6 Tips to Find the Best Surgeon in Turkey

Turkey, A Popular Destination for Medical Treatments

Traveling for a plastic surgery, whether to take advantage of skill sets which you can’t find at home, or a more affordable price, Is the new normal. Turkey, because of its talented surgeons, great location and affordable prices, is now one of the most popular destinations for plastic surgery.

If you've decided to take the plunge and travel to Turkey for a plastic surgery procedure, you've probably spent a lot of time wondering how to find the best plastic surgeon there. Even if you perform an internet search for phrases like "find the best plastic surgeon in Turkey" or "the best plastic surgeons in Istanbul," there are likely dozens of options for you.

The "One Size Fits All" Approach

Thinking that you can find the "Best Surgeon in Turkey" means that there is a "one size fits all" surgeon who can operate on all patients and provide great results. The truth of the matter is that no one surgeon who can meet the needs of all patients. Even if you're getting the exact same breast implants as your neighbour, you may find that her surgeon may not feel like the right fit for you. What makes sense for your neighbour may not make sense for you.

A Better Approach

Because plastic surgery is an individualised experience where the treatment has to be tailored to your body, your personality and what you feel comfortable with, searching for the “best plastic surgeon in Turkey” may not the best approach. You may be better off searching for the right plastic surgeon for you using a variety of criteria which allow you to correctly assess whether or not a particular surgeon is the right one.

The Best Plastic Surgeon for You

Finding a qualified plastic surgeon can be easier when you look for these minimum criteria:

1. Look for Board Certification in Plastic Surgery

Any plastic surgeon who ends up on your short list should be board-certified by the Turkish Association of Plastic Surgeons (TPRECD). This credentials is an important markers that signal you can trust the surgeon in question to be highly trained and qualified to perform your procedure. This is especially crucial in light of the fact that many untrained doctors are calling themselves "cosmetic surgeons" these days.

2. Study the surgeon's style and approach

In addition to training and medical knowledge, cosmetic plastic surgery requires some artistry as well. The best surgeon for you needs to have a style of work which is in line with your aesthetic goals. Review the surgeon's gallery of before & after photos to get a sampling of his work and see if his results match your aesthetic goals.

3. Speak with the Surgeon's Past Patients

Getting feedback from past patients about their experience is a great way to know what you can expect. Although each person's experience is going to be different, a conversation with someone who has gone through the process can give you clues about what to expect or what to watch out for.

Please note however that reading online reviews is not a substitute for speaking with a real person. In fact, reviews on platforms such as Google, RealSelf and TrustPilot can easily be manipulated, while profiles posing as patients on Facebook Groups could in reality be a person paid to promote a surgeon.

4. Watch Out for "Instagram Surgeons"

Social media has become an essential tool in medical tourism. It is a source of great information which is made readily available for everyone around the world. However this does not mean that you should fall prey to surgeons who are pros at using social media to deceive patients about their real skills. Photoshopped before & after photos, fake influencer patients and fake reviews are all tools used by "Instagram Surgeons" to create their social media image.

5. See If the Surgeon is Attached to a Hospital

While doing your research you will find that some of the surgeons you are considering have their own clinic, while others are hospital employees. Although both independent surgeons and surgeons employed by a hospital can be equally qualified, surgeons who work for a hospital or a medical institution have to meet higher standards of excellence, ethical behaviour and accountability.

If you find yourself unhappy with your results from a surgeon who works out of his/her clinic, you have little to no recourse, while with a surgeon employed by a hospital, you can always bring your grievances to the surgeon's supervisors and to the hospital's administration. This additional level of accountability creates a safer space for patients. Additionally, a surgeon who had had a successful career in a hospital environment is sure to have had a successful track record in terms of surgical outcomes.

6. Use a Medical Travel Consultant

Medical Travel Consultants, like us, can take the heavy load off your shoulders by organising the whole journey in Turkey for you and matching you with a surgeon who meets your requirements and expectations. Because we have been in the medical travel business for years, developing partnerships with the best medical institutions in Turkey we have the ability to negotiate advantageous prices with hand-picked surgeons.

Find a Consultant You Trust

When you find a surgery consultant that you connect with, you'll be able to feel more confident about your surgery and you'll be able to have open honest and important discussions about aesthetic goals, lifestyle, overall health and any questions or concerns that you might have. The right consultant will also outline a realistic timeline for recovery based on your medical history and help you through the recovery process.

Although we don't recommend going with a Turkish medical travel agency/consultant/booking agent because of the massive language and cultural difference you will experience with them, we do encourage you to find a UK consultant who will be able to communicate with you clearly about the level of care you can expect and who will communicate your needs to the surgeon in Turkey in order to ensure the success of your procedure.

UK medical travel consultants, like GoldenSands, can bridge the cultural and linguistic gap between you and your surgeon to make sure that both parties are on the same page.

Contact s today to learn more about how we help you make your treatment in Turkey a success.

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