For patients in South Africa

Turbinate reduction in Turkey from South Africa: what to expect

The turbinates, also called conchae, are ridges of tissue inside the nose that warm and moisten the air you breathe. When they become enlarged, they can block the nose for months or years. Turbinate reduction, or conchaplasty, reduces them so air can pass more freely. This page explains the operation in İzmir, Turkey, for patients travelling from South Africa. The treatment details are on our turbinate reduction page.

Who it may suit

Enlarged turbinates can cause:

• A nose that feels blocked most of the time
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Snoring and poor sleep
• Pressure around the sinuses

Other problems cause similar symptoms, such as a bent septum, enlarged adenoids or allergy, so an ENT specialist examines the inside of your nose first. If your septum also needs correcting, turbinate reduction can be done in the same operation; see our septorhinoplasty guide if you also want the shape of your nose changed. The wider picture is in our nose and breathing treatments guide and our ENT surgery guide.

The operation

The surgeon reshapes or reduces the enlarged turbinates while keeping their essential function, which creates more space inside the nose. The surgeon will explain the technique and type of anaesthesia planned for you. Before the operation, send a description of your symptoms, any scans and a list of your medicines, including nasal sprays.

Recovery and how long to stay

• Days 1–3: congestion, swelling, pressure and some discharge are normal, and prescribed medication helps; do not blow your nose or exert yourself
• Days 4–7: most patients feel more comfortable and manage light activities; the surgeon checks healing and advises on nasal cleaning or sprays
• Weeks 2–4: breathing improves as swelling inside the nose settles, and most people return to work, though strenuous exercise waits
• Weeks 4–8: healing is well advanced and normal activities resume once the surgeon clears you

Most patients are fit to fly home three to five days after the operation, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Patients recover at Mandarin Grove, our recovery retreat near İzmir, between check-ups.

Risks

Common, usually temporary effects are congestion, swelling, dryness, crusting, mild bleeding and changes in feeling inside the nose. Less often, infection, heavy bleeding, a nose that stays blocked, reduced nasal function or the need for further treatment can occur. The surgeon will explain your own risk profile at consultation.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Fitness to fly: the surgeon decides when you are fit for the long flight home, so book a return ticket you can change
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, so check with your scheme first, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad

Follow-up at home

Ask for a written operation report and any scans to take home, and share them with your GP or an ENT specialist in South Africa, as healing inside the nose continues for several weeks after you return.

Follow-up continues by message and video call with the same team. Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and clinically necessary revisions for one year from treatment; accepted claims are treated in İzmir at no charge, though flights and accommodation are your own. See clinic facts and our complaints page.

What we will not do

We will not operate before the cause of your blocked nose is clear, we will not remove more tissue than your nose needs to work properly, and we will not promise perfect breathing.

Frequently asked questions

What is turbinate reduction?

An operation to reshape or reduce enlarged turbinates, the ridges of tissue inside the nose, while preserving their function. It creates more space for air and can ease a blocked nose.

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for turbinate reduction?

Most patients are fit to fly home three to five days after the operation, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Book a return ticket you can change.

When will I breathe better after turbinate reduction?

Breathing usually improves over two to four weeks as swelling settles, and healing is well advanced by four to eight weeks. The nose often feels blocked for the first few days.

Can turbinate reduction be combined with septum surgery?

Yes. It can be done alone or alongside surgery on the septum when that also needs correcting. The surgeon decides what is sensible in one operation.

What decides the cost of turbinate reduction?

Whether it is done alone or with other nasal surgery, whether scans are needed first, how long you stay and what the package includes. A firm figure is only possible after an assessment.

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