Plastic Surgery Revision & Recovery Resource

On your phone (Safari)

1. Open the Turkish page.
2. Tap the page-menu icon (the small icon next to the web address at the bottom).
3. Tap "Translate to English." If it asks, tap Enable Translation.

On a laptop (Safari)

Click the translate icon at the right of the address bar → Translate to English. No icon? Use the menu bar: View → Translate Page.

On Chrome, phone (Android & iPhone)

1. Open the Turkish page in Chrome.
2. A bar usually slides up from the bottom showing language options, just tap English. Done.
3. No bar? Tap the ⋮ menu (three dots, top-right on Android, bottom-right on iPhone) → Translate…, then choose English.
4. Want it every time? On that translate bar tap the ⋮ → Always translate Turkish.

On Chrome, laptop / desktop

1. Open the Turkish page in Chrome.
2. Click the small translate icon (a two-letter “文A” icon) at the right end of the address bar → choose English.
3. Don't see the icon? Right-click anywhere on the page → Translate to English.
4. Still nothing? Click the ⋮ menu (top-right) → Translate….

For letters, PDFs & photos

Page translation won't help with a document or a photo. Use the Google Translate app and point your phone camera at the text, or paste text at translate.google.com.

Watch: how to translate a page (phone & laptop)

Step-by-step, then a short clip of it on a phone.

The honest reality

• Every surgery, and every round of anesthesia, carries real risk: infection, bleeding, scarring, asymmetry, nerve issues, and sometimes the need for yet another procedure.
• Those risks are higher abroad, where safety regulations, surgeon licensing, facility standards, and accountability are often much looser than in the US. If something goes wrong, you also have far less recourse. Weigh that heavily when considering surgery in another country.
• A revision is usually harder than the first surgery. Scar tissue and already-altered anatomy make it more complex, the margin for error is narrower, and results are less predictable.
• No honest surgeon can promise a perfect "fix." The realistic goal is improvement, not perfection, sometimes a revision changes things without fully correcting them, or in a new way.
• Some outcomes (severe nerve damage, tissue loss) can be permanent. Weigh that seriously before choosing more surgery.

Give it time first

• Most surgeons advise waiting ~6 to 12 months for swelling to settle and tissues to soften before deciding on a revision. Faces change a lot in that window, what looks or feels wrong now may improve on its own.
• "Wait and watch" is an active, valid choice, not giving up. You can gather opinions and keep healing at the same time.

Separate function from appearance

• Anything affecting function or health, eye closure, vision, breathing, persistent pain, nerve problems, deserves timely medical attention. Don't wait on those.
• Purely cosmetic concerns can usually wait until you're fully healed and thinking clearly.

Weigh the pros & cons, write it down

• What exactly bothers you, and how much does it affect daily life?
• Best-case vs. realistic-case vs. worst-case, for each, could you live with it?
• Cost: revisions are often more than one procedure. Budget for that.
• Recovery time, time off work, and who will help you during it.
• The emotional toll of another surgery and another recovery.
• Get 2 to 3 opinions. If experienced surgeons disagree, that itself is information. Ask each what they can't fix.

Decide from a steady place

• Take your time and do your research. This is a permanent, lifelong decision and deserves to be taken very seriously, it should never feel rushed. Anyone pressuring you to decide quickly is a red flag, not a reason to hurry.
• This is genuinely distressing, and it is not your fault. Try not to make an irreversible decision while in acute panic or grief.
• Give yourself time, lean on people you trust, and consider talking to a therapist or counselor. The mental-health side of this is real and worth tending to.
• Choosing comfort, management, or acceptance over more surgery is a completely valid outcome.

Be gentle with yourself

• This happened to you. You trusted someone and were let down, your grief, anger, and anxiety are valid responses, not overreactions.
• Your worth is not your appearance, even though it doesn't feel that way right now.
• Healing isn't linear. Some days will be harder, that's part of recovery, not failure.

Day-to-day coping

• Limit mirror-checking and zooming in on photos, repeatedly examining your face feeds the anxiety instead of calming it. Try set check-in times, or cover a mirror you keep returning to.
• Wearing sunglasses or a hat at home is okay if it helps you get through the day, treat it as short-term comfort, not a forever fix. A therapist can help you need it less over time.
• Step away from before/after comparisons and "perfect result" scrolling, it fuels rumination.
• Catch rumination: give worry a short "window" (say 15 min), write it down, then redirect to a small activity. You can't think your way out of it at 2am.
• Protect the basics: a sleep routine, eating and drinking water, daylight, and gentle movement or a short walk.
• Stay on top of your aftercare, caring for your body is self-respect, and gives small daily wins.
• When panic hits: slow your breathing (in for 4, out for 6), or try 5-4-3-2-1 (5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you can touch, 2 you smell, 1 you taste).
• Go easy on alcohol, and avoid big, irreversible decisions while in acute distress.
• One connection a day, a text, a call, a walk with someone, beats isolating. Shame grows in silence.

Small things that help

• Take a break from social media for a while, constant scrolling and comparisons keep the wound open. You can step away without deleting anything.
• Fill the space with something absorbing: a book, a new hobby, a small creative project.
• Small comforts count: a warm cup of tea, a soft blanket, a familiar show, a slow morning.
• Surround yourself with people who care about you, even quietly being around others eases the isolation.
• Keep a simple routine: regular sleep and wake times, meals, a little movement.
• Keep up hygiene and basic self-care even on hard days, showering, brushing your teeth, getting dressed, these small wins add up.
• Track your water intake and eat well, nourishing your body supports your mood.
• Try not to take too many photos of yourself right now, constant documenting tends to feed the anxiety.
• Get outside for fresh air and daylight, even a few minutes lifts your mood.
• Try gentle journaling, getting thoughts out of your head makes them easier to carry.
• Limit researching your own case late at night, the worry always looks bigger in the dark and it steals your sleep.
• Try short meditations or guided breathing, a few minutes (free apps like Insight Timer, or videos online) can calm a racing mind.
• Practice a little gratitude, naming one or two small good things a day, gently, helps balance the heavy thoughts.

If you're early in recovery

• Your feelings are valid, and crying is not wrong or dangerous. But in the early healing stage, try to keep stress and intense physical strain low where you can, staying calm and rested supports your body's recovery.
• Lean on gentle support when emotions run high: a calming walk, slow breathing, a phone call, or letting someone sit with you.
• Rest, hydration, good food, and following your aftercare are the best things you can do for your body right now. Be patient with it.

Get professional support

• A therapist helps, especially one who's trauma-informed or uses CBT. Ask if they have experience with medical trauma or body-image distress.
• If appearance thoughts and checking are taking over, a BDD-informed therapist can help, Body Dysmorphic Disorder is real and treatable. BDD Foundation.
• Affordable options: Open Path Collective (around $40 to 70/session) and the Psychology Today directory (filter by issue, insurance, online).
• Talk to your GP / doctor if anxiety, depression, or sleep problems are severe, short-term support exists and is nothing to be ashamed of.

Lean on community

• You're not alone in this. Peer support reduces isolation and shame, and the people in this group understand it in a way most others can't.
• Talk to people who get it, sharing is healing in itself.

What to expect, and why it hurts

• Turkey often doesn't prescribe strong pain medication, so you may have had far more discomfort than expected, especially if the tissue was over-pulled. That pain is real and worth treating, you don't have to just tough it out.
• Back in the States you can be properly evaluated and treated. Find a doctor who'll take you on for follow-up: your primary care doctor, or a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. You're allowed to ask for help even though the surgery was done elsewhere.

Seeing a local surgeon & building your care team

• Seeing a plastic surgeon in your area for an opinion can bring real peace of mind. Just know going in: most will say the face takes up to a year to fully heal, and many won't want to operate or intervene until enough time has passed. That's normal, and usually the right and safest call.
• Even so, it's worth starting to contact a few now and building a relationship with someone local you trust, so if a problem does arise you already have a surgeon who knows your case and can act quickly. You don't have to wait until you're in crisis to find them.
• Use the surgeon tabs in this tracker as a starting point. Bring your records, dated photos, and symptom notes to each visit so they have the full picture.

Early on: swelling & inflammation

• Ask your US doctor about a short oral steroid course (e.g. a Medrol / methylprednisolone dose pack) early on to reduce swelling and inflammation, this is a prescription decision for a physician.
• Ask what pain relief is safe and when: acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually fine; NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc.) are sometimes avoided right after surgery due to bleeding risk, so confirm timing.
• Keep your head elevated, use cold then warm compresses as directed, and rest. Many people use arnica and bromelain for bruising and swelling, ask your doctor if those suit you.

Swelling & scar tissue: hands-on help

• Find a certified lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapist, manual lymphatic drainage helps move fluid and bring down swelling. Look for a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), often a PT or trained massage therapist.
• For firmness, lumps, or rope-like bands, ask about scar-tissue massage / manual therapy, plus silicone sheets or gel once incisions are fully healed.
• Always ask your surgeon when it's safe to start any massage, starting too early can do harm.

What lymphatic drainage is (Cleveland Clinic) ↗

Understanding the surgery you had (the published technique)

• The procedure many of us had is described in a 2024 medical journal article co-authored by Yunus Sağlam: "Dual-Plane Midface Lift Through Transoral and Transtemporal Approach" (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Reading it, or handing it to your revision surgeon, helps everyone understand exactly what was done.
• In plain terms: two sets of hidden incisions, inside the mouth (upper gum) and behind the temporal hairline. The cheek / mid-face soft tissue is lifted off the bone (subperiosteal dissection) and then fixed upward with strong sutures, including a stitch anchored through a small hole drilled in the lower eye-socket rim (orbital rim), plus suspension of the SOOF (the fat pad under the eye) up toward the temple.
• The paper itself lists these expected effects: infraorbital-nerve numbness in almost every case (the authors report ~72 days on average, up to 272 days, to resolve), bruising and swelling in every patient, a risk of infection (they note drilling the orbital rim raises that risk), temporary facial-nerve neuropraxia, and temporary weakness of the upper-lip lifting muscles.
• What many of us experienced or were told: based on our own experience, many of us believe a muscle was cut and the fat was bunched up rather than smoothly redraped. Some of us were told we may not be able to have a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) in the future, because the fat pads may all be sutured together.
• Why this matters for a revision: bring this paper to your revision surgeon. The bone fixation at the orbital rim, the strong sutures, and the SOOF suspension all change how a revision has to be planned, so a surgeon who knows exactly what was done is far better placed to help.

Read the published technique, free full text (PMC) ↗  ·  Journal / DOI ↗

Transoral midface: edema & scar tissue

• The transoral (inside-the-mouth) midface lift tends to cause a lot of swelling (edema). If that fluid sits in the tissues too long without movement, it can harden into fibrosis and scar tissue, firm lumps or rope-like bands that are harder to treat later.
• Gentle lymphatic drainage, and scar-tissue work once healed, help move that fluid and keep tissue soft. New lymphatic pathways take roughly 3 months to regenerate, so this early window matters.
• Many surgeons start gentle lymphatic massage within days to a few weeks, some patients begin as early as about a week after surgery, so starting soon is not out of the question. By contrast, a strict no-touch period of around 4 months (as some of us were told by Yunus) is on the long end, and leaving edema untreated that long may give scar tissue time to set.
• Be aware: many patients have found that some surgeons abroad, including in Turkey, are more focused on the aesthetic result than on your health, safety, or comfort. Put your own wellbeing first, and don't assume a long no-touch rule is automatically in your best interest.
• This doesn't automatically mean ignore your surgeon, sometimes there's a real reason for caution. But if you're worried, get a second opinion from a qualified facial surgeon and do your due diligence before deciding.

If you think you have nerve damage

• Normal numbness vs nerve pain are different. Normal numbness is simply loss of feeling, many small sensory nerves are disrupted during surgery, so numbness or reduced sensation in the cheeks, scalp, or near incisions is common early on and usually improves over weeks to months. It's loss of sensation, not pain.
• Nerve pain (neuropathic) feels different: burning, stabbing, electric-shock or shooting sensations, persistent pins-and-needles, or pain from things that shouldn't hurt (like light touch). That signals the nerve itself is irritated or injured.
• What can cause it: a nerve was stretched or bruised (traction), pinched or compressed by swelling, a hematoma, or scar tissue, or in the worst case partly or fully cut (transected). Milder stretch/compression often recovers over weeks to months; a cut nerve may not recover without surgical repair.
• Numbness with weakness or trouble moving part of your face (not just loss of feeling) is more concerning, that points to a motor nerve, and should be evaluated promptly.
• Get evaluated, ask for a referral to a neurologist or facial-nerve specialist. EMG / nerve conduction studies can measure nerve function and help tell which injury you have.
• Important: nerve issues don't always show up on tests, especially small sensory nerves. A normal or "clear" test does not mean your pain isn't real. You know your body, keep advocating, numbness and some discomfort early on can be normal, but ongoing pain is not something to dismiss. If a provider brushes off your pain because a test looked fine, it's okay to push back or seek a second opinion, your lived experience of the pain is valid evidence.
• Medications doctors use for nerve pain (ask which, if any, suits you): gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and tricyclics like nortriptyline or amitriptyline. Topical lidocaine and TENS are also options. These are prescriptions, don't self-medicate.

More options for nerve pain (ask a pain specialist)

• Beyond pills, a pain management specialist (or neurologist) can offer procedures. Ask for a referral if oral medications aren't enough.
• Botox (botulinum toxin) injections can reduce certain types of nerve / neuropathic pain. Relief typically lasts around 4 to 5 months, and it's often used when other treatments haven't worked well.
• Nerve blocks: a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, injected around the affected nerve to calm the pain, often done under ultrasound guidance.
• Steroid injections around a nerve can reduce inflammation and pain, but use caution. Repeated or higher-dose steroid injections can cause fat and muscle thinning, skin depression or dimpling, color changes, and sometimes permanent tissue atrophy, especially in the face. Ask about the risks and how often is safe before agreeing.
• Also worth asking about: topical lidocaine or capsaicin cream, TENS units, physical therapy / nerve desensitization, and acupuncture.
• Medication tip: nerve medications often work best taken on a regular schedule, not only when the pain spikes. Some are also absorbed better on an empty (fasted) stomach, so you feel them more, but check with your doctor or pharmacist first, because a few medications need food to avoid stomach upset.

No insurance? Getting medications affordably

• You still need a valid prescription for nerve and pain medications, but there are legitimate, low-cost ways to fill them, you don't have to pay full retail.
• GoodRx (free): search your medication, compare prices at pharmacies near you, and show the coupon at the counter. No insurance or membership needed, prices vary a lot by pharmacy.
• Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs: mail-order generics at cost plus 15% and a small fee, often cheapest for ongoing meds like gabapentin or duloxetine. Your doctor sends the prescription.
• Also compare Amazon Pharmacy and your pharmacy's own savings programs. For brand-name drugs, check the manufacturer's site for patient-assistance programs and copay cards.
• No doctor yet? A telehealth visit can be an affordable way to get evaluated and, when appropriate, prescribed. Note: controlled medications have stricter rules and often can't be prescribed online.
• Caution: avoid any website that sells prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, they're frequently counterfeit, unsafe, or illegal. Stick to licensed US pharmacies only.

Supplements that may help (clear with your doctor first)

Important: run any supplement past your surgeon or doctor first, especially around surgery. Several thin the blood and should be stopped about 2 weeks before any operation: fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric / curcumin, ginkgo, garlic, and high-dose vitamin C. Do not megadose vitamin B6, too much (over roughly 10 to 50 mg/day, long term) can itself cause nerve damage. Supplements can interact with your prescriptions, more is not better.

Commonly used for healing, swelling, and nerve support. Evidence is strong for some, mixed for others. Prices are rough estimates, check the live price and pick a reputable, third-party-tested brand. Links are Amazon searches so you can compare brands.

Helpful recovery items / comfort kit

Small things that make recovery easier. Prices are rough estimates, check the live price.

Also worth having: button-up or zip-front tops so you're not pulling clothing over your head, soft foods and protein shakes (especially if chewing is hard after a transoral lift), and a notebook to track symptoms and questions. Keep it all in one "recovery kit" so everything's in reach on hard days.

Other things to raise or do

• If you had the transoral approach: ask about jaw stiffness, limited mouth opening, chewing trouble, or TMJ pain, a specialist or PT can help.
• Ask about physical therapy or facial therapy for muscle, movement, and stiffness problems.
• Support healing with good nutrition: protein, hydration, vitamins, check with your doctor before adding supplements.
• Acupuncture helps some people with pain and recovery, optional, ask your doctor first.
• Keep a dated symptom diary with photos, it guides your treatment and helps document your case if you pursue it legally.

Why it matters

• A real, ABMS-recognized board certification means rigorous, verified training. A vague "cosmetic surgery" board is not the same, and almost any doctor can legally call themselves a "cosmetic surgeon."
• For face work, look for one of: American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), or American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto / ABOHNS). Oculoplastic surgeons are usually ophthalmology-boarded plus ASOPRS.

How to check (free tools)

• ABMS Certification Matters, confirm any US doctor's board certification, covers every recognized board. Just enter their name.
• FSMB DocInfo, look up the doctor's state license(s) and any disciplinary actions, the big one: it shows if a board has ever sanctioned them.
• Your state medical board site also lists licenses and disciplinary history, search "[state] medical board license lookup."

Verify board certification, license & discipline:

ABMS Certification Matters (any board) ↗  ·  ABPS verify ↗  ·  ABFPRS verify ↗  ·  ABOHNS verify ↗  ·  FSMB DocInfo (license + discipline) ↗  ·  Find your state medical board ↗

Find board-certified surgeons (then verify each above):

ASPS, find a plastic surgeon ↗  ·  ASOPRS, find an oculoplastic surgeon ↗

Our board-certification checklist (verified June 2026)

We independently checked every surgeon on the Brow, Midface, Neck, and Eye tabs against their official site plus independent directories (the specialty board listing, ASPS / AAFPRS / ASOPRS, Doximity, RealSelf, or hospital faculty pages). Every one of those is confirmed board-certified by a recognized board, shown next to their name. The Nose Revision list is a newer, peer-shared shortlist that we have not independently board-verified, confirm board certification for each of those yourself. The live registries need a manual name lookup, so still run that quick final check yourself (links above) before booking.

Key: ABPS = plastic surgery · ABFPRS = facial plastic & reconstructive · ABOHNS = otolaryngology–head & neck · ABOphth = ophthalmology (oculoplastic, usually + ASOPRS).

Other red flags

• Certification doesn't appear, or only a "cosmetic surgery" board ABMS doesn't recognize.
• Any disciplinary action, license restriction, suspension, or pattern of malpractice settlements, ask about it directly.
• The name doesn't match, or they dodge when you ask which board certifies them.
• Good signs: a recognized board certification plus hospital privileges to do the procedure at an accredited hospital.

Procedures & techniques

• Temporal brow lift — lifts the outer (temporal) brow through small incisions near the temple / hairline. Over-tightening can leave brows too high or "surprised."
• Endoscopic brow lift — a brow lift done with a tiny camera through small scalp incisions.
• Transoral midface lift — a mid-face (cheek) lift done through incisions inside the mouth. Tends to cause a lot of swelling.
• Mid-face / cheek lift — repositions the cheek fat pad to restore fullness under the eyes and over the cheekbone.
• Deep plane facelift — lifts the deeper tissue layer (the SMAS), not just skin, for a more natural, longer-lasting result.
• SMAS — the layer of muscle and fascia under the skin that surgeons tighten in a facelift.
• Platysmaplasty — tightening the platysma (the broad neck muscle) during a neck lift.
• SOOF lift — lifts the sub-orbicularis oculi fat (a fat pad under the eye) to support the mid-face and lower lid.
• Transconjunctival — an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid, so there's no external scar.
• Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery (upper or lower).
• Revision rhinoplasty — surgery to correct a previous nose job.
• Subperiosteal — a deep plane right against the bone, used in some midface lifts.

Complications & symptoms

• Lagophthalmos — when the eyes can't fully close. Can cause dryness, light sensitivity, and corneal damage if untreated (see Pain & Recovery, can be urgent).
• Exposure keratopathy — damage to the cornea (eye surface) from the eye not closing or staying moist.
• Ectropion / eyelid retraction — the lower eyelid pulled down or outward, often showing white below the iris.
• Hematoma — a collection of blood under the skin, often sudden one-sided swelling. Call your surgeon.
• Seroma — a pocket of clear fluid under the skin.
• Edema — swelling caused by fluid buildup.
• Fibrosis — thick, firm scar tissue that can form if swelling sits too long.
• Neuropraxia — a stretched or bruised nerve, usually temporary, recovers over weeks to months.
• Neurotmesis — a fully cut nerve, may not recover without surgical repair.
• Neuropathic pain — nerve pain that burns, stabs, feels electric, or like pins and needles.
• Paresthesia — abnormal sensations such as tingling or "pins and needles."
• Necrosis — tissue death, for example skin that loses its blood supply.

Care & vetting

• Informed consent — your right to understand the risks and agree before surgery. Missing consent forms can actually support a malpractice claim.
• Lymphatic drainage (MLD) — gentle massage that moves fluid to reduce swelling.
• Board-certified — a surgeon certified by a recognized specialty board (e.g. ABPS or ABFPRS). A generic "cosmetic surgery" board is not the same.

Pursue it from the US, without traveling (Power of Attorney)

You don't have to fly back to Turkey. A Turkish lawyer holding a Power of Attorney (vekaletname) can file your case, attend mediation and every court hearing, collect your records, and represent you start to finish while you stay in the US.

How to grant it from the US (pick one):

• Turkish Consulate / Embassy in the US — they prepare it in Turkish and notarize it on the spot, no apostille needed. Book an appointment, bring photo ID and usually a passport photo or two; a translator can assist. Simplest route.
• US notary + an Apostille from your state's Secretary of State (Turkey accepts apostilles), then translated into Turkish. No consulate visit needed.

One lawyer can represent many of you, each signing her own Power of Attorney, which makes a group case efficient and cheaper per person. (The free Consumer Arbitration Committee, for smaller amounts, can be filed online with just your passport, no travel and no lawyer.)

Costs & official links (rough estimates, they change)

• Power of attorney at a Turkish consulate: about $50 to $120, cash only, usually same-day. Book via the Turkish consular site (some consulates are walk-in; arrange an interpreter ahead if needed).
• Apostille route instead: your state's Secretary of State apostille is about $6 to $25 per document, plus a notary (~$5 to $15) and a certified Turkish translation (~$18 to $40 per page). An apostille service runs ~$75 to $200.
• Consumer Arbitration Committee (smaller claims): free.
• Consumer mediation (larger claims): the consumer pays nothing, the Ministry of Justice covers the mediator's fee whether or not you settle.
• Consumer court / malpractice suit: court fees roughly 4 to 5% of the amount claimed (often recoverable if you win), plus possible upfront expert-witness fees.
• Lawyer: many give a free first consult and work on contingency, ~10 to 20% of what you recover (so you mostly pay only if you win), or a flat fee. Get the fee agreement in writing.

Turkish consular services & appointments ↗  ·  Turkish Embassy DC (US consulate directory) ↗  ·  US apostille / authentication info ↗

Your right (Turkish law)

• Every patient, foreign included, has the right to copies of their full file: operative / surgical report, anesthesia record, the consent forms you signed, pre-op assessment, imaging, prescriptions, discharge summary, and before/after photos.
• Under KVKK (Turkey's data-protection law, Article 11) you can formally demand your health data, and they must respond within 30 days, normally free.
• Clinics must retain records for years (the rule cites up to 20). So "we don't have it" or "we lost it" is not a valid excuse.

Step by step

• Send a written request by WhatsApp, email, or formal letter (contacts + copy-paste message below). Screenshot it with the date, that timestamp is your proof. You do not need to give your home address.
• State your rights: under the Patient Rights Regulation and KVKK you're entitled to copies; ask for a response within 30 days.
• If they ignore or refuse: a Turkish lawyer can send a formal notary notice (ihtarname), which creates an official record that they withheld your file.
• Escalate in parallel (see Do Now): a KVKK data-access complaint, plus the Ministry of Health / Provincial Health Directorate and CIMER, which can compel the clinic.
• In a criminal complaint or lawsuit, a prosecutor or court can subpoena the records. Copies may also exist in the Ministry's central system (e-Nabız).

KVKK authority ↗  ·  e-Nabız ↗

If they never give them, you still have a case

• Missing paperwork does not mean no case, often the opposite. If the clinic can't produce a consent form you signed, that supports a claim that there was no valid informed consent (negligence, or in serious cases battery).
• A clinic that stonewalls or "loses" records looks bad to regulators and a court. Document every refusal, the refusal itself is evidence.
• Build your file from what you have: your photos, messages, receipts, bank/travel records, and a written timeline (the Victim Intake sheet captures this).

If he stalls, gives partial records, or you suspect they've been altered, your rights

• You're entitled to the complete and accurate file, not a summary or a selected portion. Under KVKK (Law 6698), Article 11 you can also demand correction of any record that is wrong or incomplete, and an explanation, and Article 13 requires a response within 30 days.
• Giving false, altered, or incomplete records, or destroying or hiding them, backfires badly. Falsifying or altering medical records is treated as document forgery under the Turkish Penal Code, and destroying or concealing records to defeat a claim can amount to tampering with / destroying evidence, both criminal (your lawyer can pursue this).
• It also helps your civil case: a clinic that withholds, "loses," or doctors records looks bad to regulators, and a court can hold the gaps against him. You don't lose your case, the opposite.
• He can't fully hide the truth. Copies and a digital trail often exist in the Ministry's central e-Nabız system, and a prosecutor or court can subpoena the originals, so an incomplete or altered copy can be compared against them.
• Escalate in parallel: a KVKK data-access / correction complaint, the Ministry of Health Patient Rights unit and Provincial Health Directorate, and a criminal complaint to the Public Prosecutor. A Turkish lawyer's notary notice (ihtarname) creates an official record that he withheld or altered your file.

KVKK, your rights (incl. correction) ↗  ·  e-Nabız central records ↗

The basics (same way every time)

• Same lighting each time, bright and even. Soft natural daylight is best, avoid harsh overhead light and strong shadows.
• Plain background (a blank wall), hair pulled back off your face, no makeup, no glasses.
• Same distance and angles each time so photos are comparable. Hold the phone at eye level, not above or below.
• Relaxed, neutral face for the standard set, then add the movement shots below.
• Each set is dated automatically. Take a fresh set on a schedule, e.g. weekly early on, then monthly.

The standard angles (take all)

• Front, looking straight ahead.
• Left and right at 45° (oblique).
• Left and right full side (profile).
• A close-up of the specific area that concerns you.

Movement & function shots (key for brow, eyes, midface)

• Eyes gently closed, then closed as hard as you can, this shows whether they fully close (lagophthalmos).
• Eyes wide open and looking up.
• Eyebrows raised, then frowning.
• Smiling, and a neutral face, to show movement and any asymmetry.
• A short video talking and smiling, movement reveals nerve or muscle problems a still photo hides.

For your legal case

• Keep any pre-op photos (from before the original surgery), they're powerful evidence. Ask the clinic for theirs too (see Getting Records).
• Keep every dated set backed up in your private evidence folder, the progression over time is what shows the harm.

For remote / photo consults

• Many US revision surgeons offer virtual consults, sending this standard set lets them advise before you travel.
• Ask each office exactly which photos and videos they want, and how to send them securely.

You had the surgery, but got a different or poor result? (no lawyer needed)

• You're still a consumer under Turkish law (Law No. 6502), and a cosmetic procedure is a "service." If the service was defective or not what was agreed, including getting a different procedure than you consented to, you can claim your money back, and you don't need a lawyer to start.
• For a defective service the law gives you a choice (any of these, in any order, no need to ask for a "redo" first): a free re-doing, a proportional price reduction, or cancellation with a full refund of what you paid.
• Step 1: send a written demand to the clinic (use the full surgery refund message below). Keep proof.
• Step 2: if they refuse and it's under about 149,000 TRY (~$3,200), file free with the Consumer Arbitration Committee as a "defective service" claim (passport for foreigners; links below). Larger amounts go to Consumer Court, but mandatory mediation (~3 weeks) comes first and can settle it, no lawyer required to attend.
• Step 3: if you paid by card, also dispute it with your bank as "service not as described." Act fast, time limits apply.
• Key distinction: this consumer route gets back the price you paid. Money for the harm itself (corrective surgery, lost income, pain & suffering) is a separate malpractice claim that usually needs a lawyer and the court, you can pursue both at once.
• Regulatory complaints (see Do Now) don't award money directly, but the pressure can lead to a settlement and strengthens any claim. Strength in numbers, a group filing together is much harder to ignore.

Law 6502 defective-service remedies ↗  ·  Foreign patients are "consumers" in Turkey ↗

If you paid by credit card (strongest protection)

• US credit cards give you the best protection. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act you can dispute charges for services that weren't provided or not as agreed.
• Deadline: you generally must dispute in writing within 60 days of the statement showing the charge. For a service never rendered, the clock can run from when it was supposed to happen, ask your issuer.
• Call your card issuer (number on the back), say you want to dispute a charge for "services not rendered / not as described," and ask them to open a chargeback. Follow up in writing and keep copies.
• The issuer must acknowledge within 30 days and usually resolve within 90. Send your evidence: what was promised, what happened, messages, and receipts.

If you paid by debit card

Debit cards have fewer protections than credit, but many banks still allow disputes. Contact your bank quickly and ask about their dispute process (Regulation E).

If you paid by PayPal or another platform

Open a dispute in that platform's Resolution Center for "item / service not received or not as described," within their time limit.

Turkey: get a deposit back without a lawyer (works for cash too)

• Your main no-lawyer route is the Consumer Arbitration Committee (Tüketici Hakem Heyeti). It's free, no lawyer needed, and its decisions are legally binding and enforceable.
• Foreigners can apply with a passport number through the TÜBİS / e-Devlet system, no Turkish ID required. File online, by mail, or in person.
• For 2025 it handles disputes under about 149,000 TRY (roughly $3,200 USD — the lira moves, so check the current rate). Larger amounts go to the Consumer Court (mandatory mediation first, usually a lawyer).
• This works even if you paid cash (where a chargeback is impossible), as long as you can show the payment happened. Save any receipt, bank withdrawal record, and messages acknowledging the amount.
• You can also fold the deposit into a broader civil or criminal case as financial damages.

Can they keep your deposit if you cancel?

• It depends on what you agreed and why you're cancelling, which is exactly what the Consumer Arbitration Committee (or a lawyer) can decide.
• General Turkish-law principles: a plain advance with no forfeiture clause is usually refundable if the service isn't provided. If it was specifically agreed as "cancellation money" (cayma parası), the side that cancels can forfeit it, and if the clinic cancels they may owe double (Code of Obligations, Art. 177–178).
• Under Consumer Law No. 6502, unfair, one-sided terms are void, and misrepresentation, fraud, or no valid informed consent all strengthen a refund claim.
• Cancelling only because of others' bad reviews is a voluntary cancellation, the weakest ground on its own, but if the deposit was just an advance, the terms were unfair, or you were misled, you may still be owed it back. The committee costs nothing, so it's worth asking.

If you were misled or harmed, your claim is much stronger. If a surgeon took your deposit by misleading you, failed to provide the agreed service safely, or performed procedures you did not consent to, that's not a simple "I changed my mind" cancellation. Fraud, misrepresentation, and lack of informed consent go to whether there was ever a valid agreement at all, and are strong grounds to demand a full refund and potentially compensation on top (if proven; not legal advice). Keep proof of what you were promised, what you actually consented to, and what was done, and pursue the refund alongside your malpractice complaint, they reinforce each other.

Apply to the Consumer Arbitration Committee: via e-Devlet ↗  ·  TÜBİS portal ↗  ·  Ministry of Trade info ↗  ·  Live TRY→USD rate ↗

Only paid a deposit, never had surgery, didn't sign anything?

• This is often one of the easier cases to win. If you only paid a deposit, never had the surgery, and never signed a contract that says you forfeit the money, there's usually nothing that legally entitles him to keep it.
• A deposit with no written "you lose this if you cancel" term is generally treated as a refundable advance under Turkish law, especially when no service was ever provided. Not having signed a contract or consent form doesn't weaken you here, it removes the main thing he could point to in order to keep your money.
• You're also not cancelling on a whim, you're declining to proceed after learning of accounts and concerns shared by others (including allegations about consent and safety). That's a reasonable, good-faith reason, write it down.
• Steps: (1) send a written / WhatsApp request asking for your deposit back, and keep proof of the payment and the message; (2) if he refuses or ignores you, file with the Consumer Arbitration Committee (free, no lawyer, passport) as "service not provided / refund of advance payment"; (3) you do not need to have signed anything to file.

The portal is in Turkish, how to handle it & how they reply

• The portals, the form, and the decision are all in Turkish. Easiest fix: open the site in Google Chrome and use built-in translate (the translate icon in the address bar, or right-click → "Translate to English"). Chrome and Safari can translate whole pages on a phone too.
• For any letter or document you receive, use the Google Translate app, point your phone camera at the text to translate instantly, or paste it at translate.google.com.
• When you submit, it helps to write your complaint in Turkish (translate your statement first) so it's clearly understood, and attach your evidence (proof of payment, messages).
• How they get back to you: a written decision (a "karar"), usually within a few months (legally up to ~6 months), sent as an official notification to the address or email on your application, so use contact details you actually check.
• Track your status online via "Başvuru Sorgulama" (application inquiry) on the TÜBİS portal. The decision is binding and enforceable; if you disagree, you can object at the Consumer Court within 15 days.

Google Translate ↗  ·  Check application status (TÜBİS) ↗

How to translate this page

These portals are in Turkish. See the Translate Pages tab for a video and step-by-step (phone & laptop).

Travel insurance

If you bought travel medical or trip insurance, check whether complications or extra care are covered. Many standard policies exclude elective cosmetic surgery, so read yours carefully.

Document it (helps any route)

• Keep a written timeline, proof of what you paid and when, all messages, and what was promised vs. delivered. The same evidence supports your legal case.
• A refund or chargeback is separate from a malpractice claim, you can pursue both at once.

Insurance for functional problems

If your problem is functional (eye won't close, breathing, nerve damage), it may be covered by your US health insurance even though cosmetic work isn't. Ask your doctor to document medical necessity, get a referral, and appeal any denial in writing.

Keep receipts, it may be recoverable

Corrective surgery and related care can be claimed as financial damages in a malpractice case, so save proof of everything you spend (see the Money Back & Legal tabs).

Ask the surgeon's office

Many revision surgeons offer in-house payment plans, and some reduce fees for correcting another surgeon's poor results. It's worth asking directly.

Medical financing (elective / cosmetic)

CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, PatientFi, and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer monthly plans, sometimes 0% or fixed-rate. Compare the APR and terms first, and watch out for "deferred interest" that hits if you don't pay it off in time.

CareCredit ↗ · Alphaeon ↗ · PatientFi ↗ · Prosper ↗

Hospital / academic / charity care

A university teaching hospital can be lower cost. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have a Financial Assistance Policy ("charity care"), free or discounted by income, ask the billing office. The nonprofit Dollar For can help you apply.

Dollar For, help applying for charity care ↗

Crowdfunding

A GoFundMe medical fundraiser can help, the more widely shared the better. It's public, so weigh how much you want to share, and success varies.

GoFundMe, start a medical fundraiser ↗

Before you report

• Screenshot the posts and profile first, he may delete them once reported.
• Pick the violation that genuinely applies (below). Don't force a category.

Report his profile (in the app)

• Open his profile, tap the three dots ( ⋯ ) top-right.
• Tap Report → Report account.
• Choose the reason that truly fits, follow the prompts, and submit.

Report a specific post

• Open the post, tap the three dots ( ⋯ ) top-right.
• Tap Report, choose the reason, submit.
• Report the exact posts that break a rule (a misleading before/after, a false promise).

Which reason to pick (choose honestly)

• Scam or fraud, only if it fits your own experience, for example a deposit you paid that was not refunded, or marketing you can show was misleading.
• Pretending to be someone else (impersonation), if he claims a credential or identity you can show he does not hold.
• False information, harmful health misinformation.
• Intellectual property, if he uses other people's before/after photos. Only the real owner of the photo can file this.
• Bullying or harassment, only if he's actually harassing someone.

Web forms (no Instagram account needed)

Report a post or profile ↗

Impersonation report form ↗

Report something (general) ↗

1. Warn women where they actually look (highest impact)

Truthful first-hand reviews reach women researching him and can't be quietly deleted like Instagram comments.

Google reviews ↗ · RealSelf ↗ · Şikayetvar ↗ · Trustpilot ↗

Share your story, follow & share

Telling your own story where future patients search warns more women than any report. Read each community's rules first, frame it as your personal experience / review.

Find other patients' experiences: search Instagram and Reddit for his name (plus words like "review", "revision", or "complications") to find first-hand accounts you can read, follow, and add your own to.

Subreddits to share in (check each sub's rules):

Tip: you don't have to rewrite your post for each one. Write it once, post it to the first subreddit, then use Reddit's "crosspost" / "share" option on that post to share the same post to the other subreddits (one tap each). Each sub's rules still apply, so double-check before posting.

r/PlasticSurgery · r/CosmeticSurgery · r/Rhinoplasty · r/facelift · r/Facelift_Surgery · r/blepharoplasty · r/Botched · r/medicaltourism · r/Turkey · r/Scams · r/30PlusSkinCare

Facebook, search these terms and join the groups:

"botched plastic surgery" · "plastic surgery gone wrong" · "Turkey plastic surgery reviews" · "Dr Yunus Saglam"

2. Instagram, target real violations (not volume)

• Strongest: stolen before/after photos, a copyright / IP report (near-automatic when valid).
• Report specific posts you believe contain false claims (for example a credential or guaranteed result you can show is inaccurate) as "False information."
• If your own deposit was never refunded, you can report the account under "Scam or fraud."
• Each person reports only her own experience (see the Report on IG tab for click-by-click steps).

3. IP / copyright report (the strongest IG lever)

• Look for photos that may not be his own: the same "patient" reused across posts, watermarks, or images that look lifted from elsewhere.
• Reverse-image-search them (Google Images or TinEye) to find the real owner.
• The true owner files the report, you can only file for photos you own.
• Include your contact info, the infringing post URLs, proof you own the original, and a short explanation. Save each submission.

Instagram copyright report form ↗

4. The real engine, license + criminal (what carries the most weight)

• Istanbul Medical Chamber, ethics / discipline against him personally (can lead to license action).
• Ministry of Health + Provincial Health Directorate, can inspect, fine, or close the clinic.
• Public Prosecutor, criminal complaint (surgery without consent is potentially a crime). A court order from here is what can force an Instagram takedown.
• A verified Turkish malpractice lawyer via Power of Attorney (see Legal and Do Now tabs).

5. Evidence locker, get organized

• Create one shared, private folder (access-controlled, never public). Pick 1 to 2 trusted point people.
• Each person adds: a dated timeline, medical records, consent forms (or proof none were signed), before/after photos, all messages, receipts / deposit proof, and screenshots of his posts.
• Keep a simple index of who can attest to what. A row per person makes the cases far stronger.

How to use it

• Stick to your own documented experience. Don't exaggerate or repeat others' claims as fact.
• Frame it as a personal review / experience, not an accusation, especially where a subreddit bans naming individuals.
• Add one or two photos if you're comfortable, and keep a copy of everything you post.
• Use the crosspost tip on the Raise Awareness & Reviews tab: write it once, then share the same post to other subreddits.

Short version (reviews & comments)

I had a [procedure] with [surgeon / clinic, city] on [date]. My experience: [what went wrong, stated factually, e.g. over-elevated brows, ongoing eye dryness, an unrefunded deposit]. I'm sharing so others can research carefully before booking. Happy to answer questions.

Longer version (subreddit or Facebook post)

I want to share my honest experience so others can make an informed choice. In [month / year] I had a [procedure] at [clinic], [city]. Beforehand I was told [what you were promised]. What actually happened: [your specific complications, stated factually]. [Anything about consent, the deposit, or aftercare, stated factually]. I'm now [seeking a revision / in treatment / recovering]. I'm not telling anyone what to do, only sharing what happened to me, and I have records and photos to back it up. If you're considering surgery here, please research thoroughly, ask hard questions, and get more than one opinion. I'm glad to answer anything.

Title ideas

• My experience with [procedure] in [city / country], what I wish I'd known
• [Procedure] revision, sharing my story so others can research before booking
• Honest review of my [procedure] experience

🌍 If you're outside the US (UK, EU, Australia, Canada)

A cease & desist is still just a letter with no force on its own, wherever you live. But the strong US protections above, the First Amendment, anti-SLAPP laws, and the SPEECH Act that blocks foreign judgments, only protect people in the US, they don't cover you. Outside the US you generally have weaker free-speech shields, and you could be sued in your own country's courts. So the safest ground everywhere is the same: stick to your own first-hand, documented experience and clearly-labelled opinions, and get advice from a lawyer in your country. Quick country notes:

• UK (England & Wales): more claimant-friendly than the US, and no broad anti-SLAPP law (a narrow 2025 one covers only economic-crime cases). You still have real defences under the Defamation Act 2013, truth, honest opinion, and publication on a matter of public interest, and the surgeon must prove your words caused "serious harm" to his reputation. Truthful, documented accounts and clearly-framed opinions are defensible, but legal costs can be high, so get UK advice early.
• EU: it varies a lot by country, and many EU states still have criminal as well as civil defamation/insult laws, so be careful and get local advice. The new EU Anti-SLAPP Directive (2024) is meant to let courts dismiss suits filed to silence public-interest speech, but it mainly covers cross-border cases and most countries had not yet put it into national law as of mid-2026, so don't count on it yet.
• Australia: relatively claimant-friendly, with no broad US-style anti-SLAPP. Since the 2021 reforms the surgeon must show your post caused "serious harm," and there are defences of truth, honest opinion, and a public-interest defence. Keep to documented facts and clear opinion.
• Canada: defences of truth, fair comment (honest opinion), and responsible communication on matters of public interest. Four provinces, Ontario, BC, Quebec & Manitoba, have strong anti-SLAPP laws that can quickly dismiss a suit meant to silence public-interest speech; most other provinces don't, so where you live matters.

Bottom line: wherever you are, truth + honest opinion + public interest are your safest footing, and a lawyer in your own country is worth more than any general guide.

US anti-SLAPP (for comparison) ↗  ·  EU Anti-SLAPP Directive ↗

Can they sue you? (the honest answer)

• Technically anyone can file a lawsuit, but "can sue" isn't "can win." A threat to sue is very often just intimidation to make you delete your post.
• To win a defamation case they must prove you stated a false fact as if it were fact, and that it harmed them. Two big protections are on your side:
• Truth is a complete defense. If what you said is true and you can show it, it's not defamation, full stop.
• Opinion is protected. Your honest opinions and feelings ("I was unhappy with my result," "I felt rushed," "I regret this," "I wouldn't recommend") aren't facts that can be proven false.

What you can safely share

• Your own first-hand experience and the facts you can document: dates, what you were told, what you paid, what happened to you, your complications, your records and photos.
• Your honest opinions and feelings, clearly framed as opinion ("in my experience," "I believe," "I felt").
• That you've filed complaints with regulators or are pursuing a claim, saying you reported him is fine.
• Honest reviews on Google, RealSelf, and similar sites. Patients have the right to post truthful reviews.

Protect yourself

• Stick to first-hand, documented truth, and keep your evidence saved.
• Use "in my experience / in my opinion / I believe / I allege" for anything not yet proven.
• Don't delete a post just because you get a scary message. Screenshot the threat and talk to a lawyer first.

Gag clauses & anti-SLAPP (US)

• If a US clinic made you sign a "non-disparagement" or "no negative reviews" clause, the federal Consumer Review Fairness Act (2016) makes those clauses unenforceable for honest reviews, they can't legally punish you for a truthful review.
• Many US states have anti-SLAPP laws. If someone files a meritless suit just to silence you on a matter of public interest, these can get it dismissed quickly, and the person who sued may have to pay your legal fees.

Turkey deep dive: laws that protect you

• Truth is a defense. Turkey has a criminal insult / defamation law (Penal Code Art. 125), but Art. 127 says if what you state is proven true you're not punished, especially where there's public benefit in the truth coming out, and warning future patients clearly is in the public interest. Keep your evidence.
• Opinion and criticism are protected ("I was unhappy," "I wouldn't recommend"), not a crime.
• Public and professional figures are expected to tolerate more criticism than private individuals, that includes a surgeon who markets himself publicly.
• Reporting isn't defamation. Complaining to the Ministry of Health, the Medical Chamber, or a prosecutor is your legal right.

What if you signed something? (this matters a lot)

• A signed consent form does not sign away your right to sue. Turkish courts regularly rule consent is not a shield against proven negligence, and a signature alone doesn't prove informed consent, the clinic must show you genuinely understood the material risks, in a language you understand. If you weren't properly informed, or procedures were done you didn't agree to, that consent is invalid and helps your case.
• A liability waiver ("I won't hold the doctor responsible") is largely unenforceable, you can't validly waive your right to safe care, and clauses exempting a doctor from negligence (especially gross negligence) are void under the Turkish Code of Obligations. You keep your right to compensation if malpractice occurred.
• Unfair, one-sided contract terms are void under Consumer Law No. 6502 and are simply disregarded, you can treat them as null without even going to court.
• Non-disparagement / "no negative reviews" clauses: Turkey has no exact equivalent of the US law that voids these, but they're the kind of one-sided gag term courts treat as unfair, and no contract can stop you reporting a crime or making a truthful complaint. Because Turkey is stricter, have a Turkish lawyer review anything you signed before relying on this.

Practical guidance

• Get copies of everything you signed (see Getting Records) so a lawyer can see exactly what it says, the consent forms, any waiver, and the contract.
• Keep everything factual and documented, and frame opinions clearly as opinions.
• Talk to a Turkish lawyer (ideally one used to foreign-patient cases) before posting anything you're unsure about, and before assuming a clause does or doesn't bind you. Cross-border cases are complicated.

Consent isn't a shield (Turkey) ↗  ·  Hidden waivers don't bar claims ↗  ·  Turkey defamation law (Art. 125/127) ↗

Communication

• Keep one private, members-only group chat (Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, or a private Facebook group).
• Vet new joiners. Sadly, the surgeon's people or scammers may try to get in, confirm a new person is a real patient before sharing anything sensitive.
• Keep the most sensitive evidence out of the open chat, use the shared private folder below.

Roles / point people

• Pick 1 to 2 trusted coordinators for each job: a legal liaison (talks to the lawyer), an evidence keeper (manages the shared folder), a complaints tracker, and a communications / awareness lead.
• Share or rotate the load, this is heavy, unpaid work, don't let it all fall on one person.

Shared private evidence folder

• Create one access-controlled cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud). Never make it public or "anyone with the link."
• Give each member her own subfolder. Only the evidence keeper manages who has access.
• Keep a master index (use the Case Intake spreadsheet) listing who each person is and what she can personally attest to, a row per person makes the criminal and Medical Chamber cases far stronger.

One lawyer, individual Powers of Attorney

One Turkish lawyer can represent many of you. Each member signs her own Power of Attorney and you split the cost, far cheaper per person. See the Legal (Turkey) tab for how to grant one from the US without traveling.

Coordinate filings (without copy-pasting)

• Agree who is filing which official complaints so you cover them all. But each person files her own first-hand complaint, review, and report, in her own words.
• Share templates, not identical copy-paste text. Identical mass posts can be flagged or removed (especially on Instagram) and look coordinated.

Decisions & momentum

• Agree how decisions get made (the coordinators, or a quick group vote) so things don't stall.
• Keep a shared running checklist of group tasks and deadlines, the Action Plan tab is a good base.