Istanbul during recovery — a practical guide

Türkiye's currency is the Turkish Lira (TL/₺). Clinic invoicing can also be done in USD, EUR, or GBP — confirm with the coordinator in advance.

Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are accepted nearly everywhere. Amex is limited outside hotels and major restaurants — carry a Visa or Mastercard backup.

Use airport ATM card withdrawal — avoid street money-changers. Major banks (İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Yapı Kredi, Akbank) are reliable.

Tip: carry 100-200 EUR/USD cash for the first day (taxi, small purchases, tips).

Most practical: eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Yesim) — activates as you land, no physical card needed. A 7-10-day Türkiye eSIM package is plenty.

For a physical SIM, Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, or Türk Telekom kiosks at the airport. Passport required; if your device IMEI isn't registered within 120 days it can be blocked — prefer eSIM.

Hotel and clinic provide free Wi-Fi. 5G eSIM data is sufficient for WhatsApp coordination — no need for a heavy data plan.

WhatsApp + tele-consult video calls work fine over Wi-Fi — useful for keeping family in the loop during recovery.

Airport transfer is included in the clinic package. Plate number + driver name are sent by WhatsApp before arrival.

Istanbul has two main airports: IST (Istanbul Airport, European side) and SAW (Sabiha Gökçen, Asian side). Clinic and hotels are around Şişli/Maslak/Levent — IST is preferred, transfer 30-45 min.

In-city: install BiTaksi or iTaksi apps — there's no Uber. Official yellow taxis are safe; check the meter is running.

Metro/metrobus: fast and cheap but can be crowded post-op. For the first 5 post-op days, prefer taxis.

Clinic-hotel distance is typically 5-15 min taxi. Transfer service can be arranged 24h in advance for follow-up days.

First 24-48h: liquids and soft foods (soup, yoghurt, purée). Avoid hot beverages and spicy food for 1 week (especially after nasal surgery).

Turkish cuisine is naturally halal — all partner hotels are halal-certified. During Ramadan, hotel iftar/suhur service is provided.

Fresh food nearby: Şişli and Maslak have high café + restaurant density. Hotel breakfast typically extensive (cheese, olives, eggs, fruit, soup).

Hydration matters: 2-2.5 L water daily. Caffeine and alcohol are off-limits 1 week post-surgery.

Special dietary needs: tell the coordinator about vegan, gluten-free, diabetic preferences — the hotel kitchen will accommodate.

A 5-7 day Istanbul stay is mostly rest. First 3-4 days, semi-bed rest at the hotel is recommended; staying upright reduces swelling.

Light walking: from day 3-4, short hotel-area walks are recommended for circulation.

Forbidden: heavy sport, swimming, hammam/sauna, sun exposure (6 weeks), lifting luggage (until splint removal).

Allowed (from day 5): nearby cafés, light shopping, quiet museum visits (Sakıp Sabancı, Pera Museum), tea break with Bosphorus view.

Splint removal day (day 7): clinic exam + photos + splint off. Keep this day light — rest in the evening.

Tip: use a step counter; 3,000-5,000 steps/day is ideal post-op. 10K+ may slow recovery.

24-hour pharmacy: Şişli/Maslak/Levent always have an on-duty pharmacy — taxi 5 min.

Clinic coordinator is on WhatsApp 24/7. For unexpected bleeding, fever 38°C+, or severe pain, message immediately — they'll direct you to the hospital.

Free consultations: for post-op medication doses, nutrition questions, or small concerns, message the coordinator anytime.

Emergency: the hospital is 5-10 min by taxi. Türkiye's emergency number is 112.

Post-op prescription: provided at discharge — antibiotic, painkillers, possibly nasal spray. Available directly at pharmacies.