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Cosmetic Surgery and Treatment in Istanbul for Gulf Residents and Expats: 2026 Guide

Whether you are a citizen or an expat living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Manama or Muscat, you can plan aesthetic surgery, a hair transplant, dental treatment or weight-loss surgery in Istanbul around your annual leave. New City Clinic is a health-tourism organisation authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health: we arrange your treatment at licensed partner hospitals, where their specialist doctors treat you, with a written price, hotel, transfers, interpretation and complication insurance.

Why Gulf residents look at Istanbul

Many people living in the Gulf want to fit treatment into a single block of leave, with the hospital, hotel and transfers organised as one plan and one coordinator to talk to in English. The partner hospitals (Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park, Biruni) are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and the treatment is carried out by their specialist doctors. New City Clinic is registered with HealthTürkiye and is also a TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency; it organises and coordinates your treatment and does not operate itself.

Estimated 2026 package prices

Rhinoplasty €2,250, breast augmentation €3,200, BBL €3,000, Lipo 360 €3,500, tummy tuck €3,500, mommy makeover €4,850, facelift €3,000, face and neck lift €4,500, blepharoplasty €3,300, cat eye €3,000, arm lift €3,000, thigh lift €3,850, gastric sleeve €2,500, hair transplant €1,500. These are estimates: your final quote is given in writing after the physician’s assessment. Packages are quoted in euros, and flights are not included.

What the package includes

Surgery at a licensed partner hospital, your hospital stay, hotel accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests and interpretation where specified, compression garments where needed and complication insurance. Flights are not included. The number of hospital and hotel nights is listed in your written quote, so read it before you book your leave.

Hair transplant and dental treatment

A hair transplant is done under local anaesthetic and usually needs 3–4 days in Istanbul. Dental treatment has no fixed package price: the dentist plans it from a recent panoramic X-ray and photos, and you receive a written quote. Dental implants usually mean 3–5 days per visit, and many implant plans need a second visit after healing; a smile design usually needs 5–7 days. The dentist tells you how many visits your plan involves before you travel.

Weight-loss surgery

A gastric sleeve or gastric bypass is usually considered with a BMI of 35 or more, or 30–35 only with an associated disease such as type 2 diabetes; the surgeon decides after examination and tests. For a gastric sleeve, plan on 2–3 nights in hospital and 5–7 days in Istanbul in total. Follow-up with diet and blood tests continues after you return home, so it helps to have a doctor where you live who knows your plan.

Planning around your leave

Typical stays in Istanbul: hair transplant 3–4 days, breast augmentation 5–7 days, BBL 6–8 days, rhinoplasty and tummy tuck 7–10 days, mommy makeover 7–10 days, facelift 8–10 days. You fly home after your final check-up and with the surgeon’s approval, so do not fix your return flight before you have your written plan. Desk work is often possible after one to two weeks for most body procedures, but sport and heavy lifting take longer; your surgeon gives you the exact timing.

Visa, residence and insurance

Visa rules depend on the passport you hold, not on the country you live in. Check the visa or e-visa conditions for your passport on the official evisa.gov.tr site before booking. Once your treatment is planned, the hospital confirms your appointment in writing. Elective cosmetic surgery abroad is usually not covered by health insurance, including employer plans in the Gulf; ask your insurer what applies to you, also for any treatment after your return.

Follow-up after you return to the Gulf

You leave with your discharge report and care instructions in English. Your coordinator stays in touch, and you send photos at the agreed times for the surgeon to review. Tell a doctor where you live about your operation. If you develop a high fever, increasing redness or swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain or a painful swollen calf, go to the nearest emergency department straight away and then inform your coordinator.

How it works

Send your photos, any reports and your questions on WhatsApp. A surgeon reviews them free of charge, you usually receive a written quote within 24 hours, we organise your stay and transfers, and we keep in touch after you are home.

FAQ

Can I pay in dirhams, riyals or dinars?+

Packages are quoted in euros. Payment terms are set out in your written quote.

Are flights included?+

No. Flights are not included; transfers within Istanbul are.

I am an expat in the Gulf. Which visa rules apply to me?+

The rules for your passport. Check the visa or e-visa conditions on evisa.gov.tr; once treatment is planned, the hospital confirms your appointment in writing.

Will my health insurance cover the operation?+

Elective surgery abroad is usually not covered. Ask your insurer before you travel, including about treatment after your return.

Can I combine a hair transplant or dental work with cosmetic surgery?+

Sometimes, but each treatment has its own timing. The doctors decide after reviewing your case what can safely be planned in the same trip.

Can a family member come with me?+

Yes. Accommodation and transfers can also be arranged for a companion; their flight is not included.

Who performs the operation?+

Specialist doctors at our licensed partner hospitals. New City Clinic organises and coordinates your treatment; it does not operate itself.

Get your free quote today

Send your photos and questions; a surgeon’s assessment and your quote usually arrive within 24 hours. The consultation is free and without obligation.

Include the country code, e.g. +44 7700 900000

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