The ultimate guide to Liposuction in Turkey

Last fact-checked: 14 December 2022

Get rid of stubborn, hard-to-remove fat with liposuction in Turkey and save thousands compared to prices back home—with exciting destinations to choose from, including Istanbul, Antalya and İzmir.

With Medical Departures, you can find experienced, reputable surgeons and clinics with savings of up to 70% to be made when booking directly through our site. 

Best of all, it’s completely free to schedule an appointment and you’ll never be asked to pay any upfront charges.

Cost of Liposuction in Turkey vs the UK

Most patients based in the UK can save between 50% and 70% by undergoing liposuction in Turkey.

Similar price savings can be made by patients based in other Western European nations considering a medical trip to Turkey, as well as those based in North America, where costs can be even higher.

Take a look at the table below showing a price comparison between UK and Turkey clinics for different liposuction procedures:

Note: These price estimates were obtained from our partner clinics in Turkey at the time of writing. For exact prices, take a look at our recommended global listings further down this page.

What Factors Determine Price?

The two main factors that will determine how much you pay for liposuction in Turkey: 

1. The method used to remove fat cells:

• Tumescent liposuction, the most popular method that’s also known as suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)

• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)

• VASER liposuction (‘Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance’), a type of ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)

• Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)

• Facial liposuction, which normally involves the suction-assisted method to target smaller areas around the chin, jawline and cheeks

[Note: we’ll look at what each these methods further down this page. For more details, visit our Ultimate Guide to Liposuction Abroad ]. 

2. The volume of fat being removed

Clinics and hospitals base their price estimates on the volume of fat you want to be removed—or at least how much needs to be removed in order for you to achieve a certain cosmetic goal.

The standard amount of fat removed by surgeons is generally 2 or 4 liters (5–7 pounds). However, thanks to advances in technology, more than five liters (or 11 pounds) of fat can be removed in extreme cases; this is classified as “large-volume” or “plus-size” liposuction as per the guidelines set out by the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

What Other Factors Affect the Cost of Liposuction in Turkey

Other questions worth asking both yourself and your surgeon in the lead-up to your liposuction treatment include:

• Which area(s) of the body do I want to be treated?

• Do I want more than one area treated during the same session of surgery?

• Do I want different areas treated at different times, e.g. over two or more sessions?

• Is liposuction part of a sequential series of procedures–for example, as part of a combined breast lift /enlargement where fat cells can be processed and injected back into the body to add volume?

• What is the global reputation of my chosen clinic/surgeon?

• Is the clinic located in a desirable downtown area in somewhere like Istanbul, Ankara or Antalya–or is it out of town?

• How long will I need to stay in Turkey before being able to fly home? Note: As a rule of thumb, the longer your surgery is, the longer your recovery time will be–but make sure to ask your doctor how long you’ll need to rest for before heading home.

> Read More:  Ultimate Guide to Mummy Makeovers in Turkey

Are There Any Hidden Costs to Worry About?

When booking with Medical Departures, we never charge any upfront fees–and it is free to cancel at any time up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time.

Whatsmore, we have a Best Price Guarantee pledge in place–meaning if you find a lower price for the exact same treatment with the same surgeon on the same date, we’ll match it.

For those looking to get rid of stubborn fat in Turkey, rest assured that our price quotes are inclusive of all liposuction treatment costs, so no nasty surprises when the final bill arrives. It should be noted that quotes are provisional and subject to change in relation to any adjustments to each liposuction treatment plan.

Why Choose Turkey for a Liposuction?

Aside from the obvious price savings–with patients from the UK and Europe often saving thousands here compared to back home–there is a number of other reasons to choose Turkey for liposuction:

Quality of Care: Private hospitals and medical clinics in Turkey provide modern, contemporary facilities in relaxing, holiday-like locations. Clinics are well-equipped, hygienic and meet internationally recognised safety standards.

Skilled in applying the latest liposuction techniques coupled with state-of-the-art technology to remove fat cells, the surgeons listed on the Medical Departures site have proven track records of providing smooth, natural-looking results, as well as efficient, safe care for both local and international patients.

> Read More:  Ultimate Guide to Doctors in Turkey

A Top Medical Tourism Destination: As well as being popular for liposuction, millions of patients from across the world head to Turkey to take advantage of affordable rates on a diverse range of health, wellness, medical and dental treatments. When compared to prices in the UK and USA, similar savings of up to 70% can be made on procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), liposuction, eye bag removal, arm lifts, weight-loss surgery, and hair transplants–with Istanbul now considered the ‘ hair transplant capital of the world ’.

Turkey’s high standards of care, excellent safety ratings, and growing list of satisfied patients all contribute to the country’s status as one of the leading destinations for health travel–with other advantages including English-speaking staff, convenient global flight connections, favorable currency exchange rates and affordable accommodation.

Chance for a Holiday: Depending on the nature of your procedure, Turkey offers the potential to enjoy a memorable holiday prior to surgery and then recuperate in comfort before heading home.

This vibrant, diverse country is founded on an ancient civilization that has developed over the centuries. Historic artifacts, cities and buildings throughout the country from empires have come and gone, as well as fascinating and natural wonders unique to this part of the world.

Why Is it Cheaper Compared to the UK and North Europe?

From liposuction to breast implants, hair transplants and smile rehabilitation, the overall cost of living in Turkey helps to drive down prices across the board; this lower cost of living contributes to: 

• Lower salaries for Turkish doctors, nurses and other support staff make

• Cheaper rates for running a business, such as utilities, renting office space or buying a property

• More affordable education for doctors and other professionals (although Turkish doctors study for the same amount of time)

All these factors make it possible for Turkish hospitals and clinics to charge their patients significantly less than their Western counterparts in the UK, EU or US, while still using the same high-quality diagnostic and surgical equipment as some of the best hospitals elsewhere.

Is it Safe to Get Liposuction in Turkey?

While all forms of surgery carry unique risks, undergoing liposuction in Turkey’s best facilities should be no riskier than having the same treatment in the UK, Germany or the US, so long as you choose one that has been independently verified and background-checked.

With optimized techniques, sterilization protocols, and improved aftercare at our partner clinics, undergoing surgery abroad is becoming safer all the time.

The degree of risk also depends on the type of anesthesia used. For smaller areas, surgeons may prefer to use local anesthesia to numb the localized area (comfortably up to 500 ccs), while for larger areas, surgeons tend to prefer using general anesthesia. Find out about the risks associated with different types of anesthesia here.

Other side effects to look out for include bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, and allergic reactions. Consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.

Finding the Best Clinics and Surgeons for Liposuction in Turkey

Searching online for clinics in Turkey can often result in landing on small business pages with misleading, vague, and outdated information; many owners–often surgeons themselves–can make untrustworthy claims–and in other cases, you’ll inevitably find potentially good clinics fail to offer information in English or any clarity when it comes to pricing.

And in the worst cases (that can lead to those ‘horror stories’ about medical tourism you read online), clinics and medical centers may be operating under new names having previously been shut down. Likewise, surgeons who don’t hold the required licenses or qualifications to perform certain procedures might falsify their resume, and those with a less-than-impressive professional background can, again, hide their checkered past by practicing under a different name.

The Medical Departures Verification Process

When booking through Medical Departures, however, you can be sure that we have taken every measure to ensure you are in safe hands when in Turkey. This is thanks to our strict background checks and verification procedures to which every clinic, hospital and surgeon is subject before being listed on our site.

We make sure that the doctors have the proper accreditations, are well-qualified and speak English. In fact, the majority of doctors have either carried out their complete medical qualifications in Western countries or achieved certifications, and many will be members or affiliates of domestic and international medical organisations, such as ISAPS.

We also make sure that the medical facilities are up to the mark in terms of equipment and hygiene levels. We may conduct patient interviews post-surgery to put an additional safety factor in place.

This quality investigation process is something that Medical Departures takes great pride in; our thorough background checks include:

• Searches of criminal/legal records

• Collating and publishing verified patient reviews

• Confirming professional memberships and affiliations

• Gathering genuine before and after photos, as well as images of the facilities

• Verifying doctor and surgeon qualifications, including postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, as well as special certifications in specialist areas.

When viewing the “Doctors” section on our clinic listing pages, some of the professional organizations to look out for include: 

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons

• International Society of Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)

• Turkish Medical Association

• Turkish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (TSAPS)

• European Association of Plastic Surgeons

• Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association

• American Board of Liposuction Surgery

Other Reasons to Book with Medical Departures

• No additional costs for using our platform

• Free to cancel up to 24 hours before your appointment

• Use our site (hit the “Book Consultation” tab on any of our listing pages) to get free, personalised price quote

• You’ll have access to exclusive Medical Departures promotions, available at select clinics

• 24/7 live chat support

• We guarantee the best prices online

• Free access to a database of thousands of doctors and clinics across the world

• See transparent price list estimates on each of our listing pages

Top Liposuction Surgery Clinics in Turkey

If you are considering a trip as a medical tourist, you will discover plenty of options for excellent quality care in modern facilities, especially when booking with Medical Departures.

Five of our top clinics in Turkey for liposuction are:

• Istanbul Aesthetic Center (Medical)

• Estetik International - medical

• Hisar Hospital Intercontinental

• Medlife Group - Medical

• Catch Life Aesthetic

Alternatively, head to our full list of Turkey liposuction clinics with surgeons based in Istanbul, Antalya, İzmir and Ankara.

See More:

> All Liposuction Clinics in Istanbul
> All Liposuction Clinics in Antalya
> All Liposuction Clinics in Izmir

Traveling to Turkey as a Medical Tourist

Rich in history, culture and religion, with incredible cuisine, golden shorelines, mountain tops and ancient monuments, Turkey has become hugely popular with both medical tourists and traditional ones visiting from across the world.

From Ephesus and Istanbul to the dome of Aya Sofia, visitors can embark on an epic journey through this diverse country with its world-famous ruins—dating back to the Roman Empire. A previous stop along the infamous Silk Road, Turkey is brimming with glorious Mediterranean beaches, Aegean olive groves and Asian-influenced monuments.

Istanbul:

As Turkey’s most-visited city, Istanbul’s towering spires and domes are a recognisable feature of its skyline while winding, narrow streets with aromas of shisha, coffee and kebabs are unforgettably Turkish. Against a backdrop of the shimmering Bosphorus—the waterway that bisects the East and West sides of the city—this impressive metropolis is considered one of the world’s most enchanting tourist destinations.

The Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are some of its most popular attractions, while hip districts, like Moda in Kadikoy, and Nisantasi in Silsila offer a lively café society and upscale shopping.

Antalya:

Turkey is renowned for its coastline, and Antalya, the largest city on the Turkish Riviera overlooking the Mediterranean, is the top spot here for low-cost, high-quality cosmetic surgery. Here, holidaymakers can try paragliding or scuba-diving, as well as excursion tours to nearby Roman ruins and other must-see attractions listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Elsewhere in the country, explore the Kaçkar Mountains, relax on the beaches at Patara and participate in an abundance of activities: diving, kayaking, windsurfing, rafting and canyoning. Take a gület cruise across the Mediterranean and Aegean or a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Experience a traditional hammam, take a walking tour or savour Turkey’s spectacular dishes ranging from spicy Anatolian kebabs to baklava.

How Do I Get to Turkey? (Flight Info)

Major airports in Turkey, such as those in Istanbul and Antalya, as well as the capital of Ankara, receive daily flights from all over the world.

For Brits and other Europeans, budget airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet and Wizz Air offer return tickets for as low as EUR 100, while national carriers, such as British Airways and Turkish Airlines, generally charge between EUR 200–300 for a return flight.

The flight time from London to Istanbul is a little under four hours.

Find out more about Turkey's visa and entry requirements here.

Note: For more comprehensive information about visiting Turkey for hair transplants or any other cosmetic or medical procedure, visit our Ultimate Guide to Doctors in Turkey.

About Liposuction Surgery

What Is Liposuction and Why Get It?

Also called lipoplasty, this procedure creates shapelier contours, allowing you to wear the clothes you want (and likewise, not wearing clothes when the time calls for it!) with newfound confidence.

Essentially, excess fat that has collected around targeted areas is suctioned (or vacuumed) out of the body through small incisions, which often results in small weight loss (although this should not strictly be considered as a weight loss surgery).

Over time, the area from where the fat is removed flattens out, revealing the contours that simply aren’t possible with diet and exercise alone.

How Long Does Liposuction Take?

Often combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures, liposuction generally takes between one and two hours, and can be performed under local or general anaesthesia in cases where a large amount of fat is removed.

Which Areas of the Body Can Be Treated?

Liposuction can be used to treat one or more of the following areas:

• Abdominal area (often combined with a tummy tuck )

• Hips

• Back and chest

• Buttocks

• Thighs

• Arms (often combined with arm lift surgery)

• Breasts (often combined with breast lift surgery)

• Calves and ankles

• Neck or lower chin (facial liposuction)

What Does the Procedure for Liposuction Entail?

Modern medicine today allows several different techniques that remove fat cells. Each method employs a specialised suction device inserted through a small incision at the target area.

As an in-patient procedure, general anaesthetic is normally used for more extensive treatment, meaning patients should stay in the hospital or at an outpatient facility overnight for monitoring.

Minor procedures, such as facial liposuction, where only a small amount of fat is removed, may be carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation, with no overnight stay in the hospital necessary.

Common liposuction techniques are explained below:

• Tumescent liposuction—considered the traditional liposuction method—is the most popular way to remove fat cells as it does not require general anaesthetic. Instead, a solution consisting of salt water, local anaesthetic and epinephrine is injected into the target area, causing the localized area to become numb and tissue to swell up and stiffen.
  
  A thin tube (or “cannula”) is then inserted under the skin via one or more small incisions. A vacuum device is connected to the other end that uses a suction process to remove fat and excess fluids.

• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction—UAL uses ultrasonic energy to break down fat cell walls; this can also be used together with tumescent liposuction.
  
  A similar method that has grown in popularity in recent years is VASER®-assisted liposuction (or Vaser lipo); this uses a specialised rod that similarly emits ultrasonic energy, with the added benefit of improving the precision of the contouring and limiting damage to the surrounding skin.

• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)—a specialised device, inserted into the target area via a small incision, is used to create a subtle but rapid vibration that, in turn, breaks up fat cells. Often preferred when large volumes of fat are being removed, PAL makes it easier for surgeons to control the removal of fat cells, which are suctioned out through a cannula.

• Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)—this method uses a fine laser fiber that emits a high-intensity light to essentially emulsify fat cells. Similar to PAL, the fat is then removed via a thin cannula before incisions are closed and sutured.

Facial Liposuction in Turkey

As most of us soon realise after we hit 30 (or if you’re lucky 40), the effects of ageing and weight gain can cause fat deposits on or around the face. This can create the appearance of a double chin, a flabby jawline, and plump cheeks. While natural weight loss can help to a certain degree, this can be one of the hardest areas to shed excess fat.

With facial liposuction, surgeons in Turkey can remove the excess fat, creating a more attractive yet still natural appearance. This can be completed as a standalone procedure or combined with other cosmetic treatments or even plastic surgeries, such as:

• Facelift

• Neck lift

• Browplasty

• Eye bag removal

Find out more about what the procedure entails with our global facial liposuction guide.

Who Can Undergo Liposuction?

Suitable candidates for liposuction in Turkey should:

• Be seeking better definition in certain areas of the body following diet and exercise.

• Have localized areas of fat deposits that are disproportionate with the rest of your body

• Have a stable weight, particularly following dramatic weight loss or gain

• Have good skin elasticity.

• Avoid smoking for several weeks before surgery.

• Be aware that liposuction is not an overall weight-loss method, unlike bariatric surgery.

Not sure about your suitability for liposuction in Turkey? Then get in touch with a representative from Medical Departures; they can put you in touch with Turkey liposuction surgeons who will provide a preliminary assessment before you travel and book.

What Is the Recovery Time from Liposuction?

Following surgery, please note the following considerations about your recovery and potential side effects:

• After the surgery, you will have some bruising around the treated area(s) and you will also experience some numbness.

• The bruising can last up to six months but will begin to subside after a week or two.

• Stitches will be removed a week after the surgery.

• You will be given a support garment to wear after your stitches are removed and have to wear this for at least three to four weeks.

• You’ll be able to return to most of your normal activities within a week or so if you have a relatively small area treated, and a little longer if you’ve had a larger operation.

• The results of the procedure will take up to six months to become apparent. During that time, you may experience swelling, swollen ankles, scars and inflammation of the treated area as some of the side effects of the procedure.

Note: If you are having surgery, holiday activities and sightseeing in Turkey should be carried out prior to your procedure; afterward, it will pay to have booked into a good hotel with amenities like room service where you can recover in comfort.

Liposuction FAQs

Q. Can I have more than one area treated at the same time?

A. Yes, although most surgeons will suggest a limit of three of four areas being treated during the same session. 

Q. What is the most popular type of liposuction?

A. Tumescent / SAL – this is the most common type of liposuction whereby a sterile solution of salt water, anesthetic and epinephrine is injected to facilitate the painless removal of fat cells via a cannula and suction device. 

Q. How much is liposuction in Turkey?

A. Prices at our partner clinics start at just GBP 1,500 for small amounts of fat to be removed.

Q. How long will I need to stay in Turkey after my liposuction?

A. This will depend on the severity of the procedure; for small amounts of fat removal, you may be advised to head back to the clinic after around three days for a post-surgery check-up before flying home. 

Q. What is the maximum amount of fat that can be removed during liposuction surgery?
A. Surgeons can safely remove between 3–4 liters of fat (6–8 pounds) of fat during one session of surgery. 

How Do I Book with Medical Departures?

First, take a look through our recommended liposuction clinics in Turkey, or visit our full global listings page with other destinations including Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica and South Korea.

To book your appointment, get in touch with our Customer Care Team via email, phone or online chat. Our representatives can help you arrange a presurgical consultation, provide personalized price quotes (that fall under our Best Price Guarantee policy), and arrange accommodation for the duration of your stay in Turkey.

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American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Website accessed: 23 November 2022. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/

Anesthesia Risks. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Website accessed: 23 November 2022. https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/anesthesia-101/types-of-anesthesia/anesthesia-risks/

The International Society of Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://www.isaps.org

Turkish Medical Association. Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://www.aomrc.org.uk/statements/turkish-medical-association/

European Association of Plastic Surgeons. Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://www.euraps.org

American Board of Liposuction Surgery. Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://americanboardofliposuctionsurgery.com/about-us

GoTurkey. Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://www.goturkey.com/

Turkey Visa Fees. Visa Guide. Website accessed: 21 November 2022. https://visaguide.world/europe/turkey-visa/fees/

Kennedy, Madeline. What is liposuction? 13 February 2021. https://www.insider.com/what-is-liposuction

Liposuction: What You Should Know. WebMD. Website accessed: 21 November 2021. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedure-liposuction

Abraham, T. Manoj. Liposuction of the Face and Neck. Medscape. 13 April 2016. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/842367-overview