# Questions patients ask. > Answers to the questions patients ask Dr. Cenk Teker most often: consultations, rhinoplasty techniques, recovery, and travelling to Istanbul for surgery. Source: https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/faq/ Updated: 2026-10-29 Questions Short answers to common questions. If yours is not here, send a short question on WhatsApp, without medical details, or ask at the consultation. - Getting started 06 - About rhinoplasty 05 - Recovery 05 - Travelling from abroad 07 ## Getting started How to begin, what a consultation involves, and how the practice works. **How do I start?** Write on WhatsApp or call; the practice suggests a day and time for a consultation. Your name and what you would like an appointment for are enough in the message. Medical details are discussed at the consultation. **What happens at the consultation?** Dr. Teker examines your nose from every angle on standardised photographs and looks inside with a thin endoscope to check the septum, turbinates and valves. He explains what is realistic for your skin and cartilage and agrees a written plan with you. Allow about an hour. **Can I ask a question on WhatsApp?** Yes. You can write on WhatsApp to request an appointment or ask a short question; messages are answered during practice hours. The examination and the assessment take place face to face at the practice; WhatsApp does not replace them. **Which languages does Dr. Teker speak?** Turkish, English, Arabic and French. You speak with Dr. Teker directly at the consultation and at every check-up. **Where is the practice and how do I get there?** The practice is in Bakırköy on the European side of Istanbul, on the third floor of the building with AlternatifBank on the ground floor. Bakırköy is reachable by metro and by taxi. No allocated parking is provided. **On which days and at what times is the practice open?** Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, Saturday 09:00–15:00. Consultations are by appointment; write on WhatsApp or call to ask for a day and time. ## About rhinoplasty Technique, timing and what the operation can and cannot do. **Open or closed rhinoplasty: which is better?** Neither is better in every case. The closed technique, with incisions inside the nostrils, suits limited changes to the bridge. The open technique adds a short incision under the tip and gives more control when the tip is rebuilt or a previous operation is corrected. Dr. Teker chooses the technique by what your nose needs. **At what age can I have rhinoplasty?** Once the nose has finished growing: around sixteen for women and seventeen to eighteen for men. There is no upper age limit as long as general health is good; after fifty the plan is adjusted for skin elasticity. **Can my breathing be fixed in the same operation?** Usually, yes. When the examination finds a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or narrow nasal valves, they can be corrected during the same operation. Dr. Teker is an ear, nose and throat specialist and examines the airway at every rhinoplasty consultation. **I have had rhinoplasty before and I am not happy with the result. When can it be revised?** Usually after at least twelve months, when the swelling has fully settled and the tissues have softened. Revision uses your own cartilage, taken from the septum, the ear or a rib, to rebuild support. If a revision is unlikely to help, Dr. Teker will tell you so plainly. **Will the result look natural?** A natural look is the aim of every plan. Dr. Teker avoids over-reduction, keeps the proportions of your face and your ethnic features, and leaves the natural framework of the nose in place where possible. The goal is a nose that looks like yours rather than operated on. ## Recovery Discomfort, splints, swelling and getting back to normal life. **Is rhinoplasty painful?** After surgery you may feel pressure, a blocked nose and pain. Simple painkillers are usually enough for the first days. Throat operations such as tonsillectomy are more uncomfortable, for about ten days. **When does the splint come off?** Around day seven, together with any external stitches. You see the new outline for the first time, still swollen. The nose is usually re-taped for another week or two. **How long does the swelling last?** Bruising fades in about ten days. Most swelling is gone within a month; the tip refines slowly over twelve months, longer with thick skin or after revision surgery. The result is judged as final at one year. **When can I go back to work and exercise?** Desk work after about a week. Light exercise after two to three weeks, gym and running after four weeks, contact sports after three months. Glasses should not rest on the bridge for six weeks. **When do I come for check-ups?** The first check-up is around day seven, when the splint is removed. Later check-ups follow the stages of healing: two weeks, six weeks, three months and one year. For questions between check-ups you can call the practice. ## Travelling from abroad How long to stay, what to bring, and how check-ups work. **How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?** Seven to eight days for rhinoplasty: consultation on arrival, surgery the next day, rest, splint removal around day seven, and the flight home the day after. Five to seven days for septoplasty or sinus surgery alone; about ten days for tonsil or palate surgery. **What should I bring with me?** A list of the medicines you take, especially blood thinners, and any earlier scans or operation notes, to show Dr. Teker at the consultation. **When can I fly home?** After the day-seven visit, once the splint is off and the nose has been checked. After throat surgery, wait ten days because of the small risk of late bleeding. **Should I bring someone with me?** A companion is recommended for the first two or three days after surgery, when you will be tired and bruised. It is not a requirement. **How does follow-up work once I am home?** You leave with written instructions and a schedule of check-ups. They can be done at the practice when you are in Istanbul, or by an ear, nose and throat doctor where you live. For questions about the schedule you can write to the practice. **Does the practice accept insurance?** Consultations and surgery are self-pay. Fees are discussed at the consultation. Some private insurers reimburse functional surgery such as septoplasty; ask your insurer in advance. **Is the practice authorised to treat international patients?** Yes. The practice holds the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate issued by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health (no. ST-1827), shown on the About page. ## Still have a question? Write on WhatsApp; messages are answered during practice hours. [Message on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/905324153539) ## Talk it through with Dr. Teker Write on WhatsApp or call to request an appointment. Consultations take place at the practice in Bakırköy. [Message on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/905324153539) [+90 532 415 35 39](tel:+905324153539) [Send a request](https://www.drcenkteker.com/en/contact/)