Surgical infrastructure
Istanbul is home to:
- Three of Turkey's top university plastic surgery training programmes (Hacettepe, Marmara, Istanbul University)
- The Turkish Society of Plastic Surgery headquarters
- Approximately 60% of Turkey's board-certified plastic surgeons
- The largest concentration of internationally-trained surgeons (US, UK, German fellowships)
For aesthetic surgery generally, and for facial procedures in particular, this concentration matters — surgeons working in this environment have access to peer review, academic discussion, and the volume needed to maintain technical precision.
The Nişantaşı / Şişli quarter
Most established aesthetic surgery practices in Istanbul are concentrated in the Nişantaşı / Şişli district on the European side. This is the city's traditional medical and luxury commercial quarter — quiet, walkable, with abundant cafes, restaurants, hotels, and pharmacies.
Our clinic is on Teşvikiye Caddesi in Nişantaşı, a 5-minute walk from major hotels in the area. Patients can typically reach the clinic from their hotel without needing a taxi, which makes recovery-week movements easy.
What a patient stay looks like
A typical international patient stays 5–6 nights in Istanbul for buccal fat removal:
- Day 1: Arrival, hotel check-in, light dinner, rest.
- Day 2: Morning consultation at clinic, afternoon free.
- Day 3: Surgery day (~4–5 hours in clinic).
- Day 4: Rest at hotel.
- Day 5: Light walking around the neighbourhood, follow-up check at the clinic.
- Day 6: Final check before flight, discharge.
This is the minimum we recommend. Patients combining procedures or wanting more buffer time often stay 7–10 nights.
Practicalities
- Language. English is widely spoken in healthcare and hospitality settings in Nişantaşı.
- Currency. Turkish Lira; major hotels and clinics accept EUR/USD/GBP and credit cards.
- Climate. Mild Mediterranean — comfortable spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Nov), hot summer, mild winter.
- Transport. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50 minutes from Nişantaşı. We can arrange transfers.
- Visa. Most Western passports either don't need a visa or get a quick e-Visa online; UK, EU, US passports get 90-day stays.
Things to do that are safe post-op
Patients often want to make the trip a small holiday. Things that are safe after about day 4 post-op:
- Walking tours of nearby neighbourhoods (Beşiktaş, Cihangir, Galata)
- Bosphorus cruises (sitting; no diving or watersports)
- Café and restaurant visits (soft food)
- Light shopping in Nişantaşı or Beyoğlu
Things to avoid in week 1: hammam visits (heat increases swelling), heavy walking up steep cobbled streets, sun exposure on the face, alcohol.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Istanbul is your clinic on?
European side, Nişantaşı/Şişli district. This is the traditional medical quarter and easy to navigate for international visitors.
Do I need a Turkish phone number?
No. Wi-Fi is universally available, and Turkish SIM cards are inexpensive if you want one (around €20 for two weeks of data).
Not sure if you're a candidate?
Buccal fat pad removal is the right choice only for the right face. Send 3 facial photos (front, profile, three-quarter) and Doç. Dr. Erdal will give you an honest, no-pressure suitability assessment before you decide anything.
Ready to discuss buccal fat removal?
Schedule a free WhatsApp consultation with Doç. Dr. Erdal. Send a few facial photos and your questions — typical response within 2 hours during business hours.