The short answer
Istanbul is one of Europe's main destinations for plastic surgery, about three and a half hours' flight from London, Paris or Brussels. What decides your safety is not the city but four things: a surgeon who is genuinely specialised in plastic surgery, a facility authorised for health tourism, a stay long enough before you fly home and follow-up that is arranged before you leave. This guide explains how to check each one.
| Surgeon | Op. Dr. Doğuş Yalçın, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon (EBOPRAS) |
|---|---|
| Hospital | Acıbadem Kartal Hospital, Istanbul |
| Clinic | Caddebostan, Kadıköy, Istanbul |
| Pre-consultation | Online or video call; photos from four angles and a medical form |
| Recommended stay | 6–8 nights depending on the procedure |
| Languages | English and French |
| Follow-up | Regular photo-based follow-up after you return home |
Many patients who write to me from abroad have already compared dozens of clinics. Their real question is rarely only "how much?" but "how can I be sure I am making the right choice from a distance?". That is the right question. Surgery abroad needs the same preparation as surgery at home, plus a journey, a different language and follow-up to organise.
Why Patients Choose Istanbul
Three reasons come up most often: the number of experienced plastic surgeons, well-equipped private hospitals and shorter waiting times than in many European countries. Distance matters too: a direct flight from most European capitals takes about three to four hours.
These advantages only count if the process is sound. Türkiye tightened its rules in 2025: healthcare facilities and facilitators serving international patients must now hold an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate.
The Most Requested Procedures
The procedures international patients ask me about most are body contouring, liposuction, tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and breast surgery. I also perform facelift, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty.
- Ultra Safe BBL and liposuction
- Tummy tuck and body contouring
- Breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction
- Facelift, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty
Choosing Your Surgeon: Five Checks
- Their exact specialty. In Türkiye, the title "Op. Dr." means a surgical specialist, without saying which field. Check that the surgeon is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
- Their qualifications. The European Board diploma (EBOPRAS) and membership of the Turkish Society of Plastic Surgery (TPRECD) are good markers. Ask for the documents, then check them with the issuing body.
- Who actually operates. The surgeon you meet should be the one who performs your operation, not a team member you never see.
- The facility. Ask for the hospital's name, its accreditation and its health tourism authorization. HealthTürkiye publishes the official list of certified providers.
- Follow-up after you return. Ask in writing who looks after you once you are home, how, and what happens if there is a complication.
My own training and certificates are listed on my About page.
What Happens, Step by Step
- Before you travel. We start with an online pre-consultation, and a video call can be arranged if you prefer. We ask for photos of the area you are interested in from four angles (front, back, right and left profile) and a detailed medical form covering your health history, current conditions, medication and previous operations. Depending on your history we may also ask for reports from your doctor or recent blood test results. You receive the proposed plan in writing: procedure, hospital and length of stay.
- When you arrive. An in-person consultation, examination and pre-operative tests. The plan may be adjusted after the examination; a decision made from photos alone is never final.
- The operation. I operate at Acıbadem Kartal Hospital in Istanbul, with an experienced anaesthesia team. Depending on the procedure, one or more nights in hospital are planned.
- The first check-ups. Dressings, drains and the first checks are done in Istanbul, before your flight home.
- Going home and follow-up. Follow-up continues after you are back home. The team member responsible for post-operative care contacts you at regular intervals and reviews updated photos of your recovery. If there is any suspicion of a complication or an emergency, the surgeon and the medical team are consulted and you are told exactly what to do next.
How Long to Stay in Istanbul
The length of your stay depends on the procedure and on how you recover. The table below shows the general plan I use; the date of your flight home is confirmed at your check-ups.
These are our standard recommendations. The stay may be longer depending on the extent of surgery, combined procedures, how you recover and how far you are travelling.
| Procedure | Recommended stay in Istanbul |
|---|---|
| BBL | 7 nights |
| Tummy tuck | 7–8 nights |
| Breast surgery | 6 nights |
| Liposuction | 6 nights |
| Facelift | 7 nights |
| Rhinoplasty | 7 nights |
For the flight home, wear compression stockings, walk in the aisle and drink regularly: long periods without moving after surgery raise the risk of a blood clot. If you are planning a BBL, my article on BBL recovery and sitting explains how to plan the journey.
Communication and Language
Our patient coordination team communicates with international patients in English and French. From your first message to your follow-up after you return home, you have one coordinator as your point of contact, and medical questions are passed to the surgeon.
Whatever the language, ask for the important information in writing: the surgical plan, your aftercare instructions and who to contact after you return.
Red Flags
- A price far below everyone else's, with no breakdown of what is included
- Several long procedures offered in one session with no explanation of the risks
- A surgeon you cannot identify or meet before the operation
- Pressure to book quickly with a time-limited "offer"
- No follow-up planned after you return
If you are considering a BBL, my articles Is a BBL in Turkey safe? and BBL in Turkey: the complete guide explain the risks and safety measures in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plastic surgery in Turkey safe?
It can be, as anywhere, when the operation is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon in an authorised hospital, with a long enough stay and organised follow-up. The risk rises when any of these is missing, whatever the country.
How do I check a surgeon in Turkey?
Ask for their exact specialty, diplomas and memberships (such as EBOPRAS or TPRECD), the hospital's name and its health tourism certificate, then check this information with the issuing bodies and on the HealthTürkiye list.
Can I combine several procedures?
Sometimes, yes. It depends on the total length of the operation, your health and the risk. I sometimes prefer to split procedures into two stages rather than extend a single anaesthetic.
When can I fly after plastic surgery?
For most procedures we recommend staying 6–8 nights in Istanbul. Your flight date is confirmed at your check-ups once your healing and general condition allow it; for long-haul flights a longer stay may be advised.
Which hospital will I be operated in?
Dr. Yalçın operates at Acıbadem Kartal Hospital in Istanbul. Consultations take place at the clinic in Caddebostan, Kadıköy.
Sources
This article is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. All surgery carries risks and results vary from person to person. Medical disclaimer.
