Travelling for Surgery: Your Complete Pre-Trip Checklist
Preparation is the difference between a smooth, successful medical trip and a stressful one. Whether you are travelling to Turkey for dental implants, a hair transplant, IVF or major surgery, the pre-trip preparation process follows a common structure. This checklist covers everything you need to do before you board your flight.
Three Months Before
Confirm your treatment plan: Ensure you have a detailed written treatment plan from your clinic, including the specific procedure, materials to be used, surgeon’s name and qualifications, total cost breakdown, and what is and is not included.
Obtain travel insurance: Standard travel insurance is insufficient for medical travel. You need a policy that covers medical treatment abroad, complications related to the procedure, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, and trip cancellation due to medical reasons. Specialist medical travel insurance policies are available.
Book flights and accommodation: Book flexible tickets where possible. Confirm your accommodation — ideally close to your clinic. Check whether your clinic offers accommodation packages.
Inform your local doctor: Let your GP or specialist know you are planning treatment abroad. Request copies of relevant medical records, recent blood tests and any imaging that may be useful to your Turkish clinic.
One Month Before
Pre-operative tests: Many procedures require blood tests, cardiac assessment or imaging before surgery. Some clinics perform these on arrival; others require them in advance. Confirm with your clinic what is needed and arrange accordingly.
Medication review: Review all medications you take with your doctor. Blood thinners, anti-inflammatories and certain supplements may need to be stopped before surgery — your clinic will provide specific instructions.
Dental clearance: For major surgeries requiring general anaesthetic, some clinics request confirmation that there are no active dental infections.
Two Weeks Before
Stop smoking: Smoking significantly impairs healing and increases surgical complications. Most surgeons require patients to stop at least two weeks before any elective procedure.
Alcohol: Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption two weeks before surgery.
Supplements: Stop fish oil, vitamin E, garlic supplements and other agents that affect bleeding.
One Week Before
Pack appropriately: Button-up shirts and loose clothing that doesn’t need to go over your head are essential for many procedures. Compression garments may be provided by the clinic. Slip-on shoes are practical post-operatively.
Prepare your home for recovery: Arrange your home for comfortable recovery before you leave — easy access to food, entertainment, comfortable resting position.
Arrange aftercare support: Ensure someone is available to collect you from the airport on your return and assist during the initial recovery period at home.
The Day Before Travel
Confirm all appointments: Contact the clinic to confirm all appointment times, transfer arrangements and any last-minute instructions.
Fast if required: If surgery is scheduled for the day of or day after arrival, confirm fasting requirements (typically nothing to eat or drink for six hours before general anaesthetic).
How Dr.Visor Supports Your Preparation
Dr.Visor provides a personalised pre-trip preparation checklist for every patient, tailored to their specific procedure and clinic. Our patient coordinators are available to answer questions at every stage of the preparation process. Register at drvisor.com to begin your preparation with expert support.