Consultation with a surgeon in Istanbul: Best Clinics and Costs 2025

My Experience with Bookimed and VM Medical Park Hospital in Istanbul I recently had surgery in Turkey, and I must say, my coordinator Olya was an incredible professional. She was with me every step of the way, always available 24/7, a true angel! Thanks to her, I chose this hospital and Turkey instead of the Czech Republic. Olya’s support was crucial in my decision, and I’m forever grateful to her. Special thanks to our guide Said, who was always available, no matter the time of day or night. He helped resolve every issue between me and the clinic, providing a smooth experience throughout the process. The doctor who performed my surgery, Alperen Koç, was outstanding. From the initial consultation to the operation itself, everything went smoothly, quickly, and painlessly. He’s truly a high-level professional who’s there to treat patients rather than make money off them. I deeply appreciate all of his care and expertise. A week has passed since the surgery, and I feel good, though my vision hasn’t fully returned yet. However, this is normal, and I’m confident that it will improve over time. I can confidently recommend Bookimed and VM Medical Park Hospital in Istanbul. Cons: The main downside of my experience was with the hospital’s billing department. They requested payment in cash, but we were not informed about this before traveling to Turkey. If you want to pay by card, they charge a 20% commission, which is an unreasonably high fee. I’d also like to mention someone named Timur (I don’t remember his last name). In front of patients, he was speaking in Russian with a female colleague, assuming we didn’t understand the language. They said something like, “People are so stupid; it’s hard to work with such dumb people.” This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable in the presence of patients. Such conversations seriously undermine the clinic’s reputation and are inappropriate in a professional healthcare setting. Therefore, I strongly advise anyone planning a visit to clarify all financial and organizational details

At the first consultation, the doctor promised us a 50% improvement in our son’s health, but on the contrary, his condition worsened. When we returned home, he began to get very sick; Perhaps the medications didn’t work and we went to the clinic. Unfortunately, they did not answer us. They did 7 sessions of ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy), which is very dangerous for epileptics, after which convulsive attacks began, which occurred several times a day. I was desperate and didn't know how to help. We had to hospitalize our son at a local clinic. Doctors requested an extract from the NP Istanbul clinic. I received the translation of the extract with difficulty after 20 days. I wrote to the translator about everything and he seemed to report to the doctors of the clinic. I waited a month, I thought that the doctors would get in touch and correct their mistakes and help in some way, but on the contrary, they again offer their services for a fee. I'm in great shock! I do not recommend this clinic to anyone!

Before reading this review I want to make is completely clear that Dr. Ozenlap did a fantastic job. He was always present for anything that happened before and after the surgery. His team are amazing and kind. They take the time to help you. After leaving I have contacted him a few times and he responds right away with voice messages. Returning to Canada my post op nurse said my tummy tuck was one of the best she has seen done in Turkey. I would recommend contacting his clinic directly to arrange a consult and/or surgery as I will when I come for additional services. I highly recommend him. I had dealt with Zeneyp through the entire process and she was really helpful but as the date of my arrival approached it was just a bit more difficult. I did land in Istanbul on April 21st to do some traveling beforehand. A few days before I was to leave I followed up with her about my transportation from the airport. She told me it was too early (4 days) to set up the group chat. I then checked in with her the night before I flew out where I got the information. During our messages I confirmed with Zeneyp what my check in and out days would be since I was there a few days before hand. She confirmed I would check out April 24th and return on April 27th to the hotel (as outlined in my iteintery) I messaged the group chat on the 23rd asking when I would be picked up and was told I was not being picked up until the day of surgery of April 25th. I was ultimately charged for this date. When being admitted to the hospital on the 25th I was informed that the anesthesiologist would not go ahead because of the Lithium I take without it being in my system. One of my first messages with Zeneyp was the medications that I take. I was even asked to clarify my use of another medication so I know thought these would be recorded during the intake. While Canada will operate I understand that Turkey does not. If I had been made aware of this I would have received guidance from my doctor if I needed to stop the medication before I left for Turkey. Brining this up to Zeneyp she said that the anesthesiologist doesn’t know beforehand and this is how it works. I am certain that a surgeon and anesthesiologist would look at a file before preforming a surgery, like when it gets approved by the surgeon. Not when they’re walking into the hospital. Notifying the surgeon, etc of meds would have been her job and I Would be pretty confident that she erred in this. I would make sure that all your medications are checked before you leave for the long travel to Turkey so you are not delayed or worse yet, turned away. I was originally scheduled for a tummy tuck with Dr. Emre Ozanlap on April 25th, which was then delayed to April 28th because information about medication I take was not given to him prior to my arrival in Turkey. I was not provided with any reason on why there is no discussion between medical professionals prior to a decent size surgery. No matter how I tried to get a better explanation she would not give me one. This ended up with me having to pay an extra 3 days for the hotel (6 if we include both of the hospital arrival dates that were outlined) and a new flight home. **surgery happens** A couple days after my operation I go for my check up and your medical coordinator, Hisham, asked me about if I was getting lymphatic massages and was surprised I hadn’t been offered any. I was then contacted by Zenyep afterwards and set one up. During my initial massage the nurse was getting my incision tape contaminated (proper health measures were taken by her). I asked if this was ok and she said yes. I scheduled one for the next day and when the nurse saw the dirty tape she got on the phone with Zenyep. They spoke in Turkish so I don’t know what was said. The nurse fully took off my tape and told me Zeneyp would come by sometime with tape and I agreed I could re tape it once I got it. I waited a while and touched base with her with no response so I went and found a pharmacy for the tape because I flew out in a couple hours and did not want my incision just open. I later received a message that it was Sunday and the pharmacy’s were closed. Upon me telling her I just left a pharmacy she told me it was her day off. She was prepared to have me leave with an open incision while traveling over 18 hours. That was my last interaction with her. During the whole entire time she was never was accountable, apologetic or even empathetic. Always dodging any questions for clarification but basically saying “this is the way” The lack of due diligence by her or Doctor K Clinic as a whole could have left me in a worse situation physically than the inconvenience of the financial situation I find myself in. I do not recommend using their service for booking your surgeries. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE ABOVE REVIEW OF DR. OZENLAP.

I was impressed by the quality and care Hospitaprime provided before, during, and after surgery. The staff was always available to answer my questions. Many of the services were inclusive and free of charge, such as provided transportation and consultations.

I really liked the entire organization of my treatment, starting with the search and offer of a clinic, the organization and coordination of the trip itself. The coordinator from Bookimed, Tatyana, was always in touch and answered all our questions on time. Upon arrival at the airport, we missed (through no fault of our own) the taxi that was supposed to take us to our already reserved hotel. But Tatyana was able to coordinate all the actions so that we easily got to the hotel. Later we called our medical coordinator from the “Veni Vidi” clinic, Olga, who was in touch with us all the time, both during the consultation with Dr. Firat HELVACIOGLU, and during treatment (keratoconus). Olga was ready to translate our conversation (Turkish-Russian languages) with the doctor, but since Doctor Firat speaks excellent English, in which it was more convenient for me to communicate, there was no need for translation. Overall, we are pleased with both the trip and the attitude of the medical staff towards us. We express our gratitude for all this to both Tatyana and Olga. But, as the Doctor informed us, the final results of the treatment will be clear in approximately three months, Alikhon Mamatov

I'm very satisfied, the clinic is clean and modern, the doctor is attentive and competent, the result suits me 100%, I recommend it!

1. The service provided is fully consistent with the highest standard. Everything was on time, no delays. Meeting/seeing off from/to the airport, check-in at the hotel, stable communication with the curator-translator and doctor, answers to any questions and requests. +++ 2. The dentist is attentive and fully completed the treatment program. 3. Bookimed made my task very easy. I recommend. Hana Oct. 2023