Questions to ask your plastic surgeon and clinic before booking surgery abroad

Why the right questions matter

Most people would ask a local surgeon about qualifications and aftercare. When surgery is abroad, it is just as important, and some questions become more important: who exactly will operate, where, what happens if something goes wrong after you return and what is included in the price. A trustworthy clinic answers these questions willingly, in writing, before asking you to commit.

Be cautious of pressure to book quickly, discounts that expire within hours, or vague answers about the surgeon or the hospital.

It helps to write your questions down before the consultation and to note the answers as you go. If you are speaking through an interpreter, ask for the key points to be confirmed by email or WhatsApp afterwards, so you have a record in your own language. Bringing a partner or friend to a video call is also useful; a second person often remembers details you missed.

Remember that the consultation is a two-way assessment. The surgeon is deciding whether the operation is right and safe for you, and you are deciding whether you trust this surgeon and team. If a surgeon recommends less than you expected, or advises you to wait, that is usually a sign of careful practice rather than a reason to look elsewhere.

About the surgeon

At New City Clinic, your surgeon is Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, a plastic, oncological and reconstructive surgeon with microsurgical training. You meet him before the operation, and he performs your surgery.

• What is your full name, and what is your specialty? Is it plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery?
• Where did you train, and are you registered with the national medical authority?
• How often do you perform the operation I am considering?
• Will you personally perform the whole operation, or will other doctors take part?
• Will I meet you before surgery, and will you see me after it?
• Can I see before-and-after photos of your own patients with a similar starting point?

About the hospital

Partner hospitals for New City Clinic include Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni University Hospital, all licensed by the Ministry of Health.

• In which hospital will the operation take place, and is it licensed by the Ministry of Health?
• Is there an intensive care unit on site if needed?
• Who gives the anaesthetic, and are they a specialist anaesthetist?
• How many nights will I stay in hospital?
• What happens if I need to stay longer than planned?

About the clinic or agency

In Turkey, organisations arranging treatment for international patients should hold the Ministry of Health’s health tourism authorisation. Ask to see it. New City Clinic holds this authorisation, is registered with TÜRSAB under number 17659 and is certified to ISO 9001, 10002, 27001 and 31000, covering quality, complaint handling, information security and risk management.

Ask who your coordinator will be, whether they speak your language and how to reach them outside office hours.

About the operation itself

• Which procedures do you recommend for me, and why?
• Is there a simpler option that would meet my goals?
• How long will the operation take, and is it safe to combine everything in one session?
• Where will the scars be, and how long will they be?
• What are the main risks for me specifically?
• What result can I realistically expect, and when will I see it?

About implants and materials

If implants are part of your plan, ask for the brand, type, surface, shape and size in writing, and whether you will receive an implant card with the serial numbers. Ask about the manufacturer’s warranty and what it covers. The same applies to any mesh or special materials used. A reputable clinic does not hesitate to name the brand.

About insurance and complications

Every operation has risks, even in the best hands, and results vary from person to person. What matters is how complications are handled. Ask whether complication insurance is included, what it covers, for how long and whether it applies after you return home. Ask what happens if you need a revision.

Complication insurance is included in every New City Clinic package. Ask for the details in writing and keep a copy with your travel documents.

About aftercare

• How long do I need to stay in the country after surgery?
• When are the check-ups, and who carries them out?
• Are compression garments included, and how long do I wear them?
• How will you follow up once I am home, and how quickly do you respond?
• What should I do if I have a problem at home, and what should I tell my GP?
• Will I receive a discharge letter and an operation summary in English?

About your health and preparation

Be completely open about your medical history, including previous operations, medication, contraception, mental health and any problems with anaesthesia. Leaving something out does not make surgery safer; it only removes information the team needs to plan for you.

• Which medical information and tests do you need from me before surgery?
• Which medicines and supplements should I stop, and when?
• How long before surgery must I stop smoking or vaping?
• Is my weight suitable for this operation, or should I lose weight first?
• What precautions will you take against blood clots, before, during and after the flight?

About the written quote

Ask for an itemised written quote before you book. It should list the procedures, the hospital, the number of hospital nights, the hotel nights, transfers, coordinator and interpreter, garments, tests, insurance and the total price, as well as what is not included, such as flights. At New City Clinic you receive this after a free assessment of your photos, usually within 24 hours. The mommy makeover package starts from €4,850.

Check the payment terms, the deposit, how it is held and the cancellation policy.

Compare quotes carefully. A lower headline price can hide extra charges for tests, garments, extra hospital nights or implants, while a package that includes these items may work out simpler and more predictable. If something is unclear, ask for it to be explained in writing before you pay.

Your checklist before booking

• Surgeon’s name, specialty and registration confirmed
• Hospital name and Ministry of Health licence confirmed
• Clinic’s health tourism authorisation confirmed
• Recommended procedures and the reasons understood
• Main risks explained and questions answered
• Implant brand and type in writing, if relevant
• Complication insurance details in writing
• Stay length, check-ups and follow-up plan clear
• Itemised written quote with total price and exclusions
• Time off work, childcare and help at home arranged
• Flights booked only after the surgery date is confirmed

Questions about this topic

More mommy makeover guides

• Choosing a clinicHow to choose the best clinic for a mommy makeover in TurkeySearch for “best mommy makeover clinic Turkey” and every website claims the title. The useful question is which clinic you can verify. Here are the checks that matter and how New City Clinic answers each one.Read the guide →
• Cost & packageMommy makeover cost in Turkey (2026)A clear breakdown of the all-inclusive Istanbul package, what can change the final figure and how it compares with prices at home.Read the guide →
• RecoveryMommy makeover recovery, week by weekWhat to expect from the day of surgery to the final result, and how to plan help at home.Read the guide →
• What is includedTummy tuck, breast lift and liposuction in one operationA mommy makeover is built from a few well-known procedures. Here is what each one does and how the plan is chosen.Read the guide →

Mommy Makeover – Istanbul →