Bariatric surgery in Istanbul · Day 7 of 7
Day 7 after bariatric surgery in Istanbul
Your team will talk about the diet stages, the follow-up plan and when you can travel. Get it all in writing before you leave.
Today's rules
Walking
Gentle walking matters. Build up gradually towards 30 minutes a day, at a pace that leaves you slightly out of breath.
Source: North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol Bariatric Service · NHS
Lifting
Avoid heavy lifting for at least two months after abdominal surgery. Let your companion carry bags.
Food and drink
Liquids only in weeks 1 to 4, then puréed food, then soft food. Food tours and restaurant meals are for your companion.
Source: NHS
Fluids, heat and sun
Keep your fluids up. Stay in the shade at midday, because sun and heat make it harder to stay hydrated on small sips.
Baths, pools and the sea
Showers are fine. Avoid baths and swimming until the wounds have fully healed, about 6 weeks.
Car rides and long waits
On journeys or queues longer than about an hour, get out and move. Long sitting raises the risk of blood clots after surgery.
Source: NHS
Flying home
The CDC advises medical tourists not to fly for at least 10 days after chest or abdominal surgery. Ask your surgeon for written travel clearance.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · NHS
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
4 things you can do today
Topkapı Palace
Courtyards, the Harem and the treasury. Three hours of walking with long open-air stretches between buildings.
A few hours on foot with breaks, some open-air walking, about 3 hours
Grand Bazaar
A covered maze of 4,000 shops. Shaded, but shoulder to shoulder at peak times. Go early on a weekday.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 2 hours
Basilica Cistern
The cool, dim underground cistern with the Medusa heads. Walkways get packed at midday; go at opening time.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 1 hour
Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden
A short cable car up to a shaded hilltop tea garden over the Golden Horn. Sit and watch the boats.
Seated, shaded or covered, about 1.5 hours
Also fine today: Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront · Dolmabahçe Palace · Hagia Sophia · Bosphorus sightseeing cruise · Whirling dervish ceremony · Spice Bazaar · Nargile café in Tophane · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Galata Tower · Pera Museum · Istanbul Archaeology Museums
2 things to skip today
Guided food tour with ferry ride
Why not: You are on liquids only.
Not during the 7 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
Princes' Islands day trip
Why not: Too long in direct sun for this stage.
Not during the 7 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
Where to eat
You: liquids only, exactly as your bariatric team planned. Carry your fluids with you and sip all day.
Your companion:
- Esnaf lokantası lunch. Tradesmen's canteens serve soups, stews, rice and vegetable dishes from steam trays. Point at what you want. Let soup cool if you have had dental work.
- Mantı in Kadıköy or Beşiktaş. Tiny dumplings under garlic yogurt and chilli butter. Ask for the butter on the side if you need it mild.
- Milk puddings at a muhallebici. Sütlaç, kazandibi and tavuk göğsü: soft, cool and very Istanbul.
Put every day of this guide in your calendar, with your dates