My rhinoplasty in Istanbul
A TikTok discovery, a surgeon she trusted, and what it was like not having to plan surgery abroad on her own, in her own words.
In this article
Written by Sofia, an Essos patient, in her own words. Photos are her own, shared with her permission.
Something I’d wanted for years
Getting a rhinoplasty was something I had wanted to do for years, but actually deciding to go through with it felt overwhelming. There are so many surgeons, clinics, reviews, and opinions online, and when it comes to something as permanent and personal as your face, I think it’s completely normal to want to be extremely careful about who you trust.
Why Istanbul
I live in Los Angeles, where the cost of cosmetic surgery can be pretty substantial, so I had already been considering having my rhinoplasty abroad. I had seen so many people travel to Istanbul for rhinoplasty, especially on TikTok, and it caught my attention.
I love traveling and had always wanted to spend more time in Europe, so the idea of having my surgery in Istanbul actually appealed to me. At the same time, the logistics of arranging surgery in a country I’d never been to were intimidating.
Inside the Blue Mosque.
Finding Essos
I originally found Essos through TikTok while casually researching rhinoplasty experiences. I came across another patient’s experience with Essos, and what immediately interested me was having a company that could help coordinate the process rather than trying to figure everything out internationally on my own.
I decided to reach out, and from the beginning, communication was incredibly easy. Responses were quick and clear, my questions were taken seriously, and I never felt like I was being left to figure things out by myself.
That was especially important to me because, even though rhinoplasty is cosmetic, it’s still surgery, and it’s your face. I wanted to feel confident that I knew what was happening and that I had people I could contact if I needed anything.
“Even though rhinoplasty is cosmetic, it’s still surgery, and it’s your face.”
The logistics
One of my biggest concerns about traveling internationally for surgery was simply the logistics. When you’re planning something like this yourself, you’re thinking about your surgeon, hotel, transportation, medications, appointments, recovery, and navigating a completely unfamiliar city while you’ve just had surgery.
Essos made that side of the experience so much easier by helping coordinate so many of those details. I still arranged my own flights, but having so much of the rest of the process taken care of removed a huge amount of stress.
Istanbul
Evening by the water at Galataport.
Along the Bosphorus.
Getting around, taken care of.
My surgeon
I ultimately chose Dr. Safa Manav for my rhinoplasty, and I felt comfortable and safe with him throughout the process.
His assistant, Asena, was also incredibly helpful. She answered my questions thoroughly and helped make everything feel organized and straightforward.
“I felt comfortable and safe with him throughout the process.”
Moonlight over the Bosphorus.
The room
Support after surgery
Something I’ve especially appreciated is that the support didn’t disappear once my surgery was over.
I’m still relatively early in my recovery, and whenever I’ve had questions during the healing process, I’ve been able to reach out and get answers. Feeling cared for both before and after surgery has made a big difference for me.
Early morning over Istanbul during recovery.
Recovery meals
What I wish I’d understood beforehand
Looking back, one thing I wish I’d understood beforehand is just how much goes into planning surgery abroad. It’s not only choosing a surgeon and booking a flight.
There are so many smaller details surrounding the actual procedure and recovery, and having help coordinating those things made the experience much less intimidating than I originally imagined.
How it works with Essos
- Fill out the form. A real person — not a bot — replies within 24 hours. No deposit, no card on file. Just a price range and a destination preference.
- Meet your surgeon. A short video consultation with a board-certified surgeon vetted by Essos’s medical review board. Your call, on your schedule.
- Essos coordinates the details. Surgery, hotel, ground transfers, English-speaking concierge, post-op care. One package, one transparent price.
- Show up and recover. A driver meets you at the airport. Your room is ready. Your appointments are confirmed. Questions after you’re home still get answered.
Would I do it again?
If I ever decide to have another procedure abroad in the future, I would absolutely consider going through Essos again.
For someone who wants to have surgery internationally but feels overwhelmed by all of the planning and uncertainty that can come with it, having that support made a huge difference for me.
“Having that support made a huge difference for me.”
Considering the same procedure? See how rhinoplasty in Turkey works with Essos — surgeons, packages, and what’s included.
About this story: this story was written by a real Essos patient and lightly edited for formatting. Words and photos are hers, used with her permission. Individual results vary. Surgical outcomes depend on individual anatomy, the surgeon, and post-operative care. Nothing in this story constitutes medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional before making any decisions about a surgical procedure.
Sofia’s package
Rhinoplasty with Dr. Safa Manav
Istanbul · All-inclusive from $5,000
Board-certified surgeons. Real human reply within 24 hours.
Essos has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at info@essos.com.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
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