Head tremor treatment in Istanbul for international patients

Patients from 60+ countries have traveled to Istanbul for DBS with Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD. The process starts with a free online review of your tremor video and reports. An all-inclusive DBS package at our center typically ranges between USD 30,000 and USD 45,000, depending on the package and the type of device selected; the final figure is confirmed after your evaluation. The stimulator is switched on the day after surgery, so you see the result before you fly home, and programming continues remotely from your home country.

Key facts

Patients from 60+ countries.
Free online review of your tremor video and reports.
All-inclusive package typically USD 30,000–45,000, depending on package and device.
Stay of about 10–14 days, or 18 days in the extended package.
Free remote programming for 3–5 years depending on the package.

**Head Tremor Treatment in Istanbul: A Patient's DBS Journey** — A head tremor patient's journey through evaluation, surgery and follow-up in Istanbul.
Shared with the patient’s written consent. Individual results vary.

**Head Tremor Before & After DBS: A 43-Year-Old from Uzbekistan** — A 43-year-old patient from Uzbekistan treated for head tremor.
Shared with the patient’s written consent. Individual results vary.

**Head Tremor Before & 1 Year After DBS — Surgery Without Shaving Her Head** — A woman with constant head tremor, filmed before DBS and one year after surgery; her operation was performed without shaving her head. An example of “no-no” head tremor.
Shared with the patient’s written consent. Individual results vary.

**Head Tremor Before & After DBS: How DBS Gave Her Life Back** — A head tremor patient before and after DBS in Istanbul.
Shared with the patient’s written consent. Individual results vary.

Watch many more head tremor patientsOur YouTube playlist: many head tremor patients filmed before and after DBS

Open the head tremor video library on this site.

The process

Send your reports and a short video of the tremor by WhatsApp or info@neuromodulationinturkey.com.
The team reviews your case; if needed, a video consultation follows.
Travel is coordinated by your international patient representative, including an invitation letter if a visa is needed.
In Istanbul, every specialist on the team evaluates you before the final decision.
Surgery at Ataşehir Medicana International Hospital; switch-on the next day, then programming and rehabilitation.
Back home: follow-up and programming by secure video call.

Who will look after you

The Neuromodulation in Turkey team with Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD, in Istanbul — The Neuromodulation in Turkey team with Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD (centre): 25 people who look after every patient — neurosurgeons, neurologists, nurses, therapists, interpreters and international patient coordinators.

What the package includes

Evaluation by every specialist (neurosurgeon, neurologist, psychologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist, physiotherapist, nutrition specialist)
All laboratory tests, MRI under general anesthesia and two brain CT scans
DBS surgery by Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD and all hospital medication
Daily DBS checks and programming, rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Hospital VIP room and hotel accommodation for the patient and two companions, with breakfast and dinner
Airport, hotel and hospital transfers; 24/7 interpreter and nurse support; reports translated into your language
Free remote DBS programming for 3 to 5 years, depending on the package; paid, unlimited support afterwards

Length of stay

About 10–14 days in the standard program (around 5 days in hospital and 7 in a hotel), or 18 days in the extended package (6 days in hospital, 12 in a hotel). Stitches are removed on day 12. See recovery after DBS.

Languages

English, Arabic, Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Serbian, French and Turkish. Prof. YILMAZ consults in English and Arabic, and an interpreter stays with you throughout the operation.

After you return home

Remote programming by secure video call is free for 3 to 5 years, depending on the package chosen; after that it remains available, without limit, for a fee. Your hospital reports are translated into your language for your local doctors.

Full travel, visa and cost information: deepbrainstimulationinturkey.com.

Your surgeon

Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD

Every operation is performed personally by Prof. YILMAZ, a stereotactic and functional neurosurgeon who has carried out 1,200+ neuromodulation procedures, including 800+ DBS surgeries, for patients from 60+ countries. He is the first author of the published double-target Vim+PSA series for rare tremor syndromes ^[1].

President, Middle-Eastern Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (MSSFN); Board of Directors, WSSFN and International Neuromodulation Society
Proctor for Medtronic, Abbott and Boston Scientific — the three leading DBS manufacturers appoint him to train other neurosurgeons on their systems
40+ neurosurgeons trained from 30 countries; first-ever DBS surgeries performed in six countries
Trained at the University of Florida (observership with Prof. Okun and Prof. Foote) and Umeå University Hospital, Sweden

Full profile and credentials

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa?

This depends on your nationality. Your patient representative tells you what is needed and provides an invitation letter if required.

Can family members come with me?

Yes. Accommodation, meals and transfers for two companions are included in the package.

Can I keep my phone with me in hospital?

Yes. Patients can keep their phone, tablet or computer with them.

Sources

Yilmaz A, Eray HA, Cakir M, Ceylan M, Blomstedt P. Deep Brain Stimulation with Double Targeting of the VIM and PSA for the Treatment of Rare Tremor Syndromes. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2024;102:224–239. DOI 10.1159/000539162. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38934181/