Choosing a Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon in Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the most popular cities in health tourism. Every year many people come to the city for procedures ranging from rhinoplasty to facelift and from breast aesthetics to body contouring. The first question on their minds is usually the same: what should I look for when choosing a plastic and aesthetic surgeon in Istanbul?
The answer rests on a few concrete criteria: medical and specialist training, national board certification, scientific work published in peer-reviewed journals, professional society memberships and the standards of the hospital where the operations take place. On this page we first summarise these criteria, and then the training, publications and areas of expertise of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık.
Contents
- What Should You Look For When Choosing an Aesthetic Surgeon?
- Who Is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık?
- Scientific Work and International Publications
- Areas of Expertise and Procedures
- Society Memberships
- Brief Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Should You Look For When Choosing an Aesthetic Surgeon?
There is no single “right surgeon” for everyone; the right choice is a certified, experienced doctor who suits your needs and expectations. When researching an aesthetic surgeon in Istanbul, we recommend adding the following points to your checklist:
Specialist certificate and board certification: Make sure your doctor is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and holds national board certification.
Scientific productivity: A surgeon who publishes in peer-reviewed journals and attends congresses follows developments in the field closely.
Good patient–doctor communication: At the consultation, what cannot be done should be explained as clearly as what can be done. Realistic expectations are the first step of the process.
Operating conditions: For patient safety, it is important that major surgery is performed in fully equipped, accredited hospitals.
Length of experience and continuity: A surgeon who has worked in their own clinic in the same city for many years remains reachable during post-operative follow-up.
Who Is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık?
Born in Adana in 1975, Ozan Balık's story begins a little differently from that of many surgeons. Having won a place to study electronic engineering at Istanbul University in 1992, he turned towards medicine after undergoing a series of orthopaedic operations and began studying medicine at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine in 1993. His engineering background later helped him adapt computer-based 3D modelling techniques to facial aesthetic surgery.
After qualifying as a medical doctor in 1999 and completing his compulsory service at the emergency department of Viranşehir State Hospital, he began his residency in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine in 2002. He completed his specialist training in 2008 and in the same year was awarded National Board Certification by the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.
After serving as Head of the Plastic Surgery Clinic at Edirne State Hospital in 2008–2009, he has been working at his private clinic in Levent, Istanbul, since 2010.
For more details about Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık's education and career, see the biography page.
Scientific Work and International Publications
One important indicator of a surgeon's professional background is their work published in peer-reviewed journals. Some of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık's publications:
- His residency thesis, showing that reverse end-to-side nerve repair can be used in peripheral nerve injuries, was published in Annals of Plastic Surgery, an international peer-reviewed plastic surgery journal.
- The surgical technique he described and named the “Butterfly Flap” was also published in Annals of Plastic Surgery.
- He developed a new blepharoplasty technique using the upper eyelid muscle in lower eyelid repair; this work appeared in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Areas of Expertise and Procedures
Surgical and non-surgical procedures are performed at Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık's clinic. The main ones are:
Facial aesthetics: Structural rhinoplasty, deep plane facelift, bilaminar facelift and eyelid surgery. He uses 3D-modelling-assisted planning in facial surgery.
Breast aesthetics: Breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift and gynecomastia surgery in men.
Body contouring: 360-degree liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover and buttock implants.
Other procedures: Hair transplantation, genital aesthetics, gender-affirming surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers.
Major operations requiring general anaesthesia are performed at partner hospitals with JCI accreditation; consultations, follow-ups and minor procedures take place at the clinic in Levent.
Society Memberships
Professional society memberships are another criterion to consider when choosing a surgeon. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık is a member of:
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
- The Rhinoplasty Society of Europe
- Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (TPRECD)
- Turkish Medical Association
Brief Summary
Medical experience: A doctor since 1999, a plastic surgery specialist since 2008 and in clinical practice in Istanbul since 2010.
Published techniques: Surgical approaches published in international journals, such as the Butterfly Flap and a new blepharoplasty technique.
Planning: Individual, 3D-modelling-assisted planning in facelift and rhinoplasty operations.
Areas of practice: Different fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, from hair transplantation to mommy makeover and from rhinoplasty to gender-affirming surgery.
Operating environment: Major surgery is performed at JCI-accredited partner hospitals.
Location: An easily accessible clinic in Levent, Beşiktaş.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when choosing a plastic surgeon in Istanbul?
There is no single right answer for everyone; the right surgeon for you is an experienced doctor with specialist and board certification who suits your needs and communicates openly. Specialist certification, national board certification, scientific publications, society memberships and the standards of the hospital where the operation will take place are concrete criteria you can check.
Where is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık's clinic?
The clinic is located at Levent Mahallesi, Çilekli Caddesi No:10, Beşiktaş, Istanbul. For appointments and information, you can visit the contact page.
Which operations does Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Balık perform?
He works in different fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, in particular rhinoplasty, deep plane facelift, breast augmentation/reduction/lift, 360 liposuction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, hair transplantation, genital aesthetics and gender-affirming surgery.
Why do people choose Istanbul for aesthetic surgery?
With its experienced surgeons, JCI-accredited hospitals and healthcare infrastructure, Istanbul is one of the aesthetic surgery centres frequently chosen by patients from Europe and the Middle East.
The information on this page is for general information only; always consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.