| Turkey | The UK | The USA | |
| Da Vinci gastroectomy | from $19,350 | - | - |
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pre-operation
Day 3 - Surgery
Day 4 - Post-operation
Day 5 - Hospital Discharge
Week 1-2 - Rehabilitation
Week 3-4 - Rehabilitation
Week 5-6 - Rehabilitation
Week 8-12 - Rehabilitation
Please note this timeline may vary as each patient"s case is individual.
Specializes in gastrointestinal cancers with training at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The doctor graduated from Istanbul University, Istanbul Medicine Faculty in 2007 and completed a specialization in surgery at Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital in 2013. Further advancing their expertise, they joined the General Surgery Clinic at Istanbul Okan University in 2020.
With extensive experience in various medical institutions, the doctor has worked at Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Siverek State Hospital, and Anadolu Medical Center. They are a member of several prestigious organizations, including the European Society of Coloproctology and the Turkish Surgical Society.
The doctor holds numerous certifications, such as the Turkish Surgical Association Qualification Certificate and has completed advanced courses in endoscopy, bariatric surgery, and laser techniques for hemorrhoidal diseases.
Prof. Karademir specializes in liver, biliary tract, and pancreas surgery, with extensive training at top institutions like UCLA and RUSH-Presbyterian-St. Luke's.
Prof. Mehmet Guler brings decades of surgical expertise, specializing in da Vinci gastroectomy at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex.
Qualified Turkish surgeons hold board certifications from the Turkish Surgical Association and often completed advanced fellowships abroad. You can verify their experience by checking academic titles like Associate Professor or Professor. Top specialists maintain memberships in international bodies such as SAGES or EAES.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a high concentration of internationally trained robotic experts in Istanbul. For example, Dr. Mustafa Solak and Dr. Sedat Karademir trained at prestigious US centers. This international exposure often correlates with higher proficiency in complex oncology cases. Patients should look for surgeons who combine board certification with specialized training in surgical oncology.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to ask how many robotic surgeries a doctor performs annually. They suggest checking if the hospital has a high volume of gastric procedures. This ensures the entire medical team is experienced with robotic technology.
Highly experienced Da Vinci surgeons in Turkey specialize in complex stomach procedures at JCI-accredited hospitals. These experts hold international fellowships and board certifications. Many pioneered robotic techniques in the region. They perform precise oncological resections and bariatric surgeries using advanced 3D high-definition imaging systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that Turkey's top robotic surgeons often hold dual expertise in both surgical oncology and bariatric techniques. For example, Dr. Cengiz Dibekoglu and Dr. Serdar Kacar have 30+ years of experience. They combine academic backgrounds with high surgical volumes in university-affiliated hospitals. This allows them to handle complex stomach reconstructions that require microscopic precision near vital vessels.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding surgeons who prioritize safety by discussing clear outcomes and risk management. They note that the support team and ICU quality are just as important as the robot itself. Many felt more confident after learning their surgeon specialized specifically in upper gastrointestinal procedures.
Turkish surgeons routinely use the Da Vinci robot for both oncological gastrectomies and weight-loss surgeries. Specialist surgical oncologists treat gastric adenocarcinoma with robotic radical or subtotal resections. This technology enables precise lymph node dissection around major blood vessels through 3D high-definition visualization.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many hospitals advertise robotic technology, expertise is concentrated in doctors with international oncology fellowships. For example, Dr. Mustafa Solak at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental trained at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This specific training at a prestigious US cancer institute is a key differentiator for managing complex gastrointestinal malignancies in Istanbul.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a doctor's experience specifically with cancer cases rather than weight-loss procedures. They suggest asking how many robotic oncological resections a surgeon has personally performed. Many feel reassured when surgeons at Anadolu Medical Center explain the detailed steps of a robotic cancer resection.
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Turkish government. The Turkish authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 77 billion liras for healthcare annually.
As a result, 28,000 medical facilities provide excellent medical care in the country. About 50 centers have certificate of JCI (Joint Commission International), the international improver of healthcare quality and safety across the globe. The index of certificates obtained is the largest. To compare, Israel has 20 JCI-accredited facilities, and Germany — only 10 clinics of this type.
| Currency | lira (you also can pay for services in dollars and euros) |
| Best period for the trip | May-October |
| Language | Turkish (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
| Visa | is not required for a trip of at least 30 days per visit |
| Time difference with Europe | 3 hours |
| Time difference with the USA | 8 hours |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Medical tourism center | Istanbul |
| Popular resorts | Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Marmaris |
In Turkey, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. The level of Turkish hotels is comparable to hotels in Tunisia, Morocco or Egypt. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
The main advantage of Turkish resorts is the long beach season. On the Mediterranean coast, it starts in April and lasts until November. In the resorts of the Aegean Sea — from May to October. The most comfortable time for swimming is from mid-June to the end of October. A large influx of tourists is in July-August, when the air temperature is +38°C, and the water warms up to +27°C.
In 2020, the Republic of Turkey has visa-free agreements with 89 states. Some foreigners are exempted from obtaining entry visas, others are required to receive an electronic visa (e-Visa), and still others must apply for a visa at Turkish missions abroad.
What states need a visa for treatment in Turkey and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to Turkey require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes: