Is it safe to get rhinoplasty in Istanbul? I’ve heard if things aren’t done correctly a hanging columella can develop.

When looking for a qualified plastic surgeon, you should do a lot of research on not only before and after photos, but also online reviews from actual patients.  When considering having surgery in another country, you must also take into account travel expenses and logistics as well as how to handle complications should they arise as you will not be nearby your surgeon.

There are many fine surgeons all over the world, the United States included.  If it is a financial issue that is your motivation for travelling abroad for surgery then you need to consider what it will cost you if something does not go correctly and you need repair or even worse, hospitalization home or abroad.  I have patients come to see me from far away but they usually have some sort of support system that is accessible to them following their surgery.  I would suggest that you could probably find some very capable rhinoplasty surgeons in the United States that you would probably nicely connect with. 

Turkey has excellent plastic surgeons and I am sure you could find a good surgeon there.  There are problems with having surgery abroad that you may want to consider.  The expense of travel and staying abroad can really add up.  Also if you need a revision do you want to have to go back for more surgery.  I’m sure there are excellent surgeons closer to you that can provide you with a nice result.

Hello and thank you for your question.  Generally speaking I would not recommend travelling abroad for surgery. It is very important that you thoroughly research your surgeon before committing to surgery. It is a good idea to research your surgeon's educational background, board certification, online reviews, before & after pictures, and speak with anyone who you may know who has had surgery with that surgeon. During your consultation, make sure that you don't feel rushed and make sure that you have adequate time with your surgeon and not just their patient coordinator or nurses. If the majority of your consultation is spent with someone other than the surgeon, this is usually not a good sign. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified expert surgeon who can evaluate you in person.


Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Hmsmith, In general I would council you against going abroad, especially for a rhinoplasty. I have patients come from outside my location on a routine basis but I tell them all that rhinoplasty is a process not a procedure. How the post operative period is managed is very important. They have to agree to follow up appropriately before I'll operate on them. Make sure you see an experienced plastic surgeon that operates on only faces. See the video and good luck!

Rhinoplasty is the most difficult operation to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery, so it's important to choose your surgeon wisely based on extensive experience producing natural results. The follow-up appointments are just as important as the surgery itself, so plan on revisiting your surgeon several times for follow-up appointments. Also important to check  The US State Department travel restrictions for that country.