What to Consider When Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon

A complete guide to choosing the right plastic surgeon for safe, natural and long-lasting results — especially if you are considering plastic surgery in Turkey.

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make on your aesthetic journey. Whether you are planning nose surgery, breast augmentation, liposuction, a Brazilian Butt Lift or facial rejuvenation, the surgeon you choose directly affects your safety, results and long-term satisfaction.

Today, with the growing popularity of plastic surgery in Turkey, thousands of international patients travel to Istanbul every year to meet experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons. But how do you know which surgeon is truly right for you? What qualifications should you look for? And how can you be sure you will receive safe, natural and long-lasting results?

In this guide, we explain what to consider when choosing your plastic surgeon, based on medical qualifications, surgical experience, clinic standards and real patient feedback. These steps will help you choose the best plastic surgeon for your needs in Turkey or anywhere in the world.

1. Check Board Certification and Surgical Experience

The first step in choosing a plastic surgeon is to verify their medical qualifications. A truly qualified surgeon should be:

Board-certified in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
Registered with national medical boards and medical associations
Trained in accredited hospitals and clinics
Experienced specifically in the procedure you are planning

A board-certified plastic surgeon follows strict surgical and ethical standards. This is essential for cosmetic surgery safety and for achieving predictable, high-quality outcomes.

2. Review Before and After Photos Carefully

Before and after galleries are one of the best tools you have for evaluating a surgeon’s aesthetic style and technical skill. When comparing plastic surgery before and after results, look for:

Natural-looking results that match the patient’s facial and body proportions
Balanced symmetry and harmony
Consistent results across different patients
Good scar placement and quality of healing

If you are considering plastic surgery in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, do not skip this step. High-quality before and after photos show that the surgeon has real and consistent experience in the procedures you are interested in.

3. Choose a Surgeon Who Specializes in Your Procedure

Not every cosmetic surgeon has the same area of focus. It is important to choose someone who performs your desired operation frequently and successfully. For example:

For nose surgery, look for expertise in rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty or functional rhinoplasty.
For breast augmentation, choose a surgeon with extensive experience in implants and fat transfer techniques.
For body contouring, look for advanced skills in VASER 4D liposuction and high-definition body sculpting.

When you choose a surgeon who specializes in your procedure, you significantly increase your chance of a smooth recovery and a natural final result.

4. Evaluate Clinic and Hospital Safety Standards

Safety must always come before aesthetics. When choosing the best plastic surgeon in Turkey or any other country, ask where your surgery will take place and what standards the hospital or clinic follows. Important questions include:

Is the hospital or clinic fully accredited and regularly inspected?
Are the operating theatres equipped with modern technology and emergency systems?
Will an experienced anesthesiologist be present for the entire procedure?
Are all devices and implants CE or FDA approved?

A trusted plastic surgery clinic in Turkey will be transparent about these details and happy to share information about its safety protocols.

5. Read Verified Reviews from Real Patients

Patient reviews and testimonials offer valuable insight into the surgeon’s communication, follow-up care and overall patient experience. When reading feedback online, pay attention to:

Comments about trust, empathy and clear communication
Experiences of international patients and their journeys
Feedback about natural-looking results and realistic expectations
How the clinic responds to questions and concerns

Consistent, positive reviews from real people are strong signs that you are choosing the right plastic surgeon.

6. Ask the Right Questions in Your Consultation

A detailed consultation is essential before any aesthetic procedure. Use this time to ask questions that help you understand the surgeon’s approach, such as:

How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
What technique do you recommend for me and why?
What are the possible risks and complications?
What do realistic results look like in my case?
What will the recovery period be like?

A professional surgeon will answer all these questions clearly and honestly. If someone avoids your questions or makes unrealistic promises, it is a sign to look for another opinion.

7. Trust, Communication and Personal Connection

Beyond qualifications and experience, your personal feeling of trust is crucial. During your consultations, pay attention to whether the surgeon:

Listens carefully to your concerns and goals
Explains the procedure in understandable language
Gives you honest, realistic advice (even if it means saying no)
Shows genuine care for your safety and well-being

A confident surgeon will never pressure you into surgery. Instead, they will give you time to think and encourage you to ask more questions.

8. Final Tips for Choosing the Best Plastic Surgeon in Turkey

When searching for the best plastic surgeon in Turkey, it can be tempting to focus only on price or social media popularity. However, the most important factors are still medical training, safety, experience, natural results and honest communication.

By carefully checking board certification, before and after photos, hospital standards, patient reviews and consultation quality, you can feel more confident in your decision. This will help you achieve safe, natural and long-lasting results that truly match your expectations.

Book a Personal Consultation with Dr. Hakki Izmirli

If you are considering plastic surgery in Istanbul, Turkey and would like a personalised treatment plan, you can contact our clinic directly for an online or in-person consultation.