Istanbul’s Top Surgery Specialist
Dr. Hakki Izmirli is an Istanbul-based plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience who specializes in FTM Top Surgery for transgender men and non-binary people. His practice welcomes patients from the UK, Europe and around the world, combining a strong focus on Top Surgery with the shorter wait times and lower costs that make Turkey (Türkiye) an attractive destination for private surgery. Double Incision, Peri-Areolar, Keyhole and Inverted-T Top Surgery are all offered at his practice.
An Alternative to Long Wait Times for Top Surgery
For people in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, traveling to Istanbul can provide much faster access to Top Surgery at a considerably lower private-pay cost. Dr. Izmirli works with international patients throughout the process, beginning with an online consultation and photo assessment before travel.
The difference in wait times can be substantial. A 2025 NHS England review reported average waits of 2–4 years for chest surgery within the NHS gender services pathway. Dr. Izmirli can typically schedule surgery within 2–6 weeks, depending on availability and the patient’s preferred dates.
The difference in cost is significant as well. Private Top Surgery in the UK can cost approximately £10,000–£13,000, while Top Surgery with Dr. Izmirli costs approximately £3,400–£4,300 (€4,000–€5,000).
For those traveling to Istanbul, Dr. Izmirli’s staff can arrange hotel accommodation, airport transfers and transportation between the hotel and hospital. See International Surgery Packages below for more information about what’s included and how the practice assists patients traveling from abroad.
FTM Top Surgery with Dr. Izmirli
Top Surgery is a primary focus of Dr. Izmirli’s practice. He offers four techniques—Double Incision, Peri-Areolar, Keyhole and Inverted-T—providing options for people with different chest sizes, skin elasticity and preferences regarding scars and nipple sensation.
Double Incision Top Surgery is the most commonly used technique for larger chests or when there is significant excess skin. Breast tissue and excess skin are removed through horizontal incisions across the lower chest. The nipples and areolas can be resized and repositioned using free nipple grafts to create a more masculine chest.
Peri-Areolar Top Surgery uses an incision around the areola and allows removal of breast tissue along with a limited amount of excess skin. Because the incision follows the border of the areola, chest scars can be less extensive than with Double Incision surgery.
Keyhole Top Surgery uses a small incision along the lower edge of the areola to remove breast tissue. It is generally an option for people with a small chest and little or no excess skin.
Inverted-T Top Surgery combines horizontal and vertical incisions and can be considered when more skin removal is required while maintaining the nipple on its original blood and nerve supply.
Dr. Izmirli also performs Top Surgery Revision for people who would like to improve the appearance or contour of their chest following a previous Top Surgery procedure. Revision surgery may include removal of residual tissue or loose skin, correction of dog ears or uneven chest contours, liposuction, scar revision, or changes to nipple size, shape or position.
Body Masculinization procedures, including liposuction and body contouring, are also available for patients who would like to masculinize the waist, hips or other areas. Although Dr. Izmirli prefers to perform this as a standalone surgery, it can sometimes be combined with Top Surgery in the right patient.
View more Top Surgery results from Dr. Izmirli on Instagram.
Top Surgery Cost in Istanbul, Turkey
FTM Top Surgery with Dr. Izmirli costs approximately £3,400–£4,300 (€4,000–€5,000), depending on the surgical technique and individual case. Final pricing is confirmed following an online consultation and photo assessment.
The cost includes:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital and operating room fees
- General anesthesia
- Pre-operative blood tests
- One-night hospital stay
- Compression garment
- Post-operative appointments and follow-up
International Surgery Packages are also available for patients traveling from outside Türkiye. See below for details about accommodation, transportation and assistance during the stay in Istanbul.
Payment can be made by cash or credit card. Dr. Izmirli’s practice is self-pay and does not bill insurance companies directly.
International Surgery Packages
Dr. Izmirli’s practice assists international patients with the logistics of traveling to Istanbul for Top Surgery. An English-speaking patient coordinator can help arrange hotel accommodation, airport transfers and transportation between the hotel and hospital. Patients are generally advised to plan for approximately 7–8 nights in Istanbul, although travel plans should allow some flexibility based on recovery and post-operative follow-up.
The process begins with a free online consultation and photo assessment. A deposit of €300 (approximately £255) reserves the surgery date, with the remaining balance paid during the stay in Istanbul. Patients meet with Dr. Izmirli for their final consultation after arrival and have a post-operative check before returning home.
Follow-up continues remotely after patients return home.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Izmirli
- 20 years of plastic surgery experience
- Extensive experience with Top Surgery techniques and revisions
- Surgery typically available within 2–6 weeks
- Experienced in caring for international Top Surgery patients
- No therapist letter or hormone therapy routinely required for international patients
Feminizing Procedures in Istanbul
Dr. Izmirli also welcomes transgender women and other transfeminine patients traveling to Istanbul for surgery. Popular procedures include Breast Augmentation and Buttock Augmentation, as well as Rhinoplasty and Lip Lift for Facial Feminization.
Education & Training
Dr. Izmirli graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 2002. He completed his residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Kocaeli University from 2005 to 2011.
After completing his specialist training, Dr. Izmirli worked as a plastic surgeon at Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, Private Levent Hospital and Private American Aesthetic Surgery Medical Center before establishing his private practice in Istanbul.
Academic & Professional Contributions
Dr. Izmirli has contributed to peer-reviewed plastic surgery research, with work published in journals including Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS). His published research includes a study of free nipple grafting in breast surgery, a technique he also uses when appropriate in Double Incision Top Surgery.
Dr. Izmirli is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (TPRECD) and Turkish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has also participated in national and international plastic surgery congresses.
Practice Location & Hospitals
Dr. Izmirli sees patients at his private practice in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, a lively central district on the European side of the city. Surgeries are performed at IAC Hospital and Istanbul Osmanoğlu Hospital.
His practice is authorized by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health for International Health Tourism, supporting the care of patients traveling to Türkiye for surgery.
Consultations
Dr. Izmirli offers free virtual, phone and in-person consultations. International patients can begin the process remotely by submitting photographs and medical information for review, with consultations typically available within 1–2 business days.
Dr. Izmirli’s practice welcomes transgender and non-binary patients and emphasizes respectful, private and inclusive care. Patients are addressed by their chosen name and pronouns, and an English-speaking patient coordinator is available to assist international patients throughout the process.
In addition to English and Turkish, German, French and Greek are spoken at the practice.
Surgery Requirements
Patients must be medically fit for surgery and general anesthesia and will complete a pre-operative health assessment and blood tests. Additional medical clearance may be required depending on health history.
Patients are required to stop smoking and nicotine use before surgery. Certain medications, including blood thinners, hormone therapy and GLP-1 medications, may also need to be temporarily stopped based on medical advice.
For international patients seeking Top Surgery, hormone therapy and a therapist or psychiatric letter are not routinely required. Requirements for patients who live in Türkiye may differ due to local regulations.
How to Get Started
Interested in Top Surgery or another gender-affirming procedure with Dr. Izmirli? Contact his Istanbul practice to request a free consultation and learn more about your surgical options, costs and available surgery dates.
