Hair transplant, dental and cosmetic treatment in Turkey for UK patients

If you live in the UK and are thinking about treatment in Istanbul, this page answers the questions British patients ask us most: what to check before you book, what happens between landing and flying home, and how aftercare works once you are back with your GP or dentist.

AVAN AESTH is a patient coordination service based in Kadıköy, Istanbul. We are not a clinic or hospital, and we do not diagnose or treat. We work only with licensed healthcare providers; the treating team makes every medical decision, and we organise the journey around it.

Before you book: documents and entry

• Passport: GOV.UK says your passport must have an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive in Turkey, and at least one blank page.
• Visa: GOV.UK says British citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for business or tourism. It also says that if you are entering Turkey for medical purposes, you should check the information on applying for a visa. Please read the current FCDO entry requirements before you travel; we can explain the steps of your plan, but we do not issue visas or give immigration advice.
• Health cover: GOV.UK says the GHIC and EHIC are not valid in Turkey, and that standard travel insurance does not normally cover you if you travel abroad for elective surgery. Ask an insurer about cover for planned treatment.
• Medicines: GOV.UK notes that British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies and that some common medicines are controlled in Turkey. Bring enough of your regular medication and check the FCDO guidance before you pack.
• Talk to your GP or dentist first: the FCDO advises discussing your plans with your UK doctor, dentist or clinician before going ahead. Bringing their view to your consultation in Istanbul helps the treating team.

From arrival to flying home

1. You send photos (or recent dental X-rays) and your medical history on WhatsApp; the form below is only for us to contact you.
2. A licensed healthcare provider reviews them and, if appropriate, prepares a written plan: treatment, dates and what is included.
3. You book flights only after you have approved the plan. You can land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).
4. In Istanbul you have your consultation and examination, then treatment and check-ups with the treating team. An English-speaking coordinator is with you at appointments.
5. You fly home once the treating team has confirmed you are fit to travel.

Typical time in Istanbul (your written plan sets the exact dates):

• Hair transplant: about three days (arrival and consultation, procedure day, check-up with the first hair wash).
• Veneers or crowns: about 5–7 days. Dental implants: usually two trips, 3–6 months apart.
• Plastic surgery: about 7–10 days for most procedures (liposuction or breast surgery about 5–7 days).

Hair transplant, dental and plastic surgery packages include hotel accommodation, airport welcome, VIP transfers, interpreter support and prescribed medication; your dates and length of stay are set in your written plan. Read more on our Hair transplant, dental treatment and Plastic surgery pages.

Back in the UK: aftercare with your GP or dentist

• Bring home your written treatment report, aftercare instructions and, for dental work, X-rays and material details. Your GP or dentist can only judge what was done if they can see it.
• The NHS points out that overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment to the same standard as in the UK, so agree in writing before you travel how follow-up works.
• Through AVAN AESTH you have two years of follow-up after you return home: you send photos at the times the treating team recommends, and we pass your questions on and bring back the answers.
• If you have warning signs after surgery, such as fever, increasing pain, swelling in one leg or shortness of breath, seek urgent care in the UK first, then let us know.

Time difference and how to reach us

Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year, so Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 3 hours ahead in winter. Our call centre answers 24/7 on phone and WhatsApp: +90 554 228 20 26. Office hours are 08:00–19:00 Istanbul time, every day.

Paying for treatment

We do not take advance payments. You pay AVAN AESTH in Istanbul on the day of your treatment, in cash or by credit or debit card; the healthcare provider does not ask you for any separate payment. Prices are only discussed with you in writing in your personal plan.

When we say “no”

Not every enquiry leads to treatment. If a doctor’s assessment shows that a hair transplant would not give the result you expect, for example because the donor area cannot cover the bald area, we tell you plainly. We do not coordinate any dental treatment for patients with diabetes (implants, crowns, veneers, whitening or any other), and for cosmetic surgery we do not coordinate patients with heart disease or diabetes; we refer them to a fully equipped hospital. We also decline risky corrections and procedures that would give an insufficient result.