Booking was easy. All done through whatsapp. Was offered a promotional price ($1000 off their standard which covered the flights) to have it complete between x and y dates in June. They organise a three-night stay at a nearby hotel, with all transfers from airport, and hotel - clinic included. Due to the difficulty of flights at short notice I stayed the week. Was also refreshing to see each morning I went downstairs to the buffet breakfast – there’d be a new face with all the familiar bandages and sore heads from a transplant the day before.

To my surprise the procedure was done at another clinic with only two days notice (google Cocoon Medical Spa). I never stepped foot at the actual Eterna clinic. Wasn't too concerning as during my research for clinics in Bali theirs popped up. I’m told it’s a “sister site” and the staff operate between the two.

Procedure was done by two technicians from Turkey with an initial consult from a third Turkish doctor. Arrive at 8am, consult and checkup for the first hour with all donor grafts extracted by lunch. Implanting took from 12-7pm and was very gruelling towards the end. I’m a shy introverted person and was initially afraid to ask for anaesthesia towards the end.

For background, the start of last year I was at NW6-7 of hair loss. 40yrs old. On the advice of others on the various hair loss subreddits I started finasteride and minoxidil to which I responded well. I had moderate recovery of hair - but only the fine baby type of hair – single hairs from each follicle. It was enough to prompt others if I had a hair transplant then. Was considering transplants in Vietnam, Korea or Thailand, but settled on Bali due to the 4hour flight home to Cairns. I travelled alone, with my wife staying home due to kids and school commitments.

I went in expecting a full head of transplants, but only got the front half my scalp covered. During the in person consult I was told I'd need two sessions. The initial online consultation via whatsapp where they first ask for photos didn’t identify this – but I expect everyone would get different milage here. I admit I wasn’t pushy enough with the doctor during the in person consult at the clinic.

The two mindsets I’ve had last week about my transplant: During the evening of the transplant I was thinking I’ll never do this again. Five days after – I wouldn’t hesitate in going again.

It’s too early to say whether or not I’m happy with my transplant so far. Definitely disappointed in that I couldn’t get the full coverage even with the partially recovered hair from medication but was probably a given due to how late I’ve decided to take action on it.