Patient Journey

Once you decide to proceed, the practical logistics are coordinated:

• Surgery date confirmed; flights booked at your discretion
• Hotel reservation made at Antwell Suites İstanbul (5–7 nights for Grade I–II, 7–10 nights for Grade III)
• Pre-operative blood work — usually done locally and emailed; sometimes done in Istanbul on arrival day
• Anaesthesia clearance review
• Cycle break verified if applicable (haematocrit check post-cycle)
• WhatsApp introductions with the patient coordinator who will meet you at the airport

VIP airport pickup arranged regardless of arrival time. Driver greets you at international arrivals, transfer to Antwell Suites İstanbul (approximately 45–60 minutes from IST or SAW airports depending on traffic). Suite-style accommodation: separate bedroom, full kitchen, comfortable for both patient and travelling companion. Light dinner, early sleep — surgery is the next morning.

Morning transfer to the JCI-accredited hospital. Final pre-operative consultation with Dr. Erdal in person — measurements, photographs, technique confirmation, any final questions. Brief pre-anaesthesia consultation with the anaesthesiologist. Surgery proceeds:

• Liposuction-only: 45–90 minutes
• Pull-through technique: 60–90 minutes
• Periareolar gland excision: 90–120 minutes
• Grade III with skin tightening: 150–180 minutes

Recovery for 2–4 hours in the recovery room. Compression vest applied. Same-day discharge for Grade I–IIa (pull-through, liposuction); overnight observation for Grade IIb–III (gland excision, skin tightening).

Quiet days at the hotel. Light walking around the room and short outdoor walks encouraged. Compression vest worn continuously. Direct WhatsApp access to Dr. Erdal for any concerns. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort they experience — paracetamol is usually sufficient. Days 2–3 are typically the peak swelling phase, after which improvement becomes visible day by day.

Return to the clinic for the post-operative review with Dr. Erdal:

• Steri-strips and any dressings checked or refreshed
• Wound inspection for early healing signs
• Education on scar care for the coming months (silicone gel from week 2)
• Confirmation of fitness for travel
• Final questions answered before departure

This visit is usually scheduled the day before your flight home.

Departure transfer to the airport. Compression vest worn during the flight (no special accommodations needed; most patients fly business or economy comfortably). Direct WhatsApp access to Dr. Erdal continues — you can message at any point during recovery for questions about wound healing, scar care, or any concerns.

The most patient-controllable variable in result quality. Compression vest worn continuously for 4–6 weeks, removed only for showering. Return to desk work in week 1; light cardio from day 10–14; full cardio from week 3–4. No upper-body resistance training (chest, shoulders, arms) until week 6 — early gym return is the most common cause of late haematoma. Silicone gel scar care begins week 2 and continues 6 months.

First scheduled online video review with Dr. Erdal. Photographs taken at home (front, oblique, side) and sent in advance. Discussion of healing progress, scar appearance, and any questions about the next few weeks. Compression vest typically still being worn at this stage.

Second scheduled review. By month 3, the chest contour is largely visible and the result is taking shape. Final fine-tuning continues over the next 3 months. Scar care continues. Gym training has fully resumed.

Third scheduled review. The chest contour is genuinely final at this stage. Most patients report that they have stopped thinking about the surgery — it has integrated into their life. Compression no longer needed; scar care typically tapered.

Final formal follow-up review. Photographs taken in standardised lighting. The result is documented for the case file. The patient relationship continues — many patients message at year intervals or refer friends who later present for surgery. There is no formal "discharge"; ongoing access to Dr. Erdal remains available.