The prices
| Ireland | Turkey (advertised) | |
|---|---|---|
| Labiaplasty | €3,000 to €7,000 | €2,600 to €5,200 |
| Nights away | Usually none | Four or five |
| Check-ups | With your own surgeon | One before you fly, then at home |
Add flights for you and whoever travels with you, the hotel nights and the time off work. The gap narrows quickly.
Flying home
Most people fly home about four or five days after the operation. Sitting is still sore then, so book an aisle seat, wear loose clothes, get up and walk, and do calf exercises on the flight. Some airlines want a fit-to-fly letter: get it before you leave the hospital.
Aftercare
The swelling, the slow-healing wound, and the decision about whether the result is right all happen after you're home. Ask before you book who you ring at night once you're back in Ireland, and what happens, and who pays, if you need a revision. Ask for a written discharge summary in English.
What the Department of Foreign Affairs advises
- Research the provider and check the hospital is accredited in that country
- Find out what legal action you could take if something goes wrong
- Talk to your own doctor before you go
- Get travel insurance that suits; most policies don't cover surgery that goes wrong, and the EHIC isn't valid outside the EU
- The Department can't give financial or legal help after treatment abroad
In Ireland
Every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and only a doctor with specialist registration can practise independently as a specialist. For labiaplasty, look for a surgeon on the Specialist Division in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, or a gynaecologist on the Specialist Division in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, using the Medical Council's online register. You meet the surgeon who will operate, take time to think, and have every check-up within reach.
Questions people ask
How much is labiaplasty in Turkey?
Advertised at €2,600 to €5,200, before flights, hotel nights and time off.
When can I fly after labiaplasty?
Hospitals abroad usually let people fly about four or five days after, once a review shows clean healing.
Will an Irish surgeon fix a problem from surgery abroad?
Don't assume it. Before you go, ask an Irish surgeon whether they'd see you and what it would cost.
Is it safe to have labiaplasty abroad?
It can go well, but aftercare at a distance is the weak point. Plan it before you book.