The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby

Episode: Getting a hair transplant, surgery recovery & pregnancy updates
Release Date: September 24, 2025

Brief Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Matt and Abby open up about Matt’s recent hair transplant journey to Turkey, his recovery process, and provide heartfelt updates on Abby’s pregnancy. True to their style, the couple blends vulnerability, humor, and practical life insights about marriage, parenting, self-image, medical tourism, and the daily realities of growing as a young family. Whether you're curious about hair transplants, life in Phoenix, or the inside scoop on a third pregnancy, this episode delivers it all with warmth and honesty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matt's Hair Transplant Journey (00:01 – 41:55)

• Why a Hair Transplant, and Why Turkey?

  • Matt shares his hairline insecurities, the decision to be proactive before significant hair loss, and how an offer from a Turkish clinic prompted action.
    • "What happened was a year and a half ago, when I shaved my head, I realized how much my hair really was thinning." (02:16)
  • Abby clarifies: Matt was not balding, but wanted to act early and had an opportunity for a hosted experience.

• Preparing for Surgery

  • Matt discusses using minoxidil and finasteride pre-transplant, and the surprising fertility risks associated with finasteride.
    • Abby: "Apparently if you're taking finasteride, it can affect fertility. So know that." (03:26)
  • Luckily, Matt’s ADHD meant he wasn't taking finasteride during conception of baby #3.

• Turkey: Arrival, Impressions, and Hospitality

  • Matt is impressed by Estonova’s all-inclusive package: five-star hotel, transfers, meals, and even a tour of Istanbul.
    • “...I'm talking five star hotel, really fancy transfers to and from the airport to the hotel, all inclusive buffet...I was very impressed.” (04:58)
  • He marvels at Istanbul’s size, history, and architecture, sharing fun facts about the city’s Roman and Islamic legacy.
    • “Istanbul? It's bigger than New York City. It's a massive city. I want to say 20 million people live there.” (08:08)

Notable Cultural Moments

• Matt visits mosques, is required to wear appropriate attire, and shares history lessons with Abby—even during post-procedure downtime.
  • “They just looked like works of art…over 3,000 mosques in the city of Istanbul.” (08:05)
  • "I got to check out the area where they had their version of the coliseum in Constantinople...they’d have gladiator fights." (14:04)

2. The Procedure & Recovery (18:48 – 41:55)

• The Surgery Experience
  • Matt underwent DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) - a method that avoids scalp scarring by individually extracting follicles.
    • “Luckily I got a DHI hair transplant...rather than doing this old technique where they would...rip off like entire strips of your skin.” (21:03)
  • The only real pain was anesthesia via injections; the procedure itself was pain-free after numbing.

Memorable Quote:

• Matt: "If you don't like the way your hair looks enough, you have to accept that you're probably gonna have a little bit of pain to get what you want." (22:16)

• Post-Op Recovery Rules

  • Sleep at a 45-degree angle for 12 days, wear only button-down shirts, avoid caffeine, sun, sweating, and no sexual activity for two weeks.
    • "I had to sleep at a 45 degree angle for 12 days with a neck pillow." (28:40)
    • "No sexual activity for two weeks is what it said." (29:04)
  • Swelling created a "donut" on Matt’s forehead (from injected fluid) and eventually migrated down his face.
    • Abby: "It literally looked like he had a donut on his forehead and swelling." (29:35)
    • Matt: "I had squinty eyes for an entire day. I looked like a different human being." (29:46)

• The Emotional Side

  • Matt felt lonely but stayed focused on the short-term sacrifice for long-term confidence and his family.
  • "I definitely felt lonely while I was there, like, being away from you and the kids." (10:43)

• Cost & Medical Tourism

  • Turkey offers high-quality results at a fraction of U.S. prices ($4,500–5,000 vs. $15,000–20,000), making it a global hub for hair transplants, plastic surgery, and medical tourism.

3. Family Updates & Everyday Life (41:55 – 61:41)

Pregnancy Updates

• Abby is in the early second trimester and feeling unusually good—active, sleeping well, with only a few headaches.

  • “I feel really good. I’m cooking, working…eating good, staying active.” (42:16)
  • Matt: “How many days a week are you working out?”
    Abby: “I work out, like, six days a week.” (42:30)

• Headache struggles—discussion of "canceled" Tylenol and pregnancy medication confusion.

  • Abby: “The only thing is, I get headaches a lot at this stage of pregnancy…” (43:41)

Parenting & Home Life

• Adjusting work schedules for more family time, reflecting on the privilege and choice in their lifestyle.
  • Abby: "It's a privilege to be able to be active like this... If I worked full time...no, I would not work out six days a week." (46:21)

Nesting & Preparations

• Abby experiences strong nesting urges: organizing toys, clothes, mud room, and the garage.
  • “It feels like everything is, like, piling up, and I have to take care of it.” (50:27)

Kids’ Milestones & Family Fun

• Hilarious kids’ responses about Matt being in Turkey for a hair transplant, confusion about "transplant," and Turkish delight.

  • “He said, hair transplant in Turkey. Like, he knew.” (34:46)

• Lots of talk about the boys' play, messes with Play-Doh, love of Magnetiles, and upcoming birthday party plans—Super Play indoor park, Lightning McQueen theme, and homemade cupcakes.

  • “He literally loves Super Play. It's like this indoor play park thing, which is great being in Arizona because it's so hot.” (54:54)

• Hosting big family events (pool parties, swim lessons) and the joys/challenges of being the “default” house for gatherings.

  • Matt: "If you're gonna host people at your house, ordering pizza is the move." (56:00)

Upcoming Home Additions

• Excitement over a new, elaborate backyard playset (“citadel”) for the kids, and navigating HOA limitations.

  • "This playset is so extra. So extra. It's a castle." (57:47)
  • "It's more than just a place...this is turning me on so much." (58:22)

• Reflecting on long-term family investments over short-term purchases (e.g., playset over screens).

  • Abby: “I would much rather spend money on something that's gonna get them to be outside, being active, using their imaginations…” (59:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Male Self-Image:

  • Matt: "This is the time where I don't have wrinkly skin...if I want to look good, let's look good now." (04:59)

• On Parenting Support:

  • Abby: “I feel very spoiled. And that's why I think I've been able to, like...be active.” (45:16)

• On Medical Procedures & Humor:

  • Abby (joking about Matt getting cosmetic surgery): "What if I said, babe, the whole time, it was never a hair transplant. It was actually boobs...?" (27:29)

• On Cultural Appreciation:

  • Matt: “It's just crazy when you're an American to go somewhere that has so much ancient history.” (15:53)

• On Family Investments:

  • Matt: "I kind of view it as an investment in our children. It's more than just a place." (58:15)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01–08:35: Matt’s travel to Turkey and early impressions
• 14:04–16:14: Istanbul’s historical and cultural exploration
• 18:48–22:44: Hair transplant procedure details and pain management
• 28:40–31:19: Recovery process, care instructions, and “donut” forehead
• 34:03–36:17: How the kids reacted to Matt’s trip and the meaning of “transplant”
• 41:55–43:49: Abby’s pregnancy update and physical well-being
• 46:21–50:44: Nesting, family lifestyle, and managing stress
• 54:54–56:00: Planning a toddler’s birthday; family gatherings
• 57:47–59:05: Backyard playset excitement and justification

Tone & Style

Casual, humorous, open-hearted, and supportive—Matt and Abby’s dynamic combines light teasing, honest sharing about vulnerability, and practical family banter. The episode is fast-paced and fun, rich with personal anecdotes and everyday relatability.

In Summary

This episode provides an honest peek into Matt’s hair transplant journey—covering everything from medical realities to feelings of self-worth, cultural adventure, and the little (and big) domestic moments that define young family life. Abby’s positivity during pregnancy, their team dynamic as parents, and the importance of intentional investments (in health, home, and each other) underpin the episode’s major themes.

Whether you’re looking for insight into medical tourism, relatable couple dynamics, or just some good-natured married people banter, this episode is an engaging listen start to finish.