Your First Medical Trip to Turkey: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Travelling abroad for medical treatment sounds complicated, but thousands of patients do it successfully every year. Here is exactly how the process works.
Step 1: Free Online Consultation
The process starts with a free consultation — either via WhatsApp, video call, or by sending photos. The clinic's medical team assesses your case and provides a personalised treatment plan with pricing.
**What to send for a hair transplant:** photos of your scalp from the front, top, and sides in good lighting **What to send for dental work:** photos of your smile and a recent dental X-ray if available
Step 2: Booking and Payment
Once you agree on the treatment plan, you confirm your dates and pay a small deposit. The clinic will help coordinate: - Hotel accommodation (usually 2–3 nights for hair transplant, 5–7 for dental) - Airport transfer on arrival and departure - Pre-operative blood tests (often done on arrival day)
Step 3: Travel and Arrival
Istanbul has two major airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Your clinic's driver will meet you with a sign. From there, you go to your hotel to check in and rest.
Step 4: Pre-Op Consultation
On the morning of your procedure (or the evening before), you meet your surgeon in person. They confirm the plan, answer final questions, and mark up the treatment area.
Step 5: The Procedure Day
Most procedures run between 4–8 hours depending on complexity. Hair transplants are performed under local anaesthesia, so you remain awake and comfortable.
After the procedure, you return to your hotel for rest. Most patients feel well enough to go out for dinner the same evening.
Step 6: Day-After Check-up
The clinic will see you the morning after to check your results, perform a first wash (for hair transplant patients), and give you your aftercare kit.
Step 7: Flying Home
Most patients fly home 2–3 days after their procedure. Hair transplant patients are advised to wear a loose-fitting hat on the flight. Dental patients can fly home the same day in most cases.
Practical Tips
- Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that don't go over your head (for hair transplant)
- Download WhatsApp — your clinic will communicate via this
- Carry a small amount of Turkish lira for incidentals
- Your hotel will have Wi-Fi for communication back home
- Istanbul tap water is safe for washing but drink bottled water
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Reputable clinics offer free touch-up sessions if the result is not as expected, and follow-up consultations via video call for months after your return.
