Patient Profile:
- Name: Elissa Yasmin
- Age: 20
- Origin: Germany
- Treatment Destination: Istanbul, Turkey
- Medical Procedure: Rhinoplasty
- Clinic: Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital
This rhinoplasty storytime isn’t about perfection. It’s about courage, transformation, and the quiet strength it takes to make a change for yourself. What started as a simple procedure turned into a transformative journey for Elissa—follow her entire rhinoplasty experience in her blog.
Table of Contents
A Personal Decision: Elissa’s Rhinoplasty Story
Elissa had quietly dreamed of rhinoplasty for years. Like many people considering cosmetic surgery, the idea was driven by a desire to feel more aligned with how she saw herself. Yet the uncertainty of undergoing her first ever plastic surgery held her back.
“I’ve always dreamed of getting rhinoplasty, but I struggled with the decision since I had never experienced anything like it before.”
Behind that hesitation was something many future patients will understand: the fear of the unknown. But for Elissa, it was time. Time to face that fear with information, support, and the right people by her side.
Finding Clarity with Bookimed
In early 2025, Elissa turned her curiosity into action by reaching out through Bookimed. What she expected to be a long wait turned into a quick, caring response.
“Just three hours after I submitted my request through Bookimed, the hospital contacted me with all the information I needed.”
She was still unsure whether she was ready—but that first response gave her something she hadn’t had before: clarity. She also discovered she could bring a close friend with her, free of charge. That made all the difference.
“I decided to bring a friend for support at no extra cost.”
Choosing the Right Clinic
With help from her coordinator at Bookimed, Elissa explored three top clinics in Istanbul: Quartz Hospital, ClinicExpert, and Lokman Hekim. Each offered its strengths, but it was Lokman Hekim that stood out—both for its swift communication and emotional attentiveness.
One moment that felt truly personal was when the clinic shared a nose simulation image, created just for her.
“To give you an idea of what your nose could look like after the rhinoplasty surgery, we've attached a before-and-after simulation.”
Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital is a modern private clinic in Turkey, formerly known as Adatip International. It welcomes over 10,000 patients annually and is accredited by the JCI and TÜV NORD for providing quality care. The hospital offers rhinoplasty alongside specialties like neurosurgery and orthopedics.
Rhinoplasty (nose job) at Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital in Turkey may cost around 2600 EUR. The procedure is performed by Dr. Emre Gunbey, an ENT surgeon with 13 years of experience and 900+ nose surgeries completed. The JCI-accredited hospital offers a complete package with transfers, accommodation, and interpreter services.
About the surgeon
Dr. Emre Gunbey is an Assistant Professor of ENT specializing in rhinoplasty. He trained at Mayo Clinic and has performed over 900 nose surgeries. His memberships include the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology.
Procedure details
The standard rhinoplasty uses general anesthesia and requires 1 day in hospital. Patients stay 5 more days in a hotel with a companion. The package includes:
- Rhinoplasty surgery with latest technology
- 1 day hospitalization with companion
- 5 nights hotel stay
- Pre-op tests and consultation
- Airport transfers and interpreter
Additional options
Primary rhinoplasty with Prof. Dr. Salim Yuce (27 years experience) costs around 2500 EUR. Revision cases may cost 3500 EUR. A rib graft adds 1000 EUR if needed.
Why choose this clinic
The hospital holds JCI and ISO 9001 certifications. Patients rate it 4.8/5 from 153 reviews. The all-inclusive package covers medical and travel needs.
Contact the clinic to discuss your rhinoplasty options and get a personalized quote.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
Latest review
Prof. Dr. Salim Yuce is an ENT specialist with 28+ years of experience at Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital. A member of the American College of Surgeons and the European Rhinologic Society, he is recognized for his expertise in advanced nasal procedures and consistently excellent patient outcomes.
Surgery Day: Hope, Nerves, and Courage
The night before the procedure, Elissa was understandably nervous. She snapped a photo of her last meal and tried to quiet the racing thoughts that were swirling through her mind. Luckily, her friend was right there to help her stay grounded.
“Thankfully, my friend was there to help ease my worries the night before the procedure.”
The morning of the surgery came. With trust in her clinic and herself, she walked into the operating room—both anxious and hopeful.
“Everything went great. I even managed to snap a photo of myself waking up from anesthesia—what a surreal experience!”
That night, the adrenaline hadn’t worn off. At 4 AM, she was still awake—relieved, emotional, and excited.
“That first night, I found myself wide awake at 4 AM, caught up in the excitement of it all.”
Recovery: Every Day, a Step Forward
Despite what she feared, Elissa’s post-op experience was manageable. There was no pain—only slight discomfort when moving her upper lip.
“I felt surprisingly fit and had no pain or complaints, although moving my upper lip was a bit challenging.”
The hotel, arranged through the clinic, was cozy. Just five minutes away were restaurants she and her friend explored together, helping her feel more like a traveler than a patient.
On day 4, she noticed some bruising. And on day five, when her cast was removed, she was surprised by how much swelling remained.
“When I returned to the clinic five days after the rhinoplasty to have my cast removed, we were surprised to see how much swelling remained.”
By day 6, she was at the airport. Tired, but full of hope.
Rhinoplasty Button Nose Before and After
Healing doesn’t happen overnight. Elissa knew that. But each day brought small signs of change.
“15 days later, while my nose was still somewhat swollen, I could tell it was beginning to take shape.”
And by day 24, she could see her reflection beginning to match the one she had carried in her mind for so long.
“Even at 24 days post-surgery, the swelling was still noticeable, but I was encouraged as I could see my nose getting smaller each day.”
Her rhinoplasty button nose before and after comparison was still unfolding—but already, it was shaping her confidence.
“It’s a lengthy process, but I’m excited to watch the results emerge!”
Looking Back: My Rhinoplasty Experience
Elissa’s nose enhancement journey wasn’t just about changing a feature—it was about reclaiming her image of herself. The decision took courage. The preparation took patience. And the recovery took trust—in her body, her surgeon, and the process.
For anyone reading this and wondering whether they’re ready, Elissa’s story offers something powerful: reassurance.
Behind the medical terms and timelines is a real human experience—filled with questions, bravery, and eventually, joy.
Through Bookimed, Elissa found not just a clinic—but a sense of safety and support that made her journey possible.
💚 Free, honest consultations.
💚 Trusted clinics with real reviews.
💚 VIP transfers and hotel included.
💚 Compassionate support at every stage.
If you’re dreaming of starting your nose job journey, know that you’re not alone.
📩 Start your free consultation with Bookimed today—and take that first step toward the most confident version of yourself.
All medical content on this page is prepared by authors with specialized medical education and reviewed by certified physicians in the relevant field. Medical review by Ergin Er, Plastic surgeon.
Last updated: August 22, 2025.
- Statistics: Figures are based on Bookimed’s internal database December 2025, which includes analysis of 12,450 patient requests across 1 accredited clinics in Turkey.
- Pricing: Cost information is provided directly by Bookimed’s partner clinics and updated regularly to reflect current 2025 market conditions. Actual expenses may differ depending on case complexity, surgeon expertise, and clinic location.
- Clinical Data: Treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction figures are collected from Bookimed’s verified clinic database and supported by data from peer-reviewed medical sources such as PubMed, The Lancet, JAMA, and NEJM (2023–2025).
All data is provided for general informational purposes and may not represent individual results or experiences.