Did Jens Hilbert have a hair transplant? Yes — and he described every step

At the hospital: “Ich hatte unheimlich schlechte Blutwerte, kurz vor einer Sepsis.” — very bad blood values, close to sepsis.

He also named the detail he regretted: “Im Flieger mit einer offenen Wunde. Das hätte ich anders machen sollen.” — flying home with an open wound; he would do that differently. The price he named for the operation abroad, around 3,500 euros, he compared with the German range of at least 9,000 to 15,000 euros in his telling. He ruled out legal steps against the doctors abroad, saying everything had been organised in a medically professional way.

That is everything this article relies on: his own statements as quoted by the portal. He did not name the clinic, so nothing is assumed here about his treatment. What follows describes hair transplantation in general — and where travel fits into it.

That is exactly the period patients underestimate: the first ten days after a transplant are a healing phase with rules about washing, sleeping and protecting the area, and any fever or spreading redness in those days is a reason to see a doctor immediately, not to wait for the flight home.

His cost comparison, meanwhile, is a reminder that price is only one input. The follow-up — check-ups, contact with the surgeon, a plan for complications — is what a local plan makes simple and a distant one makes hard.

• DHI — grafts are implanted directly with a Choi implanter pen without pre-made channels, which gives fine control over angle and direction.

A combined approach — FUE extraction with DHI implantation — is also used, at $2,700. Which option fits depends on the extent of hair loss and the state of the donor area, decided at a consultation.

Before the operation the doctor names the tests needed and asks you to stop alcohol and blood-thinning medicines for the period specified.

Density becomes clearly visible at six to nine months, and the final result is assessed at 12–18 months.

For patients who travel for surgery, the first check-ups are normally built into the plan before any long flight home — the step Hilbert said he would organise differently.

The price includes follow-up appointments at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and the clinic gives a lifetime guarantee of hair growth. More details are on the hair transplant page and the page for patients from Berlin.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Jens Hilbert or his treatment. His words are quoted here only because he chose to talk about his operation openly.

Hair transplant prices in this article are the current offer, valid until 31 October 2026. Regular prices: FUE $2,700, DHI $2,900, combined method $2,900. The price that applies to you is confirmed at the consultation.