Explant Surgery Medical Tourism

Travel for surgery is a real undertaking — not a casual choice. This guide walks through the practical decisions, costs, timing, and logistics so you can plan with realistic expectations.

Pre-travel: WhatsApp evaluation

Before booking flights, send via WhatsApp:

• Photos of current breasts (front, both 3/4 angles, both side profiles, both arms raised)
• Original surgical records if available (implant brand, size, profile, date)
• Current MRI or ultrasound reports if you have them
• List of symptoms or concerns
• Medications, allergies, medical history summary

The surgeon reviews and provides initial assessment, technique recommendation, and quote range.

Visa requirements

• EU passport: visa-free entry to Turkey, up to 90 days
• UK passport: e-Visa online (apply at evisa.gov.tr), approved in minutes
• US/Canada/Australia: e-Visa online
• Other countries: check with Turkish consulate

Typical 10-day stay

1. Day 1 (arrival): VIP airport transfer, hotel check-in, rest
2. Day 2: In-person consultation, photos, pre-op tests, surgical plan finalized
3. Day 3: Surgery day, hospital admission, overnight stay
4. Day 4: Hospital discharge, transfer to hotel, drain management
5. Days 5-7: Hotel recovery, drains removed when output drops
6. Day 8: Final follow-up visit, post-op instructions
7. Day 9-10: Optional light sightseeing or rest, prepare for flight home
8. Day 9 or 10: Return flight

Where to stay

Recommended hotels near the practice

• Hyatt Regency Istanbul Atakoy — 5⭐, modern, walking distance to clinic alternatives
• The St. Regis Istanbul — 5⭐, in Nişantaşı, very close to practice
• Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus — 5⭐, Beşiktaş, 10-15 min by taxi
• Hilton Bomonti — 4⭐, close to Şişli, walking to clinic
• Point Hotel Taksim — 4⭐, comfortable option, short taxi

What to look for

• Elevator access (climbing stairs is hard first week)
• Air conditioning (climate control important)
• Room service (soft food first week)
• Quiet rooms (sleep recovery critical)
• Walking distance OR easy taxi access to clinic

Transfer and transportation

VIP transfer included with most patient packages:

• Airport pickup (IST or SAW) in private Mercedes Vito
• Transfer to hotel
• Hotel → hospital on surgery day
• Hospital → hotel after discharge
• Hotel → clinic for follow-ups
• Return to airport

Eating and recovery comfort

Soft food first week:

• Yogurt, kefir
• Soups (lentil, tomato — Turkish staples)
• Mashed potatoes
• Soft eggs
• Smoothies (don't suck through straw)

Avoid: alcohol (4 weeks), heavy spicy food (first week), heavy carbonation.

Return flight planning

• Most patients fly home day 9-10
• Direct flight strongly preferred
• Aisle seat for easy movement
• Compression stockings for DVT prevention
• Bring saline spray for dry cabin air
• Refundable/changeable ticket recommended

Cost breakdown estimate

For typical international patient (Europe to Istanbul):

• Surgery + anesthesia + hospital: 60-70% of total
• 10 nights accommodation (4-5⭐ hotel): 15-20%
• Round-trip flights (Europe-Istanbul): 5-10%
• Transfer + local transport: 2-4%
• Food + incidentals: 4-6%

Total typically 40-60% of equivalent home-country surgery cost alone.

What to bring

• All original surgical records
• Imaging reports (MRI/ultrasound)
• Medication list (don't bring blood thinners/NSAIDs)
• Compression garments (we provide one but a backup is useful)
• Loose-fitting front-buttoning tops (cannot raise arms first 10 days)
• Compression stockings for flights
• Phone charger, adapter (EU plug)
• Comfortable shoes for hotel walking