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Dr Mirza Firat, (Istanbul) DETAILED review
Hi guys, I’m currently 13 days post-op from my Rhinoplasty with Dr. Mirza Firat. I noticed before my surgery that there wasn’t a lot of reviews on him so I have decided to post a very detailed one to assist you in making a decision in choosing the right surgeon.
1. Initial contact - I sent him an enquiry through Whatsapp with photos of my current nose, I had a prompt and detailed response and a summary of what he would do to my nose which covered all the concern areas I had for my nose. I secured a date and sent through a deposit, I felt very confident with this doctor. They stated that they provide all transportations to your appointments and organise accommodation if you choose to stay at the recommended hotel.
2. Hotel - I arrived to Istanbul and stayed at the recommended hotel (which I organised myself because I stayed extra days and it worked out cheaper for me). I stayed there for 14 nights, when only 8 days was required so I could explore Turkey for a bit. The hotel was exceptionally beautiful and luxurious, the staff were so friendly and nice and went above and beyond for you. Many medical tourists stay in this hotel so you will not feel uncomfortable or out of place because so many people will have bandages on their noses no one even stares at you!
3. Consultation - When I arrived to Istanbul, I was contacted by his assistant with the timing and plans. I had a blood test then I met with the doctor, he was friendly and English was really good. You can definitely tell he knows what he is doing, and that he is highly experienced. It seemed like he is in theatre almost everyday performing rhinoplasties so plenty of experience! He examined the skin of my nose and said what he is going to do exactly. I was happy with what he said, I did not really show him any photos of a “goal” nose and he did not do a simulation. I put my trust in him and just said I would like something that would suit my face. The consultation went for a total of 15-20 mins.
4. Surgery & Hospital - I arrived to my hospital room and got prepared, the surgeon came to my room and confirmed everything he was going to do with my nose again. The hospital room was ABSOLUTELY amazing. The staff in the hospital were SUPER friendly even though they did not speak much English, sometimes the staff would use google translate to talk to you or just to reassure you, it was really kind of them and they just gave you a warm feeling. Obviously, I went into theatre and next thing you know I woke up and it was all over. I experienced no pain whatsoever, just the feeling of a big bandage in the middle of my face. I remember waking up and my lips and mouth were a DESERT. So, ensure to bring lip balm and dry mouth gel/spray to the hospital. Trust me you will need it especially because you will be breathing through your mouth as tampons are placed in your nose. You will not be able to drink water for a couple hours due to the anaesthesia. When I went back to my room, they placed ice on my face to reduce swelling, which felt good.
4. Recovery process - the next day before I got discharged the surgeon visited me again to let me know the surgery went well with no complications which was reassuring. I was discharged with antibiotics, painkillers, ointment for the sutures and nasal saline spray.
The first few days were honestly the most difficult. Luckily, I had absolutely NO bruising or swelling (just slight puffiness that you could not notice), I frequently drank 100% pineapple juice, which I heard helps with swelling. The next 2 days after surgery, I had very very mild pain and whenever I would feel slight throbbing in my nose I would take a painkiller and it would get rid of it straight away! The first 4 days, I stuck to eating foods that were soft and easy to eat and didn’t require too much upper lip movement for e.g soup, porridge etc.
I removed the gauze drip pad the next day but I still had mucus and slight pink blood coming out of my nose which was just wiped with a tissue. This was the most annoying part as my nose was constantly dripping and I couldn’t blow or sniff. I would spray the saline spray in my nose multiple times to flush it all out. Also, my nose was blocked I would also snore at night (and I never usually snore in my life!) and you would often wake up with a really dry mouth and would probably need to drink water (so keep a bottle next to you).
On the 2nd day post op, I went back to hospital to remove the tampons stuffed inside my nose. The process was just uncomfortable but it did not really hurt. It only lasted for about 5 seconds. My nose was a bit sore after only because they cleaned the dried blood around my nose so I took a painkiller and it helped. Your nose feels 1000x better but it was still blocked for another 3 days. Up until the 5th day after surgery my nose started to get unblocked and it started to clear. My nose was still dripping with clear fluids until the 7th day.
On the 9th day post op, I had my cast removed and I was allowed to look in the mirror to see my nose. Taking off the cast does not hurt at all. Then they bandaged my nose with tape to reduce swelling. I had to keep these bandages on for 3 days then I could remove it myself and shower. Now I have to tape only at night.
Today, on the 13th day I look pretty normal with just slight eye bags and my nose only feels sensitive when I touch it. The tip is also slightly numb.
5. Opinions/Emotions towards my new nose -
I honestly have to say if you want to get a Rhinoplasty, it’s the hardest mental battle with yourself. You must have a lot of TRUST within your surgeon and the whole process. When I took off my gauze drip pad the 2nd day, my nose looked like a pig! I thought it was too lifted and too short, but I kept reassuring myself. Honestly everyday (with the cast on) I would see it settle down as my surgeon said it would. The day I removed my cast, I was absolutely shocked when I looked in the mirror. It was psychologically difficult to process that this will be my face from now on. I loved the shape of my nose, but I think cause it looked piggy I was not loving it on my own face, combined with some heavy eye bags, I didn’t really have much self confidence. When I left Turkey to go back home, I removed the bandages and I was still in that same initial shock. HOWEVER, everyday my nose has been settling into my face better and better and I can say 13 days I’m loving it now. I promise you that you need to have trust in the process and you need to be really strong. Remember it’s going to get ugly before it’s going to get pretty.
Exploring Turkey - I would highly recommend exploring the country and staying an extra few days. Do not be embarrassed to walk around with bandages on your nose honestly I saw countless girls on the street who had tapes on their nose and I felt like I fit in lol. No one stares at you! I would sign up for a tour as they pick you up and take you back to the hotel. The recommended hotel is roughly 40 mins to the Central City so it wasn’t very close to the central city where you would find most of the landmarks. Taxi’s can get pricey if you want to explore on your own (just ask the receptionist at the hotel to call for one), especially during peak hours and I found a lot trying to rip you off. The MetroBus station was also within walking distance of the hotel and the system was really easy to learn. However I only took it in the last few days where I felt physically okay to jump on a crowded bus.
There are many restaurants/cafes around the hotel and there was a chemist and grocery store just behind the hotel (5 min walk) or you can also order room service. I would also recommended downloading Yemeksepeti (like UberEats) which can deliver food to your hotel especially during your recovery days where you cannot go out.
I have compiled a list of essential things that would make your experience 10x more comfortable and successful:
- dry mouth gel/spray
- lip balm
- Q-tips
- 100% pineapple juice
- straws (made it easier to not get your gauze pad wet)
- travel neck pillow
- laxatives/ stool softener (check with doctor before taking)
- laptop with movies to watch because you will get bored staying in your hotel room
- translating app, access to google translate
- map/GPS
I hope that this post has been extremely helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me
1. Initial contact - I sent him an enquiry through Whatsapp with photos of my current nose, I had a prompt and detailed response and a summary of what he would do to my nose which covered all the concern areas I had for my nose. I secured a date and sent through a deposit, I felt very confident with this doctor. They stated that they provide all transportations to your appointments and organise accommodation if you choose to stay at the recommended hotel.
2. Hotel - I arrived to Istanbul and stayed at the recommended hotel (which I organised myself because I stayed extra days and it worked out cheaper for me). I stayed there for 14 nights, when only 8 days was required so I could explore Turkey for a bit. The hotel was exceptionally beautiful and luxurious, the staff were so friendly and nice and went above and beyond for you. Many medical tourists stay in this hotel so you will not feel uncomfortable or out of place because so many people will have bandages on their noses no one even stares at you!
3. Consultation - When I arrived to Istanbul, I was contacted by his assistant with the timing and plans. I had a blood test then I met with the doctor, he was friendly and English was really good. You can definitely tell he knows what he is doing, and that he is highly experienced. It seemed like he is in theatre almost everyday performing rhinoplasties so plenty of experience! He examined the skin of my nose and said what he is going to do exactly. I was happy with what he said, I did not really show him any photos of a “goal” nose and he did not do a simulation. I put my trust in him and just said I would like something that would suit my face. The consultation went for a total of 15-20 mins.
4. Surgery & Hospital - I arrived to my hospital room and got prepared, the surgeon came to my room and confirmed everything he was going to do with my nose again. The hospital room was ABSOLUTELY amazing. The staff in the hospital were SUPER friendly even though they did not speak much English, sometimes the staff would use google translate to talk to you or just to reassure you, it was really kind of them and they just gave you a warm feeling. Obviously, I went into theatre and next thing you know I woke up and it was all over. I experienced no pain whatsoever, just the feeling of a big bandage in the middle of my face. I remember waking up and my lips and mouth were a DESERT. So, ensure to bring lip balm and dry mouth gel/spray to the hospital. Trust me you will need it especially because you will be breathing through your mouth as tampons are placed in your nose. You will not be able to drink water for a couple hours due to the anaesthesia. When I went back to my room, they placed ice on my face to reduce swelling, which felt good.
4. Recovery process - the next day before I got discharged the surgeon visited me again to let me know the surgery went well with no complications which was reassuring. I was discharged with antibiotics, painkillers, ointment for the sutures and nasal saline spray.
The first few days were honestly the most difficult. Luckily, I had absolutely NO bruising or swelling (just slight puffiness that you could not notice), I frequently drank 100% pineapple juice, which I heard helps with swelling. The next 2 days after surgery, I had very very mild pain and whenever I would feel slight throbbing in my nose I would take a painkiller and it would get rid of it straight away! The first 4 days, I stuck to eating foods that were soft and easy to eat and didn’t require too much upper lip movement for e.g soup, porridge etc.
I removed the gauze drip pad the next day but I still had mucus and slight pink blood coming out of my nose which was just wiped with a tissue. This was the most annoying part as my nose was constantly dripping and I couldn’t blow or sniff. I would spray the saline spray in my nose multiple times to flush it all out. Also, my nose was blocked I would also snore at night (and I never usually snore in my life!) and you would often wake up with a really dry mouth and would probably need to drink water (so keep a bottle next to you).
On the 2nd day post op, I went back to hospital to remove the tampons stuffed inside my nose. The process was just uncomfortable but it did not really hurt. It only lasted for about 5 seconds. My nose was a bit sore after only because they cleaned the dried blood around my nose so I took a painkiller and it helped. Your nose feels 1000x better but it was still blocked for another 3 days. Up until the 5th day after surgery my nose started to get unblocked and it started to clear. My nose was still dripping with clear fluids until the 7th day.
On the 9th day post op, I had my cast removed and I was allowed to look in the mirror to see my nose. Taking off the cast does not hurt at all. Then they bandaged my nose with tape to reduce swelling. I had to keep these bandages on for 3 days then I could remove it myself and shower. Now I have to tape only at night.
Today, on the 13th day I look pretty normal with just slight eye bags and my nose only feels sensitive when I touch it. The tip is also slightly numb.
5. Opinions/Emotions towards my new nose -
I honestly have to say if you want to get a Rhinoplasty, it’s the hardest mental battle with yourself. You must have a lot of TRUST within your surgeon and the whole process. When I took off my gauze drip pad the 2nd day, my nose looked like a pig! I thought it was too lifted and too short, but I kept reassuring myself. Honestly everyday (with the cast on) I would see it settle down as my surgeon said it would. The day I removed my cast, I was absolutely shocked when I looked in the mirror. It was psychologically difficult to process that this will be my face from now on. I loved the shape of my nose, but I think cause it looked piggy I was not loving it on my own face, combined with some heavy eye bags, I didn’t really have much self confidence. When I left Turkey to go back home, I removed the bandages and I was still in that same initial shock. HOWEVER, everyday my nose has been settling into my face better and better and I can say 13 days I’m loving it now. I promise you that you need to have trust in the process and you need to be really strong. Remember it’s going to get ugly before it’s going to get pretty.
Exploring Turkey - I would highly recommend exploring the country and staying an extra few days. Do not be embarrassed to walk around with bandages on your nose honestly I saw countless girls on the street who had tapes on their nose and I felt like I fit in lol. No one stares at you! I would sign up for a tour as they pick you up and take you back to the hotel. The recommended hotel is roughly 40 mins to the Central City so it wasn’t very close to the central city where you would find most of the landmarks. Taxi’s can get pricey if you want to explore on your own (just ask the receptionist at the hotel to call for one), especially during peak hours and I found a lot trying to rip you off. The MetroBus station was also within walking distance of the hotel and the system was really easy to learn. However I only took it in the last few days where I felt physically okay to jump on a crowded bus.
There are many restaurants/cafes around the hotel and there was a chemist and grocery store just behind the hotel (5 min walk) or you can also order room service. I would also recommended downloading Yemeksepeti (like UberEats) which can deliver food to your hotel especially during your recovery days where you cannot go out.
I have compiled a list of essential things that would make your experience 10x more comfortable and successful:
- dry mouth gel/spray
- lip balm
- Q-tips
- 100% pineapple juice
- straws (made it easier to not get your gauze pad wet)
- travel neck pillow
- laxatives/ stool softener (check with doctor before taking)
- laptop with movies to watch because you will get bored staying in your hotel room
- translating app, access to google translate
- map/GPS
I hope that this post has been extremely helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me
Provider Review
Dr. Mirza Firat