The patient report: My breast augmentation in Istanbul – Report from Wednesday, 6 January 2016

Hello everyone, I am 28 years old and I had wished for a breast enlargement for many years, but I lacked the courage and the necessary money. Through acquaintances of my partner I became aware of Medical Travel on the internet, and from the very beginning the website seemed very trustworthy to me. So I made an enquiry and was contacted shortly afterwards by email. I spoke several times on the phone with a very nice and competent employee of Medical Travel. She organised everything necessary for me and contacted my planned surgeon on my behalf, as I still had various questions regarding work and behaviour after the operation. Within two weeks I received the contract and my travel pass with all the important information. As my partner accompanied me for the operation and we had already been to Istanbul many times together, we searched for and booked the flight and hotel ourselves, so only the treatment in the hospital was organised for me.

22 November 2015. Now the time had come and our journey to Turkey began. After arriving safely at the airport in Istanbul, we went straight to the information desk of the Acibadem Hospital, where other patients who had booked treatment were already waiting. This meant there was a shared transfer, but for us the waiting time was too long, so we went to our hotel by taxi ourselves. The next morning, punctually at 8.00 a.m., we were picked up by our driver and taken directly to the hospital, and shortly afterwards my interpreter welcomed us. She spoke fluent German. The hospital was very impressive for me, I work in a hospital in Switzerland in nursing and therefore pay great attention to hygiene and cleanliness. However, there was nothing to criticise, on the contrary. The hospital is very modern and equipped with the latest technology. My partner and I had to wait about an hour in the cafeteria because my room was not yet ready. My nervousness slowly started to show, even though it was not my first operation. However, I was so happy and excited about my new bust.

Before I could move into my hospital room, I had a preliminary examination with my surgeon, Prof Dr F Demirkan. From the very beginning he seemed very likeable, competent and experienced to me. My interpreter translated everything into German for me, but my partner, who speaks Turkish, could understand everything directly. I was able to express my wishes well and felt understood, so nothing could really go wrong.

I was then able to move into my room, which was very large, clean and modern. A nurse took a blood sample and an IV line was already inserted, everything was done very well. An anaesthetist informed me about the anaesthesia, but this was all clear to me as I work in the field. We had to wait about three hours for my operation, I was given surgical clothing and anti thrombosis stockings and was then taken to the operating theatre. I was given something for my nervousness, which made me a bit sleepy, and shortly afterwards I fell into a deep sleep. I woke up in the recovery room with severe pain and feeling a little sick. The staff took excellent care of me. Back in my room I was very happy to see my partner again, who had already been informed about my condition by the surgeon. As I was not feeling well due to the severe pain, my partner stayed with me overnight. He was well looked after with food and drinks.

The night was long and I needed painkillers and help to get up, as it was impossible to do it on my own. The next morning the ward round already took place, the doctor was very satisfied with how things were progressing and I was able to see my new bust for the first time. I was speechless, at first I thought it was too big because everything was still very swollen. I felt very strange and was still suffering from severe pain. I was already wearing the support bra, which was very tight, as it had to be. This meant my breathing was very restricted and I could hardly move properly. I had drains under both armpits, which bothered me a lot and also greatly restricted my movements. However, you accept this. I was allowed to leave the hospital at midday, unfortunately still with the drains as they were still draining a lot of fluid. I was given medication for the pain and antibiotics for five days, which my interpreter organised. I still felt very tired and weak and was in a lot of pain. My partner took great care of me. I needed his help with many things. I was not able to dress or wash myself in the hotel and I could not get out of bed on my own. I cried often, it was a great test of patience for me. I slept very badly at night, could hardly move and had to sleep on my back. My partner often had to be woken up, he was incredibly understanding and patient with me. The drains had to be emptied by my partner when they were full. We had to record the amount for the surgeon. It was very unusual for me that a patient is discharged with drains. My partner did this without hesitation or disgust. At this point a big thank you to him, I love you. On Thursday I had to go to the first follow up appointment in the presence of my interpreter. One drain could be removed, hooray. The other was still draining too much and therefore had to stay until Friday. Just a short note, I had to spend almost the whole week with the drains during the day. That meant walking in the street and eating in restaurants with them. I therefore wore large clothing so that no one could see them.

The days were always accompanied by severe pain. I asked my surgeon why I was in so much pain. He told me that since I am very slim, have hardly any fatty tissue and the skin therefore stretches a lot, this is almost normal. I previously had cup size AA and now a B, so I was a little reassured. I slowly started to feel like I was being too whiny. On Friday I had to go back to the hospital, and at first he did not want to remove the drain because there was still a lot of fluid. But as we were travelling home again on Saturday, he then removed it after all. The removal was very painful. At my request my surgeon removed all the dressings so that I could see the stitches. Everything looked wonderful and he then applied fresh dressings. What was very annoying, however, was that we had to pay for the dressings and plasters ourselves, and they were not exactly cheap. Well, that is how it is.

Now, four weeks after my breast enlargement, I can only say that I am extremely satisfied. The pain and suffering were well worth it. A big thank you to everyone at MedicalTravel and to all the staff in Istanbul and to Prof Dr F Demirkan for the excellent care and treatment. You have fulfilled a very big wish for me.

To all those who are still considering it and are afraid to do it, gather your courage. I can only recommend it to you, it was my best decision.

Kind regards Reina L.