DBS Surgery Journey — Dr. Mustafa Sakar

Phase 1 — Arrival & Pre-operative Evaluation

Day 1 · Outpatient assessments & multidisciplinary team decision

Day

Arrival & Multi-disciplinary Consultations

🏥

Outpatient visit — Memorial Göztepe International Patient Center

🧠

Neurosurgery consultation — Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Sakar, MD

🩺

Neurology consultation — Sevinç İsazade, MD (movement disorders specialist)

📷

DBS-specific brain MRI (3T, targeting sequences)

🧩

Psychiatry assessment — cognitive & behavioral evaluation When indicated

🛏️

Hospital admission — evening, in preparation for surgery next morning

👥

MDT Meeting — Final Surgical Decision

Neurosurgery · Neurology · Psychiatry — Internal team review, no patient present

Following all consultations and imaging review, the multidisciplinary team convenes to make the final surgical decision. Candidacy, target selection, surgical approach and risk stratification are confirmed. The patient is informed of the outcome and, if approved, proceeds to hospital admission.

Phase 2 — Surgery Day

Day 2 · Deep Brain Stimulation procedure

Day

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

🎯

Stereotactic frame placement — early morning, operating suite preparation

🔬

Brain CT scan — fused with pre-op MRI for precise electrode targeting

⚡

DBS surgery — electrode implantation & IPG placement under local or general anaesthesia

✅

Post-operative brain CT — electrode position verification

🛏️

Transfer to neurosurgery ward for overnight monitoring

Phase 3 — Hospital Recovery

Days 3–4 · Inpatient observation, neurology review & device briefing

Day

Post-operative Rest & Monitoring

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Rest and observation in neurosurgery ward

👨‍⚕️

Nursing care, wound monitoring, neurological checks

🧠

Neurosurgery visit — early post-operative assessment (Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Sakar, MD)

💊

Medication management — transition plan initiated

Day

Neurology Review, Neurosurgery Check & Discharge

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Neurology ward visit — Sevinç İsazade, MD — clinical assessment

🧠

Neurosurgery visit — incision site inspection, wound check (Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Sakar, MD)

🏠

Discharge from hospital with written care instructions

🏨

Transfer to hotel — begin outpatient recovery phase

📱

Device Technician Briefing — DBS System Training

Abbott / Medtronic / Boston Scientific Clinical Specialist — Patient & caregiver session

Before discharge, a certified DBS device technician provides a structured briefing for the patient and accompanying caregiver. Topics covered include: how the neurostimulator works, how remote controlling works (if Abbott Liberta RC is selected — first choice), using the patient controller (adjusting stimulation within prescribed limits), battery status monitoring, MRI and airport security precautions, what to do if symptoms change, and emergency contact procedures.

⭐ Abbott Liberta RC — our first choice, enables full remote programming capability

Phase 4 — Hotel Recovery

Days 5–6 · Rest before device programming

5–6

Days

Outpatient Rest — Hotel

🛌

Rest at hotel — light activity only, no strenuous exertion

💊

Continue prescribed medications as directed

🩹

Wound care — keep incision site clean and dry

📞

Medical team reachable 24/7 for any questions or concerns

Phase 5 — Device Programming

Days 7 & 9 · Neurology programming sessions with neurosurgery review

Day

1st Programming Session — Device Activation

⚡

DBS system activated — neurostimulator switched on for the first time

🎛️

First programming session — initial stimulation parameters selected (Sevinç İsazade, MD)

💊

Medication adjustment — dose reduction initiated where clinically appropriate

🧠

Neurosurgery visit — incision site control, suture & wound assessment (Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Sakar, MD)

📱

Patient controller review — confirm caregiver competency with device

Day

Observation Day — Hotel

🛌

Rest and observe initial response to stimulation

📝

Note any symptom changes to report at the next session

Day

2nd Programming Session — Fine-tuning

🎛️

Second programming session — parameters refined based on clinical response (Sevinç İsazade, MD)

💊

Final medication adjustments — optimised long-term regimen prescribed

🧠

Neurosurgery visit — wound healing check, suture removal plan if required (usually not needed at this stage) (Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Sakar, MD)

📸

Patient photo session

Phase 6 — Departure

Day 10 · Return home

Day

Return Flight

✈️

Departure flight home

📋

Full discharge summary, operative report and imaging provided

💊

DBS device settings card and medication plan for local neurologist

📞

Emergency contact — Memorial Göztepe international patient line

💻

Remote Programming — Abbott Liberta RC

Online Programming Session — Within 10 to 15 Days of Arrival Home

If Abbott Liberta RC is selected (our first choice), our neurology team can conduct a full remote programming session via secure video consultation — reviewing your progress and fine-tuning DBS parameters from anywhere in the world. This remote capability is a key reason Abbott Liberta RC is our preferred device: it makes this entire follow-up plan possible without another trip to Istanbul.

⭐ Abbott Liberta RC — remote programming enabled 🌍 No return trip required

🏡

Included in Your Package

Up to 3 Months of Remote Support — Free of Charge

After returning home, our team remains available for online programming sessions and clinical consultations for up to 3 months, free of charge. If you experience symptom changes, need parameter adjustments, or have any questions about your device or medication, simply contact us to schedule a remote session. This 3-month support period is included as part of your complete DBS package at Memorial Göztepe. FREE OF CHARGE

★ This service is available when Abbott Liberta RC is selected — remote programming requires compatible device

Memorial Göztepe · Deep Brain Stimulation Team

"Bringing world-class DBS expertise closer to you — wherever you are."

Our international patient team is with you at every step — from your first consultation through long-term remote follow-up. We are committed to making your journey to better quality of life as safe and seamless as possible.

Your DBS Surgery Journey