The prices
| Ireland | Turkey (package) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tummy tuck | €8,000 to €12,000 | €3,900 to €6,500 |
| Breast lift with implants | From about €9,500 | €4,500 to €7,800 |
| Liposuction | €2,200 to €7,000 | €2,600 to €5,200 |
| Combined | From about €17,500 (tummy tuck and breast lift) | €7,100 to €14,300 (three parts) |
Add flights for you and whoever comes with you, the hotel nights, and the time off work and away from home.
Time away from your children
The hospital groups that sell these packages themselves describe 10 to 14 nights in Istanbul for a combined operation, then two weeks at home with no lifting, children included. With small children, that's a long time to arrange care for.
Flying home
The UK's NHS advises not flying for seven to ten days after a tummy tuck and five to seven days after breast surgery. Sitting still on a long flight after surgery raises the risk of a clot: wear compression stockings, get up and walk, and do calf exercises. Some airlines want a fit-to-fly letter; get it before you leave the hospital.
Aftercare
Drains, wound checks and the problems that sometimes come in the first weeks, such as fluid under the scar, happen once you're back in Ireland. Ask before you book who sees you here, who you ring at night, and what happens, and who pays, if you need a second operation. Get a written discharge summary in English.
What the Department of Foreign Affairs advises
- Research the provider and check the hospital is accredited in that country
- Find out what legal action you could take if something goes wrong
- Talk to your own doctor before you go
- Get suitable travel insurance; most policies don't cover surgery that goes wrong, and the EHIC isn't valid outside the EU
- The Department can't give financial or legal help after treatment abroad
Questions people ask
How much is a mummy makeover in Turkey?
Packages are advertised at €7,100 to €14,300 for three parts, before flights and hotel nights.
How long would I stay in Turkey?
The hospital groups selling packages describe 10 to 14 nights for a combined operation.
When can I fly after a mummy makeover?
The UK's NHS advises seven to ten days after a tummy tuck.
Is it safe to have a mummy makeover abroad?
It can go well, but the aftercare at a distance and the long trip home are the weak points.