Dr Bülent Yaprak

Yes. Dr Bülent Yaprak holds the FEBOPRAS — the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery — which is recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand as the equivalent of FRACS (Plastic Surgery). He is vocationally registered as a specialist plastic surgeon in New Zealand and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPS).

In New Zealand, a specialist plastic surgeon has completed a minimum of 12 years of medical training and surgical specialist training, and is vocationally registered by the Medical Council of New Zealand. The title "cosmetic surgeon" is not a protected or regulated title in NZ — meaning any doctor can legally call themselves a cosmetic surgeon without specialist surgical training. Dr Yaprak is a vocationally registered specialist plastic surgeon, trained at one of the world's highest-volume plastic surgery programmes at Istanbul University, and holds the European Board certification (FEBOPRAS).

FEBOPRAS stands for Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. It is awarded by the European Board of Medical Specialties (UEMS) and requires passing both written and oral specialist examinations. The Medical Council of New Zealand recognises FEBOPRAS as equivalent to FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) in Plastic Surgery.

Yes. Dr Bülent Yaprak is a Southern Cross affiliated provider. This means eligible Southern Cross members may be able to claim for certain procedures. We recommend contacting Southern Cross directly to confirm your cover prior to your consultation.

Dr Yaprak's clinic is located at the Waikato Specialist Centre, 83c Tristram Street, Hamilton Central, Waikato 3283. He also holds occasional clinics in Te Awamutu. Patients travel from across the Waikato and North Island including Cambridge, Thames, Morrinsville, Taupo, and further afield. Phone: +64 7 838 8984.

Yes. Dr Yaprak performs the full range of plastic surgery including cosmetic procedures (facelift, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation, breast reduction, tummy tuck, liposuction, and hair transplant) as well as reconstructive surgery (skin cancer removal and reconstruction, hand surgery, nerve surgery, and complex wound reconstruction).

Yes. Hand surgery is a core part of Dr Yaprak's practice. He completed a dedicated hand surgery fellowship at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, and has extensive experience in carpal tunnel release, Dupuytren's contracture surgery, trigger finger release, tendon repairs, fracture management, nerve repairs, and complex hand and wrist reconstruction. He is one of the most experienced hand surgeons in the Waikato region.

Yes. Dr Yaprak accepts ACC-funded referrals for injuries requiring plastic and reconstructive surgery, including hand injuries, tendon and nerve repairs, skin reconstruction after trauma, and burns. If you have an ACC claim for an injury that requires surgical treatment, your GP or specialist can refer you to Dr Yaprak at the Waikato Specialist Centre.

Yes. Reconstructive surgery is a significant part of Dr Yaprak's practice. This includes skin cancer removal and reconstruction, complex wound closure, flap reconstruction, post-trauma reconstruction, nerve surgery, and burns treatment. He spent over a decade as a consultant reconstructive surgeon at Waikato Hospital, including managing patients in the Regional Burns Unit.

Dr Yaprak has been based in Hamilton since 2010, when he completed his plastic surgery fellowship at Waikato Hospital. He worked as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Waikato Hospital from 2012 to 2023, including a period as Clinical Director of Plastic Surgery in 2018–2019. He moved to full-time private practice at the Waikato Specialist Centre in January 2024.

Yes. Many patients travel from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other parts of New Zealand for consultations and surgery. Hamilton is easily accessible from Auckland (approximately 90 minutes by car or regular bus and train services), and the Waikato Specialist Centre offers ample parking. For patients travelling from further afield, the team can assist with scheduling to minimise the number of trips required.

Call the clinic on +64 7 838 8984 or complete the online enquiry form here. Clinic days are generally Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Waikato Specialist Centre, Hamilton. An occasional Friday clinic is held in Te Awamutu. A referral from your GP is not required for cosmetic procedures.