Is this the same woman? Before and after photos posted by a Turkish plastic surgeon left people speechless

Plastic surgery has always stood at the crossroads of conversation and controversy. Whether it's about enhancing features for self-confidence or reconstructing appearance after trauma, the field encompasses a broad spectrum of personal and medical motivations.

Turkey has emerged as a global hub for cosmetic procedures, thanks to its affordable prices and highly skilled surgeons.

Read on to learn more.

Sometimes, the results of plastic surgery are so striking, it's hard to believe they’re real.

That’s exactly what happened when a set of “before and after” photos showcasing a woman’s transformation went viral on TikTok — leaving viewers in disbelief over the dramatic difference.

The video was posted by a plastic surgeon, reportedly based in Turkey, who shares his work on TikTok under the name *Dr. May*. The clip features 68-year-old Mrs. Dilek, who reportedly underwent multiple procedures over two years — including a nose job, facelift, and eyelid surgery.

In the "before" photo, Mrs. Dilek shows visible signs of aging typical for her age. But the "after" image reveals a woman who appears decades younger, with tightened, smoother facial features — to the point that viewers questioned whether it was even the same person.

“Our lovely patient Mrs. Dilek, after two years of rhinoplasty, facelift, and blepharoplasty. I’m looking forward to your comments,” the surgeon wrote in the caption.

And the comments flooded in. “That’s the mom and the daughter – no way that’s the same woman,” one user insisted. Another wrote, “The nose is completely different. These are two different people.” It seems no one could quite believe the photos were authentic.

Despite having shut down his Instagram account, Dr. May has built a strong following on TikTok, with nearly 32,000 followers. Mrs. Dilek’s transformation video has close to 100,000 views — although it's not even his most viral post. One video, featuring the rhinoplasty of an American patient, has garnered over 5 million views.

Turkey has become a hotspot for medical tourism, especially for plastic surgery. Its geographical location between Europe and Asia makes it easily accessible to international patients — not to mention the significantly lower costs compared to many Western countries.

According to ClinicSpots, more than 100,000 people travel to Turkey each year for cosmetic procedures, including rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, tummy tucks, breast surgeries, chin implants, and more.

The Turkish Ministry of Tourism reports that the majority of medical tourists come from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and France.

With transformations like Mrs. Dilek’s going viral across social media, it’s no wonder the country has become a top destination for those seeking dramatic — and sometimes unbelievable — results.

So what do you think? Is it really the same woman in both photos? Let us know in the comments!