Medical tourism is not a foreign concept anymore. According to a report published by Zion Market Research, the global medical tourism market raked $15.5 billion in 2017 while the figure is expected to grow to $28 billion by the end of 2024. Here, you can find the answers to all your what-ifs for plastic surgery in Istanbul.
The sector is growing by profiting its clients. Cosmetic procedures, such as plastic surgery in Istanbul, are affordable due to the conception of medical tourism. It has ushered in an era of increased provisions of healthcare for almost everyone.
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that 10,607,227 surgical procedures were performed worldwide in 2018 while a total number of 12,659,147 non-surgical procedures were performed. More specifically, the top three procedures performed globally were breast augmentation, liposuction, and eyelid surgery. The plastic surgery trend is on the rise. The same goes for medical tourism. In 2017, 765,000 people from 144 countries travelled to Turkey for the purposes of medical treatment, according to the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council.
Answers to All Your What-Ifs for Plastic Surgery in Istanbul
Here are the answers to all your what-ifs for plastic surgery in Istanbul.
Why Plastic Surgery in Istanbul is the Best Choice?
The Turkish government realizes the importance of providing safe healthcare facilities to all those looking for treatment. In 2003, the Health Transformation Program was launched, which was meant to upgrade and improve the state of the medical sector in the country.
This was followed by other measures such as Health Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2010. The plan aimed to develop a completely new system while establishing “city hospitals.” Four hospitals, under the program, are already operational and many other projects are underway. PPP has allowed the private sector to take part in financing and managing the hospitals. This way, the government will be able to provide better medical facilities to its people.
Furthermore, the geographical position of Turkey puts it at a great advantage. People from around 50 countries can travel to Turkey within four hours. This is all due to the development of the new Istanbul Airports. Lying in both Asia and Europe allows greater accessibility and affordability to everyone.
Is Medical Tourism Safe?
Provided you do your research, the answer is, absolutely, yes. You look up the details of a clinic/hospital even in your home country. So, it’s not that different.
Medical tourism has gotten some bad rap. It’s because some clinics are willing to risk patients’ lives for lower costs. But again, this problem exists almost everywhere. And you’d need to do a little research to overcome any troubles. It can be hard to think about travelling to another country for getting surgery.
Although, for many, it is quite exciting and, rightfully, so. The trip acts as a vacation/healthcare time. But it is understandable if your mind starts to present you with the worst-case scenarios. It happens unintentionally. This guide is meant to make sure that you know exactly what to do if something goes awry while you’re getting plastic surgery in Istanbul.
You will learn to remain calm in every situation, no matter what. It’s because we will be with you every step of the way. And if any problem arises, we’ll overcome it to ensure a smooth journey for you. So, let’s get into it.
What if I Miss My Flight?
First of all, it happens to many of us. So, it’s completely okay. Missing a flight may seem like a dreadful situation. And if you’re already anxious about plastic surgery in Istanbul, this will more than impact your mental state. You might think of all the things that could go wrong as a result. When will I get another flight? Will I miss my surgery day? What’ll become of my travel plan? All these questions could start running through your mind.
So, if this happens, first, you need to take a deep breath. After that, just take out your mobile phone and contact your travel coordinator. Once he/she’s been informed, they’ll check a new suitable date for you. Only after you’ve agreed to the new date, you can contact your airline. Your surgery is going to happen, one day or another.
What if I Can’t Find My Transfer?
It will be rare for you to come across such a situation. We understand that you may be travelling for plastic surgery in Istanbul for the first time. Even if it isn’t your first time, it’s hard to remember all the details if you haven’t lived there long enough. This is why we always provide you with a guide.
A meet and greet representative will be waiting for you at the airport. If it so happens that you can’t find him/her, don’t worry. We have someone else arranged for your help. All you have to do is call the emergency contact number provided by us. Our representatives will get in contact with the driver and lead you. Even if you’re a foreigner, we won’t make you feel like one.
What if I Get Lost?
This is one of the biggest concerns of medical travellers. It is completely understandable. Travelling to another country for treatment can be anxiety-inducing for many people. What troubles one most is the walk into the unknown. Your concerns are absolutely valid.
This is why we have prepared a comprehensive and smooth process for your medical travel. Firstly, your dedicated travel coordinator is going to arrange all the details of your trip. This will take out the hassle of travel planning for you. The only thing you’ll need to do is grab your visa and flight tickets. We’ll make the rest of the arrangements on your behalf.
Before your arrival, you will receive a detailed itinerary of your whole travel for plastic surgery in Istanbul. You’ll also have an informative phone conversation with your travel coordinator. They will outline all the steps and details for your understanding.
When you arrive, your driver will be waiting to pick you up and drop you at the hotel. There, your receptionist will be available for your assistance. They will be at your service during the whole stay at the hotel. Most significantly, your patient relations specialist will be by your side. They’ll be with you during your consultations, discharge, and checkups together with the surgeon.
Until you take your departure flight, you can expect your patient relations specialist to be there. As you can see, all the details will be arranged prior to your arrival. Every step will be planned meticulously by Longevita, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.
What if Something Happens to me When I Get Back to the UK?
Another factor that derails many from opting for medical tourism is this. Patients think that once the surgery is done, they’ll be on their own. And if something goes wrong post-op, the clinics won’t be there to help anymore. This is definitely not true, at least with Longevita.
Our surgeons have malpractice insurance, so you can be at ease. Moreover, the medical travel plan you purchase will include a 12-month aftercare service. We also offer free revision surgeries, if needed. You don’t have to keep thinking about all the things that could go wrong with your plastic surgery in Istanbul. We do our best to make sure that everything goes successfully for you.
What if My Treatment Plan Changes?
It is possible that you might come across this problem. Although there won’t be any drastic changes. Before the surgery, you will have a consultation with your surgeon. In this, he/she will examine you. If you have any concerns, you can share them with the doctor. They’ll listen to you and address any problems.
The surgeon will inform you about any changes that might take place. For your plastic surgery in Istanbul, we won’t proceed with the operation without your confirmation. The change may cause a refund or extra cost for you.
What if My Phone Operator Doesn’t Work When I Arrive at the Airport?
Airports in Turkey have excellent WIFI connections. In case your phone operator doesn’t work, you can use the internet to reach us. There are many different channels of communication that you can use.
There’ll be WIFI at the clinic/hospital and hotel as well. Another option is that you purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card at the airport. With this out of the way, you can take a sigh of relief.
What if I Don’t Get Desired Results or I am not Happy?
This raises the question of how will the clinic be able to help you. Or will they even? If they do offer help, would it mean getting another surgery?
Sometimes people aren’t satisfied with the results of their surgery. In our consultation session, we do emphasise getting across realistic expectations to our patients. However, if they’re still not desirable, we will be following your case with your surgeon within one year after your surgery. And if required, we will take remediating action.
