Breast augmentation with implants in Istanbul, Turkey

What breast augmentation with implants actually changes

Breast augmentation places a silicone implant behind the breast tissue to increase volume, improve upper-pole fullness and, in many women, correct a difference in size between the two sides. It is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic operations worldwide, and for good reason: it is relatively short, the recovery is predictable and the result is visible immediately, even if it takes a few months to settle.

What it does not do is lift a breast that has dropped. An implant adds volume; it does not shorten stretched skin or raise a nipple that sits below the breast fold. If that is your situation, a breast lift or a breast lift with implants is usually the more honest recommendation, and part of the free assessment is telling you which group you belong to.

At New City Clinic in Bakırköy, Istanbul, the operation is planned and performed by Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, a plastic, oncological and reconstructive surgeon whose daily work includes breast reconstruction. That background matters in cosmetic breast surgery, because it brings an understanding of breast anatomy, blood supply and long-term implant behaviour that goes beyond size alone.

Who is a good candidate for breast implants, and who should wait

Most women who ask about implants fall into a few familiar groups: those who have always had a small chest, those who lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding, those who lost weight and with it upper-breast fullness, and those with a noticeable asymmetry.

We would usually suggest postponing surgery if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy within the next year, still breastfeeding or in the middle of a significant weight change. We also ask about breast screening history; if you are due a mammogram or have an unexplained lump, it should be checked at home first.

Uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking, blood-clotting disorders and some autoimmune conditions raise the risk of complications and need discussion with your GP or specialist before travel. Being told “not yet” is not a rejection; it is part of doing this safely. In general, a good candidate fits the following description.

• You are in good general health, a non-smoker or willing to stop for several weeks around surgery
• Your weight has been stable for some months
• You have finished breastfeeding at least six months ago, ideally longer
• Your nipple sits at or above the breast fold (otherwise a lift may be needed)
• You have realistic expectations and want the result for yourself

The four decisions: shape, size, placement and incision

Every breast implant operation comes down to four choices. They are made together with the surgeon, based on your measurements rather than on a cup size you have in mind.

Choosing the right implant size

Cup sizes vary between brands and countries, so they are a poor guide. The surgeon measures the width of your breast base, the distance from nipple to fold and how much the skin stretches. These numbers set a sensible range of implant widths; within that range you then choose the volume that matches the look you want.

Sizers and photos help, but the most useful conversation is about proportion. An implant that is wider than your natural breast tends to sit too close to the armpit or the centre of the chest, and an implant that is much heavier than your tissue can support tends to stretch the skin and drop with time. A good plan is usually the one that still looks right in ten years.

Implant placement: over or under the muscle

If you have a reasonable amount of your own breast tissue, an implant over the muscle can look natural and avoids any movement when you tense the chest. If your tissue is thin, placing the upper part of the implant under the pectoral muscle (dual plane) adds a layer of cover that softens the upper edge and reduces visible rippling. The trade-off is a little more discomfort in the first days and some movement of the breast when the muscle contracts.

The surgeon will explain which option suits your anatomy and why. Implants used are from established brands with traceable serial numbers, and you leave Istanbul with an implant card that records brand, type, size and lot number. Keep it safe; any future surgeon will ask for it.

Your operation day in Istanbul, step by step

Most patients are walking around their room on the evening of surgery. Pain is typically described as tightness and pressure across the chest rather than sharp pain, and it is managed with tablets. Drains are not routinely needed for a primary augmentation; if they are used, they normally come out before you leave the hospital.

• Morning: transfer from your hotel to the licensed partner hospital with your coordinator
• Pre-operative blood tests, ECG where needed and an anaesthesia assessment
• Final consultation and markings with Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, standing up, with photos
• Surgery under general anaesthesia, usually lasting 1–2 hours
• Recovery room monitoring, then your hospital room for one night
• Next morning: dressing check, support bra fitted, discharge to the hotel

Breast augmentation price in Turkey, what is included and UK/US comparison

At New City Clinic breast augmentation is offered as a package from €3,200. You receive a written, itemised quote after a free assessment of your photos, usually within 24 hours. The final figure depends mainly on the implant brand and type and on whether anything else is added to the operation.

The NHS does not fund cosmetic breast augmentation, and public systems in Ireland, the US and Canada treat it the same way. Private prices vary with city and clinic; the figures below are typical indicative ranges for surgery alone, without travel or accommodation. Flights to Istanbul are not included in our package; you can arrange them yourself or use travelnewcity.com.

• Surgery in a Ministry of Health licensed hospital, with surgeon and anaesthetist
• One night in hospital
• Hotel accommodation for the rest of your stay
• Airport–hotel–hospital transfers
• Patient coordinator and interpreter
• Post-operative support bra
• Complication insurance

Recovery after breast implants: a realistic timeline

Sleep on your back for the first weeks. Underwired bras are best avoided until the surgeon clears you, because the wire can sit on the healing incision.

• Day 1: tightness across the chest, arms kept close to the body, short walks encouraged
• Days 2–5: swelling peaks and then eases; check-up before you fly; showering as instructed
• Week 1: most people are back at a desk job after about 7 days; no lifting of heavy bags or children
• Weeks 2–3: daily life feels normal again; the implants still sit a little high and firm
• Week 6: support bra can usually be stopped; gym, running and upper-body training resume gradually
• Month 3–4: the implants have dropped and softened into position; the final shape is visible at around 4 months

The scar and how to look after it

The incision is placed in the fold under the breast, where it is covered by the breast itself and by most bras and bikini tops. It usually measures a few centimetres. In the first months the scar is pink and slightly raised; over a year or so it fades and flattens, although how much depends on your skin type and genetics.

Once the wound has fully closed, silicone gel or silicone sheets, gentle massage and strict sun protection all help. Avoid tension on the scar in the first weeks, which is another reason to wear the support bra as advised.

Risks of breast augmentation and how they are reduced

Every operation carries risks and results vary from person to person. With breast implants the main early risks are bleeding (haematoma), infection and wound-healing problems. Later possibilities include capsular contracture (the scar capsule around the implant tightening and making the breast firm), implant malposition, rippling, changes in nipple sensation and, rarely, implant rupture.

Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare condition linked mainly to textured implants. Ask which surface your implant will have and discuss the current evidence with the surgeon. Risk is reduced by careful patient selection, a licensed hospital, sterile no-touch implant handling, antibiotics, compression and staying in Istanbul long enough for the first check-up.

Implants are not lifetime devices. Many last well for many years, but it is sensible to expect that further surgery may be needed at some point, for example to exchange an implant or correct a change in shape.

Combining breast augmentation with other procedures

After pregnancy, implants are often combined with a tummy tuck and liposuction as a mommy makeover. If your breasts have dropped, a breast lift with implants may be the better operation. If you prefer to avoid implants altogether and have fat to spare, fat transfer breast augmentation is a lighter alternative. Women who already have implants and are unhappy with them should look at breast implant revision instead.

Travelling to Istanbul for breast surgery

Plan for 5–7 days in Istanbul. Flights from London, Manchester or Dublin take roughly four hours; from North America you can fly direct from several cities. Arrive the day before surgery, and leave only after the surgeon has examined you and confirmed you are fit to fly.

Before you go, let your GP know about your plans and bring home your discharge summary and implant card. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp after you return, so photos and questions can be checked by the surgical team.

How to choose a surgeon and clinic

• Is the surgeon a fully qualified plastic surgeon, and will he perform your operation himself?
• Is the hospital licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health?
• Which implant brand and surface will be used, and will you receive an implant card?
• What exactly does the written quote include, and is complication insurance part of it?
• Who looks after you once you are back home?

Next steps: free assessment

Send a few photos and a short medical history on WhatsApp to +90 552 859 50 34. The surgeon reviews them, suggests a plan and you receive an itemised quote, usually within 24 hours. There is no obligation, and you can take as much time as you need to decide.

Questions about this topic

Related treatments

• Lift with implantsPrice on free assessmentFor breasts that have both dropped and emptied, a lift and an implant can be combined in one operation. This guide explains when that makes sense, and when it does not.Lift with implants →
• Fat transfer to breastsPrice on free assessmentA natural-looking, implant-free way to add modest volume to the breasts using your own fat, with the bonus of liposuction where you have fat to spare.Fat transfer to breasts →
• Implant revisionPrice on free assessmentWhether your implants have become hard, moved, ruptured or simply no longer suit you, a careful revision starts with understanding why. This guide explains the reasons, the options and the recovery.Implant revision →

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