I wanted to share my results after a bad experience with Dr. Hakan Doganay at the AHD clinic. I went in 2015 for 800 grafts. I had a prior procedure with Dr. Feridouni (1,200 grafts), and the difference in quality is night and day. I only recently noticed the full extent of the AHD damage after buzzing my hair due to progressive loss.
Looking back, 2015 seemed to be the time when the clinic became "greedy" and shifted toward a high-volume model. I've since seen numerous other complaints from patients who went around the same time.
- Inadequate Setup: During the consultation, they gave me a tiny, pocket-sized purple mirror to draw my hairline instead of a proper wall mirror. This was a massive red flag.
- Misleading Volume: Their marketing claimed 1-2 surgeries a day, but the patient coordinator admitted they actually do around 4. This clearly compromised patient safety and results.
Technical Failure & Poor Craftsmanship:
The scarring isn't just "unavoidable FUE" as they claim. Based on my results, it appears to be a direct result of poor craftsmanship and a lack of care:
- Overharvesting: Dr. Doganay’s 800 grafts were taken almost exclusively from the sides rather than being spread out.
- Aggressive Tools: Based on the size of the scars, it is likely they used large-diameter needles to punch out the grafts—a common tactic in high-volume clinics to save time, which leads to much larger, visible scarring.
- The Comparison: Dr. Feridouni’s 1,200 grafts were spread evenly and are minimal and well-blended. In contrast, AHD’s 800 grafts were localized and aggressive, prioritizing speed over the donor area's long-term health.
The Recovery & Mental Toll:
On the positive side, I have since had SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation) to help blend the scarred areas. This has improved the visual situation significantly, but unfortunately, this whole ordeal has left me in a very bad place mentally. Dealing with the permanent consequences of someone else's lack of care is exhausting.
The Support & "Correction" Offer:
When I raised these concerns with AHD last year, I found them incredibly difficult to deal with. Despite being in clear distress, I often had to wait weeks for a response. They eventually offered a "free correction," but after seeing the lack of technical care and their lack of transparency, I do not trust them to touch my scalp again.
Final Word:
I deeply regret not just going back to a top-tier surgeon like Feridouni. Please do your research and prioritize a surgeon’s actual technical skill over their marketing.
