A Canadian Doctor's Aesthetic Journey in Istanbul

It's not every day that a doctor becomes a patient. For Dr. Arnel, an Edmonton-based physician, making the decision to pursue plastic surgery meant not only finding the right surgeon but also coming to terms with being on the other side of medicine.

Finding the Right Path

After months of research and countless evenings reading patient reviews, Dr. Arnel reached out to CBS Clinic in Istanbul. "As a doctor myself, I knew exactly what to look for," he recalls. "What caught my attention wasn't just the before-and-after photos, but the detailed approach to patient care."

His first WhatsApp message to the clinic in March 2024 was straightforward: he was interested in rhinoplasty and abdominal liposuction. However, there was a complication - he had previously undergone a nose thread lift procedure.

The First Consultation

İdil, the patient coordinator, quickly arranged a video consultation with Dr. Cem. "I remember being quite nervous, despite my medical background," Dr. Arnel admits. "But Dr. Cem's response to my concerns about the previous thread lift was exactly what I needed to hear."

During the video call, Dr. Cem explained the technical challenges of performing rhinoplasty after a thread lift. "We'll need to carefully remove the threads during surgery," Dr. Cem detailed. "It requires extra precision, but I've handled similar cases before." This direct, honest approach resonated with Dr. Arnel's medical mindset.

Arrival in Istanbul

Landing in Istanbul on July 22, 2024, Dr. Arnel and his partner were greeted by their designated driver - a small but significant detail that made navigating a foreign city much easier. "It's the little things that matter when you're preparing for surgery in another country," he notes.

Pre-Surgery Day

The face-to-face consultation with Dr. Cem the next day lasted nearly an hour. They discussed everything from the technical aspects of removing the nose threads to the expected recovery timeline. Blood tests and an anesthesiologist consultation followed, making the upcoming surgery feel very real.

The Day of Transformation

Surgery day arrived on July 24. "As a doctor, I thought I knew what to expect," Dr. Arnel shares. "But being the patient gives you a whole new perspective." The five-hour combined procedure went according to plan, with Dr. Cem successfully removing the old threads and performing both the rhinoplasty and liposuction.

Recovery and Results

Post-surgery care was thorough but manageable. After one night in the hospital, Dr. Arnel returned to his hotel, where he spent the next few days recovering. "The team at CBS Clinic checked on me regularly, and Dr. Cem was always available to answer questions," he says.

Five days later came the moment of truth - the removal of his splint. Sitting in Dr. Cem's clinic on bustling Bagdat Street, Dr. Arnel saw his new profile for the first time. The result was exactly what they had discussed - natural-looking but with noticeable improvement.

Beyond the Surgery

Before flying back to Canada, Dr. Arnel and his partner even managed to experience some of Istanbul's culture between recovery periods. "It wasn't all about the surgery," he reflects. "It became a meaningful journey in many ways."

Two months after returning home, Dr. Arnel recorded a video review of his experience. "As a physician, I'm naturally critical of medical care," he states. "But my experience with Dr. Cem and his team exceeded my professional expectations."

The Patient Becomes the Advocate

Today, Dr. Arnel continues his own medical practice in Edmonton with a new perspective on patient care. His journey from doctor to patient and back again has given him unique insight into the importance of trust in medicine, especially when crossing borders for care.

"What stands out isn't just the surgical result," he concludes. "It's the entire experience - the professionalism, the attention to detail, and the genuine care shown by Dr. Cem and his team. They understand that every patient, whether they're a doctor or not, needs both expertise and compassion."

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