Emily's Journey: London to Istanbul for Neck Lift Surgery
Emily's journey from London to Istanbul for a neck lift & platysmaplasty with Dr. CBS. Read her story & see her natural neck rejuvenation results.
Hello, I am Özlem. I am the International Patient Coordinator here at Dr. Cem Berkay SINACI's clinic in beautiful Istanbul. It is my pleasure to help patients from all around the world navigate their surgical journey with us. I meet many wonderful people, and today I want to share the story of Emily, a lovely lady who came to us from London.
Emily’s story is special, like all our patients, but her journey highlights the trust and transformation that can happen when you choose the right surgeon, even if it means travelling far from home.
Read our blog 'The Secret to a Youthful Face: Why Your Neck Holds the Key'
Why Emily Considered a Neck Lift
Emily contacted us some months ago. Like many people, she felt the appearance of her neck didn't match how young she felt inside. She mentioned seeing signs of ageing, maybe some loose skin, and the definition of her jawline was not sharp like before. This is a very common concern we hear, especially for procedures like neck lift and neck rejuvenation.
She had done a lot of research online. Finding a qualified plastic surgeon is a big decision, even more so when you consider travelling internationally for surgery. Emily was looking for someone with experience, excellent results, and a focus on natural outcomes, particularly for facial rejuvenation. She was specifically interested in a neck lift procedure, possibly including platysmaplasty to address the muscle bands in her neck.
Read our blog: 'Neck Lift & Gland Removal: Essential for Contouring?'
Choosing Dr. CBS in Istanbul
During her research, Emily found Dr. Cem Berkay SINACI (Dr. CBS). What caught her attention? Maybe it was his impressive credentials – being double board-certified in Europe and Turkey, his membership in ISAPS (The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), and his specific fellowship training in facial surgery with world-renowned surgeons like Dr. Raul Gonzalez. Or perhaps it was his focus on facial procedures like the facelift he is known for.
We had a video consultation first. Dr. CBS and Emily talked. I remember Emily telling me afterwards how comfortable she felt. She said Dr. CBS listened carefully to her concerns. He didn't use pushy marketing language; instead, he explained the neck lift procedure in detail, what platysmaplasty involves (tightening the neck muscles), and what results she could realistically expect. He has this calm, professional, "cool" way about him, as he says, he believes patients should choose him, he doesn't need to chase them. This honesty built trust immediately.
Her first intention was face-neck lift together but we ended doing only neck lift for her.
Emily was also reassured that our clinic is certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health as an international health tourism center. Knowing that Dr. CBS often operates on patients from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia also made her feel more confident.
Read our blog: Platysmaplasty for Necklift
The Journey and the Consultation in Istanbul
Once Emily decided, I helped her organise everything – her flights from London, her comfortable accommodation here in Istanbul, and all her appointments. We want the process to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
When Emily arrived, we first had the formal in-person consultation at the clinic. Dr. CBS examined her neck carefully. He confirmed that a neck lift with platysmaplasty would be the best approach for her goals. He also assessed if any chin liposuction was needed to further define the jawline and under-chin area, which is sometimes included in a comprehensive neck rejuvenation plan. He discussed the possibility of prominent submandibular glands and if they needed addressing, although this wasn't a major issue for Emily, it's something Dr. CBS always evaluates for the best neck contour.
Most importantly for Emily, Dr. CBS explained his technique for hidden incisions. He planned one small incision hidden under the chin and others carefully placed behind the ears. This technique is key to achieving a natural neck lift result without visible scarring. Emily was very relieved to hear this.
Read my blog 'Why Choose Istanbul for Your Plastic Surgery Journey?'
Surgery Day and Recovery
The day of the surgery went very smoothly. Dr. CBS performed Emily's neck lift and platysmaplasty. His focus and attention to detail are always impressive to see. The procedure involves lifting and tightening the skin and, crucially, repairing and tightening the platysma muscle underneath. This gives the neck a much smoother, firmer, and more youthful contour.
After the surgery, Emily stayed in the hospital overnight for monitoring, and then moved back to her comfortable accommodation. I, along with our nursing team, checked on her regularly. There is swelling and bruising, of course, this is normal after a necklift. But Emily was feeling well. She wore a special compression garment to help with the swelling and support the healing tissues.
Even in the early days, when the swelling started to go down a little, Emily could see a difference. The heavy look was gone. And the best part? The incisions were exactly where Dr. CBS said they would be – completely hidden. You couldn't see anything from the front or sides.
Amazing Neck Rejuvenation Results
Emily stayed in Istanbul for about a week for her initial recovery and follow-up checks with Dr. CBS. Before she flew back to London, Dr. CBS made sure everything was healing perfectly.
We have kept in touch with Emily since she returned home. She has been sending us photos and updates, and her results are just fantastic. The neck rejuvenation is truly remarkable. Her jawline is defined, the skin is smooth, the muscle bands are gone, and there are no visible signs she had surgery. It looks completely natural, just refreshed and youthful.
Emily told me she feels so much more confident. She said choosing Dr. CBS and coming to Istanbul was the best decision she made for herself. She loved the care she received, the professionalism of Dr. CBS and the team, and of course, her beautiful results from the platysmaplasty and neck lift.
Minimally invasive is better sometimes: Double Chin Liposuction: Solution for the Smartphone Era
See Emily's Transformation
We are so happy for Emily and grateful she allowed us to be part of her journey. Her experience is a testament to Dr. CBS's skill in advanced neck lift techniques, achieving significant rejuvenation with natural-looking results and hidden scars.
On this page, you can watch the video documenting Emily's entire process – from her thoughts before surgery, clips from the procedure itself, her recovery, and her final video review sharing her experience in her own words. You will also see her amazing before-and-after photos and videos.
If you are considering a necklift, platysmaplasty, or any form of neck rejuvenation, perhaps Emily's story will resonate with you. Feel free to reach out to us; we are here to answer your questions and help you understand your options with Dr. CBS.
Warmly,
Özlem
International Patient Coordinator for Dr. Cem Berkay SINACI
Don't forget to watch our plastic surgery patient stories !
