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Frequently asked questions


In short

Most international patients start with an online consultation, travel to Istanbul for an in-person examination and surgery, stay locally for the early recovery period, and continue follow-up remotely once home. How long each stage takes depends on the procedure.

These are general questions about consulting with the practice and travelling for treatment. Questions about a specific operation are answered on that procedure's own page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I arrange a first consultation?

Start with an online consultation. You can request one through the enquiry form, and it takes place by video call. It is a conversation about whether a procedure is appropriate for you and what it involves — not a booking.

Can surgery be planned without an in-person examination?

No. An online consultation can cover a great deal, but it cannot replace a physical examination. Any surgical plan discussed remotely is provisional until you have been examined in person.

What languages are consultations available in?

Consultations are conducted in Turkish and English. If you would prefer another language, ask when you enquire and we will tell you what can be arranged.

How long will I need to stay in Istanbul?

It depends on the procedure and on how your recovery goes. You will be given an expected length of stay before you travel, and it is sensible to build some flexibility into your return booking rather than plan to the minimum.

When is it safe to fly home after surgery?

There is no single answer that applies to everyone. The interval depends on the operation, your own risk factors and how you are healing. Your surgeon decides this after reviewing you — not in advance, and not from a table on a website.

Who looks after me after the operation?

You are reviewed by the surgical team during the early recovery period in Istanbul, and follow-up continues remotely once you are home. You will be given a direct contact route for concerns before you leave.

What happens if there is a complication after I get home?

Contact the practice using the route you were given at discharge. If the problem is urgent, seek care locally first and inform us as soon as you can — treating an urgent problem is more important than waiting for a reply from abroad.

Can someone travel with me?

Yes, and for most procedures it is a good idea. Having someone with you during the first days after surgery makes recovery considerably easier.

Do you publish prices on the website?

No. Cost depends on what is actually being done, and quoting a figure before an assessment would be misleading. You will be given a written breakdown after your consultation, before you are asked to commit to anything.

Will you tell me if I am not a suitable candidate?

Yes. Being told that an operation is not appropriate for you, or not appropriate yet, is a normal outcome of a consultation. It is not a failed enquiry.

Are before-and-after photographs available?

We do not use before-and-after images as advertising on this site. Several of the countries our patients travel from restrict that use, and individual results vary too much for such images to tell you what will happen to you. Relevant examples can be discussed during consultation.

How is my personal and medical information handled?

Information you send is used only to respond to your enquiry and, if you proceed, to plan your care. Please do not send medical records or photographs through the website form — we will tell you how to send those securely. See the privacy policy for detail.

If your question is not answered here, the international patients section covers the process in more depth, or you can ask us directly.