POSTED UNDER Revision Rhinoplasty Reviews
Revision rhinoplasty and breast augmentation - I barely had any bruising
ORIGINAL POST
BEST Decision of my Life! If You Are Hesitant About Traveling to Istanbul or Going to Dr. Guray, Read This Review!
WORTH IT
I could not be happier with my results and my entire experience with Dr. Guray! I initially chose Dr. Guray because I needed both a revision rhinoplasty and a breast lift with implants and his work for both looked beautiful, so he was my obvious first choice. I communicated with one of his coordinators via WhatsApp and initially was a little concerned about this being my only communication with them as I was flying from the US and had no idea what I was getting myself into. They also told me I would be paying in all cash, which is actually the standard in Turkey but didn't realize this at the time (you can pay with CC but with 10% fee which adds up). I decided after reading many reviews on RealSelf just trust that all would be well and I'm SO GLAD that I did! I want to leave as many details as possible in this review to hopefully ease any worries of anyone considering traveling to Turkey, and will also post progress pictures in a few months when my results are more visible! So here is how my experience went:
Dr. Guray's coordinators provided very clear instructions from the time we landed about where to exit the airport to meet our driver to what the schedule until surgery would be. The driver was waiting with a "Vanity" sign exactly where they said he would be and even took our bags for us straight to the van which was only a 1 min walk away. The driver didn't speak much English but there's not really a need to communicate as the coordinators are always available on Whatsapp to answer any questions about the process. I will also add that on the Asian side of Istanbul (which is where you are staying) that not many people speak English outside of the hotel. However if you or your guest ever trek to the European side (which I highly suggest) almost everyone there speaks English. Anyways, the drive was about 50 minutes from IST to the hospital and I got my bloodwork done which only took about 5 minutes. I was also very impressed with the nurse who took my blood as I have tiny veins and it takes most people a few pokes to get the needle in and he did it on the first try! We then got back into the car and checked into our hotel.
The hotel, the Mercure, is very close to Vanity which is definitely a plus. On the way to Vanity it's about a 7 minute drive but the drive back to the hotel from Vanity is only 2 minutes, which was such a relief after surgery. The hotel is also included in the cost of surgery and comes with a free breakfast buffet every morning for you and your guest. The breakfast buffet was actually very good and I was super impressed with all of their selections every day. I also normally don't eat bread but the Simit's (a turkish bagel) and croissant's were so delicious I ended up getting them every morning! The hotel room itself is pretty small. If you are wanting more space I would mention that in advance so they can book you a bigger room. The room also has a mini fridge for those wondering (I did) because I have dietary restrictions so I brought a lot of my own food. It also has a safe and a tv, but it really only has Turkish channels. But the wifi was great! I would recommend bringing a laptop or iPad so you have something to do while recovering after surgery. Also if you are American, don't forget you need Type C power adapters!! My only other complaint about the hotel was there were no ice machines in the hallway. Every time you needed ice you had to call room service and sometimes they would forget so I would have to call back and it sometimes became a 2 hour event. Also, because I'm American, I felt the need to tip every time I got ice so it ended up costing me around $5 a day just to get ice which obviously isn't ideal post op for it to be so difficult to just get ice. The ice also comes in various plastic bags, but none that were really great for icing your face. That being said I would bring a few reusable ice pack bags with you. I didn't think to do this, but it would've been SO NICE to have. Luckily I made a very nice DIY ice bag with socks I wasn't using which I guess you can do too. Other than that, the hotel was great. I was actually super impressed by the room service as well. They don't take your CC when you check in so either exchange some Turkish $$ when you land or tell the room service operator that you are paying with credit card when you call so they bring the CC machine up with the food. The housekeeping was also very friendly and checked every day if I needed anything. Also the tap water is Turkey is safe to drink which was really nice so I didn't have to keep buying or requesting water. Overall, my hotel experience was great. I'm usually a hotel snob and considered making my own arrangements but I'm honestly glad I didn't because the Mercure ended up being fine and the proximity to the cosmetic surgery is ideal. The area surrounding the hotel is also very walkable and the nearest metro stop is only about a 10 min walk away if your guest wants to explore while you are recovering.
The morning of my surgery the van picked up me and my friend as well as 2 other girls from the hotel. We were taken to vanity and put into our own room where we did all of the paperwork and settled payment. I then had my consultation with the doctor. I was very nervous traveling all the way to Turkey with no prior consultation or discussion of the surgery with him, but I had read so many reviews and seen his work so trusted I was in good hands. Dr. Guray is SO NICE and made me feel so comfortable. I told him what I wanted, and even showed him my inspiration pictures (which I highly suggest doing so he can see exactly what you want) and he told me what was realistic and what was possible from my current facial/ breast shape to what I wanted. He also addressed any complication we might run into since this was my second rhinoplasty and was very clear about potential risks of the implants I chose etc. He made me feel like he understood what I wanted and would do his best to achieve those results which eased all my nerves.
I will say there was one negative thing about my experience. After my consultation with Dr. Guray, which was an hour before my surgery, I was informed that I needed a breast lift as well which wasn't included in the initial cost of surgery. LUCKILY I had the money in my bank account, so after the consultation they brought me back into my room and told me I had to pay the additional. Since I only brought the amount of cash they told me I needed for my surgery, I had to pay the additional with my credit card along with the 10% fee. Even though I TOLD THEM I needed a breast lift, they had decided I didn't judging from the TWO pictures that I sent on Whatsapp and that I just needed implants. Only for them to tell me when I got there that I actually needed a lift. This was frustrating for a few reasons:
1. I thought I was getting the lift the entire time because I mentioned it many times in the Whatsapp conversation. It was because of the language barrier on WhatsApp that there was poor communication that they priced me for only the breast augmentation without the lift.
2. I had to pay the additional 10% CC fee since I didn't have the additional lift cost in cash. This was frustrating because I would've just brought more cash if I had known this was a possibility and saved myself from spending even more money that I wasn't planning on spending. Felt like I was having to throw money away over a miscommunication.
3. Luckily I had the money, I wondered what they would've done if it wasn't in my budget and I couldn't pay for the lift. I guess maybe they would've done a payment plan? I'm not really sure because I didn't ask, but I hate to think of what would happen to someone who didn't have the additional money. So ASK if you are tight for money if they is any possibility of additional charges you should be aware of that may be incurred on the day of your surgery.
That being said, if you are in the same position as me and KNOW you need a lift make sure you send a lot of pictures and also be very clear that your surgery includes the cost of a lift in the price. If they insist that you don't, just please be prepared when you get there to spend extra $$$ if they change their mind upon seeing you in person.
Back to the positives! After your consultation they take you upstairs to your recovery room. I read another review where someone commented that Vanity was run down? Which isn't true. It looks just like any other medical center. I'm not sure what hospitals look like in other countries but if it's something out of Grey's Anatomy then have low expectations and don't expect some glamorous hospital room. To me, it looked like every other hospital or medical center in America and I honestly thought my room was super nice. I had the room to myself with a comfy remote controlled hospital bed, a bedside table, a tv, a huge sofa, and a wardrobe chest with a safe for your valuables and a closet area to hang your clothes and put your bag. You also have your own bathroom with a shower, sink, mirror and there are emergency buttons and cords everywhere incase you fall or need assistance. I am also a planner and packed a suitcase full of things for my room, and here are the things I HIGHLY recommend bringing:
- A 10ft or longer phone charging cord (with a Type C adapter if you're American). Your bed is most likely not going to be within reach of the charging cord so this was great for me to have so I could use my phone in my hospital bed without having to worry about it dying.
- A computer or iPad to watch shows (with charger/ extension cord and Type C adapter) also noteworthy that I had shows and movies predownloaded. I saw they had wifi at Vanity but I never connected it so I'm not sure how good it is (I'm sure it's fine). There's a tv in your room but I think it only has Turkish channels, but I also never turned that on either.
- STRAWS. I had these reusable rubber ones that I got on Amazon but if you are getting your boobs or nose or BOTH like me, having straws was such a game changer. You are sore after surgery so lifting your glass (boobs) is not ideal and (for nose) tipping your glass and possibly hitting your nose is also not ideal.
- Snacks!! I am also a food/ ingredient snob and although the food they bring you is probably fine for most, if you have any food allergies or preferences I would bring your own snacks to have just incase. I was CRUSHING the baby food pouches that I brought. They make so many yummy flavors of pouches like apple, pear, apple pear banana, apple banana blueberry, pumpkin apple etc etc. so you are bound to find a flavor you like. You have to take most medication with food in your stomach and I'm not a big morning eater, so being able to have the pouches which were quick, accessible, easy, delicious, and nutritious were a god send. I ended up sending my friend to the grocery store multiple times to get more. I also brought 2 boxes of crackers with me, bananas (easy to chew and good source of Vitamin C), and airborne to put in my water, because Vitamin C helps with recovery. I couldn't taste after my nose job so I was more concerned with the nutrients I was putting into my body and not eating a lot of sugar, dairy, or gluten (things that will inflame you and prolong recovery). The dinner definitely had more variety, but the breakfast was simply two rolls with butters, jam, and some yogurt drink, so I'm glad I had my own snacks. So long story short I would bring anything that you think would be good or nutritious that you would want for your post op hospital meals.
- Water or a reusable water bottle! You have a button to call the nurses but it's a very loud alarm sounding noise that makes it sound like you're having a medical emergency which felt dramatic to use when I just needed water. The nurses were lovely but they weren't as attentive to your water supply as they probably should be, but granted they have a lot going on. I brought 2 plastic bottles from the hotel as well as my own reusable bottle which was a godsend. Like I mentioned earlier, the tap water in Turkey is safe to drink so I would just get it from the sink in my bathroom.
- Headphones, I never used mine but almost did because sleeping in the hospital at night can be a little loud. You can hear whenever someone pushes their nurse button and that was going off pretty much all night and waking me up.
- Pill organizer. If you are taking pre/ post op vitamins (which you should look into if you aren't planning on it). These vitamins made SUCH A DIFFERENCE for me! After my first rhinoplasty I had bruising for almost a month, but having taken the vitamins before and after surgery (plus icing) I barely had any bruising this time around and the minimal bruising I did have went away after 5 days. And I bruise very easily! The pill organizer is good for after surgery so you're not having to open and close a bunch of vitamin bottles and then it's also less to pack in your hospital bag. I went ahead and put my morning, afternoon, and night vitamins in the organizer for the next few days so it was easy to keep up my vitamin routine while in the hospital.
SO once I got to my room I went ahead and plugged in both of my chargers and placed them on the bed for when I got out of surgery. I also put all my snacks, straws, waters, phone, laptop, and vitamins on the bedside table so they were accessible when I got out of surgery. Then I just waited for the nurses to come and take me to surgery. About 30 min later the nurses came to my room and said hop on this bed. Then they instructed that they were giving me a sedative while on the way to the operating room, and the next thing I remember was waking up after the surgery was over. I was FREEZING. I am one of those people who is always cold too so I was full on shivering. They quickly brought me straight to my room and put me on my hospital bed. They then put a heater with a hose that went under the blanket that was which was so nice and helped warm me up much faster. They also immediately hooked me up to an IV which had the painkillers in it, so was only cold and in pain for about 10-20 minutes which wasn't terrible. The rest of the night I was just on my phone, watching movies, visiting with my friend, eating dinner and snacks and it was super chill. The nurses handle everything else for you which was really nice. All of your pain medication the entire time you are in the hospital is given to you via IV which they bring every 8 hours. They also bring you ice every few hours and anything else you may need. They time all of your food with your pain medication so prepare to be woken up early to eat so they can give you the meds. Dr. Guray visited BOTH around dinner time and the next morning after breakfast/ before leaving which I thought was really nice. He answers any questions you may have and tells you about how the surgery went, what you should respond from recovery, when you'll see him next, etc. The nurses told me in the morning what time the doctor would be coming and what time I would be checking out so I could tell my friend to meet me and help me with my things. My friend then came to Vanity and packed up my stuff for me and helped me bring it to the vanity van which drove us back to our hotel. It is a very short ride which post op was such a blessing.
Recovery was tough the first day, but slowly got better. There were definitely things that helped/ made it easier. One of those being post surgery pillows that I had vacuum sealed and packed into my suitcase from home. And as crazy as that sounds, I am so glad I did. I also got those on Amazon. The pillows I got actually came with vacuum seal bags but they were terrible so I bought my own Ziploc ones and they made the pillows SO SMALL AND FLAT that I actually had room for all my clothes to fit on top, so would recommend doing this if it's a possibility for you. Also I will note that I ended up leaving the pillows at the hotel when returning home. I thought about asking housekeeping if I could borrow their vacuum, but had done so much shopping at the Grand Bazaar and was running out of room as it was that I figured it was best if I left them behind for someone who might need them in the future. Another thing I would pack is Q Tips (for rhinoplasty only) and scissors are also very good to have (for both)!! They give you some Q Tips but I found myself using sooooo many more than they provided. They help so much with snot (sorry, gross I know) because you as constantly leaking from your nose and you can't really use a tissue, so I would bring a small ziploc bag full of Q Tips if you are getting a rhinoplasty!!!
But like I said, the day after surgery was easily the worst day of recovery. The day of surgery you're on a lot of meds and your body is in shock, so it's not as bad. But once that wears off and the swelling and pain sets in, it's not as fun. Every day after the second day just got easier and easier. Also keep in mind had a double surgery (nose and breast lift with implants) so maybe for me it was worse. Here is my experience with each recovery:
Nose recovery is definitely a lot more complicated. You're not really in pain as much as you're just uncomfortable. You have a giant cast on and have splints in your nose that make you unable to breathe. smell, or taste food. You also are not allowed to blow your nose at all, and post surgery you are very congested so you just have snot dripping out of your nose. All you want to do is blow your nose too so it's a constant mental battle trying to fight the urge so the Qtips really help. You also can only breathe through your mouth, so your mouth and throat get VERY dry while you sleep. I woke up probably every 30-45 minutes just to wet my mouth as it was so uncomfortable. You also have to sleep sitting up right and on your back which as a side sleeper was very uncomfortable. That being said though, it's not really painful at all if you're taking the pain meds. Day 2 I definitely felt a lot of pressure, but it almost completely subsided by day 3. Eventually you just get used to not tasting, being congested, and having a dry mouth with time. BUT when he took off my cast and splints it was the greatest feeling ever. Being able to taste food and breathe again was amazing. I also iced my eyes and face every day, twice a day, which is why I believe that all of my bruising was gone by day 5. That and the vitamins (arnica, bromelain, morning/night multivitamins) so I would recommend that combo to anyone who bruises easily like me. You also have to use the saline spray 6 times a day and the ointment 3, but you really have nothing else to do so it gives you purpose. I also brought face wipes to wash my face, since you can't get your cast wet. Definitely recommend bringing face cleansing wipes if you have a skincare routine like me.
My breast lift recovery was easy. I basically had full use/ functionality of my arms the entire time. Day 2 was easily the worst in terms of soreness or pain, but I was always able to lift my arms and grab anything I needed. When you wake up from surgery it immediately feels like someone stepped on your chest. That doesn't really go away, you just get used to it. It also subsides with time. But upon first waking up is pretty jarring and painful. I'm on day 10 right now and it still feels a little like that but gets better every day. Also showering is pretty difficult/ technical so would definitely recommend some kind of body wipe so you don't feel completely disgusting. The showers have a hose you can use but you have to then blow dry your tape and surgical dressings and it becomes a whole thing which can be exhausting the first few days of recovery.
By day 4 I was completely fine (boob wise) and could've ventured out of the hotel to sight see if it wasn't for my nose. The nose job recovery was a little more complicated with bruising, swelling, quality of life etc so I didn't personally feel comfortable sight seeing until they removed my cast and splints on my last day. BUT I had a full day once my cast and splints were removed. Also by this point my bruising and swelling had greatly subsided. My friend and I took the metro to the European side and I saw the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and had a delicious Turkish dinner all before heading back home. I decided to Uber on the way home as we had a lot of stuff from shopping (which my friend so nicely carried for me because of my breast surgery. I could've carried it but didn't want to push myself). But Uber in Turkey is VERY cheap and super easy if you don't want to walk or learn to use the metro.
We then got back to our hotel and packed our bags! The vanity van came at 3:30 am for us the next day because we had a 7:30 am flight and they want to make sure you get there on time. You have to go through a lot of security, customs, etc at the airport so I would definitely recommend getting there early. Worst case you have time to kill but the airport is SO NICE and a full experience in itself so I almost recommend getting there early so you can check it out. There are so many stores, restaurants, art, experiences, etc it's honestly worth seeing. And then I began my 18 hour journey home! I had a long travel day with two layovers but needless to say was completely fine and never felt any more pain or discomfort than I was already in, which was minimal at that point. I basically slept and watched movies on the plane as if it were a normal travel day. I had no bruising and a little swelling. You obviously still want to take it as easy as possible and be nice to yourself, but if you are worried about a long flight after surgery I had no problems.
And now I'm home and so pleased with my results and SO GLAD I traveled to Dr. Guray. He really is so talented and really has a gift. He did such an amazing job on BOTH my nose and my boobs. As you can probably tell too, I am a control freak/ nut job and I am SO SO SO impressed with how my results came out. My boobs are AMAZING! I literally have perfect boobs now which I have never had in my life and they are exactly what I told him I wanted. And breast lifts are not easy to execute!!! So I was honestly going in with low expectations and he couldn't have done a better job! My nose is also very swollen so I'm not sure of final results yet, and won't be for at least 6 months - 2 years, but I honestly would be happy with how it looks swollen! Right now it's a slightly bigger version of what I wanted so I'm almost positive that once the swelling goes down it's going to be EXACTLY what I told him I wanted.
If you are considering traveling to Turkey to see Dr. Guray, I would 100% DO IT!!!!! I had such a lovely experience and am so so happy with my results!! They coordinate EVERYTHING for you from the moment you land to when you leave. All transportation, hotel, appointments, medication is included in the cost of surgery and everything is coordinated by them! They even give you very detailed post op instructions and make it very easy to follow! Everything was so so lovely and you truly won't regret coming here! I usually don't leave reviews but felt inclined to because if I can help ease the worry of someone debating going through this process then it's worth it! It honestly was the best decision of my life and I couldn't be happier with my decision!
Last thing, if you are considering traveling alone I will say it is doable, but difficult. I almost came alone but then changed my mind and I'm so glad I did. Granted I had a double surgery, so was a little more difficult and complicated. BUT having someone in case of emergency, who can go to the grocery store for you, who can pack your bags and things if needed, carry things for you, or just keep you company, ended up making the experience so much easier. If it's not a possibility for you, know you will be fine. Just ask for help from the nurses when you are leaving the hospital with your things and see if someone can assist you to your room at the hotel. It is COMPLETELY DOABLE alone and after day 3 I didn't really NEED my friend more as it was nice to have someone to get me things I ran out of at the store and to keep me company. If she hadn't have been there though, I could've survived on room service and been completely okay and happy. Also the hotel will bring you anything you need if you call the front desk. Day 1 and 2 were the only days I really think it made a difference having someone there. Obviously it is a nerve wracking experience so having a friend that you trust and can be there in case of an emergency or if you need something was extremely nice, so if you have the ability to bring someone I would definitely recommend it! She was able to venture out every day and go sightseeing, and was a very lovely trip and travel experience for her!
Like I said, when my results are more visible I will update this post with pictures! My surgery was 1/12/23 for those wondering so will post in April and July. So stay tuned!
Also here are all the things I mentioned in this review that I highly recommend bringing, I got everything on Amazon, even the vitamins!
- a few Type C plug adapters (if American)
- a 10ft (or longer) phone charger for hospital
- a computer/ ipad (with extension cord if different charger than phone)
- pre/post op surgery vitamins (arnica, bromelain, morning/night multivitamins)
- Reusable ice bags
- Straws! I recommend the reusable rubber ones
- A reusable water bottle
- Pill organizer. It makes it easy to keep track of all of the vitamins, painkillers, and antibiotics you have to take.
- Headphones for sleeping at night in the hospital
- Snacks for the hospital!!! The apple sauce/ baby food pouches were life changing and if you are traveling alone pack A LOT of these. I was going through probably 5-8 per day (lol) because it was such an easy, quick way to get food that wasn't too heavy but any food that you may want post op as the options in the hospital are pretty limited. Once you get to the hotel you have the breakfast buffet and room service so you will be fine.
- Q tips (rhinoplasty only)
- Scissors
- Face wipes (rhinoplasty)/ Body wipes (breast augmentation)
- Surgery pillows! Definitely optional but I LOVED having mine there and the vacuum seal option makes it SO easy to pack. I also don't think I would've been as inclined as I needed to be with just pillows unless you request A LOT from the hotel, which I guess you could also do.
- ROLLING carry on bag (breast augmentation only) so you don't have to carry your hospital bag or things you may need for your flight. For my flight home, I had both a purse and a rolling bag and just rested the purse on top of the rolling bag. I put my laptop and all other valuables in the rolling bag, and then anything I needed for in flight in my purse (medication, water bottle, headphones, snacks, Q TIPS) and kept the purse at my feet. Have your friend or friend attendant lift the bag at security and into the overhead bin, or if you are traveling alone ask for help from a stranger. I was traveling alone for half of my flights home as my friend lives in a different city and I met a lot of nice people who were happy to help me with my bags!
Dr. Guray's coordinators provided very clear instructions from the time we landed about where to exit the airport to meet our driver to what the schedule until surgery would be. The driver was waiting with a "Vanity" sign exactly where they said he would be and even took our bags for us straight to the van which was only a 1 min walk away. The driver didn't speak much English but there's not really a need to communicate as the coordinators are always available on Whatsapp to answer any questions about the process. I will also add that on the Asian side of Istanbul (which is where you are staying) that not many people speak English outside of the hotel. However if you or your guest ever trek to the European side (which I highly suggest) almost everyone there speaks English. Anyways, the drive was about 50 minutes from IST to the hospital and I got my bloodwork done which only took about 5 minutes. I was also very impressed with the nurse who took my blood as I have tiny veins and it takes most people a few pokes to get the needle in and he did it on the first try! We then got back into the car and checked into our hotel.
The hotel, the Mercure, is very close to Vanity which is definitely a plus. On the way to Vanity it's about a 7 minute drive but the drive back to the hotel from Vanity is only 2 minutes, which was such a relief after surgery. The hotel is also included in the cost of surgery and comes with a free breakfast buffet every morning for you and your guest. The breakfast buffet was actually very good and I was super impressed with all of their selections every day. I also normally don't eat bread but the Simit's (a turkish bagel) and croissant's were so delicious I ended up getting them every morning! The hotel room itself is pretty small. If you are wanting more space I would mention that in advance so they can book you a bigger room. The room also has a mini fridge for those wondering (I did) because I have dietary restrictions so I brought a lot of my own food. It also has a safe and a tv, but it really only has Turkish channels. But the wifi was great! I would recommend bringing a laptop or iPad so you have something to do while recovering after surgery. Also if you are American, don't forget you need Type C power adapters!! My only other complaint about the hotel was there were no ice machines in the hallway. Every time you needed ice you had to call room service and sometimes they would forget so I would have to call back and it sometimes became a 2 hour event. Also, because I'm American, I felt the need to tip every time I got ice so it ended up costing me around $5 a day just to get ice which obviously isn't ideal post op for it to be so difficult to just get ice. The ice also comes in various plastic bags, but none that were really great for icing your face. That being said I would bring a few reusable ice pack bags with you. I didn't think to do this, but it would've been SO NICE to have. Luckily I made a very nice DIY ice bag with socks I wasn't using which I guess you can do too. Other than that, the hotel was great. I was actually super impressed by the room service as well. They don't take your CC when you check in so either exchange some Turkish $$ when you land or tell the room service operator that you are paying with credit card when you call so they bring the CC machine up with the food. The housekeeping was also very friendly and checked every day if I needed anything. Also the tap water is Turkey is safe to drink which was really nice so I didn't have to keep buying or requesting water. Overall, my hotel experience was great. I'm usually a hotel snob and considered making my own arrangements but I'm honestly glad I didn't because the Mercure ended up being fine and the proximity to the cosmetic surgery is ideal. The area surrounding the hotel is also very walkable and the nearest metro stop is only about a 10 min walk away if your guest wants to explore while you are recovering.
The morning of my surgery the van picked up me and my friend as well as 2 other girls from the hotel. We were taken to vanity and put into our own room where we did all of the paperwork and settled payment. I then had my consultation with the doctor. I was very nervous traveling all the way to Turkey with no prior consultation or discussion of the surgery with him, but I had read so many reviews and seen his work so trusted I was in good hands. Dr. Guray is SO NICE and made me feel so comfortable. I told him what I wanted, and even showed him my inspiration pictures (which I highly suggest doing so he can see exactly what you want) and he told me what was realistic and what was possible from my current facial/ breast shape to what I wanted. He also addressed any complication we might run into since this was my second rhinoplasty and was very clear about potential risks of the implants I chose etc. He made me feel like he understood what I wanted and would do his best to achieve those results which eased all my nerves.
I will say there was one negative thing about my experience. After my consultation with Dr. Guray, which was an hour before my surgery, I was informed that I needed a breast lift as well which wasn't included in the initial cost of surgery. LUCKILY I had the money in my bank account, so after the consultation they brought me back into my room and told me I had to pay the additional. Since I only brought the amount of cash they told me I needed for my surgery, I had to pay the additional with my credit card along with the 10% fee. Even though I TOLD THEM I needed a breast lift, they had decided I didn't judging from the TWO pictures that I sent on Whatsapp and that I just needed implants. Only for them to tell me when I got there that I actually needed a lift. This was frustrating for a few reasons:
1. I thought I was getting the lift the entire time because I mentioned it many times in the Whatsapp conversation. It was because of the language barrier on WhatsApp that there was poor communication that they priced me for only the breast augmentation without the lift.
2. I had to pay the additional 10% CC fee since I didn't have the additional lift cost in cash. This was frustrating because I would've just brought more cash if I had known this was a possibility and saved myself from spending even more money that I wasn't planning on spending. Felt like I was having to throw money away over a miscommunication.
3. Luckily I had the money, I wondered what they would've done if it wasn't in my budget and I couldn't pay for the lift. I guess maybe they would've done a payment plan? I'm not really sure because I didn't ask, but I hate to think of what would happen to someone who didn't have the additional money. So ASK if you are tight for money if they is any possibility of additional charges you should be aware of that may be incurred on the day of your surgery.
That being said, if you are in the same position as me and KNOW you need a lift make sure you send a lot of pictures and also be very clear that your surgery includes the cost of a lift in the price. If they insist that you don't, just please be prepared when you get there to spend extra $$$ if they change their mind upon seeing you in person.
Back to the positives! After your consultation they take you upstairs to your recovery room. I read another review where someone commented that Vanity was run down? Which isn't true. It looks just like any other medical center. I'm not sure what hospitals look like in other countries but if it's something out of Grey's Anatomy then have low expectations and don't expect some glamorous hospital room. To me, it looked like every other hospital or medical center in America and I honestly thought my room was super nice. I had the room to myself with a comfy remote controlled hospital bed, a bedside table, a tv, a huge sofa, and a wardrobe chest with a safe for your valuables and a closet area to hang your clothes and put your bag. You also have your own bathroom with a shower, sink, mirror and there are emergency buttons and cords everywhere incase you fall or need assistance. I am also a planner and packed a suitcase full of things for my room, and here are the things I HIGHLY recommend bringing:
- A 10ft or longer phone charging cord (with a Type C adapter if you're American). Your bed is most likely not going to be within reach of the charging cord so this was great for me to have so I could use my phone in my hospital bed without having to worry about it dying.
- A computer or iPad to watch shows (with charger/ extension cord and Type C adapter) also noteworthy that I had shows and movies predownloaded. I saw they had wifi at Vanity but I never connected it so I'm not sure how good it is (I'm sure it's fine). There's a tv in your room but I think it only has Turkish channels, but I also never turned that on either.
- STRAWS. I had these reusable rubber ones that I got on Amazon but if you are getting your boobs or nose or BOTH like me, having straws was such a game changer. You are sore after surgery so lifting your glass (boobs) is not ideal and (for nose) tipping your glass and possibly hitting your nose is also not ideal.
- Snacks!! I am also a food/ ingredient snob and although the food they bring you is probably fine for most, if you have any food allergies or preferences I would bring your own snacks to have just incase. I was CRUSHING the baby food pouches that I brought. They make so many yummy flavors of pouches like apple, pear, apple pear banana, apple banana blueberry, pumpkin apple etc etc. so you are bound to find a flavor you like. You have to take most medication with food in your stomach and I'm not a big morning eater, so being able to have the pouches which were quick, accessible, easy, delicious, and nutritious were a god send. I ended up sending my friend to the grocery store multiple times to get more. I also brought 2 boxes of crackers with me, bananas (easy to chew and good source of Vitamin C), and airborne to put in my water, because Vitamin C helps with recovery. I couldn't taste after my nose job so I was more concerned with the nutrients I was putting into my body and not eating a lot of sugar, dairy, or gluten (things that will inflame you and prolong recovery). The dinner definitely had more variety, but the breakfast was simply two rolls with butters, jam, and some yogurt drink, so I'm glad I had my own snacks. So long story short I would bring anything that you think would be good or nutritious that you would want for your post op hospital meals.
- Water or a reusable water bottle! You have a button to call the nurses but it's a very loud alarm sounding noise that makes it sound like you're having a medical emergency which felt dramatic to use when I just needed water. The nurses were lovely but they weren't as attentive to your water supply as they probably should be, but granted they have a lot going on. I brought 2 plastic bottles from the hotel as well as my own reusable bottle which was a godsend. Like I mentioned earlier, the tap water in Turkey is safe to drink so I would just get it from the sink in my bathroom.
- Headphones, I never used mine but almost did because sleeping in the hospital at night can be a little loud. You can hear whenever someone pushes their nurse button and that was going off pretty much all night and waking me up.
- Pill organizer. If you are taking pre/ post op vitamins (which you should look into if you aren't planning on it). These vitamins made SUCH A DIFFERENCE for me! After my first rhinoplasty I had bruising for almost a month, but having taken the vitamins before and after surgery (plus icing) I barely had any bruising this time around and the minimal bruising I did have went away after 5 days. And I bruise very easily! The pill organizer is good for after surgery so you're not having to open and close a bunch of vitamin bottles and then it's also less to pack in your hospital bag. I went ahead and put my morning, afternoon, and night vitamins in the organizer for the next few days so it was easy to keep up my vitamin routine while in the hospital.
SO once I got to my room I went ahead and plugged in both of my chargers and placed them on the bed for when I got out of surgery. I also put all my snacks, straws, waters, phone, laptop, and vitamins on the bedside table so they were accessible when I got out of surgery. Then I just waited for the nurses to come and take me to surgery. About 30 min later the nurses came to my room and said hop on this bed. Then they instructed that they were giving me a sedative while on the way to the operating room, and the next thing I remember was waking up after the surgery was over. I was FREEZING. I am one of those people who is always cold too so I was full on shivering. They quickly brought me straight to my room and put me on my hospital bed. They then put a heater with a hose that went under the blanket that was which was so nice and helped warm me up much faster. They also immediately hooked me up to an IV which had the painkillers in it, so was only cold and in pain for about 10-20 minutes which wasn't terrible. The rest of the night I was just on my phone, watching movies, visiting with my friend, eating dinner and snacks and it was super chill. The nurses handle everything else for you which was really nice. All of your pain medication the entire time you are in the hospital is given to you via IV which they bring every 8 hours. They also bring you ice every few hours and anything else you may need. They time all of your food with your pain medication so prepare to be woken up early to eat so they can give you the meds. Dr. Guray visited BOTH around dinner time and the next morning after breakfast/ before leaving which I thought was really nice. He answers any questions you may have and tells you about how the surgery went, what you should respond from recovery, when you'll see him next, etc. The nurses told me in the morning what time the doctor would be coming and what time I would be checking out so I could tell my friend to meet me and help me with my things. My friend then came to Vanity and packed up my stuff for me and helped me bring it to the vanity van which drove us back to our hotel. It is a very short ride which post op was such a blessing.
Recovery was tough the first day, but slowly got better. There were definitely things that helped/ made it easier. One of those being post surgery pillows that I had vacuum sealed and packed into my suitcase from home. And as crazy as that sounds, I am so glad I did. I also got those on Amazon. The pillows I got actually came with vacuum seal bags but they were terrible so I bought my own Ziploc ones and they made the pillows SO SMALL AND FLAT that I actually had room for all my clothes to fit on top, so would recommend doing this if it's a possibility for you. Also I will note that I ended up leaving the pillows at the hotel when returning home. I thought about asking housekeeping if I could borrow their vacuum, but had done so much shopping at the Grand Bazaar and was running out of room as it was that I figured it was best if I left them behind for someone who might need them in the future. Another thing I would pack is Q Tips (for rhinoplasty only) and scissors are also very good to have (for both)!! They give you some Q Tips but I found myself using sooooo many more than they provided. They help so much with snot (sorry, gross I know) because you as constantly leaking from your nose and you can't really use a tissue, so I would bring a small ziploc bag full of Q Tips if you are getting a rhinoplasty!!!
But like I said, the day after surgery was easily the worst day of recovery. The day of surgery you're on a lot of meds and your body is in shock, so it's not as bad. But once that wears off and the swelling and pain sets in, it's not as fun. Every day after the second day just got easier and easier. Also keep in mind had a double surgery (nose and breast lift with implants) so maybe for me it was worse. Here is my experience with each recovery:
Nose recovery is definitely a lot more complicated. You're not really in pain as much as you're just uncomfortable. You have a giant cast on and have splints in your nose that make you unable to breathe. smell, or taste food. You also are not allowed to blow your nose at all, and post surgery you are very congested so you just have snot dripping out of your nose. All you want to do is blow your nose too so it's a constant mental battle trying to fight the urge so the Qtips really help. You also can only breathe through your mouth, so your mouth and throat get VERY dry while you sleep. I woke up probably every 30-45 minutes just to wet my mouth as it was so uncomfortable. You also have to sleep sitting up right and on your back which as a side sleeper was very uncomfortable. That being said though, it's not really painful at all if you're taking the pain meds. Day 2 I definitely felt a lot of pressure, but it almost completely subsided by day 3. Eventually you just get used to not tasting, being congested, and having a dry mouth with time. BUT when he took off my cast and splints it was the greatest feeling ever. Being able to taste food and breathe again was amazing. I also iced my eyes and face every day, twice a day, which is why I believe that all of my bruising was gone by day 5. That and the vitamins (arnica, bromelain, morning/night multivitamins) so I would recommend that combo to anyone who bruises easily like me. You also have to use the saline spray 6 times a day and the ointment 3, but you really have nothing else to do so it gives you purpose. I also brought face wipes to wash my face, since you can't get your cast wet. Definitely recommend bringing face cleansing wipes if you have a skincare routine like me.
My breast lift recovery was easy. I basically had full use/ functionality of my arms the entire time. Day 2 was easily the worst in terms of soreness or pain, but I was always able to lift my arms and grab anything I needed. When you wake up from surgery it immediately feels like someone stepped on your chest. That doesn't really go away, you just get used to it. It also subsides with time. But upon first waking up is pretty jarring and painful. I'm on day 10 right now and it still feels a little like that but gets better every day. Also showering is pretty difficult/ technical so would definitely recommend some kind of body wipe so you don't feel completely disgusting. The showers have a hose you can use but you have to then blow dry your tape and surgical dressings and it becomes a whole thing which can be exhausting the first few days of recovery.
By day 4 I was completely fine (boob wise) and could've ventured out of the hotel to sight see if it wasn't for my nose. The nose job recovery was a little more complicated with bruising, swelling, quality of life etc so I didn't personally feel comfortable sight seeing until they removed my cast and splints on my last day. BUT I had a full day once my cast and splints were removed. Also by this point my bruising and swelling had greatly subsided. My friend and I took the metro to the European side and I saw the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and had a delicious Turkish dinner all before heading back home. I decided to Uber on the way home as we had a lot of stuff from shopping (which my friend so nicely carried for me because of my breast surgery. I could've carried it but didn't want to push myself). But Uber in Turkey is VERY cheap and super easy if you don't want to walk or learn to use the metro.
We then got back to our hotel and packed our bags! The vanity van came at 3:30 am for us the next day because we had a 7:30 am flight and they want to make sure you get there on time. You have to go through a lot of security, customs, etc at the airport so I would definitely recommend getting there early. Worst case you have time to kill but the airport is SO NICE and a full experience in itself so I almost recommend getting there early so you can check it out. There are so many stores, restaurants, art, experiences, etc it's honestly worth seeing. And then I began my 18 hour journey home! I had a long travel day with two layovers but needless to say was completely fine and never felt any more pain or discomfort than I was already in, which was minimal at that point. I basically slept and watched movies on the plane as if it were a normal travel day. I had no bruising and a little swelling. You obviously still want to take it as easy as possible and be nice to yourself, but if you are worried about a long flight after surgery I had no problems.
And now I'm home and so pleased with my results and SO GLAD I traveled to Dr. Guray. He really is so talented and really has a gift. He did such an amazing job on BOTH my nose and my boobs. As you can probably tell too, I am a control freak/ nut job and I am SO SO SO impressed with how my results came out. My boobs are AMAZING! I literally have perfect boobs now which I have never had in my life and they are exactly what I told him I wanted. And breast lifts are not easy to execute!!! So I was honestly going in with low expectations and he couldn't have done a better job! My nose is also very swollen so I'm not sure of final results yet, and won't be for at least 6 months - 2 years, but I honestly would be happy with how it looks swollen! Right now it's a slightly bigger version of what I wanted so I'm almost positive that once the swelling goes down it's going to be EXACTLY what I told him I wanted.
If you are considering traveling to Turkey to see Dr. Guray, I would 100% DO IT!!!!! I had such a lovely experience and am so so happy with my results!! They coordinate EVERYTHING for you from the moment you land to when you leave. All transportation, hotel, appointments, medication is included in the cost of surgery and everything is coordinated by them! They even give you very detailed post op instructions and make it very easy to follow! Everything was so so lovely and you truly won't regret coming here! I usually don't leave reviews but felt inclined to because if I can help ease the worry of someone debating going through this process then it's worth it! It honestly was the best decision of my life and I couldn't be happier with my decision!
Last thing, if you are considering traveling alone I will say it is doable, but difficult. I almost came alone but then changed my mind and I'm so glad I did. Granted I had a double surgery, so was a little more difficult and complicated. BUT having someone in case of emergency, who can go to the grocery store for you, who can pack your bags and things if needed, carry things for you, or just keep you company, ended up making the experience so much easier. If it's not a possibility for you, know you will be fine. Just ask for help from the nurses when you are leaving the hospital with your things and see if someone can assist you to your room at the hotel. It is COMPLETELY DOABLE alone and after day 3 I didn't really NEED my friend more as it was nice to have someone to get me things I ran out of at the store and to keep me company. If she hadn't have been there though, I could've survived on room service and been completely okay and happy. Also the hotel will bring you anything you need if you call the front desk. Day 1 and 2 were the only days I really think it made a difference having someone there. Obviously it is a nerve wracking experience so having a friend that you trust and can be there in case of an emergency or if you need something was extremely nice, so if you have the ability to bring someone I would definitely recommend it! She was able to venture out every day and go sightseeing, and was a very lovely trip and travel experience for her!
Like I said, when my results are more visible I will update this post with pictures! My surgery was 1/12/23 for those wondering so will post in April and July. So stay tuned!
Also here are all the things I mentioned in this review that I highly recommend bringing, I got everything on Amazon, even the vitamins!
- a few Type C plug adapters (if American)
- a 10ft (or longer) phone charger for hospital
- a computer/ ipad (with extension cord if different charger than phone)
- pre/post op surgery vitamins (arnica, bromelain, morning/night multivitamins)
- Reusable ice bags
- Straws! I recommend the reusable rubber ones
- A reusable water bottle
- Pill organizer. It makes it easy to keep track of all of the vitamins, painkillers, and antibiotics you have to take.
- Headphones for sleeping at night in the hospital
- Snacks for the hospital!!! The apple sauce/ baby food pouches were life changing and if you are traveling alone pack A LOT of these. I was going through probably 5-8 per day (lol) because it was such an easy, quick way to get food that wasn't too heavy but any food that you may want post op as the options in the hospital are pretty limited. Once you get to the hotel you have the breakfast buffet and room service so you will be fine.
- Q tips (rhinoplasty only)
- Scissors
- Face wipes (rhinoplasty)/ Body wipes (breast augmentation)
- Surgery pillows! Definitely optional but I LOVED having mine there and the vacuum seal option makes it SO easy to pack. I also don't think I would've been as inclined as I needed to be with just pillows unless you request A LOT from the hotel, which I guess you could also do.
- ROLLING carry on bag (breast augmentation only) so you don't have to carry your hospital bag or things you may need for your flight. For my flight home, I had both a purse and a rolling bag and just rested the purse on top of the rolling bag. I put my laptop and all other valuables in the rolling bag, and then anything I needed for in flight in my purse (medication, water bottle, headphones, snacks, Q TIPS) and kept the purse at my feet. Have your friend or friend attendant lift the bag at security and into the overhead bin, or if you are traveling alone ask for help from a stranger. I was traveling alone for half of my flights home as my friend lives in a different city and I met a lot of nice people who were happy to help me with my bags!
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