How to prepare your medical trip to Turkey: the complete checklist

This is the most important phase — and the one most often rushed by patients who book directly without support. At Zynea, it's the foundation for everything else.

Before any commitment, your Zynea coordinator analyzes your situation during a free initial video consultation. For a hair transplant, we assess your stage of alopecia, the quality of your donor area, and the right technique. For a dental procedure, we review your existing X-rays or panoramic scans. This step is non-negotiable — it determines whether you're a good candidate and, if so, which surgeon we refer you to.

Every Zynea treatment plan is put in writing, with the planned procedures, material brands, intervention schedule, and total price. No surprises on arrival. Keep this document carefully — it's part of your medical file.

This phase is crucial for the safety of your procedure. It is prepared in coordination with your general practitioner in Belgium and your Zynea team.

Depending on the nature of your procedure, preoperative blood work may be required: full blood count, coagulation panel, glycemia, blood type. Your Belgian GP can easily prescribe it — the results will be sent to the clinic before your arrival. This workup identifies any contraindications and allows the anesthesia protocol to be adjusted if needed.

Some medications must be stopped before any surgical procedure. Anticoagulants (aspirin, Eliquis, Xarelto) increase bleeding risk and are generally suspended 5 to 10 days before the operation under medical advice. Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, ketoprofen) are stopped 7 days before. Some dietary supplements — vitamin E, omega-3, garlic — also have anticoagulant properties. Always inform your GP about your planned procedure.

Tobacco significantly reduces tissue vascularization and compromises healing. For a hair transplant, it lowers graft survival rates. For dental implants, it multiplies the risk of osseointegration failure by three. Stopping is recommended at least 2 weeks before the procedure and until healing is complete.

Turkey is accessible without a visa for Belgian and French nationals for tourist stays under 90 days. A valid passport or national ID card is sufficient. Check the expiry date of your documents — some airlines refuse IDs expiring within less than 6 months.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Turkey. Travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses and medical repatriation is essential. Make sure your insurance explicitly covers post-operative complications linked to a scheduled surgical procedure — some contracts exclude them. When in doubt, take out specific medical tourism insurance before departure.

A few items to plan specifically for a medical stay, on top of your usual belongings.

As soon as you land, your Zynea coordinator or partner driver greets you. You have no logistics to handle on-site — that's one of the fundamental advantages of a supported journey.

Arrive on an empty stomach if anesthesia is planned — typically 6 hours without food and 2 hours without liquid. Wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off. Don't bring jewelry. Have a trusted contact reachable in Belgium in case of need — your Zynea coordinator can contact them directly if necessary.

The 2 to 3 days following the procedure are dedicated to initial recovery. Avoid alcohol, direct sun exposure, and any intense physical activity. Strictly follow the aftercare protocol provided by the clinic. Photograph the operated area daily — these photos will be valuable for the 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

The return to Belgium marks the start of the longest phase — and the most decisive for the final result. This is where Zynea's follow-up proves its full value.

For a hair transplant, wait at least 3 to 5 days before flying to let the grafts anchor properly. For dental implants, return is generally possible the day after placement. On the plane, hydrate thoroughly and wear your compression mask if prescribed.

Upon your return to Belgium, your Zynea coordinator automatically schedules your follow-up checkpoints: teleconsultation at D+15, photo review at 3 months, assessment at 6 months, final check at 12 months. These appointments are included in your journey — no additional action needed on your side.

This checklist is available in a printable version from your Zynea coordinator. It is customized by procedure type — hair transplant, dental, or cosmetic — with the specifics of each protocol.

Your Zynea coordinator supports you at every step — from the initial consultation to the final review. Free consultation. In English. No commitment.