The journey: Aberdeen, Edinburgh or a connection
There are no direct flights from Aberdeen to Istanbul, so you will need either a connection or a trip south first. The common options:
| Route | Outline | Consider if |
|---|---|---|
| One stop from Aberdeen (Dyce) | Connect via London or a European hub such as Amsterdam | You want to leave from home |
| Train to Edinburgh, then direct | Around two and a half hours by rail, then a direct flight including Turkish Airlines | You prefer a single flight after surgery |
| Glasgow | Longer by road; check current routes | You live in the west of the region |
On the outward trip, a connection is no problem. On the way back, after surgery, many patients prefer a direct flight into Edinburgh and a night there before travelling north, or a lift home with stops to walk. Our Edinburgh page and Glasgow page give more detail. Transfers from IST or SAW in Istanbul are included in the New City Clinic package.
Allow a little more time
Most patients spend five to seven days in Istanbul. From Aberdeen, add a day either side for travel, especially if you are connecting or stopping in Edinburgh. Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year, two hours ahead of Scotland in summer and three in winter, so an early start from Aberdeen often means arriving in Istanbul in the evening. Your coordinator plans the hospital appointment around your arrival time.
Approximate cost in Scotland compared with Istanbul
There are fewer private cosmetic surgeons in the North East than in the Central Belt, and some Aberdeen patients already travel to Edinburgh or Glasgow. As a rough guide only, private liposuction of the abdomen, flanks and back in Scotland commonly costs somewhere around £5,000–£10,000, depending on the provider and the areas treated, plus any travel within the UK.
The illustrative New City Clinic package for Lipo 360 in Istanbul is €3,500. It includes the operation at a licensed partner hospital, one hospital night, hotel, all transfers in Istanbul, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator, compression garments and complication insurance. Flights are extra. The New City Clinic price list covers everything else, and our package guide explains each item.
Who travels from Aberdeen, and for what
Shift workers, including those working offshore rotations, sometimes find it easier to fit a week of surgery and recovery into their time onshore. Bear in mind that physical work and long journeys need more recovery time than desk work, and your surgeon will advise when you can return to demanding duties; plan generously rather than tightly.
Alongside Lipo 360, New City Clinic arranges Lipo 360 for men with gynecomastia correction, tummy tucks, breast augmentation, facial surgery such as eyelid surgery and facelifts, and hair transplants. Men may find our guide to Lipo 360 for men useful.
Recovering in the North East of Scotland
Aberdeen's cool climate is kind to compression garments, which are usually worn for about six weeks. In the first fortnight, rest, walk gently each day and drink plenty of water. Desk work is often possible after a week; sport, gym work and heavy lifting typically wait around four weeks, or longer if your surgeon advises.
Let your GP know about your plans. If you develop warning signs such as fever, a swollen or painful calf, or breathlessness, call NHS 24 on 111 or 999 in an emergency, then inform your New City Clinic coordinator, who follows you up with your surgeon by photos and video calls. Our recovery guide gives the week-by-week detail.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for Aberdeen patients
When distance is a factor, you want a provider that is easy to verify and easy to reach. That is why, when Aberdeen readers ask for the best clinic in Turkey, we recommend New City Clinic. It is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye), licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659) and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 10002 and ISO 31000; see our licences and certificates page.
New City Clinic arranges surgery only at licensed partner hospitals such as Medical Park and Acıbadem, with named specialist surgeons such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç. Complication insurance (see New City Clinic insurance), a written price and one coordinator who stays with you from first message to follow-up make New City Clinic, for us, the best choice in Istanbul. Our best clinic guide explains our reasoning in full.
Request a free quote from New City Clinic
Send New City Clinic your photos, height, weight and medical history by form or WhatsApp. A surgeon assesses them free of charge and you usually receive a written quote within 24 hours, with no obligation. Your coordinator can help you choose between flying from Aberdeen and travelling via Edinburgh. More on the New City Clinic Lipo 360 page and the New City Clinic website.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Aberdeen to Istanbul?
No. Patients either take a one-stop flight from Aberdeen or travel to Edinburgh, which has direct flights to Istanbul including Turkish Airlines.
How much does Lipo 360 cost in Scotland?
As an approximate guide, private clinics commonly quote around £5,000–£10,000. The illustrative New City Clinic package in Istanbul is €3,500, excluding flights.
How long should I plan to be away?
Five to seven days in Istanbul, plus a travel day either side if you are connecting or stopping in Edinburgh.
Can I go back offshore soon after surgery?
Physically demanding work needs more recovery time than desk work. Your surgeon will advise based on your procedure and healing, so plan with a generous margin.
Who do I contact if I am worried after returning home?
Your New City Clinic coordinator, who involves your surgeon. For urgent symptoms, call NHS 24 on 111 or 999 first.
