NHS worker Tom Brett was lured to Turkey by the promise of cut-price hair transplants

The cost was just a fraction of UK prices, and it seemed an ideal fix for his thinning locks. However, after shelling out roughly £1,300, Tom's dream procedure turned into a nightmare.

An NHS worker was left with nerve damage and patchy bald spots after being "lured" to Turkey for a cut-price hair transplant.

Tom Brett, from Portsmouth, began losing his hair at 20 and was desperate for a solution when he saw an online ad for a Turkish clinic offering the procedure at a fraction of the UK cost.

Believing the clinic sounded "professional" and that he was being promised "great results," Tom booked the procedure, which he said ended up being a "nightmare."

After paying around £1,300 for the transplant, Tom was left feeling "completely abandoned" by the clinic when he reached out to them about the disastrous aftermath of the operation.

He said: "They just ignored me. I was left to deal with this mess on my own."

The clinic had promised Tom a lush mane of hair, but instead, he said he ended up with nerve damage and patchy bald spots, which left him feeling "devastated."

"The hair didn't grow properly, and I had bald spots. I was gutted," he added.

"I had trusted them with my appearance, and it had ruined me. I needed help."

Thankfully, Tom was able to get help from Dr Roshan Vara, a UK-based hair transplant surgeon, who stepped in to rectify the botched procedure.

Tom said: "Meeting Dr. Vara was like a breath of fresh air. He was professional, caring, and there for me every step of the way.

"He stayed with me throughout the whole procedure, making sure I was comfortable. It was completely different from my experience in Turkey."

After months of Dr Vara's care, Tom's hair is now growing back thick and lustrous.

He said: "I can't believe the transformation. It was worth every penny. My confidence is back, and I'm finally happy with the way I look."

Now, Tom is warning others against being "lured" by the low prices of hair transplant clinics abroad, saying, "There's a reason the clinics are so cheap. I got what I paid for-and it was a nightmare.

"If I'd known the risks, I never would have gone to Turkey."

Dr Vara also offered his professional advice, saying: "While low-cost clinics may seem tempting, they often cut corners on quality and safety.

"Hair restoration is a delicate procedure. It's vital to choose a reputable, experienced surgeon who puts your safety first."

Tom added: "Do your research. Don't be lured by low prices. A cheap transplant can end up costing you more than you think - emotionally, physically, and financially."