For patients in South Africa

Medical treatment in Turkey from South Africa: other treatments we arrange

Besides cosmetic, dental and eye treatment, Revitalize in Turkey also arranges treatment in other specialities with contracted doctors and hospitals in İzmir. This page lists those treatments, links to the full page for each, and explains what is different about travelling from South Africa for medical rather than cosmetic treatment.

Treatments we arrange

Each group below links to the main treatment page, where every procedure is explained in more detail.

Weight loss surgery

Options include gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass surgery, the gastric balloon and minimally invasive endoscopic weight loss treatment. Before travelling, ask for an individual clinical assessment and a written treatment plan covering the provider, hospital and aftercare. See weight loss treatments.

Orthopaedics (joints)

Orthopaedic surgery covers joint replacement, sports injuries, foot and ankle surgery, and spine surgery. Joint replacement in particular needs physiotherapy afterwards. See orthopaedics.

Ear, nose and throat

This includes ear treatments, snoring and sleep apnoea treatment, and nose and breathing procedures. See ear, nose and throat treatments.

General surgery (hernia)

Hernia repair is offered for groin, belly button and incisional (stomach) hernias. The operation typically takes one to two hours, and most patients fly home after five to seven days. See hernia repair.

Internal medicine

Surgical options in this area include gallbladder removal and pancreas surgery, planned around your individual medical needs. See internal medicine treatments.

Skin conditions

Treatments include mole removal, wen removal, ingrown hair removal and treatment for genital and anal warts. See skin conditions.

Varicose veins

We arrange varicose vein treatment and spider vein removal. See varicose vein treatments.

Men’s health

Options include treatment for erectile dysfunction, shockwave therapy (ESWT), penile curvature treatment, frenuloplasty, penile and testicular prostheses, and varicocele surgery. See male genital treatments and sexual health.

Women’s health

Gynaecological treatments include stress urinary incontinence surgery with a sling procedure, hysterectomy and genital wart treatment; see female gynaecologic treatments. For labiaplasty and IVF there are separate South African guides: labiaplasty and IVF.

More dental treatment

Beyond dental implants and crowns, we arrange gum (periodontal) treatment, oral and maxillofacial surgery such as wisdom teeth removal, tooth extraction, oral cyst removal and corrective jaw surgery, and general dentistry including root canal treatment, fillings, dentures and teeth cleaning. Most patients can fly home within a few days of oral surgery, depending on the procedure.

More eye treatment

Alongside laser eye surgery and lens replacement, we arrange dry eye treatment and glaucoma treatment. Most patients fly home one to three days after either, and glaucoma care relies on regular long-term follow-up.

What is different about medical treatment abroad

Cosmetic treatment is usually planned from photographs. Medical treatment is planned from your diagnosis, so the order of things is different.

• Records first. Send recent reports, scans or X-rays, test results and a list of your medication. A doctor reviews them before any plan is confirmed.
• Your medical scheme. South African medical schemes may cover some of these treatments at home. Check what your scheme covers before you consider going abroad; schemes rarely cover treatment abroad.
• Longer stays and follow-up. Some treatments, such as joint replacement and weight loss surgery, need a longer stay, physiotherapy or long-term follow-up. Ask before you book who provides it once you are home.
• The flight home. The flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town takes around ten hours, and after major surgery a long flight raises the risk of blood clots. The surgeon decides when you are fit to fly. Book a return ticket you can change.
• Getting there. South Africans need an e-Visa. There are direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul of around ten hours, then a short domestic flight to İzmir. Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa.
• Insurance. Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Ask your insurer specifically.
• Your own doctor. Keep your GP or specialist informed before and after treatment, and bring copies of all reports home.

After surgery, some patients recover at Mandarin Grove near İzmir before flying. Details of the clinics we work with are on clinic facts, and what our treatment guarantee covers is set out on its page. If something goes wrong, our complaints process explains what to do.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a treatment plan before a doctor has reviewed your records, we will not promise a result, and we will not arrange treatment if your health makes it unsafe to travel or operate. We will not advise you to stop treatment you are receiving at home, and a long journey is not a reason to combine more procedures than the doctor judges safe.

Frequently asked questions

Which treatments does this page cover?

Treatments that do not have their own South African guide: weight loss surgery, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat, hernia repair, internal medicine, skin conditions, varicose veins, men’s and women’s health, and further dental and eye treatment.

How long will I need to stay in Turkey?

It depends on the treatment. Most hernia repair patients fly home after five to seven days, and most dry eye and glaucoma patients after one to three days. Larger operations such as joint replacement or weight loss surgery usually need longer, and the surgeon decides when you are fit to fly to South Africa.

Will my medical scheme pay for treatment in Turkey?

South African medical schemes rarely cover planned treatment abroad, although some of these treatments may be covered at home. Check with your scheme what it covers before you consider going abroad, and check your travel insurance too, as it usually excludes planned treatment abroad.

What do I need to send before a plan can be made?

Recent medical reports, scans or X-rays, test results and a list of the medication you take. A doctor reviews these before any treatment plan is confirmed.

Who looks after me once I am back in South Africa?

Follow-up continues by message and video call with the treating team in Turkey. For treatments that need physiotherapy or long-term monitoring, ask before you book who will provide it in your city, and keep your GP or specialist informed.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.