Preparing for a Hair Transplant in Turkey: A Practical Pre-Op Checklist

A good hair transplant starts two weeks before you reach the clinic

Most of what decides how smoothly surgery day goes happens at home: what you stop taking, how you cut your hair, what you ask the clinic to confirm in writing. This checklist covers the final two weeks before a hair transplant in Turkey from €2,000, so nothing is left to the morning of the operation. Once the surgery is done, the week-by-week recovery timeline takes over.

1. Four to two weeks before: confirm the plan in writing

Before you book flights, make sure you have the technique (FUE or DHI), the estimated graft range, who performs each stage, the number of hotel nights and the transfers written down. Send clear photos of your hairline, crown and donor area for the free assessment, so the quote matches what is actually possible rather than what sounds good. If you are still choosing, see how to choose a clinic in Turkey.

2. Two weeks before: medications and supplements

Tell the clinic about everything you take, including aspirin, anti-inflammatories, vitamin E, fish oil and herbal products, because some can increase bleeding. Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own: your doctor and the clinic decide together what is safe to pause and for how long. Share any heart, blood-pressure or clotting conditions at this stage, not on arrival.

3. The last week: alcohol, smoking and your scalp

Avoid alcohol for several days before surgery and cut back on smoking if you can, as both can affect healing. Do not use scalp treatments, new shampoos or hair dye in the days before. Keep the scalp healthy, without sunburn, scratches or active irritation.

4. Haircut: usually leave it to the clinic

Many patients shave their head too early out of enthusiasm. In most cases the clinic trims or shaves the donor area on the day, to the length the technique needs, so ask what they prefer before you visit a barber. If you want to keep your current length for a few days after, tell the team — some approaches allow a partial trim.

5. Packing and travel for the first nights

Bring a front-opening shirt or loose top so nothing is pulled over the head, a travel neck pillow for sleeping semi-upright, and a soft cap only if the clinic approves it. Plan transport with your coordinator so someone meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel. Eat a normal meal on the morning of surgery unless told otherwise.

6. What to do the day before

Wash your hair as usual, get a full night of sleep, and keep your passport, ID and medication list within reach. Confirm pickup time, the clinic address and the contact number for your coordinator. Having the follow-up plan for your return home agreed in advance makes later questions much easier.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to grow my hair long before a transplant?
Usually not. Donor hair is typically shortened for FUE, so ask your clinic for its preferred length rather than growing it out.

Can I drink coffee or eat before surgery?
In most cases a normal light breakfast is fine. Confirm with the clinic, since local anaesthesia is used rather than fasting.

How early should I arrive in Turkey?
Many patients arrive the day before for the consultation and blood tests, then have surgery the next morning. Your coordinator will set the exact schedule.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, technique and results are determined individually by a licensed surgeon.