Patient experiences

How the process works

1. First message. Most patients begin with a WhatsApp message or the contact form: three facial photos (straight-on, profile, three-quarter), your age and country, a brief description of what you are looking for, and any relevant medical history or prior facial procedures. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal personally reviews each enquiry.
2. Assessment. You receive an honest assessment: whether you are a candidate, what kind of resection — if any — would be appropriate, and what alternatives exist. Some patients are advised that this procedure is not the right fit for them; deciding not to have surgery is a legitimate outcome.
3. Consultation in Istanbul. Before surgery, an in-person consultation at the Nişantaşı clinic confirms the plan. Suitability is always confirmed by personal consultation and examination.
4. Surgery and early recovery. The procedure is performed through a small incision inside the cheek, under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, usually with same-day discharge. Plan to stay in Istanbul for at least 3 nights after surgery for follow-up checks and clearance before flying home. The international patient guide and the recovery timeline set out each stage and its timing.
5. Follow-up. After you fly home, follow-up continues by WhatsApp — check-ins at week 1 and week 4, follow-up photos at 3 months and a 6-month follow-up.