Patient Review
My surgical report and the course of the following days (September 4th to 15th, 2024, Istanbul) – Breast and Abdominal Lift & 360 Degree Body Lift
Wednesday, 4th September 2024
09:30 AM – Arrival at the Clinic:
I was picked up from the Livinton Hotel just after 9 AM and taken to the clinic. The transfer took about 10 to 15 minutes, and both the hotel and the hospital are located on the Asian side of Istanbul. I was greeted by the interpreter, Imran, a very friendly 60-year-old woman, in front of the main entrance. Together, we went to the registration desk, where my passport was copied, and some documents were signed. The reception informed us that the room was still being cleaned and would take about half an hour to three-quarters of an hour. However, just a few minutes later, we were picked up and could check into the room. The room in the hospital was very nice and spacious, with two rooms and two bathrooms, resembling a suite. The room was decorated in dark blue and wood tones, which created a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. I felt very comfortable there. After a while, Prof. Dr. Kayiran came directly to my room, greeted me, and took more photos. He marked the surgical areas on my body and, in the end, set the air conditioning to 20.5 degrees. He explained that a cool room temperature after the surgery is important to avoid bleeding. Around 12 PM, I was taken to the operating room.
10:00 PM – Waking Up in the Recovery Room:
I woke up at 10 PM, feeling extremely cold and shivering. The procedure, which was initially supposed to last 6 hours, had stretched to 9 hours. Prof. Dr. Kayiran performed a 360-degree body lifting before focusing on the right breast, where he had attempted to remove the previously discussed fibroadenoma. However, it was so large (5.5×2.7×2 cm / 13.7 g) that it couldn’t be fully removed. Prof. Dr. Kayiran first placed a 300-gram implant in the right breast but had to remove it again because the blood circulation was compromised. The circulation had collapsed, and to avoid any pressure on the breast, the implant was removed. He then treated the left breast and finished the surgery. During the operation, I lost a lot of blood and received a blood transfusion. A catheter was also inserted. Prof. Dr. Kayiran announced that he would inform me about the details the next morning.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
3:00 AM – Complications:
During the night, I noticed heavy bleeding from my right breast. The nursing staff informed Prof. Dr. Kayiran, who confirmed by phone that everything was normal. The bleeding continued to be monitored. Communication with the nursing staff was via Google Translate, which, to my surprise, worked very well.
5:00 AM – Further Examination:
Prof. Dr. Kayiran was contacted again, and blood tests were carried out. He confirmed once more that the results were at the borderline but still acceptable, reassuring me that bleeding after such a procedure is normal. He also mentioned that the blood thinner used during the surgery could have contributed to this.
9:30 AM – Doctor’s Visit with Mr. Gökhan İzlisu:
Prof. Dr. Kayiran entered my room with the interpreter Mr. Gökhan İzlisu, whom I knew from Switzerland, to explain the course of the surgery. During the procedure, the blood circulation in the right breast was disturbed, which caused the complications. Prof. Dr. Kayiran explained that without removing the implant, the right breast could have been lost. Due to the significant blood loss, I received a blood transfusion. Despite the complications, Prof. Dr. Kayiran remained optimistic that the situation would stabilize. The breast was lifted from a length of 32 cm to about 21-22 cm, which is a reduction of around 10 cm. I was not in a critical condition during the surgery, but due to the blood loss, I required the transfusion. When asked if the removal of the partial fibroadenoma caused the complications, Prof. Dr. Kayiran responded that this was possible, but not necessarily the cause. I didn’t experience severe pain, only discomfort when moving, which I largely avoided. The nursing staff took excellent care of me, and I felt well looked after.
in good hands. In the afternoon, I was allowed to get up for the first time, with assistance.
5:00 PM – Medication Intake:
I was given medication to prevent thrombosis and to thin the blood. The nursing staff informed me that this medication could cause allergic reactions, and I should contact them immediately if I experienced a rash, itching, or difficulty breathing. Fortunately, I tolerated the medication without any issues.
Despite the initial optimism, a later examination in the afternoon revealed that the right nipple was not receiving enough blood supply and had started to turn blue.
5:30 PM – Further Examination:
Prof. Dr. Kayiran visited me again, as he was concerned about the images of my right breast. The right nipple was not receiving enough blood supply and had turned blue, indicating that the top layer of skin might be at risk of dying. To prevent this, Prof. Dr. Kayiran slightly opened the incision, but this caused even more bleeding. He suspected that I might need a blood transfusion during the night and ordered hourly checks by the nursing staff. Due to the blood thinner I had received, I was given medication to stop the bleeding.
During the second night, from Thursday to Friday, the nursing staff monitored the right nipple hourly. They cleaned it, applied antibiotic cream, and sent photos to Prof. Dr. Kayiran for review. I was still not allowed to get up on my own, but my values remained stable. Prof. Dr. Kayiran also explained that depending on the progression, another surgery might be necessary the following day. For safety reasons, I had to remain fasting. He was also surprised that the breast was bleeding all around, yet the nipple itself wasn’t receiving enough blood. Such complications are usually expected with larger weight losses, where the breast hangs more than 32 cm.
Friday, September 6, 2024
11:00 AM – Second Surgery:
Since the blood circulation in the right nipple did not stabilize, Prof. Dr. Kayiran decided to perform a second surgery. The atmosphere was hectic, and I was quickly taken to the operating room, where the breast was reopened and checked again. The surgery went according to plan, and I was brought back to my room at 1:00 PM. Prof. Dr. Kayiran did not observe any significant changes during the surgery and was relieved that there were no serious complications. After the surgery, I recovered faster and felt less cold than after the first procedure. I remained under constant observation as the situation around the right breast was still critical. The nipple had not been receiving sufficient blood, which led to the complications.
9:45 PM – Visit
Andy, my husband, visited me, which meant a lot to me. His presence gave me a lot of strength during this challenging time, and it was comforting to have someone close to me by my side. The visit was a welcome distraction from the medical challenges I was facing. He stayed with me until Monday morning, and this time really helped me stay morally strong and think positively. It was a valuable support during my recovery.
10:00 PM – Medication Intake:
During the night, I developed an itchy rash on my back after receiving medication for thrombosis. The rash was immediately treated with an antihistamine.
Saturday, 7th September 2024
Morning – Bleeding and Examinations:
In the morning, I noticed fresh blood at the rectal area. Further examinations, including an X-ray, showed no serious abnormalities, except for an increased amount of air in the abdominal cavity, which was normal after such an extensive surgery. Prof. Dr. Kayiran suspected that I might also be losing blood due to my menstruation, which began on that day. He examined all the wounds again and was optimistic that my right breast would stabilize. However, there was a possibility that the top layer of skin might die, which would require another surgery (skin graft).
2:30 PM – Blood Test:
Prof. Dr. Kayiran came by again. A blood test showed low levels, indicating a possible infection.
4:00 PM – Follow-up Blood Test:
Another blood test was conducted, followed by a mild fever. Prof. Dr. Kayiran then recommended a blood transfusion to increase the low levels.
9:10 PM – Blood Transfusion:
I received a bag of blood, and the process took about 2.5 hours. Afterward, I felt a bit better.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
2:15 PM – Doctor’s Visit:
Prof. Dr. Kayiran expressed his satisfaction with the progress but emphasized that I could not be discharged yet, as the right breast still needed to stabilize. However, he was confident that full recovery was possible. My values were stable but not yet ideal.
Monday, September 9, 2024
Discharge from the Clinic:
On Monday, it was decided that I could be discharged to the hotel. However, Prof. Dr. Kayiran did not remove the drains, as my body still needed time to recover and further observations were necessary. I was prescribed antibiotics and painkillers and was scheduled for another examination the following day to determine if I could fly home on Wednesday. I was still not allowed to shower.
1:00 PM – Lunch and Preparation for Departure:
At 1 PM, I received my lunch, which was very tasty. Shortly after, the driver messaged me that he would pick me up from the room in five minutes and that I should get ready. Since I had not yet received any discharge papers or medication at that point, I replied to him. He reassured me and explained that he had already bought the medication and that it was in the car, so I didn’t need to worry. During the drive back, Imran explained all the medications to me again over the phone (antibiotics twice daily for the next 7 days and painkillers Novalgin twice daily for 2 days, then as needed).
In the evening I visited the Bosphorus, where I ate a Turkish specialty called kumpir at Ortaköy Square. It was a wonderful trip, even though I couldn’t walk around much due to exhaustion.
Tuesday, 10th September 2024
10:30 AM – Check-up
Today, I was picked up promptly at 10:30 AM from the hotel and taken to the hospital. Prof. Dr. Kayiran was already waiting in the waiting room. During the examination, the doctor was pleased with the condition of the right breast, saying, “I am happy,” as the breast seemed to be recovering well and should be completely healthy. However, he noticed a significant swelling below the abdomen. Due to this swelling, he decided not to remove the drains yet and to continue monitoring the development. He recommended that I postpone the flight planned for tomorrow and stay a few more days in Istanbul so he could keep me under observation. Prof. Dr. Kayiran mentioned that he had a patient from Switzerland who had to undergo another surgery there due to a misdiagnosis. He wanted to ensure that this wouldn’t be the case with me.
Despite the disappointment of not being able to fly home as planned, I still felt very well cared for and had trust in Prof. Dr. Kayiran. He continued to examine me with kindness and took good care of me, and everything was always perfectly organized. Of course, it was emotionally taxing, but my health takes priority, and I remained optimistic.
Back at the hotel, I called Mr. Serdar Kara from MedicalTravel in Bern, who was already informed by Prof. Dr. Kayiran that I needed to stay a few more days in Istanbul. Mr. Serdar Kara immediately checked whether the flight could be rescheduled to Saturday or Sunday.
4:00 PM – Outing
I wanted to go outside to have something to eat and just started walking without a specific destination. However, this was unsuccessful, and I ended up at City Istanbul Shopping, where I bought something for Julia, Leonie, and also for myself. Afterward, I accidentally ordered two meals instead of one – my Turkish skills still need some improvement. I also had my hair washed at the salon there.
Wednesday, 11th September 2024
On 11th September 2024, I was picked up by my driver at 9:45 AM for a check-up. Dr. Kayiran examined me with great care and referred to my breast as “beautiful.” It’s the first time in ages that a man has told me I have beautiful breasts. The doctor was pleased with the recovery of the breast, which is pink and improving well. From today, I can wear a bra again. The swelling in my lower abdomen has decreased since yesterday, and one drain could be removed, while the other still needs to stay. Dr. Kayiran wants to see me again tomorrow, but as he is attending a conference outside of Istanbul, his colleague, who was also present during the surgery, will conduct the examination and consult with him. Once the drain is removed, I can shower with lukewarm water 24 hours later. On Friday, I will have the last appointment with Dr. Kayiran before my return on Saturday. The follow-up will take place on 5th October in Zug. I feel happy and am looking forward to my new body feeling.
After the doctor’s visit, I went directly to Bagdad Avenue, where the driver dropped me off. I visited two or three shops and had a cold coffee. Afterwards, I wisely took a taxi back to the hotel via the Uber app. I asked the driver to take a short detour to the sea before heading back to the hotel. I can still feel my lower abdomen, but I’m unsure if it’s due to sitting and walking or if it’s coming from the inside, possibly from my intestines or bloating.
On 11th September 2024, after a long break in my hotel room with an hour of sleep, I left at 5 PM heading towards the Süleymaniye Mosque on the European side of Istanbul. The taxi ride there was driven by a driver named Aslan, with whom I exchanged phone numbers and Facebook profiles.
I found the area very touristy and strolled through alleys with shops, drank a pomegranate juice, and bought a lot for Andy, like baklava, an ashtray, and tea. For myself, I bought a turtle as a memento of this special and valuable trip. I walked down to the river to enjoy the view and then took a taxi to cross the bridge so I didn’t have to walk. I also looked around there and enjoyed the view. After 2.5 hours, I wisely decided to take a taxi back to the hotel and benefit from room service, as I was feeling the effort. Aslan messaged me throughout the evening and wanted to drive me back, but I remained cautious. Still, we had a pleasant conversation, mostly through Google Translate.
Thursday, 12th September 2024
This morning, I was picked up again by the transfer service and taken to the hospital. Dr. Dennis examined me. The lump I feel below my breast was explained to me over the phone, with the help of Mr. Gökhan İzlisus, as harmless scar tissue under the skin. The wounds and the breast looked good to her, but unfortunately, she didn’t want to remove the drain just yet. I have another appointment tomorrow, hopefully for the final check-up. After the examination, I returned to the hotel and took a nap for an hour since I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. Around 12:30 PM, I took a taxi to the Grand…
Basar. Although I realized after two hours that I should rest, I had a hard time finding a taxi. It was very hot, and the traffic was heavy. After canceling a ride through the Uber app, I finally found a young taxi driver, about 30 years old, who kept me entertained. However, the return trip took nearly two hours because of the traffic. Back at the hotel, I lay down again to recover. For the evening, I’m not sure yet if I will go out, but maybe I’ll find a place to eat. Tomorrow, I definitely want to stay nearby to avoid the long traffic times. The distances in Istanbul are impressive but also quite exhausting.
Friday, 13th September 2024
The morning after breakfast, I asked my driver what time he would pick me up. He confirmed the pick-up time for 1:30 PM, as the check-up at the hospital was scheduled for 2:00 PM. I decided to go to the shopping center just before noon to get my hair washed. Unfortunately, the shopping center was huge; it was called “Akasya.” I struggled to find a hairdresser after I bought some skincare products for my scars at the pharmacy. I wondered where the hairdresser was, and it turned out he was right next door. The hairdresser wanted to recommend a treatment to me, which I agreed to. Unfortunately, it took much longer than I expected. After finishing at the hairdresser, I returned to the hotel, changed briefly, and was then picked up for my final check-up with Dr. Denise Yoshitao. She took great care of me. The last drain on my right abdomen was removed. Unfortunately, Mr. Gökhan İzlisu was unreachable, but she translated a lot for me using Google Translate. I was instructed to send photos of my right breast every three days, with the contact number still to be provided. I should take care of the breast as instructed, remove and replace the bandage only after showering, and continue applying disinfectants and antibiotic cream to the breast. After showering, I should apply disinfectant to the wound around my abdomen. The belly button remains as it is now, as it depends on the individual’s body structure and how the belly button is positioned during surgery. After the appointment, the driver took me back to the hotel, where I enjoyed a caramel macchiato and rested in my room before heading out to spend my last evening in Istanbul.
After a short break in my hotel room, I took an Uber taxi to Modasil Park. Unfortunately, my drop-off point was high up, where there were two restaurants with a view of the Sea of Marmara. However, this place wasn’t as I had imagined – not lively with cafés, restaurants, and shops to stroll around, but just the two restaurants. I tried unsuccessfully to walk to the promenade but couldn’t find a path and ended up going around in circles. Getting a taxi was also difficult. It seemed quite busy, and there wasn’t a busy road nearby where taxis passed by. I reached my limit, took a break, sat down on the sidewalk, and tried again with an Uber taxi. Fortunately, I got one and drove with the hope of finding a more lively area. However, I didn’t find what I was looking for there either. At least I managed to rest for a bit in a self-service café with a beautiful view before taking an Uber taxi back to the hotel. The trip was exhausting, and my stomach was very swollen. I was glad to be back at the hotel by 7:30 PM and able to rest before my journey home tomorrow.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
I get up after a night without much sleep and go to have some breakfast. At nine o’clock I’m ready at the hotel reception for pickup. My driver picks me up shortly after 9:15. I arrive at the airport around 10:00, check my luggage, and have to wait a long time until boarding around 1:30. I felt fine, but I was very worried because of the severe swelling in my abdomen, which made me feel very uneasy.
The flight went smoothly, and with relief, I landed at Zurich Airport. Andy, Leonie, and Julia picked me up with a rose. The reunion was very gentle. Afterward, we drove straight home. After an hour, Andy took the children back home. When I went to take a shower and Tanja helped me with the care, I lay down for a short rest. At 7:30 pm, after an hour of sleep, I warmed up the dinner Andy had prepared – mashed potatoes and carrots. Then I went back to bed and had a long, restful sleep.
Sunday, 15th September 2024
In the morning, Mr. Gökan finally got in touch with a voice message and answered some of the questions I had asked. I’m supposed to send him pictures of my belly, as he will be with Dr. Dennis all day. He advised me to take care of the Steri-strips while showering. I ask again if I need to cover them with waterproof plaster. I spend most of the morning in bed. Oh, Andy, Leonie, and Julia brought me lunch – pumpkin soup with bread. After they left, I lay down again and later took another shower to wash my hair. I’m looking forward to my family coming by again in the evening for dinner. I also feel more comfortable in the mirror and enjoy being naked without…
the earlier unease.
Despite the initial complications and the difficult phases during the healing process, I am…
glad I chose this path and would choose it again anytime. The transformation has not only changed my outward appearance but also boosted my confidence and self-esteem. This new sense of body has positively impacted my love life and has opened up the opportunity to experience new, beautiful moments with my body.
Regards, M. Meier