Packing list for surgery in Türkiye: what UK patients really need to bring
What to pack for surgery in Türkiye: documents, medicines, clothes by procedure, adapters, what to leave at home – and why a small suitcase matters.
Most people pack too much for surgery in Türkiye. You will spend much of the trip resting in a hotel room in loose clothes, and the hardest part is often getting your luggage home. This guide covers what UK patients actually need: documents, medicines, clothes by procedure, small comforts and what to leave behind. It ends with a full list you can print. It does not replace the instructions from your surgeon or clinic.
Why should I take a small suitcase?
Because you probably should not lift it afterwards. After breast surgery, a tummy tuck, liposuction or a BBL, surgeons advise against heavy lifting for weeks – the NHS says to avoid heavy lifting for at least a month after breast enlargement. Lifting a case into a taxi boot, onto an airport belt or into an overhead locker strains exactly the areas that are healing.
- choose one small case on four wheels that you can push, not drag
- pack it no more than half full on the way out, as you will come home with garments, dressings and paperwork
- if you travel with someone, let them carry everything – see our guide to travelling with a companion
- if you travel alone, ask the clinic in writing who helps with luggage at the airport and hotel, and consider booking airport assistance for the flight home
- check whether the transfers in your package include help with bags
Tip: Weigh your case at home with everything in it. If you cannot lift it comfortably now, you will not manage it after surgery.
Which documents do I need?
Your passport, your insurance details and everything about your treatment, on paper and on your phone.
- Passport – the UK government advises at least 150 days’ validity from the date you arrive and at least one blank page; check the official entry requirements before you book
- Travel insurance – a policy that knows you are travelling for surgery; BAPRAS warns that a normal holiday policy rarely covers things going wrong after planned surgery
- Medical records – recent letters, test results and reports about relevant conditions
- Medication list – names, doses and how often you take them, including the contraceptive pill, supplements and herbal remedies
- Treatment plan and contract – the agreed procedure, price, what is included and the cancellation terms; see our guide to the treatment contract
- Clinic contacts – the name of your coordinator, a 24-hour phone number, the clinic address and the hotel address
- Flight and transfer details – booking references and pick-up times
- Digital copies – photos or scans of all of the above, saved on your phone and emailed to yourself or someone at home
Do not rely on your UK Global Health Insurance Card. The NHS lists the countries where the GHIC works and Türkiye is not one of them – check the NHS GHIC page before you travel, as coverage can change.
How should I pack my medicines?
In your hand luggage, in their original packaging. A lost suitcase should never mean missed tablets.
- all regular medicines, with enough for the whole stay plus a few extra days in case your flight home is delayed
- a doctor’s letter for injections, needles or anything unusual
- inhalers, eye drops or other items you use every day
- any medicines your surgeon asked you to start before the operation
Tell your surgeon about every medicine and supplement well before you travel – some need to be paused before surgery, and only your doctors can decide that. Controlled drugs are on the UK government’s list of prohibited goods for Türkiye; if you take one, ask the Turkish Embassy in London what paperwork you need. Our guide to preparing for surgery covers the weeks before the trip.
What clothes should I pack?
Loose, soft clothes that you can put on without raising your arms or bending far. Swelling, dressings, drains and compression garments all take up room.
- front-opening tops: button-up shirts, zip hoodies, cardigans
- loose trousers or joggers with a soft waistband, one size up
- slip-on shoes or trainers you can step into – bending to tie laces is hard after body surgery
- comfortable cotton underwear
- a light jacket for the plane and air-conditioned rooms
- nightwear that opens at the front
- one outfit for travelling home that fits over your compression garment
What extra do I need for my type of surgery?
That depends on the operation. Your clinic may supply some items – ask before you buy.
| Procedure | Useful extras | Ask your surgeon |
|---|---|---|
| Breast surgery | Soft, wire-free, front-fastening sports bra; front-opening tops | Which bra, how long, and whether one is supplied |
| Tummy tuck | Loose high-waisted trousers; slip-on shoes; a small pillow to hold against your tummy when you cough | How bent over you will be at first, and how long |
| Liposuction | Loose trousers or dresses that fit over the garment; dark towels or pads for fluid leakage | How many garments you need and whether a spare is provided |
| BBL | Loose dresses or joggers; a cushion only if your surgeon approves it | How you may sit in taxis and on the plane |
| Nose or face surgery | Travel neck pillow; front-opening tops; extra pillows to sleep with your head raised | When you can wear glasses again |
| Hair transplant | Loose button-up shirts; a soft, wide hat that does not press on the grafts; sunglasses | When and what kind of hat you can wear |
Our guides to compression garments and to liposuction and BBL explain the garments and sitting rules in more detail.
Which toiletries and comfort items help?
The small things make the first days much easier.
- unscented wet wipes and dry shampoo – you may not be allowed to shower straight away
- bendy straws, so you can drink lying back
- lip balm, as hospital air and anaesthesia dry the lips
- a small pillow for the car and the flight, to cushion seat belts and the operated area
- a refillable water bottle
- gentle, unscented soap and moisturiser
- a long phone charging cable, so you can use your phone in bed
- eye mask and earplugs
- something to pass the time: downloaded films, books, podcasts
Which electronics and adapters do I need?
A phone, a charger and the right adapter. Türkiye uses two-pin European sockets, types C and F, at 230 volts and 50 Hz, so a UK-to-European adapter works for phones, tablets and most chargers.
- phone and charger with a long cable
- two plug adapters, one spare
- power bank for travel days
- headphones
- check your mobile plan for roaming costs in Türkiye, which is outside the EU
What about money and cards?
Bring at least two ways to pay, and keep them in different places.
- a debit or credit card that charges low or no fees abroad
- a second card in case one is blocked
- some cash in Turkish lira or pounds for taxis, tips and small purchases
- tell your bank you are travelling
If part of the price is due on arrival, check the deposit and cancellation terms and get a receipt for every payment.
What should I leave at home?
Anything heavy, valuable or that the hospital will ask you to remove.
- A big suitcase – you will not be able to lift it afterwards.
- Jewellery and piercings – you will usually have to remove them before surgery; leave valuables at home.
- Lots of make-up – you will barely use it, and it should be kept away from wounds and the face after facial surgery.
- Gel nails, acrylic nails and nail polish – many hospitals ask for them to be removed before surgery so staff can monitor you properly. Requirements differ, so your surgeon or the anaesthetic team decides; ask before you leave the UK.
- Fake tan and heavy body products before the operation, unless your clinic says otherwise.
- Tight clothes, heels and anything with a hard waistband.
What goes in my hand luggage for the flight home?
Everything you would need if your suitcase disappeared, and nothing heavy. BAPRAS suggests waiting five to seven days after breast surgery or liposuction before flying, and seven to ten days after facial procedures or a tummy tuck; your surgeon confirms the date.
- passport, boarding pass and insurance documents
- discharge letter, operation notes and aftercare instructions, ideally in English
- all medicines, including any newly prescribed ones
- spare compression garment if you have one
- water bottle (filled after security), snacks and lip balm
- small pillow for the seat belt
- phone, charger and power bank
- clinic contact numbers
Get up and walk when it is safe to do so, and drink plenty of water – our guide to blood clots and flying explains why.
Tip: Book an aisle seat. Getting up to walk is easier, and you will not need to climb over anyone.
Printable packing list
Documents
- Passport (at least 150 days’ validity from arrival, one blank page)
- Travel insurance documents and emergency number
- Medical records and recent test results
- Medication list
- Treatment plan and contract
- Clinic, coordinator and hotel contacts
- Flight and transfer details
- Digital copies of all documents
Medicines (hand luggage)
- Regular medicines in original packaging, plus extra days
- Doctor’s letter for injections or unusual medicines
- Inhalers, eye drops, other daily items
Clothes
- Front-opening tops and nightwear
- Loose trousers or joggers with soft waistband
- Slip-on shoes
- Cotton underwear
- Light jacket
- Procedure extras: sports bra, neck pillow, soft hat, sunglasses – as your surgeon advises
Toiletries and comfort
- Wet wipes and dry shampoo
- Bendy straws
- Lip balm
- Small pillow for car and flight
- Water bottle
- Unscented soap and moisturiser
- Eye mask and earplugs
Electronics
- Phone and long charging cable
- Two UK-to-European adapters (types C/F)
- Power bank and headphones
Money
- Two payment cards
- Some cash
- Bank told about your travel
Leave at home
- Big suitcase, jewellery, most make-up, tight clothes
- Ask your surgeon about nail polish and gel nails before you go
Read more
Emergency: If you have shortness of breath, chest pain or a swollen, painful leg, call emergency services (112 in Europe) immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How big a suitcase should I take for surgery in Türkiye?
As small and light as you can manage – ideally one you can wheel with one hand or that someone else can carry. After many aesthetic operations you should avoid heavy lifting for weeks, and that includes luggage on the way home.
Does my UK GHIC cover me in Türkiye?
No. The NHS lists the countries where the GHIC works, and Türkiye is not among them. It would not cover planned private surgery anyway, so check that your travel insurance covers a trip for surgery.
How long must my passport be valid for Türkiye?
The UK government advises that a British passport must be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive and have at least one blank page. Check the official travel advice before you book, as rules can change.
Should I pack my regular medicines in hand luggage?
Yes. Keep them in their original packaging with a list of names and doses, and bring a doctor's letter for injections or anything unusual. Tell your surgeon about every medicine you take well before the trip.
What should I wear after breast surgery?
Usually a soft, wire-free, front-fastening sports bra or the surgical bra your clinic supplies. Some surgeons recommend wearing a supportive bra day and night for weeks, so ask what they want you to wear.
Do I need to remove gel nails or nail polish before surgery?
Often, yes, but it depends on the hospital and the type of anaesthetic. Ask your surgeon or the anaesthetic team before you leave the UK, because removing gel or acrylic nails in Antalya can be awkward.
What plug adapter do I need for Türkiye?
Türkiye uses two-pin European plugs (types C and F) at 230 volts, so a UK-to-European adapter works for phones and most chargers. Check the label on any device you rely on.
What should go in my hand luggage for the flight home?
Your documents, medicines, discharge letter and aftercare instructions, a spare compression garment if you have one, a water bottle, snacks and a phone charger. Keep the bag light enough to carry without strain.
Questions about treatment in Türkiye?
Would you like personal advice before or after treatment in Türkiye – for example about the process, choosing a clinic, your contract, aftercare or your rights? Message us on WhatsApp or call.
Note: this number belongs to Av. Yakup Oral Kulaksız, who writes the legal content on this website; he is also active in the health tourism sector himself. Contacting us is without obligation. Only send medical documents if you wish to. In a medical emergency, call 999 (UK) or 112.