Patients from Kazakhstan: urological surgery in Istanbul
Direct flights from Almaty and Astana, with the consultation held in Russian. This page covers the practical side.
About 5.5–6.5 hours on a direct flight
Direct flights to Istanbul operate from Almaty, Astana and several other cities, though less frequently than on short-haul routes. When planning around an operation date, allow a day of margin either side.
The consultation is held in Russian, with an interpreter arranged before the appointment. The international patient coordinator works in English.
Settlement is usually in euros or US dollars. International transfers can take several working days, so start the financial arrangements early.
Visa
Visa rules vary with the type of passport and are updated from time to time. Because wrong information could leave you stranded at the airport, we do not state the rule here; check your own position with the official source.
One trip, one plan
Because of the length of the flight, the aim is to complete assessment and treatment in a single trip wherever that is medically sound. Send your file in advance so that the necessary investigations can be booked for the day you land, rather than discovered after you arrive. If your condition genuinely requires staged treatment, we will say so before you buy a ticket.
The flight is part of the medical plan
A long flight has medical significance. After a number of operations, flying too soon raises the risk of clots in the leg veins. Flight clearance is therefore given as a date, and for long routes we are more cautious than the figures stated on the treatment pages. A changeable ticket is especially useful here.
Follow-up after you return
Follow-up is carried out remotely. Reports are written so that a doctor in Kazakhstan can continue your care: what was done, what to monitor and at what intervals, and which signs call for immediate local attention.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa?
Rules depend on the type of passport and change, so we do not state them here. Check your position with the official Turkish source before booking.
How long should I plan to stay?
It depends on the procedure: a few days for endoscopic stone treatment, longer for radical prostate surgery because of the catheter. The length is set after your file is reviewed.
Can I get an opinion remotely first?
Yes, and with a long flight that is sensible. Reviewing your images and reports establishes whether the trip is worthwhile at all.
Let us review your file
If you have test results, imaging or a pathology report, share them in advance and avoid having investigations repeated unnecessarily.
Back to the international patients page: ME Urology Clinic