Hair Transplant Turkey: Day by Day Schedule

Planning your hair transplant in Turkey requires understanding exactly what happens each day from arrival to departure. Many patients arrive unprepared for the timeline, unsure about pre-surgery requirements, or confused about post-operative procedures that can affect their results.

This detailed day-by-day schedule eliminates uncertainty by walking you through every step of your 3-day minimum stay. From airport pickup and initial consultations to surgery day procedures and critical post-operative care, you’ll know exactly what to expect, when to expect it, and how to prepare for optimal results. Whether you’re arriving early or late on Day 1, this timeline ensures you’re fully prepared for your hair restoration journey.

Pre-Arrival

Your hair transplant success begins with thorough preparation before leaving home. Confirm your operation date one final time with your patient coordinator. This prevents scheduling conflicts and ensures your surgical team is fully prepared for your arrival.

Your passport must be valid to enter Turkey, with at least six months remaining from your travel date. You can check if you need a visa to enter Turkey, and what kind on Turkey’s official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. 

Some nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry, while others require an e-visa or a visa obtained through an embassy. Please consult your patient coordinator immediately if you require visa assistance, as processing times vary by country.

Organize all essential documents the night before departure, including your valid passport, visa documentation (if applicable), travel insurance, emergency contacts, and information about your country’s embassy in Turkey. Make sure you have both digital and physical copies.

Flights are not included in all-inclusive packages. When booking your flight, choose Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). We will pick up patients from both airports.

Turkish Airlines offers over 130 direct flights to both airports in İstanbul. You can check other airlines and compare prices to find the best option for your budget. 

When booking your flight, please send your flight information and proof of purchase to your patient coordinator. This is used to confirm your surgery and to track your flight in case of any delays.  

If traveling with carry-on only, purchase additional checked luggage for your return flight. Our clinic provides comprehensive medication packages and specialized hair care products that may exceed carry-on liquid limits.

Upon landing, your VIP driver will wait at the designated meeting point, displaying clearly visible signs with your name and our clinic branding. This premium transport service ensures a comfortable, direct transfer to your destination.

Day 1: Arrival 

Your first day in Turkey will be different depending on what time you arrive, before or after 4 pm. 

Early Arrival (Before 4:00 PM)

Schedule overview for arrival before 4 pm:

• Airport pick up in a VIP vehicle
• Transfer to the clinic
• Consultatiton 
• Hair & scalp analysis
• Hairline design
• Pre-op tests
• Transfer to the hotel
• Hotel check-in
• Rest 

Your VIP driver escorts you directly from the airport to the clinic. Upon arrival, you’ll find a modern facility with multiple operating rooms, maintained to sterile standards, with multilingual staff experienced in welcoming international patients.

Your consultation will begin with the head surgeon discussing your specific hair loss pattern, genetic factors, assessment of the donor area, and potential progression over time. The surgeon reviews your medical history, current medications, and any conditions that are relevant to the procedure and the healing process.

The hair and scalp analysis utilizes digital imaging and microscopic examination to determine the required graft numbers. This includes measuring hair density, analyzing follicle characteristics, assessing scalp elasticity, and evaluating the sustainability of the donor area.

Hairline design takes into account your facial proportions, age-appropriate placement, and individual aesthetic considerations.

Blood testing screens for surgical readiness, including clotting factors, infection markers, complete blood count, and organ function. Clearance for surgery depends on these results.

Following your assessments, you’re transferred to your accommodation, a 4 or 5-star hotel, providing convenient access for appointments and a suitable environment for recovery.

Late Arrival (After 4:00 PM)

Schedule overview for arrival after 4 pm:

• Airport pick up in a VIP vehicle
• Transfer to the hotel
• Hotel check-in
• Rest 

Late arrivals are transferred to the hotel check-in to prioritize rest after a long international flight.It’s important to allow your body time to recover before surgery, and attending consultations while fatigued is not advisable.

All assessments, surgical consultation, scalp analysis, and blood testing is done the following morning before your procedure. This schedule provides enough time for a thorough evaluation and preparation for surgery.

Evening Before Surgery

Avoid sightseeing and heavy Turkish food the night before your surgery. Your body needs rest to help with healing on surgery day.

Traveling internationally can lead to dehydration and tiredness. Use this time to drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and get quality sleep.

Your hotel offers free WiFi to help you stay connected, room service for easy meals, and comfortable bedding for a good night’s sleep. Many patients find that a quiet evening helps them prepare their minds and review post-operative instructions.

Day 2: Hair Transplant Surgery Day

Schedule overview for surgery day:

• Hotel breakfast
• VIP transfer to the clinic 
• Consultation & blood tests (if you arrived after 4 pm)
• Hairline design
• Shaving the hair
• Local anesthesia
• Follicular Unit Extraction
• Graft preparation
• Implantation
• Bandaging?

Surgery day begins with breakfast at your hotel. A balanced meal that includes protein, complex carbohydrates, and hydration helps prepare you for the procedure. Caffeine should be avoided as it may affect blood pressure and increase anxiety.

Your driver arrives to transport you to the clinic. Our clinic operates with multiple surgical rooms and labs, performing surgeries on up to 3 patients per day. 

A final consultation with the surgeon confirms your surgical plan. You’ll complete informed consent documentation outlining the procedure, associated risks, expected results, and post-operative care requirements. 

Pre-operative photographs are taken for your medical record, as required by the Turkish Health Ministry.

The surgeon applies the final hairline design using surgical markers. This determines your aesthetic result, and any concerns should be addressed before proceeding. Once confirmed, the surgical sites are prepared through shaving as needed.

Local anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort throughout the 6-8 hour procedure. For patients sensitive to needles, we apply a needleless pre-anesthesia to make sure the patient does not feel the injection needle. 

We prefer local anesthesia over other forms like sedation, as local anesthesia maintains consciousness, allowing you to communicate with the surgical team regarding your comfort level during the procedure.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

The follicular unit extraction phase typically takes 3-4 hours. Individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area using micro-punches. The technique distributes extraction across the donor zone to avoid visible depletion patterns or scarring that could be apparent with shorter hairstyles.

Each graft is immediately placed in specialized preservation solutions to maintain viability. Technicians examine follicles under magnification, removing any damaged units unsuitable for transplantation.

A lunch break is scheduled around midday. Blood sugar levels affect healing and energy for the afternoon implantation phase, making this meal part of the surgical protocol. Our clinic provides meals appropriate for patients undergoing hair transplant surgery.

During this interval, graft preparation continues. Single-hair follicles are separated for hairline placement, double-hair units for general coverage, and triple or quadruple-hair grafts for density in crown areas.

Hair Implantation

The implantation phase follows the approved hairline design. The surgeon creates recipient sites with attention to natural growth angles, appropriate depth, and density distribution.

Each graft is placed individually with consideration for angle, depth, and positioning to support natural appearance and survival rates. The surgical team works systematically across the recipient area, building coverage progressively.

Sterile dressings are applied to the donor area following the procedure, while recipient sites remain exposed for healing.

Your medication package includes pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and specialized shampoos. Instructions detail dosing schedules, potential side effects, and circumstances requiring medical contact.

You’ll return to your hotel for rest. Physical activity should be limited as your body requires energy for graft integration and initial healing.

Day 3: Post-op 

Your final day focuses on checking how you’re healing and informing you of the aftercare steps. This appointment confirms that your grafts are settling well and provides you with clear instructions for recovery once you’re home.

At the clinic, the medical staff removes the bandages from your donor area and examines the grafts to assess their healing progress. They check swelling levels and watch for any signs of complications. Your donor area should be healing properly with minimal bleeding or discharge.

They also inspect the recipient area, checking graft placement, the start of healing, and swelling patterns. Some swelling is expected at this stage, but excessive swelling would need attention.

First Hair Wash

Your first hair wash is an important step in recovery. This careful process removes surgical debris, dried blood, and oils that could affect healing.

A nurse performs the first wash, showing you the proper technique as they work. They use lukewarm water and a specialized shampoo, being extremely gentle throughout; no rubbing, scrubbing, or direct water pressure is applied to the transplanted areas.

After completing the wash, they provide detailed instructions so you can continue this care routine at home yourself.

Comprehensive Aftercare Education

Your aftercare guidance covers all aspects of recovery at home. This includes how often and how to wash your hair, medication schedules, activities to avoid, how to sleep, and warning signs that need immediate medical attention.

You’ll receive written instructions in your language that cover the full 12-month recovery timeline.

Departure Planning

Your flight time determines your departure plan. Early flights mean heading straight to the airport from the clinic, while evening flights may allow some city exploration if medically approved.

If you have time for sightseeing, activity restrictions still apply: avoid sweating, limit sun exposure, keep to gentle walking, and stay away from crowded areas where accidental contact could occur. Skip spicy, salty, or very sweet foods that can trigger inflammation when your body needs to focus on healing.

Your driver provides direct airport transport at your scheduled time, ensuring comfortable travel during early recovery.

Extended Stay

Staying 5 to 7 days offers benefits for both recovery and tourism, though it comes with additional costs.

Extra days allow for multiple check-ups, which means any issues can be caught early and your care adjusted as needed. Recovering without the pressure of immediate travel helps reduce stress, which supports better healing.

The extended monitoring helps you master the proper washing technique and stay on track with medications. Daily visits with medical staff provide reassurance during the critical first week when graft survival is determined.

Once you’re medically cleared, you can explore Istanbul’s rich history, diverse cuisine, and vibrant culture with ease. Many patients find this extended period worthwhile, as it allows them to experience the city while recovering.

Extended stays require planning for additional hotel nights, meals beyond what’s included, and personal expenses. VIP transport covers medical appointments and airport transfers only; any tourist activities require separate transportation.