Matt's Experience

October 29, 2006

Having a hair transplant was something that I had been considering for at least three years. It really got to me that my hair was thinning. I then felt bad for letting it get to me. Vanity is not the most attractive thing in the world...but then nor was my thinning hair (to me anyway). So I did battle with myself for a while and eventually when money was around and I had done extensive research I decided to go for it. I chose to go and see Alex Santos in his new clinic in Athens. He has set up on his own and the price is very, very good. Here's my experience in brief.

I set off for Athens on Thursday. Caught the 12.15pm flight from Heathrow. I went with British Airways who were just as reasonably priced as the others and from experience would feed me a little better. I arrived at Athens Airport a little after 6pm (Greece Time) and was met there by Sofia who had my name on a sign. She's a lovely Greek cabbie with a warm personality and a wealth of knowledge about Athens. We chatted during the comfortable ride into the city. The roads around the airport are very quick and smooth and soon enough Sofia dropped me off at the Hotel Illisia. She left me her card and told me I should give her a call after the procedure and she would give me a tour of Athens! The Illisia Hotel is a professional and comfortable place from the Best Western chain. I went up to my room and checked out the mattress and TV and dropped off my belongings. After relaxing for 15minutes or so, the phone rang and the concierge told me that Lena was downstairs to see me. I went down in the lift to meet Lena at the hotel bar. She was very reassuring and good fun. We had a drink (not alcoholic unfortunately!) and she let me know that the reason they choose this hotel for clients is that it is literally next door to the clinic !!! She wished me a good nights rest and we arranged to meet the following morning at 9.

Breakfast is served between 7 and 10 am so I planned to get up in time for some grub before the procedure. I was half concerned and half excited about the next day, this coupled with the fact that Athens time is two hours ahead, meant that I didn't get to sleep until 2am !! In the morning I felt surprisingly good though, and after breakfast met Lena as arranged.

We walked the 20 meters to the clinic and went through the entrance door. There's a proud brass plaque at the entrance and the clinic itself is on the top (4th) floor. We went up together in the lift and were met inside the clinic by Dr. Alex Santos. He welcomed me with a hand shake and big smile and introduced me to the anesthesiologist, George, who is a warm and kindly man. I also me the team of three assistants, Sofia and Joanna and Zannina were also very friendly.
The clinic is spacious and clean. It has a very professional atmosphere and I genuinely felt at ease and taken care of. I went into Alex's office and we discussed my hair and scalp. He told me that I would definitely be a candidate for a medium session and probably a big session. He drew a few dots and lines on my forehead and took various measurements around my face. We then agreed on a hairline position and I went through to change into my "blues" - these are a papery type of surgery fashion garment! I then had my hair washed and went through to the procedure room. I was met by Dr. Santo's and George the anesthesiologist who asked me a few questions about allergies and reactions and connected me to a saline drip. I was face-on-hands on my front for the extraction of the donor strip. The initial injections of local anesthetic were tiny little stings and soon enough the potion did it's job and I experienced no pain at all. The donor strip was taken away and then I was stitched up. All through this time I was often asked how I was doing and given kind words of reassurance and comfort.

I sat up after the strip removal and had a few breaths before lying back down this time on my back. Dr. Santo's made the little incisions all over my head with care and focus. He seemed at times to be going quite quickly but I thought to myself that this was ok ...the more holes the more hair !!! After the incisions I sat up, went to the look and then had a toasted sandwich for lunch. Very good. Then back to the procedure room for the plantation bit.

Dr. Santos showed me the donor hairs and the Choi instrument and then set about placing the hairs into the incisions. This was completely comfortable for me and just a couple of times I got up to stretch my back. By 5.30pm it was all done. I was gently helped to my feet and went through to change back into my clothes. I then had another consultation with Alex and Lena - this time concerning medication times and careful instructions. Alex gave me some antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory. We said goodbye and arranged to meet the next day. I went back to the hotel room for a while and then out to a local restaurant (wearing a cap). There are loads of restaurants in the surrounding area and you can get anything from Burgers, Pizza and Indian food to authentic local Greek cuisine. I went for the traditional Greek salad and kebab!

The next morning I had breakfast again, this time a little later. lovely. Lena came along to the hotel again to check that I was ok. Lena called Sofia for me and arranged for her to pick me up at the hotel for my Athens sightseeing trip. Went to the Acropolis, the presidential palace and I had a kebab in "the best kebab place in Athens" - according to Sofia I also spent some time in an area of Athens called the Plaka. There are streets and streets of small shops and markets selling just about everything you can imagine. There are lots of beads and plenty of cheap natural sponges and loafers !! The Plaka is a great place to find gifts and mementos of Athens. I Met Sofia later at an arranged place and she took me to the airport where I caught my flight home. The flight was relaxing, I got absorbed in a film and was quickly back home in London.

Matt Winpress

Other Articles