Travelling for a hair transplant abroad has become increasingly popular in recent years. There are many internationally renowned clinics that represent an
excellent yet cheaper option when it comes to hair transplant surgery. Destinations abroad boast highly-experienced doctors and institutions that allow you to save up to 70% to 80% on your treatment, compared to the UK, Ireland, European countries or the US.
So what do you need to know before going abroad for a hair transplant?
Here are some of the most common questions amongst those travelling abroad for hair restoration surgery. Remember that My Imperial Care is here to help you along your entire treatment journey. We’ll work together to find the right doctor and plan your journey from start to finish, based on criteria that matters to you.
Where to start
Planning a hair transplant abroad can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. There are a few things you need to consider when preparing for a medical treatment abroad so we recommend going through the following list to avoid any last-minute surprises.
read upon the treatment
It’s really important to be well informed about the treatment you plan to undergo. For instance, there are a variety of different hair transplant techniques, with the most popular options being follicular unit extraction (FUE), follicular unit transplantation (FUT), and direct hair implantation (DHI). Doing some research on these will help you to understand what’s in store and which technique might be right for you. If you’re not sure what treatment is best for you, then you can chat about it with our online consultants.
research popular destinations
Hair transplants abroad have become very popular in recent years. MIC will only present you with clinics that are JCI-accredited or have received their highest national medical accreditation. Turkey is one of the most popular destination, with world renowned doctors and top of the range facilities. Turkey is also popular thanks to the affordable prices. Hair transplant costs are often much cheaper than at home, with average prices for an FUE hair transplant in Turkey coming in at € 2.500, compared to € 7.000 in the UK, and € 6.950 in the US.
check visa requirements
Once you’ve decided to travel abroad for your hair transplant, check if you need a visa to travel and apply for it in plenty of time before you’re due to leave. Some countries will require a medical visa, so make sure you double check exactly what documentation you’ll need and how to submit your application correctly. Our online consultants can also help you with this information if you choose to book your treatment with us. We will also try to give you as much information as possible by communicating with doctors for regular updates.
know your health
You may need to check that your vaccinations are up-to-date. You can get specific information on this on the website of your local health provider. Our online consultants will also be happy to assist you here too.
plan time off
Having a hair transplant abroad usually requires a 2 to 3 night stay. Still, you might need to take some time off from work. Most patients take a week off from work, which is a personal choice so this one is completely up to you.
What to avoid doing before a hair transplant
For your treatment we will ask you for some information about your medical history. This will be some basic information around any regular medications that you take, any specific allergies you may have, or if you have undergone surgery before. Along with this, patients are often asked to follow some guidelines in the weeks leading up to their hair transplant in Antalya. Below, we’ve identified the most common ones that patients are usually required to follow:
- Do not cut your hair in the two weeks prior the operation as our doctors will do the necessary trimming before starting the procedure.
- At least two weeks before your treatment, stop using shampoos, medications, or lotions that prevent hair loss.
- Do not drink alcohol the week before your treatment, as well as 5 to 14 days following your surgery.
- Stop smoking 24 hours before the surgery and for as long as possible afterwards. Smoking can affect your healing process.
- Avoid drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks the day before your treatment.
- Do not take any aspirin or vitamin E at least three days before the operation.
What to pack
At this point, your treatment is booked, your flight tickets are confirmed, and it’s time to pack your suitcase! So, what are the things that you need to bring with you when heading off for your hair transplant in Antalya? Here are some helpful things to pack besides your usual personal items.
personal documents
Always have your ID and visa in hand as you may need to show them multiple times while travelling. Some countries allow you to get an e-visa online that will automatically be connected to your passport number but it can come in handy to print out a copy of the confirmation you receive, just in case there are any issues.
medical history
Your medical records should have already been clarified during consultations with us. However, it’s still worth bringing them with you as you may be required to show test results or recent medical files to the hospital so that your doctor can get a complete overview of your medical history.
tickets and emergency numbers
Don’t forget to have your phone fully charged for your boarding pass (print off a physical copy) as well as your treatment confirmation. When booking with MIC, you’ll receive a detailed treatment confirmation with all necessary details of your procedure so you don’t have to worry about collecting this information yourself. In the case of emergencies, you can always reach our team via our 24/7 WhatsApp number. Consider also bringing details of an emergency contact for yourself that the hospital can reach any time.
a couple of button-up shirts
It’s recommended to wear button-up shirts during surgery as you won’t be able to pull any clothes over your head once the operation has ended. Hospitals usually suggest you wear comfortable clothes and shoes at all times to ensure your stay at the clinic is as relaxing as possible.
city guide and books
If you decide to use your treatment as an opportunity to do some sightseeing, packing a handy city guide can be useful for you to get to know the area better. Hair restoration surgery can take several hours, during which you’ll be awake, so you can also bring your favourite book to pass the time.
What to expect once arrived in Antalya
MIC treatment packages always include airport-pickups upon your arrival and departure. Our online consultants will inform you on how to recognize our drivers at the airport. Depending on the specific arrangements within your treatment package, the driver will either take you straight to your doctor for a first check-up or to your hotel. Once you’re fully rested, a driver will pick you up the next day for your treatment, which usually starts in the morning. Communication from the moment you arrive in Antalya will take place through WhatsApp.
Is hair transplant painful?
Hair transplant surgery is conducted under local anesthesia. This means you’ll be awake during the treatment but you’ll feel little to no pain during the actual procedure. Since the surgery can last several hours, there’s often a lunch break in between to make sure your sugar levels are brought back to normal. Pain threshold varies from person to person so anesthesia and painkillers are prescribed with different dosages on a case-to-case basis.
After the surgery
Once your surgery is complete, the transplanted area will be covered in bandages. It’s common for the treated area to be swollen and tender for the next 5 days. During this time, it’s recommended to avoid any activity that may cause sweating (workouts, sauna, running, etc.) as it may slow down the natural healing process as well as increase the risk of infection. However, moderate exercise such as walking is recommended to keep the blood circulation going. Even though routine activities can be resumed the day after surgery, doctors usually recommend taking a week off work to ensure a speedy and healthy recovery. MIC will give you detailed aftercare directions to follow before you leave the clinic.
What to do with questions after traveling back home
MIC is here to help you plan your hair transplant in Antalya and support you throughout your treatment, but we’re also here to support you throughout the post-treatment and recovery phase. Our online consultants can be reached seven days a week via phone, email, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. Contact us and we’ll do our best to answer your questions and clear any doubts you may have.
