I elected to do a facelift , and fat transfer with Dr Safa Manav in Istanbul and I am a patient who has had surgery for liposuction and lip lift and threads in Istanbul before with a different clinic. So it has been very interesting for me to make the comparison. I will not name the other clinic but will say that Dr Manav is streets ahead.
I am only four days into my operation but I am so impressed with everyone who I have come into contact with. Delfe who handles the what’s app while you are in your own country is clear and prompt on what’s app. Upon arriving a driver collected me and the car has tv , WiFi, water and a very polite driver. Then I met Elif ( her full name is Elif bilge yavuz ) and she is your coordinator. She speaks perfect English and understands absolutely everything, is intelligent and empathic and I can entirely understand why Dr Manav took her with him when he set up his win clinic. The woman is a powerhouse. You feel entirely safe in her hands while she navigates getting heart tests and blood tests on the first day so they can establish whether it’s safe to operate.
During the consult I did test Dr Safa Manav by asking him about additional procedures that I didn’t have much interest in and knew I didn’t really need . I wanted to see if the clinic were only interested in the money. He immediately advised me to not do these procedures , that they were unnecessary, and I didn’t need them. And In Fact advised me to never do one of the procedures at all as he could never see me ever needing it. This totally assured me of where the clinic and his priorities lie…with his patients and not with his bank account. I also wanted a dr who ensure that I looked natural as I do not like the over the top look of large lips or extra small nose and I could see that he is very much about keeping things natural. That wa also very important to me. But of course I understand that some patients love this unnatural look.
He was to the point and clear in the consultation. I also had been considering hiring him to also remove old implants at a later stage so we also had a chat about that too.
The morning of surgery I was told I was the only person he was operating on which was also hugely comforting . He came to check on me twice and assured me.
The hospital is faultless. It’s like a five star hotel. I had a private room with en suite and my own nurse from Dr Manav as a well as the hospital nurses taking care. If I pressed the button they came immediately. And they would do constant regular checks on my during the 24 hours I was in the hospital. Even if drugs didn’t need to be administered they still came in to check on me like clockwork.
I had low swelling and low pain, but I think each patient is different. By the evening of that surgery day I was walking around the corridors with no support and even able to watch a film. Which was totally unexpected. But of course I wouldn’t assume you would be the same as everyone heals differently.
I am now back at the Antwell hotel. Each day Elif or her friend Busa come to check on me. The pics which they send back to the dr and check the dressings. And check I’ve remebered to take the daily drugs. A corner comes in daily and she even also asks did I eat something, did I take a walk. The hotel is an apartment hotel. I even have a washing machine and dryer and dishwasher . It’s spotlessly clean , there are nurses in the building and emergency pulls in every room. Smart tv, and controlled heating. There are restaurants , a pool , spa, library, cinema room, roof terrace and even an art room. The staff are amazing. My speaker charging lead broke and the concierge went out to fetch me a new lead. Within an hour. Because I didn’t feel strong enough to go walking around outside. Most of the guests here are patients so you meet people in the corridors , lift, cafe, but if you want privacy that’s also respected.
There is a large mall just a five mins walk , it’s called Emaar mall. It’s a great mall. Two days after surgery I felt well enough to walk around in it for three hours alone. There are also a few cafes near the hotel.
I have not even seen my operation results yet as I am still bandaged up. However from a professional point of view of the team, the cleanness , the way it’s run, the staff behaviour, the accomodation, and transport , I honestly cannot fault it. And I am able to make comparisons because I have been here before and done surgery in Istanbul. This by far outweighs my other experience. And my other experience was not a bad one at all.
I also would like to say that the hospital staff were amazing. I live over seas and have experienced staff in hospitals in my 53 years in many countries. The staff seem to enjoy their work, they seem to truly care. Sadly i have not witnessed this in the uk on the nhs, in India, Cambodia, or in spain. In a world where so many people are chasing fame and fortune on the internet and not interested in normal jobs any more it has been so wonderful to witness people in their 20s who are in the care service industry , working hard and long hours and are enjoying it and doing an amazing job. I cannot be more grateful to witness that. They all deserve an award and far more recognition than they get.
I will eventually write a secondary review when I have recovered , which will be about the results of the actual surgery.
I have not been paid to write this review. I know no one at the Dr Manav clinic. This is an honest review of my own personal experience.
