Frequently asked questions

Yes. We will not ask you to travel without a preliminary assessment. We request your local medical records in advance — neurologist reports, recent brain MRIs, a detailed medication list, and video recordings of the motor symptoms (tremor, walking, stiffness) both while “on” and “off” medication.

Nothing. There is no charge and no obligation. If the records show that a procedure would not help, we will tell you that rather than invite you to come and find out.

Almost always. Even if you sent MRI scans or blood work from home, the surgical team requires its own high-resolution, protocol-specific imaging — especially for stereotactic targeting in DBS or MRgFUS — and fresh pre-operative clearances a few days before the procedure.

Short clips of walking, turning, standing up from a chair, writing, and holding the hands out — recorded twice: once before the first medication dose of the day, and once when the medication is working. Ordinary phone footage is fine.

No, it does not eliminate the disease or stop its progression. However, it extends the patient’s “on” periods (when the medication is effective), dramatically reduces complaints like tremor and stiffness, and allows a reduction in the medication dose the patient takes.

Generally, patients who have had Parkinson’s disease for at least 4–5 years; who respond well to Parkinson’s medications (especially levodopa) but experience shortening periods of effectiveness; who experience involuntary movements (dyskinesia) due to high medication doses; and who do not have severe psychiatric disorders or advanced memory loss.

They are completely different methods, and it is incorrect to say one is definitively better than the other — the decision is made based on the patient’s condition. DBS is surgical, implanted, adjustable and usually applied to both sides; MRgFUS is incisionless, creates a permanent lesion and is usually applied to one side. A full comparison table is on the DBS page.

During both DBS and MRgFUS the patient must be awake and able to report what they are feeling (for example, “my hand is tingling”) so the team can confirm the target is correct. We provide dedicated medical interpreters fluent in languages including English, Arabic, Russian and Spanish.

For DBS: expect a minimum stay of 3 to 4 weeks. This covers pre-operative evaluations, the two stages of surgery (brain electrodes and chest battery), hospital recovery, and the crucial first weeks of device programming and wound checks.

For MRgFUS: the stay is much shorter, typically 5 to 7 days — a day of pre-operative testing, the procedure day, and a day or two of observation before being cleared to travel.

You cannot fly immediately after DBS. Surgeons generally restrict air travel for at least 10 to 14 days, because changes in cabin pressure can be dangerous if small amounts of air remain trapped in the skull (pneumocephalus). For MRgFUS, flying is usually cleared within a few days, since the skull is never opened.

Yes, and we encourage it — particularly for DBS, where the programming period benefits from someone who sees the patient every day. Accommodation near the hospital is arranged as part of your coordination.

Preliminary assessment, invitation letter for your visa application, airport transfers, accommodation near the hospital, medical interpretation, appointment scheduling, and the scheduled follow-up after you return home. One coordinator handles all of it.

For most international patients a specific medical visa is not required for treatment and recovery lasting under 90 days. You can enter Türkiye on a standard tourist e-Visa, or visa-free depending on your nationality. A dedicated Medical Treatment Visa is generally only necessary if recovery exceeds 90 days or if your nationality requires consular pre-approval. Whichever route applies, keep your HealBridge invitation letter and treatment confirmation accessible at immigration.

Yes. Once your treatment plan and dates are confirmed, we issue an official invitation letter and treatment confirmation for your visa application and for presentation at the border.

Istanbul is a major hub for functional neurosurgery, with internationally trained movement disorder specialists, JCI-accredited facilities and the same technology used in North America and Europe, at a more accessible price point. More detail on the Why Istanbul page.

We coordinate structured remote follow-ups by video consultation and photo assessment at regular intervals — typically 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months — with your surgical team. For routine post-operative blood work or local wound care, we guide you on consulting your own physician, and we send them the operative report and settings.

The issue is evaluated remotely first. If a revision is medically necessary, your return to Istanbul is organised under the terms of the medical warranty and protection policies included in your treatment package.

The same coordinator who handled your treatment. That is the point of assigning one — you should never have to explain your case from the beginning to someone new.