years old.

In my twenties, whenever I was going out, it really affected my confidence.

I would spend a long time putting hair wax on before leaving, which often made me late. By the time I was 29, my hairline had receded so much that I couldn’t hide it anymore, not even with hair products.

What made you decide it was time to consider a hair transplant?

My hair was receding so much that I couldn’t hide it. My partner also noticed the rate of hair loss.

How did you start researching clinics for your hair transplant?

I used Google and spoke to people who had it done.

Why did you choose to come to Turkey instead of having the procedure in the UK?

It is more cost-effective than the UK. I also had a friend who had cosmetic surgery in Antalya and he recommended the area.

What factors made you choose DK Klinik specifically?

I was searching for hair clinics in Antalya and saw that DK Klinik had good reviews from people in the UK.

I was also impressed by the simple pricing and options compared to other clinics.

Other clinics offered different techniques for different prices, while DK Klinik used a combination of techniques to best suit each patient.

The prices were very reasonable, and they had a good UK customer service agent.

How was your overall travel experience to Antalya?

It was very nice. The weather was very hot, and there were plenty of excursions to do. I stayed in the Lara Beach area of Antalya, and DK Klinik provided my airport transfers and appointment transfers free of charge. The markets were also very close to my hotel.

What was your first impression when you arrived at the clinic?

I thought it was very clean and sterile. I was greeted by a professional receptionist.

Can you describe how the consultation went? Did you feel your concerns were listened to?

The doctor spoke very good English and explained the process in simple terms.

How did the medical team explain the procedure to you?

I don’t remember speaking to the medical team directly.

How did you feel on the day of the surgery — were you nervous, excited, or both?

A bit of both.

What was the surgery experience like? Were you comfortable throughout?

The anaesthetic injections were a bit uncomfortable, but I didn’t feel the transplant process itself. We also stopped for lunch, which was a much-needed break.

How was your recovery process in the days and weeks following the transplant?

The process was slow but manageable. I had bruising and swelling, but the doctor had told me in advance that this could happen.

I was given the products needed for the first two weeks and was advised on the best products to use long-term for recovery and maintenance.

The doctor also noticed a vitamin D deficiency from my blood tests and gave me medication to help boost it.

Did you experience any discomfort, and how was it managed by the clinic?

I had a WhatsApp group with the clinic where I could ask questions and send pictures.

They would usually get back to me within a day, sometimes instantly. They also asked me to send photos regularly to check my progress and give me advice.

When did you start noticing visible results, and how did it make you feel?

I started noticing visible results around four months later. At first, I was starting to get worried, but then I saw the difference.

It gave me confidence, and I kept getting positive feedback from friends and family, which boosted my confidence even more.

Looking back, what part of the experience stood out the most for you?

When I was sent a comparison photo showing my hair before surgery and one year after—the improvement was amazing!

How has the hair transplant impacted your self-esteem or personal life?

It has boosted my confidence in both my personal and work life. I feel better and look younger now.

Would you recommend DK Klinik to others considering a hair transplant abroad? Why?

Yes, I would recommend it because I’ve been there, done it, and seen the long-term results. The hair transplant worked for me, and the clinic made the process as smooth and comfortable as possible.

The prices were reasonable for the level of care I experienced. Unlike other clinics that had confusing options and separate charges, DK Klinik had one clear package, which made everything straightforward.

What advice would you give to someone from the UK who’s thinking about having a hair transplant in Turkey?

I would recommend doing it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more grafts you’ll need, and it could even get to the point where a transplant isn’t possible if you lose too much hair.

The clinic was very honest in explaining that they only perform transplants if they believe it will work.

They have declined patients who had lost too much hair. They also explained that overharvesting could occur if too much hair is taken from the donor area, so if you don’t have enough donor hair, they might refuse or recommend two separate procedures.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience that might help others make an informed decision?

I would advise them to go with DK Klinik. Antalya is a great location with beaches and excursions, so I’d also recommend having the procedure towards the end of your trip. Once it’s done, you won’t be allowed to go swimming or stay in the sun.