It’s almost every day that one hears about the harrowing ordeals of patients who sought cut-price surgery abroad.
However, the lure of affordable procedures — costing almost half the price of those in the UK — and the opportunity to bypass lengthy NHS wait times continue to fuel the medical tourism boom. This renders the need for thorough research particularly important.
Turkey is a popular destination for medical tourists due to its affordability. And while surgery in Turkey is largely inexpensive thanks to the lower cost of living and the currency exchange rate, Longevita, a UK-registered provider of cosmetic treatments, warns against going for the cheapest option to avoid potentially dangerous or even fatal cut-corner surgeries.
With over 10 years in the medical tourism industry, our team has identified seven red flags to watch out for and offers guidance on how to avoid them when booking surgery in Turkey.
1. Surgeon’s “Expertise” Is A Mystery
If there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to worry about. So, if a medical tourism provider starts acting cagey when asked questions about the previous work or educational qualifications of their surgeon, you should take it as a warning sign.
A surgeon’s skill is crucial to the success of a surgery. And being able to trust them and establish a rapport with them is essential for a good experience.
However, if right from the beginning, you’re denied requests to see their diploma, board certification, reviews, before-and-after photos, or speak with a past patient, then it’s a major red flag, and you should start looking elsewhere.
What You Should Do
Do not shy away from requesting your surgeon’s diploma, board certification, as well as a portfolio of their past work, along with the aforementioned things. Make sure to review them carefully.
You must also check to see if your surgeon is a member of the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (TSPRAS) on their “Find a Doctor” portal, as recommended in a joint statement from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and TSPRAS.
Additionally, check your surgeon’s reviews on independent sites, such as Google, Trustpilot or Realself and scrutinise every detail.
And importantly, before making any payments, make sure to ask whether the surgeon you’re paying for will be the one to do the surgery.
The doctor you see advertised on the website, social media, or anywhere else should be the same person who does the procedure.
If you’re being operated on by assistants without the surgeon present or actively involved, it might already be too late.
According to Kagan Seymenoglu, Founder and CEO of Longevita: “One of the reasons a surgery price might be too good to be true is that it could be an inexperienced or even unqualified practitioner, rather than a qualified and experienced surgeon, performing the procedure.”
“It’s a false economy to go for the cheapest option because you might have to end up spending thousands of pounds or more on repair work and revision surgeries.”
2. Medical Facility Is Not Regulated Or Accredited
Medical facilities in Turkey are regulated by the Ministry of Health, and they need to be registered with the same body.
Additionally, they must have an accident and emergency (A&E) department or be situated close to a hospital that has an A&E, as it’s vital in case of any issues with the surgery.
Certain companies offer surgeries in private villas, and it’s important not to be swayed by their luxury.
While accredited medical facilities are subject to regulatory oversight, have emergency response systems, and adhere to strict hygiene and infection control protocols, private villas offer no such assurances in these regards.
What You Should Do
Verify the registration of a medical facility through the list of authorised healthcare providers published by the Turkish Health Tourism Department. If a “clinic” or “hospital” is not listed, it’s not worth wasting your resources on.
Although if you’re deciding between two facilities, checking for Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation may help you settle on one.
JCI accreditation is a prestigious and globally recognised standard for healthcare quality and patient safety, and having its seal of approval is a good sign.
Currently, there are 41 JCI-accredited healthcare organisations within Turkey – you can easily search for them on JCI’s website.
3. Provider Is Not Registered
If your medical tourism provider is not registered, it means they’re operating illegally, and you should steer clear of them.
Moreover, if your provider claims to be registered in the UK, you need to verify this.
Some clinics use a front PO box address to claim they’re UK-registered. If they have a PO box address but are not registered with the Companies House, it’s a massive red flag.
What You Should Do
Make sure to check the registration of a company through the online register of UK Companies House. Anyone who pays £50 to the Companies House can register a company, therefore check the company directors and make sure the party you are dealing with has a physical presence in the UK in the form of a consultation clinic or at least a representative office.
If the provider is in Turkey, you must check for its registration in the data bank of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
4. Provider Lacks Verified Information
It’s important to understand who you’re dealing with. Is it a doctor? Or is it a brand?
Regardless, you shouldn’t trust anyone who doesn’t have verified information anywhere. They need to be a legal entity.
Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that if a doctor’s/company’s socials have a high number of followers, likes or comments, they must be legitimate.
Followers, likes, and even comments can all be purchased from third parties, meaning the inflated numbers you might be seeing can be fake.
What You Should Do
On the website of your provider, look for their name, address, phone number, and registration number.
Additionally, on their social channels like Instagram and WhatsApp, look for the respective blue and green ticks representing their verification by the respective platform.
5. There’s No Contract Between You And Your Provider
To ensure legality and establish accountability and reliability for both parties, having a contract to sign is essential. The absence of a contract can jeopardise your position after surgery if any unforeseen issues arise.
Moreover, registration at the hospital before the surgery is as important as the contract you sign before arrival. Without this as well, you may lack the necessary documents to address any post-op complaints.
Lack of registration also means that the provider is dismissing the legal procedures, and it creates uncertainty regarding the responsibilities and liabilities associated with healthcare services.
The contract and registration processes are both crucial. Without them, you won’t have proof that you underwent surgery with that provider, which could prevent you from claiming your legal rights.
What You Should Do
Ensure that you’re given every detail regarding the contract agreement, including the refund and cancellation policies.
Companies registered in the UK and Turkey are required to provide a 14-day cooling-off period, during which you can opt out.
A cooling-off period shorter than 14 days may raise a red flag since both the UK and Turkish governments mandate a cooling-off period of 14 days for companies.
Also, regardless of whether you’re having plastic surgery or a less invasive treatment like a hair transplant, confirm your registration with the clinic.
6. You’re Pressured To Pay In Cash
Registered clinics in Turkey, like anywhere in the world, have a responsibility to pay taxes to the Turkish government.
However, if a provider requests cash payments from you instead of bank transfers or card payments, it may indicate that they could potentially be evading taxes.
In numerous jurisdictions, cash transactions exceeding a certain threshold may raise legal concerns regarding tax evasion.
If a provider only accepts cash payments and doesn’t offer other payment options, it might be a sign that their service is questionable.
Be cautious of providers who offer discounts for cash payments or discourage card payments by mentioning extra fees.
If they’re trying to wrap you in by making cash payments sound more desirable, it can be a sign of illegal activity.
What You Should Do
The best payment methods are bank transfers or credit cards, and it’s important to request an invoice after making the payment.
An invoice and a receipt are essential forms of payment verification. Cash transactions lack this documentation, leaving you without proof of payment.
Make sure you have these documents to give you legal recourse in case of any post-op complaints.
7. Your Medical History Is Not Checked
Medical history is essential to determine your suitability for a particular surgery.
Consider looking for a different provider if they do not ask about your medications, your BMI, your age, chronic diseases, or request additional medical reports when necessary.
Travelling abroad only to find out that you cannot have the surgery due to a medical condition that could have been identified beforehand is not only wasteful of your time and money but also quite disheartening.
What You Should Do
Check whether you’re asked all the details to determine your eligibility for the surgery.
Bear in mind that no surgery is risk-free, and no matter where you have surgery, complications can occur. Nevertheless, you can make your experience more safe by avoiding some glaring red flags.
