Before you travel
Candidacy comes first
Not every patient is a suitable candidate for surgery planned at a distance. Before any travel is considered, the consultation process establishes whether the procedure is appropriate, whether the timing is right, and whether a short-stay pathway is medically reasonable for the individual case. These are clinical decisions and are not adjusted simply to accommodate travel logistics.
Patients with significant comorbidities, complex medical histories, or concerns requiring staged planning may not be suitable for a single short-stay visit. This is communicated during the consultation process, before travel commitments are made.
Good general health with no contraindications to anaesthesia or surgery
Realistic expectations discussed and confirmed before travel is planned
Ability to remain in Istanbul for the required stay duration for your procedure
Reliable access to local medical support at home for the post-operative period
A local physician or clinic available for in-person review if needed after your return
Willingness to attend scheduled remote follow-up appointments post-travel
The care pathway
From first contact to continued care
The process follows a consistent structure for all international patients. Each stage serves a specific clinical purpose. No surgical date is set before the preceding steps are complete.
01
Initial consultation — remote assessment
The process begins with a video consultation. You present your concerns, relevant medical history, and photographs. I assess whether the procedure is appropriate and whether the anatomy and circumstances are suitable for planning. This consultation is used to establish candidacy; it is not treated as a booking formality.
02
Pre-operative planning
Once candidacy is confirmed, a detailed surgical plan is developed accordingly. Required pre-operative investigations are communicated — some can be completed in your home country before arrival, reducing the in-Istanbul preparation time. You receive a written summary of the planned procedure, anaesthesia, expected stay, and recovery outline.
03
Arrival in Istanbul
Practical guidance on arrival timing and preparation is provided during pre-operative planning. Travel and accommodation are arranged independently by the patient. Arriving appropriately rested and prepared is part of safe planning.
04
In-person assessment & surgery
The in-person consultation before surgery confirms the surgical plan and addresses any remaining questions. Pre-operative checks and anaesthesia assessment take place here. Surgery proceeds once all pre-operative criteria are met — not to accommodate a flight schedule.
05
Recovery in Istanbul
The required stay in Istanbul varies by procedure. The first post-operative review takes place before discharge, and a further in-person assessment is carried out before departure from Istanbul. Return travel is cleared according to clinical progress, not according to a preferred flight schedule.
06
Return travel
Flight fitness guidance is provided before you leave. Not all procedures allow early return travel, and specific restrictions are discussed during planning rather than at the last moment. For most procedures, long-haul travel within the first post-operative week is not appropriate and must be assessed individually.
07
Continuity of care after travel
Follow-up does not end when you leave Istanbul. Scheduled video reviews continue at defined intervals, and direct communication remains available during recovery. When local in-person review is clinically indicated, you are advised to attend a physician or clinic in your home setting. Remote follow-up supports care, but does not replace hands-on assessment when it is necessary.
Istanbul stay
Required stay by procedure
The minimum stay in Istanbul is determined by the procedure, not by convenience or preference. The figures below reflect typical durations for uncomplicated cases. Combined procedures, greater operative scope, or slower early recovery may require longer observation before return travel.
Rhinoplasty
5–7 days
Splint check before departure
Blepharoplasty
4–5 days
Suture check before departure
Face & Neck Lift
7–14 days
Drain removal and staged wound review included
Breast Surgery
5–7 days
Post-operative check before departure
Body Surgery
5–10 days
Varies by procedure and early recovery
FFS
10–14 days
Multiple post-operative reviews before departure
Otoplasty
4–5 days
First dressing change before departure
RFAL / FaceTite
4–5 days
Wound and compression check
A note on continuity
Surgical care does not end at discharge. Wound healing, swelling resolution, scar maturation, and the final result continue to evolve after you return home. Scheduled video reviews and, when appropriate, photo-based remote reviews are a structured part of this period. If a concern requires hands-on assessment, you are advised to attend a local physician or clinic. Written guidance is provided on what to monitor and what should prompt in-person review.