Experience report Tanja S., surgery date 8 October 2019 with Prof. Dr. Yazar, Acibadem Maslak

In December 2017, I had my first rhinoplasty with Prof. Dr. Yazar. As the healed result did not fully match the aesthetic I had envisioned, I decided on a follow-up procedure. I deliberated for a long time whether to have the revision done by another surgeon or to go back to Mr Yazar. For this, I even went to Vienna to consult a well-known surgeon. After just a few minutes, he told me he could not and would not improve it. I was devastated. I had travelled all the way from Switzerland to Vienna, only to receive this crushing feedback. The intermediate result had already improved significantly from the original, but my nasal tip was crooked after healing, which I could not live with.
So I decided to schedule another consultation with Mr Yazar in Switzerland. The conversation was such a relief! He said directly that if I was not satisfied, they would adjust it. He emphasised that patient satisfaction was important to him. After that, my decision was clear: my revision surgery would take place in Turkey with him.

Since I already knew from my first experience with Swiss Medical Travel how everything would proceed and was already familiar with the clinic, my concerns were significantly smaller compared to the first time. Of course, one has some worries regarding the procedure – after all, every surgery carries a risk. However, my concerns were by no means about the organisation or the surgeon’s ability.

My surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, 8 October 2019. The anaesthesia assessment therefore had to take place on 7 October. I booked a flight for my husband and me on Sunday morning, so we even had time for a bit of sightseeing. Istanbul is absolutely worth visiting, so if possible, explore the city!
In my case, communication with MedicalTravel always worked best via WhatsApp. Mr Kara and his colleague responded very quickly and competently every time. The only downside I can mention was the transport from the clinic back to the hotel. After the anaesthesia assessment, no driver was available. Unfortunately, the interpreter assigned to us was also not there, so after a 2.5-hour wait, we took a taxi back to the hotel. We noted the fare and it was reimbursed. Aside from the waiting time, this was not a problem.
Based on my two experiences with Swiss Medical Travel and a surgery in Istanbul, I can say that this was an unfortunate coincidence and not the norm. Otherwise, the entire organisation always worked wonderfully. At this point, I would also like to give a big compliment to the interpreter Esra. She is a very competent, caring, and friendly person. She provided excellent information and was always reachable by phone – even for my husband during and after the operation.

My first nose surgery was a much bigger procedure, so the healing process back then was also longer than this time. Now, 20 days have passed, and apart from the fine scars at the nostrils, nothing is visible at all. After the first procedure, I didn’t dare leave the hotel room for a second, as I was still completely swollen and had a rainbow-coloured face. This time, that only lasted the first 2–3 days after the operation. The pain in both cases was absolutely manageable – practically non-existent thanks to the medication.
Of course, you need to be careful; bumping your nose can hurt a lot and, of course, affect the result. You should give yourself enough time and be willing to refrain from certain activities. Since the healing process was already very well advanced after a few days, we were able to go out a few times and take short walks. On 14 October, my plaster cast was removed, and I saw the result. Please don’t be unsettled by this – the nose still swells significantly, and you see very little of the final result at first.
Tip for the first days after surgery: cool your face (but not the nose – carefully around it) to control bruising and swelling; it is extremely relaxing! Also, use the nasal rinse as often as possible (the clinic provides the spray) and don’t overuse the nasal spray (it can create dependency quickly). Don’t be worried if you cannot smell or taste anything for several days – it will return. After my first operation, this unfortunately lasted a long time and scared me a lot, but it does come back!
And try not to let the faster healing processes described online influence you. That drove me crazy the first time. Every surgery and every body is different. Take your time!

In conclusion, I can warmly recommend MedicalTravel, Mr Yazar and his team, the clinic, and Istanbul. The clinic was already incredibly modern and beautifully designed even before the second building was constructed. The nurses are highly competent and incredibly friendly. You are in the best hands with them. The hygiene standards, as far as I could assess as a patient, are excellent, and overall, you don’t need to worry about anything being lacking there compared to Switzerland!