Side by side
| Turkey | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Full tummy tuck | About €3,900 to €6,500 (package) | €8,000 to €12,000 |
| Mini tummy tuck | About €3,200 to €5,200 | €5,600 to €7,900 |
| On top | Flights, a companion, extra nights, time off, any return trip | Travel to the hospital |
| Wound checks | Before you fly, then remote | In person |
Flying home
A tummy tuck and a long flight both raise the risk of a blood clot. The UK's NHS advises not flying for seven to ten days after a tummy tuck. Some airlines need a fit-to-fly letter: the Department of Foreign Affairs advises getting it before you're discharged.
What the Department of Foreign Affairs advises
- check the surgeon's credentials and the hospital's accreditation in that country yourself
- find out what legal options you'd have if something goes wrong
- talk it through with your own doctor first
- have travel insurance that covers it (the EHIC isn't valid outside the EU)
- know what aftercare you'll need, and get a discharge summary in English
The Department can't give financial or legal help to people who have problems after treatment abroad.
Aftercare at home
A tummy tuck wound needs checking for weeks. Irish emergency departments treat complications wherever the surgery was done, but routine wound care, drains and a revision are harder to arrange when your surgeon is abroad. Ask before you book who does each check, and who pays if something needs fixing.
Questions people ask
Is a tummy tuck in Turkey safe?
Many go well. The risks of the operation are the same anywhere; the travel, the checking you can do and the aftercare are what differ.
How long should I stay in Turkey after a tummy tuck?
Long enough for the first checks and to be safe to fly. The UK's NHS advises not flying for seven to ten days.