In recent years there has been a massive increase in the amount of people wishing to have cosmetic surgery and it is no longer just for the rich and famous! Many people are choosing to travel abroad for their treatment to access high quality surgery for much less money. In Turkey, popular treatments such as tummy tucks, rhinoplasty and face lifts typically cost between 30% and 50% less than in the UK, other parts of Europe and the US.
Choosing to have treatment abroad raises concerns about quality and standards, but cosmetic surgery is very prominent in Turkey and surgeons work in technologically advanced operating theatres so medical tourists can take advantage of state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery in world-class facilities. Before committing to treatment however it is essential that qualifications, training, and accreditation are verified.
In Turkey surgeons need to have completed a medical degree at a recognised medical college and be registered and certified by the Ministry of Health. Cosmetic surgeons should be members of the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, and may have other national or international accreditations such as International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), the European Association of Plastic Surgeons (EURAPS), The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), and/or The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
Prices are competitive compared with the UK, US and other European countries. A Rhinoplasty procedure - or "nose job" - costs £2,000 at Jinemed Hospital in Istanbul, compared with £3,500 in a UK private hospital/clinic and US$6,000 in the States. A facelift at Jinemed costs under £3,000, compared with around £6,000 in the UK and US$11,000 in the States.
Many cosmetic surgery companies offer packages for treatments, which often include being collected to and from the airport, luxury accommodation, the actual surgery and the hospital costs. When considering treatment in Turkey - as with any treatment abroad - it is vital to get a breakdown of the expenses for the procedures from initial consultation to insemination, and get this in writing. Also ask what the fees include, and ask about the assistant's fees, the cost of anaesthesia, charges for theatre and hospitalisation and any follow-up visits. Look for a clinic or hospital which has international recognition such as ISO 9001:2000(the voluntary standardisation run by a non governmental body where hospitals must pass rigorous tests to be certified).
