What to Expect During Your Hair Transplant Surgery Day at Clinicana
Get Access To My Complete Hair Transplant Journey With Clinicana For Free!
Follow My Personal Clinicana Journey
- Why I Chose Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries
- How much it costs (and how to save some money)
- What results can you expect?
- What to expect on the day of the transplant (including length of procedure and does it it hurt?)
- How people reacted to my new hair
- Tips on how to get the best results from your hair transplant
- Frequently Asked questions and Answers from someone who’s experienced it first hand!
What to Expect During Your Hair Transplant Surgery Day at Clinicana
If you’re thinking about a hair transplant in Istanbul, one of the biggest questions you’ll probably have is simple: what actually happens on the day of surgery? When I was researching my own procedure, this was something I couldn’t quite picture until I lived it myself. Having now been through the full journey with Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries, I can give you a step-by-step account of what to expect, along with insights from the clinic itself so you feel confident and prepared.
The Day Before Surgery
Your transplant doesn’t just begin when you sit in the chair. The day before, you’ll be taken to Clinicana for a quick pre-op check. This includes a blood test to make sure everything is fine medically. At this stage, you also pay part of your balance (mine was around €300, though the clinic will confirm the exact amount with you). The process is smooth, with English-speaking staff on hand to guide you through.
Afterwards, you’re driven to the Naz City Hotel Taksim, which is just a short walk from the clinic. This hotel is included in Clinicana’s packages, so you don’t need to worry about organising accommodation. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the fact that the hotel is only about 150–200 meters from the hospital makes things really easy.
By the way, if you want to learn from my ENTIRE Clinicana hair transplant journey be sure to join my free members area where I share the good AND the bad about my hair transplant!
Testimonials
Surgery Day: Timing and Arrival
Clinicana performs two surgeries per day — one in the morning at around 7am and another in the afternoon at about 3pm. You’ll be told your exact slot the day before. If you’re in the later group, be aware that things can sometimes run a little behind schedule, but everything is communicated clearly when you arrive.
My procedure was in the morning and I was advised to have a proper breakfast beforehand, which was good advice. The hotel breakfast is really nice, with lots of choice of hot and cold food and drinks. The hotel also provides a free shuttle to the clinic, though you can just walk it if you prefer.
Pre-Surgery Briefing and Hairline Design
Once at the clinic, you’ll meet your medical team. This is when the surgeon carefully maps out your new hairline. In my case, this was not rushed. We spent time looking at where the grafts would be placed, making sure the design suited my age, facial structure, and long-term appearance. Clinicana emphasises natural-looking results, which I really appreciated — no straight-across cartoon hairlines, just something realistic and flattering.
Anesthesia: Does It Hurt?
This was one of my biggest concerns. The truth is, the only part that feels a little sharp is the local anesthesia injections at the start. After that, I honestly didn’t feel pain. To make things easier, Clinicana provides a mild sedative (Xanax). I can’t recommend this enough — it helped me stay relaxed and calm. I even drifted in and out of sleep, so the hours passed surprisingly quickly.
The Procedure Itself
Depending on the size of your transplant, the procedure usually takes between four to seven hours. Mine was closer to six. About halfway through, you’ll get a break for lunch. I’ll be honest — the food wasn’t amazing (typical hospital lunch), but it gave me a chance to stretch, use the bathroom, and grab a drink.
Most of the time you’ll be lying face down or reclined, listening to music or a podcast if you’ve packed headphones. The team works quietly and efficiently, moving from extraction of grafts in the donor area to implanting them in the recipient area. Clinicana uses modern Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) techniques, both of which are minimally invasive and proven to deliver high graft survival rates.
I was checked on multiple times by nurses and the consultants. I didn’t really need any help or have any questions but I was pleased to know that plenty of people were on hand if needed.
After the Surgery
Once the procedure is done, you’re driven back to the hotel. The back of your head (donor area) might feel a bit sore, but paracetamol was enough for me. I had no real pain in the transplant area itself.
That night, you’ll need to sleep on your back, using the neck brace Clinicana gives you to keep pressure off your grafts. Clinicana provides clear instructions and an aftercare kit, so you’ll know exactly how to protect your results. I skipped alcohol, salty foods, and smoking as advised, and just focused on rest and a decent evening meal.
The next day, you return to the clinic for your first wash and a check-up. They’ll guide you through exactly how to care for your scalp — a routine that becomes second nature quickly.
My Honest Take on Surgery Day at Clinicana
Looking back, surgery day was nowhere near as intimidating as I had feared. Clinicana’s staff were professional, reassuring, and clear in their communication. I felt safe in a proper hospital environment (Clinicana operates inside Acıbadem Taksim Hospital, licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health and ISO 9001 certified). Most importantly, the experience was comfortable, surprisingly relaxed, and completely manageable.
If you’re researching Clinicana surgery day or wondering what happens during a hair transplant, my advice is simple: prepare well, take the sedative if offered, bring headphones, and trust the process. By the time you’re resting back at the hotel with your new hairline in place, you’ll probably wonder — like I did — why you delayed it for so long.
To learn more about my Clinicana hair transplant be sure to check out my Clinicana review here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be fully awake during the surgery?
Yes, the transplant is carried out under local anesthesia, so you remain conscious the entire time. You won’t feel pain in the treated areas thanks to the numbing, and many patients drift in and out of light sleep. (Clinicana, like other modern clinics, uses sedation in combination with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.)
Will I need to shave my entire head on procedure day?
That depends on your case and the technique used. Some regions might be trimmed or shaved locally at the clinic just before the operation to allow precise graft extraction. Clinicana handles this on a case-by-case basis. You usually don’t need to arrive with a completely shaved head unless your surgeon suggests so.
Is there a risk that grafts will fail or not “take” on day one?
Yes, there is always a small risk that some grafts may not survive the transplantation process. That’s why clinics like Clinicana follow strict protocols in handling, storing, and implanting grafts quickly and accurately. Even if a few follicles don’t take, the vast majority will grow over the following months.
Will there be any bleeding or oozing on the day of surgery?
Minor bleeding or fluid exudation is expected immediately after graft placement and donor extraction. The surgical team manages this continuously (e.g. with saline, gauze, pressure). It’s normal and doesn’t indicate a problem.
Can I bring anything with me to the clinic on procedure day?
Yes — bring things to make the day more comfortable: headphones, your own water bottle, loose comfortable clothes (with buttons or a zipper), your ID and any required documents, and anything else you might need to relax (music, an audio book). Also some patients bring a small pillow for back or neck support.
How do they decide the density (how many grafts per cm²) during the procedure?
That decision is made in consultation between you and the surgeon in the design phase, but also adjusted during the surgery based on donor availability, scalp laxity, and how the grafts are taking. The surgeon continuously checks to ensure natural density and avoid overharvesting.
Can I go to the bathroom or move around during the procedure?
Yes — you will have opportunities to move, stretch, and use the restroom during breaks (especially the mid-procedure lunch break). Just be cautious whenever you move so you don’t bump the transplanted area.
