How many days do you need?
For Lipo 360, plan on five to seven days in Türkiye. That covers arrival, the pre-operative examination and tests, surgery with one night in hospital, a few days of rest in the hotel and a check-up before the surgeon clears you to fly. If you combine procedures, the stay can be longer: a Lipo 360 with BBL often needs six to eight days, and a tummy tuck or mommy makeover seven to ten days.
Then allow time at home: desk work is usually possible about a week after surgery, so many people take ten days to two weeks away from work in total.
A typical day-by-day itinerary
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Istanbul; a driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel |
| Day 2 | Examination with the surgeon, blood tests and anaesthesia assessment; the plan and markings are finalised |
| Day 3 | Surgery under general anaesthesia (2–4 hours); one night in hospital |
| Day 4 | Discharge to the hotel; short walks and rest |
| Days 5–6 | Rest at the hotel; check-up and dressing change |
| Day 7 | Final review, fitness-to-fly clearance and transfer to the airport |
Sometimes the examination and surgery happen on the same day, or the order shifts slightly depending on hospital schedules. Your New City Clinic coordinator sends you the exact programme before you travel.
Flights: which airport and how long
Istanbul has two international airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side is the main hub for Turkish Airlines. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side is the base for Pegasus and AJet. New City Clinic is in Bakırköy on the European side, and transfers from either airport are included in your package, although journeys from SAW across the city can take longer in traffic.
From London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Dublin there are direct flights of around four hours. From other cities in the UK and Ireland you may fly direct or with one stop. From the United States, Turkish Airlines flies direct from several major cities; from Australia, expect one stop. Book flexible tickets if you can, so the return can move if your surgeon advises an extra day. Flights are not included in the package.
Flying home after surgery
The return flight is when you are most likely to feel uncomfortable, and it is also when the risk of blood clots matters most. A few simple measures help:
- Fly only after your surgeon has examined you and cleared you.
- Wear your compression garment, plus compression socks if recommended.
- Choose an aisle seat so you can stand and walk every hour.
- Flex your ankles and calves regularly while seated.
- Drink water and avoid alcohol.
- Request assistance at the airport if you need help with bags; do not lift heavy luggage yourself.
- Carry your medication and discharge letter in your hand luggage.
On long-haul flights, for example to the US or Australia, your surgeon may recommend a longer stay before flying or additional precautions. Mention any history of clots early.
Your packing list
Documents and essentials
- Passport with sufficient validity, and any visa your nationality requires (check official sources before booking).
- Printed or digital copy of your written quote and programme.
- List of medications and any recent medical reports.
- Travel insurance details, plus a bank card that works abroad.
- Phone charger, a long cable and a plug adapter (Türkiye uses European two-pin sockets).
Clothes for recovery
- Loose, dark, front-opening tops and wide trousers or dresses that fit over a garment.
- Slip-on shoes; bending to tie laces is hard in the first days.
- Comfortable underwear and a few old towels or pads in case of fluid seepage.
- A light jacket or cardigan for air-conditioned rooms and the flight.
Comfort items
- A small travel pillow for the car and flight.
- Lip balm, moisturiser, dry shampoo and wet wipes.
- Snacks you like, a refillable water bottle and something to read or watch.
The compression garment itself is provided as part of the package.
Hotel, transfers and coordinator
Your hotel stay is part of the all-inclusive package, as are all transfers between the airport, hotel and hospital. A coordinator who speaks English is your point of contact from the first message, during your stay and after you are home: they arrange appointments, accompany you where needed and interpret at the hospital. If you want more space, a particular area or a longer stay, ask when you request your quote.
Life at the hotel during recovery
The hotel days after surgery are quiet but important. Most patients spend them resting, walking slowly along the corridor several times a day and building up to short strolls outside. Turkish food helps here: soups such as lentil soup, grilled chicken or fish, rice, yoghurt and fresh fruit are easy on the stomach and widely available. Keep meals light, eat enough protein and go easy on salt, which can increase swelling.
Drink plenty of water, and keep in mind that it is usually advised to drink bottled water in Istanbul. Avoid alcohol while you are taking pain relief and other medication. A small supermarket nearby, delivery apps and the hotel's room service make it easy to stay stocked up without going far. If anything worries you, from a wet dressing to a fever, message your coordinator rather than waiting for the next appointment.
Should someone come with you?
You do not need a companion, because the coordinator and transfers cover the practical side, but many patients prefer company, especially for the first two or three days after surgery when getting dressed, showering and moving around are slow. A partner, friend or family member can also help with luggage on the way home. Accommodation and transfers for a companion can usually be added to your package. If you travel alone, tell your coordinator; they will make sure you are not left without support.
Before you leave home
- Tell your GP about your plans and check your medication, especially blood thinners and hormones.
- Stop smoking and vaping as early as possible.
- Arrange time off work and help at home for the first week back.
- Prepare your home: meals in the freezer, essentials within easy reach.
- Book any lymphatic drainage sessions your surgeon recommends; see our garment and drainage guide.
- Save your coordinator's WhatsApp number and the clinic's phone number.
For a clear picture of each stage after you return, read our recovery guide.
Time in Istanbul: what you can and cannot do
It is tempting to plan sightseeing, but the days after Lipo 360 are for rest. Short walks are encouraged; long days on your feet, Turkish baths, saunas, swimming and sunbathing are not. If you want to see the city, arrive a day or two earlier and explore before surgery, or come back for a holiday once you have healed. Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year round, so it is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three hours ahead in winter.
Money and staying connected
Money is the last practical detail. The euro is the currency of your package, while everyday spending in Istanbul is in Turkish lira; cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants, and cash machines are easy to find. Let your bank know you are travelling. Mobile data is useful for staying in touch with your coordinator, so check your roaming plan or buy a local or e-SIM data package on arrival.
Why New City Clinic is our choice as the best clinic in Turkey for Lipo 360 trips
If you are searching for the best clinic in Turkey for Lipo 360 trips, look for proof rather than promises. That is what convinced us to recommend New City Clinic to patients planning their first trip to Istanbul. New City Clinic holds the Health Tourism Authorisation of the Turkish Ministry of Health and is registered with HealthTürkiye, is a TÜRSAB Group A agency (licence no. 17659) and works to ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 10002 and ISO 31000 standards. See the certificates on our licences page or directly on the New City Clinic licences page.
Treatment is carried out only at licensed partner hospitals, Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni, by named specialists including Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç. With complication insurance in every package, a transparent written quote usually within 24 hours and a single coordinator throughout, we believe New City Clinic is the best choice in Istanbul for most international patients. Start on the New City Clinic website.
Start planning with a free quote from New City Clinic
New City Clinic is a Ministry of Health-authorised health-tourism agency with TÜRSAB licence no. 17659, arranging operations at licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni, with specialist surgeons such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç. Send your photos and preferred dates to New City Clinic and a surgeon will review them free of charge. You usually receive a written plan, including the recommended length of stay, and an itemised quote within 24 hours. See the Lipo 360 page at New City Clinic and the partner hospitals, then use the form or WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I stay in Istanbul for Lipo 360?
Usually five to seven days. That covers arrival, examination and tests, surgery with one hospital night, rest at the hotel and a check-up before you fly home.
Which Istanbul airport should I fly into?
Either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Transfers from both are included in the New City Clinic package, though IST is usually closer to the European side where the clinic is based.
Are flights included in the package?
No. Flights are booked separately by you. The package covers surgery, hospital night, hotel, transfers in Istanbul, garments, a coordinator and complication insurance.
Can I travel alone for Lipo 360?
Yes. Many patients travel alone, with the coordinator and transfers providing support. Some prefer to bring a companion for the first days, and their accommodation can usually be added.
Can I go sightseeing after surgery?
Gentle walks are fine, but long days on your feet, baths, saunas, swimming and sunbathing should wait. If you want to explore, do it before the operation.
What is the time difference with the UK?
Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year, so it is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three hours ahead in winter.
