What is breast implant surgery?
Breast implant surgery, also called breast augmentation, places an implant behind each breast to increase its size and improve its shape. Most women choose it for cosmetic reasons, for example because they have always had small breasts, or because pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss has left them with less volume. Implants can also help balance breasts of different sizes and are used to rebuild the breast after mastectomy or injury.
Modern implants have a silicone shell and are filled with either cohesive silicone gel or saline. Silicone gel implants feel closer to natural breast tissue and are the most widely used.
Who is breast augmentation suitable for?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are in good general health and fit for general anaesthesia
- Would like fuller breasts or a more balanced figure
- Have lost breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss
- Have breasts of noticeably different sizes
- Have a stable weight and realistic expectations
- Do not smoke, or are ready to stop well before and after surgery
If your breasts are also sagging and the nipple sits low, an implant alone may not give the lift you want. Your surgeon may suggest combining augmentation with a breast uplift.
Implant choices
Filling
Silicone gel implants hold their shape and feel soft and natural. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and can feel firmer.
Shape
Round implants give fullness in the upper breast. Anatomical, or teardrop, implants are fuller at the bottom and give a more sloping profile.
Size and profile
Your surgeon measures your chest and breast tissue and recommends a size range. Choosing an implant that suits your frame gives a more natural look and reduces long-term problems.
Placement
The implant can be placed in front of the chest muscle, behind it, or partly behind it in a dual-plane position.
How the procedure is done
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Tests and marking
You arrive at the hospital a day before surgery for tests. The surgeon examines and measures you and draws the incision lines and implant position on your chest.
The incision
The surgeon makes an incision in one of three places: in the crease under the breast (inframammary), around the lower edge of the areola (periareolar), or in the armpit (axillary).
Creating the pocket
The surgeon lifts the breast tissue away from the chest wall to create a pocket, either above or behind the chest muscle.
Placing the implant
The implant is inserted and centred behind the nipple. You may be sat up during surgery so the surgeon can check symmetry.
Closing
The incisions are closed in layers with stitches and covered with surgical tape or skin glue. You wake up in a support bra.
Recovery timeline
- First 48 hours
Your chest feels tight, swollen and sore, especially if the implant is under the muscle. Pain relief keeps you comfortable. Your hospital stay of 4 nights begins.
- Week 1
You rest in hospital until day 5, walk gently every day and wear your support bra day and night. You have a check-up before you fly.
- Weeks 2–4
Most patients return to desk work and daily routines after about 2 weeks. Avoid lifting, pushing or reaching above your head.
- Weeks 6–8
Full recovery usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Most exercise, including upper-body work, can restart with your surgeon's approval.
- Months 3–6
The implants gradually settle into a softer, more natural position and the scars begin to fade.
Aftercare
To protect your result, your surgeon will usually ask you to:
- Wear your support bra as instructed, usually for about 6 weeks
- Avoid strenuous activity and pressure on the chest
- Sleep on your back and avoid lying face down
- Wear loose clothing that opens at the front
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed
- Eat a balanced diet to support healing
- Avoid smoking and alcohol in the weeks around surgery
Before surgery, stop smoking and alcohol at least 2 weeks in advance and check every medicine and supplement with your coordinator, as aspirin, ibuprofen and some supplements can increase bleeding.
Risks and side effects
Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic operations, but every surgery has risks. Your surgeon will explain them before you consent. They include:
- Bleeding or a collection of blood (haematoma)
- A fluid collection (seroma)
- Infection
- Poor wound healing or visible scarring
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightens around the implant
- Implant rupture, leakage, rippling or shifting position
- Asymmetry or a result that is not what you hoped
- Blood clots
- A reaction to the anaesthetic
A rare type of lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been linked mainly to textured implants. Your surgeon will explain this and the implant type they recommend. Because implants are not lifetime devices, you may need further surgery in the future to replace or remove them.
Results
You see a difference immediately, but swelling and tightness mean the final shape takes 3 to 6 months to settle. Most women are pleased with the fuller, more balanced figure. Your breasts will still change with age, weight and pregnancy.
Breast implants in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send photos, your measurements and your medical history. The surgeon reviews them and our team sends you a treatment plan and price.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport. A translator stays with you through tests, consultation and discharge. A companion can stay with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp, follows your recovery and passes any questions to the surgical team.
What the Breast Implant package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Breast Implant FAQ
How do I choose the right implant size?
Your surgeon measures your chest width, breast tissue and skin and recommends a range that will look balanced on your frame. The final choice is yours, but following this advice lowers the risk of problems such as stretching or rippling. Bringing photos of results you like helps the discussion.
Will I need to replace my implants?
Implants are not lifetime devices. Many last well over 10 years, but you should expect that you may need further surgery at some point, for example if an implant ruptures or capsular contracture develops. Regular checks help pick up any change early.
Should the implant go above or below the muscle?
Placement under the muscle, or in a dual plane, gives more soft-tissue cover and can look more natural if you are slim. Placement above the muscle usually means a quicker recovery and can suit women with more breast tissue. Your surgeon will recommend the option that fits your anatomy.
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
Many women can breastfeed after augmentation, particularly when the incision is in the crease under the breast and the implant is placed behind the breast tissue. It cannot be guaranteed, so mention it if future breastfeeding is important to you.
Where will the scars be?
The most common incision is in the fold under the breast, where the scar is hidden by the natural crease and by a bra. Other options are around the edge of the areola or in the armpit. Scars fade to fine lines over a year or so.
When can I go back to the gym?
Walking is encouraged from the first day. Lower-body exercise can usually restart after about 4 weeks, and upper-body and chest exercise after about 6 weeks, once your surgeon agrees.
How long should I stay in Turkey?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. You have a check-up before your flight.
Are implants used for reconstruction too?
Yes. Implants are also used to rebuild the breast after mastectomy or injury, often alongside other techniques. Reconstruction is planned individually, so your surgeon will discuss the options with you.
