Breast augmentation surgery (augmentation mammoplasty) uses a silicone gel implant to add natural-looking volume in proportion to your chest. What decides is not a cup size but measurement: chest width, tissue thickness and implant profile are planned together. This page explains who breast augmentation in Istanbul, Turkey is suitable for, implant and placement options, recovery, risks and what determines the cost.
| At a Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Procedure | Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) — silicone gel implant |
| Duration | 1–2 hours |
| Anesthesia | General |
| Hospital stay | 1 night |
| Where it is done | Hospital operating theatre (Memorial Göztepe Hospital, Istanbul) |
| Back to work | 5–7 days; heavy exercise at 4–6 weeks |
| Incision/scar | Inframammary fold (4–5 cm); the scar lies in the fold |
| How long it lasts | An implant is not a lifetime device; in a 10-year study 81.8% of patients still had their original implant |
| Who it suits | Low volume, deflation after breastfeeding, asymmetry |
Contents— 25 sections
What Is Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty)?
Breast augmentation surgery (augmentation mammoplasty, also spelled mammaplasty) is an aesthetic operation in which a silicone gel implant is placed under the breast tissue or the chest muscle to increase breast volume. It is also called breast enlargement or, informally, a boob job. It takes about 1–2 hours under general anesthesia, and the incision is usually planned in the inframammary fold.
Low breast volume can be congenital, or it can appear when the tissue deflates after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Padding or fat transfer gives a limited increase; a clear gain in volume usually needs an implant.
What decides the quality of the operation is not the implant brand but choosing by measurement and using the right plane. An implant wider than the chest can spill to the sides; an implant wider than the tissue can cover may show its edges. That is why planning measures breast base width, skin-tissue thickness and the nipple-to-fold distance.
If there is also sagging, an implant alone will not be enough: fullness increases but the nipple stays low. In that case it is combined with a breast lift. For a modest, natural increase, fat transfer can be an alternative or a complement.
- Chest muscle
- Glandular tissue
- Fat
- Implant
- Rib
Breast Augmentation: Implant Types and the Placement Plane
Three things decide: what the implant is made of and its shape, its profile (how far it projects) and the plane it goes into.
Modern cohesive gel feels natural; available round or teardrop (anatomical).
Low / moderate / high profile. The same volume sits more naturally on a narrow chest with a higher profile.
The upper part of the implant sits under the muscle, the lower part under the tissue; a frequent choice with thin tissue.
For patients with enough tissue thickness; recovery can be more comfortable, but edges may show if tissue is thin.
Augmentation with fat transfer suits a small increase and needs good donor tissue; it cannot match an implant in one session and part of it is reabsorbed.
Which Option When? An Implant Alone, or an Implant With a Lift
The right option depends on breast volume, tissue thickness and where the nipple sits relative to the inframammary fold. The drawings below show three typical pictures; they do not measure you or make a diagnosis. Implant size and technique are decided at the examination, by measurement. In the drawings the dashed blue line marks the level of the inframammary fold and the coloured dot the level of the nipple.
If there is no sagging and skin quality is good, an implant alone is usually enough; with thin tissue a dual-plane placement can give a softer upper-pole transition. Why breasts stay small, and how to recognise a tuberous breast, is explained in our guide to small breasts.
If the nipple is still at fold level, an implant can restore fullness; with mild looseness a small lift can be added.
If the nipple sits below the fold, an implant fills but does not lift the breast; a breast lift with implants is planned.
Related pages: breast lift · breast lift with implants · breast implant size guide · breast implant exchange
Who Is Suitable — and Who Is Not?
Good candidates
- People whose breast development is limited or whose volume is low
- Those who lost volume after pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Those with noticeable breast asymmetry
- People in good general health with realistic expectations who do not smoke, or can stop
Situations to postpone or review
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (about 6 months after breastfeeding ends)
- Untreated breast pathology or a suspicious finding that has not been screened
- Uncontrolled chronic disease, bleeding disorder
- Expectations built around a cup size rather than your measurements
Over the age of 40 breast imaging (mammography/ultrasound) is requested before surgery; with a family history it may be planned earlier.
Under the Muscle, Dual Plane or Over the Muscle? Comparing Placements
| Option | Best for | Advantage | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual plane | Thin tissue, mild looseness | Natural upper pole, edges rarely show | Mild shape change when the chest muscle contracts |
| Submuscular | Very thin tissue | Natural transition; less capsular contracture in one study | Recovery slightly more tender; shape change with muscle movement |
| Subglandular | Enough tissue thickness | More comfortable early recovery | Edges may show with thin tissue |
| Fat transfer | A small increase in volume | No implant, own tissue | Limited volume, partial reabsorption |
In short: dual plane with thin tissue, subglandular with enough tissue, fat transfer for a small increase. The decision follows measurement and examination.
Decision Guide: Which Approach Fits You?
The table below is the short version of the reasoning we go through at the examination. What decides is not a cup size but where your nipple sits relative to the inframammary fold, and how thick your tissue is.
This table is a pre-assessment. The definitive decision follows measuring breast base width, tissue thickness and nipple-to-fold distance.
Combined Procedures: What Can Be Added in One Session?
In suitable patients some procedures can be done in the same session; what decides is total operating time and your general health.
Planned together when there is both low volume and sagging (augmentation-mastopexy); the aim is both fullness and height in one session. More: breast lift with implants.
A breast procedure plus a tummy tuck (± liposuction); it addresses post-pregnancy changes within one plan.
Adding waist and flank liposuction brings out the upper-to-lower body proportion.
A smaller implant supported by a thin layer of fat over the upper pole and décolleté; with very thin tissue the aim is a more natural transition.
A combination lengthens the operation. Plans exceeding 5–6 hours raise risk, so it is safer to leave some steps to a second session.
How Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Done? (Step by Step)
Measurement and hidden incision
The chest is measured and the implant chosen; a 4–5 cm hidden incision is made in the inframammary fold.
Pocket and implant
A submuscular or dual-plane pocket is created; the implant is placed with sterile technique and symmetry is checked.
Closure and result
Layers are closed with hidden sutures and a sports bra is fitted; fullness shows early, and the final shape settles over months.
Measurement and implant selection
Anesthesia
Hidden incision
Pocket creation
Implant placement
Closure and bra
The Day of Surgery: Hour by Hour
Knowing in advance how the day of surgery goes helps reduce anxiety. Times can vary with the person and the hospital’s routine.
No food or drink after the time the anesthesia team gives you. Make-up, nail polish and jewellery come off; you shower.
You come with your ID; final tests and the anesthesia consultation are completed and consent forms signed.
Marking is done standing and photos are taken for your medical record. You can ask any last questions now.
It takes 1–2 hours. The anesthesia team is with you the whole time; under general anesthesia you feel no pain.
You open your eyes in the recovery room. Pain and nausea control start here.
You take your first steps with a nurse; moving early helps lower clot risk.
Dressing, bra and medication instructions are given in writing; your first check-up is booked.
After breast augmentation, a feeling of pressure and tightness in the chest on waking is normal; it usually eases over the first days. It helps to have someone with you. For the first 24 hours after discharge, do not drive or make important decisions; the anesthesia may not have fully worn off.
Recovery — Day by Day, Week by Week
Swelling and a firm feeling are normal in the first weeks; the final shape settles over a few months.
Aftercare: Do and Avoid
✓ Do
- Wear the sports bra for the recommended period
- Avoid raising your arms above shoulder height in the first days
- Come to your check-ups and take medication as advised
- Keep the incision clean and dry and start scar care on time
✕ Avoid
- Smoking and alcohol (they impair healing)
- Heavy exercise, chest training and lifting for 4–6 weeks
- Pool, sea, sauna and very hot showers early on
- Sun on the scar in the first months
Getting Back to Daily Life
- Sleep: For the first 3–4 weeks you are advised to sleep on your back with your head slightly raised; your surgeon will tell you when side-sleeping is fine.
- Bra: The sports bra is usually worn day and night for a few weeks; your surgeon will tell you when you can switch to an underwired bra.
- Arm movements: In the first days avoid raising your arms above shoulder height and carrying heavy things.
- Exercise: Walking from day one; light cardio usually at 3–4 weeks, weights and chest training at 4–6 weeks.
- Showering: Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower; pools, the sea and saunas wait until the wounds have healed.
- Driving: Once pain medication has worn off and the seat belt and steering are comfortable.
- Flying: For a long flight you usually wait until after the first check-up, mostly 5–7 days; walk regularly on board.
- Back to work: Desk work usually after 5–7 days; physical work that uses the arms and chest muscles takes longer.
Timings vary with the person, the placement plane and any combined procedures; your surgeon sets the exact schedule.
Check-up Schedule and When to Call Straight Away
The first check-up is usually in the first days; further check-ups are then planned over the following weeks and months depending on how healing goes. Everyone living with implants is advised to have regular breast examinations over the long term, with imaging when needed. If you are travelling from elsewhere, remote follow-up and photo review are agreed in advance.
Call without waiting if you notice
- rapidly increasing, firm swelling with worsening pain in one breast
- bleeding that quickly fills the dressing and does not stop
- the incision opening, or discharge from it
- a temperature of 38 °C or more, or increasing redness and warmth of the breast
- swelling, pain or redness in one calf
- new swelling, a lump or a change in shape in the breast months or years after surgery
In an emergency such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood or confusion, call 112 in Turkey (or your local emergency number) first, then let our team know.
Possible Risks and Complications
Breast augmentation is a planned operation and, like any operation, carries risks; some implant-related problems can appear years later. It is important to know about them in advance:
- Capsular contracture: the capsule around the implant tightens and firms the breast; it is one of the main long-term problems and may need surgical correction if it progresses.
- Implant rupture: it can happen without symptoms (silent rupture); it is followed with MRI or ultrasound and the implant is exchanged if needed.
- Asymmetry and shape difference: two breasts are never identical; measurement and a sitting-position check aim to keep it to a minimum.
- Change in nipple sensation: usually temporary and settles over weeks to months; a permanent change can also occur.
- Hematoma / seroma: fluid or blood collecting early on; drained if needed.
- Infection: rare; sterile technique and follow-up aim to lower the risk, it is treated if it develops, and the implant sometimes has to be removed.
- BIA-ALCL: a rare implant-associated lymphoma; have any new swelling or lump in the breast examined, even years after surgery.
In a study following 715 patients for 10 years, the capsular contracture rate after augmentation was 18.9%: 15.7% with submuscular and 26.3% with subglandular placement. In the MRI-monitored group, rupture was found in 13% of patients; at 10 years, 81.8% of augmentation patients still had their original implant (Spear et al., 2014). For BIA-ALCL, a Dutch nationwide study found a cumulative risk in women with implants of 29 per million at age 50 and 82 per million at age 70, and estimated that about 6,920 women with implants would be needed for one case before age 75 (de Boer et al., 2018). The risk is higher with highly textured (macrotextured) implants (Collett et al., 2019).
Stopping smoking helps lower the risk. Keep your implant brand and serial card; it is useful at follow-up.
What Breast Augmentation Can and Cannot Fix
What it can fix
- Volume in under-developed breasts or breasts that have deflated after pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Balancing noticeable asymmetry (not perfect equality)
- Satisfaction with the breasts: in a prospective study of 14,514 patients, satisfaction with the breasts and psychosocial well-being rose significantly one year after surgery and were maintained at year four (Alderman et al., 2016).
Its limits
- It does not correct sagging on its own; if the nipple is below the fold a lift is needed
- An implant is not a lifetime device; an exchange or removal may be needed in future
- A volume larger than your chest measurements does not look natural and can thin the tissue and speed up sagging
- Weight change, pregnancy and ageing affect the result
- It does not replace breast cancer screening; screening continues, telling the radiologist about your implants
What to Look For When Choosing a Breast Augmentation Surgeon
If an implant volume is quoted from a cup size without measuring, walk away.
A CE/FDA-approved implant and its serial-number card should be handed to you.
Ask in advance in which hospital and with which anesthesia team the general anesthesia will be given.
Being offered an implant alone when there is sagging may not give the expected result; ask whether your nipple position has been assessed.
Expected Change (Medical Illustration)
The images in this section are not photos of real patients. The diagram below shows the intended change: from a low-volume breast to a fuller one in proportion to the chest, with a soft upper-pole transition.
The illustrations are schematic drawings for information only. With any surgical or interventional procedure, results may vary from person to person. Please seek detailed advice from your doctor before any procedure. Individual results vary with anatomy, tissue quality and the implant chosen, and are not guaranteed.
Breast Augmentation in Istanbul: Consultation, Surgery and Check-ups
Many patients travel to Istanbul for breast augmentation; what matters most is the surgeon’s planning, where the operation takes place and the follow-up. The consultation is at the practice in Ataşehir, and the operation in a hospital operating theatre (Memorial Göztepe Hospital).
Breast base width, tissue thickness and nipple-to-fold distance are measured; implant volume, profile and placement plane are decided together.
In a hospital operating theatre under general anesthesia; usually one night in hospital.
Your travel date is confirmed after the first check-up; for a long flight you usually wait 5–7 days.
Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya: Specialty and Professional Background
Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (2017); working in plastic surgery since 2012, including specialty training. Member of TPRECD (Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons), EPCD and ISAPS — membership record. Biography: about me.
Preparing for Surgery
Breast base, tissue thickness and distances are measured; implant volume and profile are agreed together.
Breast ultrasound/mammography is requested according to age and history.
If possible, stop smoking weeks before surgery. Aspirin, blood thinners and some herbal products (omega-3, ginkgo) are stopped 7–10 days before with your doctor’s approval; do not stop regular medication without medical advice.
Get a sports bra and arrange suitable time off for recovery.
What to bring
- A front-buttoning or zip-up shirt/pyjamas
- A sports bra (if you have been measured)
- Slippers and comfortable trousers
- Your medication list and any reports
- A phone charging cable
- ID/passport
Questions to Ask at the First Consultation
These questions help you make the right decision at the pre-assessment:
- 1Which implant volume and profile suit my chest measurements?
- 2Which plane will the implant go into (submuscular / dual plane / subglandular) and why?
- 3Where will the incision be and what will the scar look like?
- 4Do I have sagging; is an implant alone enough for me?
- 5Which implant brand will be used, and does it come with a certificate and warranty?
- 6How long is recovery and when can I return to sport?
- 7In which hospital and under what anesthesia will it be done?
- 8If an exchange is needed in future, how does that work?
- 9How do I reach you if a problem arises?
For Patients Travelling From Abroad
If you are coming to Istanbul, the online consultation, surgery, check-up and journey home are planned together. Because of the one-night hospital stay and the first check-up, a stay of about 5–7 days in Istanbul is usually advised. The exact length is decided at the examination.
Front and side photos or a video call give preliminary information; implant size is decided by measurement at the in-person examination.
The planned procedure, the implant brand and surface, where the operation takes place, the type of anesthesia and what the fee includes are sent to you in writing.
Usually one night in hospital; the first check-up is done in Istanbul.
Book your return flight after the surgeon’s check-up; agree in advance how remote follow-up and long-term implant checks will work.
Breast Augmentation Cost in Turkey: What Determines the Price?
A firm price is given after examination and measurement, because implant brand/type, placement plane, any added procedure (lift, fat transfer) and the hospital stay vary per person. So you know what the fee includes:
Usually included in the fee
- Surgeon, anesthesia and operating-room fee
- CE/FDA-approved implant and serial-numbered implant card
- One night’s stay, sports bra and medication
- Post-operative check-ups
If you see a very low price, ask in writing for the implant brand and certificate, where the operation takes place, which anesthesia team is involved and what is included.
What to Confirm in Writing Before You Book
- Who will operate, and who is on the surgical and anesthesia team
- The hospital where the operation takes place and the type of anesthesia
- The implant brand, volume, surface (smooth or textured) and placement plane, any lift — and what is not included
- The implant card and the manufacturer’s terms for the implant
- The hospital stay, post-operative check-ups and remote follow-up after you return home
- Medication, sports bra and dressing materials
- What happens, and what it costs, if a complication needs further treatment or a revision is needed
- Transfer or accommodation — only if offered, and exactly what it covers
- Payment, deposit and cancellation terms
No prices or packages are published on this page; the fee is given after the examination, based on your personal plan.
Glossary
- Augmentation mammoplasty
- The medical name for breast augmentation surgery (also spelled mammaplasty).
- Inframammary fold
- The crease where the breast meets the chest wall; the most common incision site.
- Dual plane
- A hybrid placement: the upper implant under the muscle, the lower part under the tissue.
- Profile
- How far the implant projects forward (low/moderate/high).
- Capsule
- The natural tissue envelope the body forms around an implant.
- Drop and fluff
- The natural settling in the first months as the implant drops and the upper pole softens.
- Textured implant
- An implant with a rough surface; the degree of texturing is linked to BIA-ALCL risk.
- BIA-ALCL
- A rare lymphoma associated with breast implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which implants are used for breast augmentation?
Is the implant placed under or over the muscle?
Where is the incision and will there be a scar?
How long does breast augmentation surgery take, and how long do I stay?
When can I go back to work?
How long do implants last — do they have to be replaced?
Can I breastfeed after breast augmentation?
If my breasts sag, is an implant alone enough?
What is capsular contracture?
Will it affect my breast cancer screening?
I am coming from abroad — how does it work?
How many cc should my breast augmentation be?
Is breast augmentation painful?
What position should I sleep in after breast augmentation?
Can an implant be felt by touch — will people notice?
When can I return to sport after breast augmentation?
Can silicone breast implants cause cancer?
Can breasts be enlarged without surgery?
How satisfied are patients after breast augmentation?
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Medically reviewed by
Specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Specialist since 2017
- Member of TPRECD, EPCD and ISAPS
- Ataşehir, Istanbul
- Türkçe · English
Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya is a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Member of TPRECD (Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons). He completed his residency in 2017 and practices at his private clinic in Ataşehir, Istanbul, specializing in deep plane facelift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). He offers consultations in Turkish, English, and German for international patients.
Last updated:
This page is for information and does not replace medical advice.
Sources
- ASPS — Breast Augmentation
- TPRECD — Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
- Spear SL, Murphy DK; Allergan Silicone Breast Implant U.S. Core Clinical Study Group. Natrelle round silicone breast implants: Core Study results at 10 years. Plast Reconstr Surg 2014;133(6):1354–1361. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000021
- de Boer M, van Leeuwen FE, Hauptmann M, et al. Breast Implants and the Risk of Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma in the Breast. JAMA Oncol 2018;4(3):335–341. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.4510
- Collett DJ, Rakhorst H, Lennox P, Magnusson M, Cooter R, Deva AK. Current Risk Estimate of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in Textured Breast Implants. Plast Reconstr Surg 2019;143(3S):30S–40S. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000005567
- Alderman A, Pusic A, Murphy DK. Prospective Analysis of Primary Breast Augmentation on Body Image Using the BREAST-Q: Results from a Nationwide Study. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016;137(6):954e–960e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000002183
- Chen J, Zhu XM, Huynh MNQ, McRae M. Breastfeeding Outcome and Complications in Females With Breast Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthet Surg J 2023;43(7):731–740. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad027
Related procedures: breast implant removal.
