Post-bariatric body lifting in Istanbul — key facts

  • Surgeon: Dr. Mehmet Sürmeli, MD, FEBOPRAS — double board certified (Turkish Board 2016, European Board 2017) · licensed as a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in Türkiye and the UAE (Dubai DHA, Abu Dhabi DOH) · member of ASPS, ISAPS and the Emirates Plastic Surgery Society · verified credentials
  • Experience: more than 800 body contouring procedures, with post-bariatric body restoration among the practice's defining work — supported by a reconstructive hospital background of over 1,100 documented flap and graft procedures
  • Approach: staged master-plan across body areas, sequenced by priority and safety
  • Safety & satisfaction: patient safety comes before every aesthetic goal — reflected in a 4.9/5 rating across 160+ patient reviews on RealSelf and 5.0/5 on Google
  • Aftercare: long-term follow-up is a signature of the practice — many patients remain in follow-up 5+ years; much of the practice is built on returning patients and their referred family and friends — essential across a staged plan
  • International patients: 6–7 day stay per stage, structured remote follow-up between stages

Post-Bariatric Surgery and Body Lifting (After massive weight loss)

Recently, the number of morbid obesity patients who seeks for a solution have vastly increased. Whether the massive weight loss is achieved by diet-exercise, non-surgical endoscopic gastric procedures or gastric sleeve (Sleeve gastrectomy) procedures the results of this on human body are treated with similar procedures, known as “Body Lift”. Body lift operations are one of the most extensive, stunning and satisfactory procedures of plastic and reconstructive surgery which requires a thorough preoperative consultation and planning.

Depending on the patients’ needs, we divide body lifting procedures into two categories: upper and lower body lift. 

Upper Body Lift may consist of:

  • Gynecomastia
  • Breast Lift 
  • Arm Lift
  • Bra Line Lift / Upper Back Lift

Lower Body Lift may consist of:

  • Tummy Tuck
  • Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty
  • Gluteal Autoaugmentation 
  • Thigh Lift

Who is a good candidate for body lift surgeries?

You may be a good body lif candidate if:

  • You are physically healthy without medical conditions and at a stable weight
  • You have realistic expectations
  • You are a nonsmoker
  • You have significant excessive skin in one or multiple areas
  • You are following a healthy life style with good nutrition and exercises 

BODY LIFT FAQ’s

How long does the procedure take? 

Depending on the extent of the surgery, the procedure takes 4-7 hours. 

How long should I stay at the hospital after body lift?

After the operation our patients spend two or three nights at the hospital. Two or three days after the operation we discharge our patients
after we check and inform them about their operation, after care and usage instructions of medicines.

How long should I wear compressive garments after the operation?

We recommend our patients to wear compressive garments for 6 weeks. The compression provided by the garments during the initial healing process
helps ensure that incisions heal correctly and the skin attaches properly. The garments also reduces the swelling.

When could I be able to return to my normal life?

Generally patients can resume their social life after 10-15 days. They must avoid lifting heavy things for at least 6-8 weeks.
They must avoid exercises and stretching exercises for at least 8 – 12 weeks. 

General FAQ’S

Once you have sent an enquiry to us, you will be contacted by one of our representatives. Your representative will provide information about the procedure that you are interested in and answer any questions you may have. Your representative will also arrange an online consultation for you with Dr. Surmeli and he/she will show your photos/videos and medical history. After Doctor’s online evaluation, he will give his advises and make an initial operation plan if the patient is suitable both physically and psychologically. And the representative will inform you about the plan, details of the operation, healing, etc. You will also be provided with details on the available dates, required accommodation duration, packages & costs, and possible extras. Once you set a date with your representative we book your appointment after you send the flight details and passport information.

For our international patients we are offering packages including hotel and transfers between airport-hotel-clinic. We accommodate our patients near hotels to our hospital to reach them easily and to avoid spending time in traffic. We currently have a 4-star and a 5-star hotel options. As we have agency collaborations with the hotels, we usually provide better quotes for our patients than the hotel does. You can get detailed information from your representatives about hotels and prices.

The patients who will arrange their own accommodation and transportation, should inform their representatives about their accommodate addresses before they arrive Istanbul. We strongly recommend those patients to arrange close accommodates to our hospital. Please note, Istanbul is bigger than you see on the map. So, please consult to your representative before arrange/book your accommodation.

We strongly recommend bringing a companion, and even make it obligatory for some operations. If you cannot bring a companion, a private-duty nurse can assist you with basic needs during the daytime of your hospital stay — please tell your patient representative in advance so it can be arranged. Please contact your representative for details and prices.

Our price includes;

  • Pre and Post operative medical examinations, blood tests.
  • Hospital accommodation (Private room, amenities listed below) 
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included for the patient and for one companion
    • A private-duty nurse during the daytime
    • All needed post operative treatments and medications
    • Free Wi-Fi, LCD TV, Private Bathroom, Security Box, Fridge, Kettle, Free Water, Tea and Coffee
  • All needed medicines
  • 1 pair compressive garments (If a liposuction, tummy tuck or other body surgeries are performed)
  • 1 pcs medical sports bra (If a breast surgery is performed)
  • BBL pillow (If BBL or gluteal implant is performed)
  • Check ups

If you pick our package, our package also includes;

  • Hotel accommodation (Breakfast Included)
  • Transfers between hospital-hotel-airport with our private vehicle

PS: Please consult your representatives for possible extras

Typically two to three staged sessions, sequenced by your priorities and safety limits — commonly starting with the trunk (body lift/tummy tuck), then breast/arms, then refinements. The full map is drawn at the first consultation so each stage builds on the last.