For patients considering travelling from abroad, the first stage is a remote preliminary assessment. What needs to be sent is the imaging records themselves, any pathology result, recent blood tests, discharge summaries from previous operations and a list of current medicines. A remote assessment can establish whether surgery is relevant, which tests are missing and roughly what the plan would be. It cannot, however, produce a definitive decision to operate or fix the surgical method without an examination, and approaches that promise a certain result or a firm operation date on the basis of photographs should be treated with caution.
About this article. No fee, package or campaign information is given below; no diagnosis is made and no treatment is recommended remotely. This is general information about preparation for patients considering travelling from abroad.
The first step for a patient thinking of travelling from another country for treatment is to establish whether the journey is worth making. A remote preliminary assessment makes that possible. But what this stage can and cannot deliver should be clear from the outset.
Documents to Send
- The imaging records themselves. For CT, ultrasound and MRI, send the images rather than the report. A report is an interpretation; the image is data that can be assessed.
- Pathology result. The full text, if a biopsy has been performed.
- Recent blood tests. Full blood count, biochemistry, thyroid function and any disease specific tests.
- Discharge summaries from previous operations. Previous abdominal surgery in particular directly affects any subsequent procedure.
- A list of your medicines. Blood thinners should be stated separately.
- A short history: when the complaint began, how it has progressed, and what treatments have already been tried.
An assessment made on incomplete documents wastes both your time and the surgeon's, and creates false expectations.
The Question of Translation
- Imaging records do not need translation. The image itself is an international language.
- Pathology results, discharge summaries and operation notes benefit from translation. The detail in these documents affects the decision directly.
- Notarised translation is not required for a routine preliminary assessment; a clear translation is enough. Official procedures are assessed separately if they arise.
- Because units differ between laboratories, it matters that reference ranges are visible where possible.
What Can Be Decided Remotely?
- Whether the picture makes surgery relevant at all.
- Which tests are missing and whether they can be done in your own country.
- Broadly which methods could be discussed.
- Approximately how many days to plan for.
- What preparation you need to complete before attending.
What Cannot Be Decided Remotely?
- A definitive decision to operate cannot be made. That follows examination and the anaesthetic assessment.
- The method cannot be fixed. Open or closed, which technique, one stage or more: these become clear with examination and current tests.
- No result can be guaranteed. The outcome of no operation can be guaranteed in advance.
- A diagnosis cannot be made. What happens remotely is an assessment of existing documents, not the establishment of a new diagnosis.
A warning sign: an approach that promises a firm operation, fixes a date and guarantees a result on the basis of a few photographs or a short exchange of messages. A serious assessment also states the limits of what it can say from the data available.
Preparing for the Consultation
It helps to prepare the following in writing: the history of your complaint, your known conditions, previous operations, current medicines, allergies, any family history of cancer, and a list of the questions you want to ask. Where there is a language difference, written preparation markedly reduces what is lost in conversation.
Next Steps
If the preliminary assessment is favourable, travel planning, the number of days needed and lengths of stay come next; these are set out in the article on the surgical process and, for bariatric surgery specifically, in the article for patients travelling from abroad. When the return flight is safe is covered in a separate article.
What Can Be Decided Remotely?
Over the course of his career Op. Dr. Ersan Semerci has performed more than 3000 sleeve gastrectomy and bariatric surgery cases and has practised in Mersin since 2010.
The function of a remote consultation is to set a direction; it does not replace an examination. Examination of the abdominal wall, the palpable characteristics of a hernia, the consistency of the thyroid gland and the patient's general condition cannot be assessed on a screen. What is given remotely is therefore a preliminary assessment, not a final decision.
Saying this plainly allows the patient to set out with a realistic expectation.
Op. Dr. Ersan Semerci has practised in Mersin since 2010 and currently works at VM Medicalpark Mersin Hospital. Consultations and operations in Remote Assessment are carried out at this hospital. Patients travelling from Mersin and neighbouring provinces can book via WhatsApp.
Book on WhatsAppCan a decision to operate be made remotely?
No. What happens remotely is a preliminary assessment: whether surgery is relevant, which tests are missing and roughly what the plan would be. The definitive decision follows examination and the anaesthetic assessment.
Which documents should I send?
The imaging records themselves rather than the reports, any pathology result, recent blood tests, discharge summaries from previous operations, a list of your medicines and a short history of your complaint. State separately if you take blood thinners.
Do my documents need translating?
Imaging records do not need translation. Pathology results, discharge summaries and operation notes benefit from it. Notarised translation is not required for a routine preliminary assessment; a clear translation is enough.
Can I have my tests done in my own country?
Largely yes. Routine blood tests and some imaging can be done locally and the results sent on. Which tests are sufficient and which need repeating here is discussed at the preliminary assessment.
Is sending photographs enough?
No. Photographs alone are not sufficient for assessment and are not a diagnostic tool. Approaches that promise a firm operation or guarantee a result on the basis of a few photographs should be treated with caution.
What should I prepare before the consultation?
The history of your complaint, your known conditions, previous operations, current medicines, allergies, any family history of cancer and a list of your questions. Where there is a language difference, written preparation reduces what is lost in conversation.
Why a wait is needed, how long after which operation, how to reduce clot risk, and which symptoms should postpone the journey.
Answers to the most common questions about appointments, the hospital, treatment scope and surgical experience are in the FAQ section on the home page.
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For General Surgery and related symptoms you can book an appointment at VM Medicalpark Mersin Hospital. Mezitli / Mersin, Turkey, weekdays 09:00-17:00.
WhatsApp: +90 542 236 05 33Disclaimer. This article is provided for general information only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation, and it is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis and treatment by a physician. The content is not tailored to any individual and is not intended as advertising. Do not start, change or stop any treatment on the basis of the information here. Consult your own doctor about any decision concerning your health and see a healthcare provider about your symptoms. The site owner accepts no liability for any consequences arising from use of this content. Last updated: 2026-09-14.