Memorial Şişli Hospital
Dr Emre Gunbey specializes in nasal congestion treatments at Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital, with a focus on endoscopic sinus surgery.
Prof. Dr. M. Emre Üstündağ is a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze. He has been a professor at Kocaeli University since 2006. He completed his MD and ENT residency at Istanbul University between 1983 and 1995. He has worked at Istanbul and Kocaeli universities and at Acıbadem hospitals. He has also maintained a private practice since 2006.
Clinical focus: head and neck oncology and surgery; rhinology and rhinoplasty; laryngology; septoplasty; sleep apnea surgery.
He completed international training in Ireland (Ardkeen). In Germany, he trained in Tübingen; Freiburg (otology, 4 months); and Regensburg (rhinology, 4 months). In the USA, he trained at Stanford in laryngology and sleep apnea (4 months). He has 47 international articles and 788 citations (Google Scholar, Jan 2026). He is a member of the Turkish ORL-HNS, the Istanbul University ENT Association, and the German ORL-HNS.
Dr. Aydenizoz specializes in advanced ENT care at Medical Park Antalya, combining functional health with aesthetic results.
Performed over 2,000 functional and aesthetic nasal surgeries – Dr. Erdem specializes in both medical and cosmetic nasal procedures at his private clinic in Antalya.
Clinically proven procedures in Turkey include septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). These treatments correct anatomical obstructions like deviated septums and chronic inflammation. Turkish otolaryngologists often combine these with nasal valve reconstruction or functional rhinoplasty to ensure long-term airway patency.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from 390 Turkish clinics shows a clear trend toward multi-modal surgery. Surgeons like Dr. Dogukan Aydenizoz and Dr. Burak Karabulut often perform combined septoplasty and turbinate reduction in a single session. This dual approach addresses both structural and mucosal blockages effectively. Choosing a specialist with 2,000+ procedures, such as Dr. Emre Gunbey, helps ensure high success rates in complex functional cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital to distinguish if blockage stems from a deviation, turbinate issues, or valve collapse before surgery. Many suggest ensuring the surgeon uses endoscopy for the initial evaluation to confirm the exact cause of obstruction.
Combining functional breathing surgery with aesthetic rhinoplasty in Turkey is safe and efficient. Surgeons use one anesthesia session and recovery period for both. Success rates for breathing improvement reach 98% in specialized centers. Facilities like Memorial Şişli Hospital maintain JCI accreditation to ensure high patient safety standards.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient data reveals that the most reliable results come from surgeons with over 15 years of experience, like Dr. Emre Gunbey who has performed 3,000+ operations. While many clinics focus on aesthetics, choosing a doctor with ENT residency training ensures internal structures are preserved. This prevents common post-surgical breathing issues caused by narrowing the nasal passage too much.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that initial congestion from swelling is normal and does not mean the surgery failed. They emphasize confirming in writing exactly which internal breathing issues the surgeon will address before the procedure.
International patients typically spend 7 to 10 days in Turkey for nasal surgery. This timeframe covers the preoperative consultation, the procedure, and recovery. Patients usually have surgery 1 to 2 days after arrival. Splints are removed before flying home, typically on day 7.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from 390 Turkish clinics shows that surgeons like Dr. Emre Gunbey, who has performed 3,000 procedures, often utilize advanced tools like 3D simulations. While surgery is scheduled quickly after landing, these simulations ensure the surgical plan is finalized before you even arrive in Istanbul or Antalya. Choosing a clinic with 24/7 support and multidisciplinary teams, such as Memorial Sisli, provides a safer recovery environment during the first 72 hours.
Patient Consensus: Patients note the first 5 days are the most challenging due to pressure and blockage. Most feel presentable after 2 weeks, but they emphasize that internal healing and final results take several months.
Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, and Izmir are the premier Turkish hubs for high-volume ENT surgery. These cities host Joint Commission International-accredited facilities specializing in nasal congestion treatments. Istanbul offers the largest pool of board-certified specialists performing thousands of septoplasties and endoscopic sinus surgeries annually.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Istanbul dominates patient volume, but Antalya is a strategic choice for functional nasal surgery. Our data shows specialists there, like Dr. Dogukan Aydenizoz, combine aesthetic rhinoplasty with obstructive sleep apnea treatments. This allows patients to resolve breathing issues and aesthetic concerns in one surgical session.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that choosing an ENT specialist with a hospital affiliation is more important than the city itself. They recommend verifying a surgeon's specific experience in nasal airway outcomes rather than just focusing on cosmetic results.
Verify Turkish Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Association membership and specific Turkish ENT-BBC Proficiency or European Board (FEBORL-HNS) certification. Leading specialists often have 15+ years experience and 2,000+ performed procedures. Ensure they hold clinical titles like Professor or Associate Professor at JCI-accredited hospitals.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Top ENT specialists like Dr. Emre Gunbey and Dr. Emine Sakalar often combine functional airway correction with aesthetic rhinoplasty. Our data shows that high-volume surgeons often perform over 1,000+ specific nasal procedures. Choosing a specialist who publishes international research typically ensures familiarity with modern techniques like endoscopic sinus surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize asking surgeons how they assess the internal nasal valve and the root cause of obstruction. Many note it is important to clarify if the lead surgeon will personally perform the entire procedure.
Turkish ENT specialists prioritize detailed diagnostics to identify structural obstructions versus inflammatory issues. Standards include a physical evaluation, blood chemistry panels, and fiber-optic nasal endoscopy to visualize the septum. Imaging like high-resolution computed tomography scans provides a precise map for surgical navigation in complex cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish logistics emphasize speed without sacrificing safety. Our data shows clinics like Memorial Sisli use 512-slice CT scanners for rapid, precise mapping. This advanced technology allows surgeons to bundle consultation, imaging, and surgical clearance into 24–48 hours. This efficiency is rare in many other medical systems.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the internal endoscopy is the most critical step for confirming a deviated septum. They also emphasize sharing complete allergy histories to ensure surgery is truly necessary for their specific congestion.