What are other surgeries?
This section covers medical treatments outside cosmetic surgery, dental care and weight loss surgery. Through our partner hospitals in Istanbul we arrange care in three main areas: orthopaedics, neurosurgery and gynaecology, including fertility treatment. Many of these operations are now done with minimally invasive methods, which aim to reduce pain and shorten the time you spend in hospital.
Because every condition is different, there is no standard package. Your scans and reports are reviewed by a specialist in the relevant field, who recommends a treatment and explains what it involves before you decide to travel.
Who is treatment in Turkey suitable for?
Travelling for treatment may suit you if:
- You have a confirmed diagnosis and recent scans or test results
- You face a long wait for surgery at home
- You are fit to travel before and after the operation
- You can stay in Istanbul for the full recommended period
- You have access to follow-up care, such as physiotherapy, once you return
For urgent or emergency conditions, treatment close to home is usually safer. Your case reviewer will say if travelling is not in your interest.
Orthopaedic surgery
Orthopaedic surgery treats problems with bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Commonly arranged procedures include:
- Hip and knee replacement for advanced arthritis, using modern implants and, in some hospitals, robotic-assisted planning
- Arthroscopy, keyhole surgery for knee, shoulder and ankle injuries such as ligament and meniscus tears
- Spine surgery for slipped discs, spinal stenosis and some cases of scoliosis
Physiotherapy usually begins in hospital within a day or two of surgery, so you are walking safely before you fly home.
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery deals with the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It requires careful planning and specialist equipment, and partner hospitals use tools such as advanced MRI and surgical navigation to guide operations. Treatments that can be arranged include:
- removal of brain tumours using microsurgical techniques
- deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease and some movement disorders
- spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease and spinal injuries
Complex cases are discussed by a team that may include neurosurgeons, neurologists and radiologists before a plan is agreed.
Gynaecology and fertility
Gynaecological care is arranged with privacy and discretion. Options include:
- laparoscopic or robotic surgery to remove fibroids, treat endometriosis or perform a hysterectomy
- IVF and other fertility treatments, including ICSI and genetic testing of embryos where appropriate
- cosmetic gynaecology, such as labiaplasty
For fertility treatment, initial tests and part of the medication programme can often be started at home, reducing your time in Turkey.
How treatment is planned
1. Case review
You send your medical history, scans and reports. A specialist reviews them, and a video consultation can be arranged if needed.
2. Treatment plan
You receive a written plan that explains the recommended procedure, the expected hospital stay and how long you should stay in Istanbul.
3. Tests on arrival
Further tests, such as blood work, scans or an anaesthetic assessment, are done when you arrive to confirm that surgery is safe.
4. Surgery and hospital stay
The operation is performed by the specialist team, followed by monitoring, pain control and, where relevant, early physiotherapy.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery depends on the treatment. After arthroscopy many people walk within a day, while a joint replacement usually needs several weeks of rehabilitation and spinal or brain surgery can take months. You leave with written instructions, prescriptions and a clear exercise or medication plan. Keeping up with physiotherapy and follow-up appointments at home makes a real difference to your outcome.
Preparing for your treatment
Bring copies of all relevant scans, reports and a list of your current medicines. Your coordinator will tell you which medicines to stop before surgery, such as certain blood thinners. If you are having a joint replacement, practising simple strengthening exercises and preparing your home, for example by moving everyday items within easy reach, will help you once you return.
Risks
All surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and reactions to the anaesthetic. Each speciality also has specific risks, such as implant loosening after a joint replacement, nerve injury after spinal surgery, or multiple pregnancy after IVF. Your specialist explains these in detail before you give consent.
Other surgeries in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You share your records and receive a treatment plan. Once you confirm, we book your hospital date and you arrange flights.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport. The hospital stay, tests, surgery, medication, VIP transfers, a translator and meals are included, and a companion can stay with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp, keeps in touch during your recovery and passes any questions to your specialist.
What the Other Surgeries package includes
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Hospital and medical care
Your private hospital room, nursing care, pre-operative tests, consultations with your surgeon, anaesthesia, the operation itself and the medication you take home.
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VIP transfers
A private driver meets you at the airport and takes you between the airport, your hotel and the hospital.
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Translator and companion
A medical translator at the hospital, and a companion can travel with you at no extra cost.
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Meals and comfort
Daily meals for you and your companion throughout your stay.
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24/7 patient coordinator
A dedicated coordinator answers your questions before, during and after your trip, in your language.
Other Surgeries FAQ
Can my case be reviewed before I travel?
Yes. You send your scans, reports and medical history, and the relevant specialist reviews them. You receive a treatment plan, often after a video consultation, before you book anything.
How long will I need to stay in Turkey?
It depends on the treatment. A knee arthroscopy may need only a few days, a joint replacement usually around 10 to 14 days, and major spinal or brain surgery longer. Your plan states the expected length of stay.
Will I have physiotherapy before I go home?
After orthopaedic and spinal surgery, physiotherapy normally starts in hospital within a day or so. You are taught exercises to continue at home, and most patients carry on with a local physiotherapist.
Is it safe to fly after surgery?
Your surgeon decides when you are fit to fly. After joint and spinal surgery, blood-thinning medication, compression stockings, fluids and regular movement during the flight help reduce the risk of clots.
Do you arrange fertility treatment?
Yes, fertility treatment including IVF can be arranged with partner clinics. Many of the early tests can be done in your home country, which shortens the time you need to spend in Istanbul.
What happens if I have a problem after returning home?
Your coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp and passes your questions to the treating team. If you need to be seen in person, they help you arrange local care or, where appropriate, a return visit.
Can a family member come with me?
Yes. A companion can stay with you at no extra cost, which many patients find especially helpful after major surgery.
