Breast augmentation in Istanbul

Who is it for?

Breast augmentation suits women who have naturally small breasts, who have lost volume but not position, or who have a visible difference in size between the two sides. If your nipple sits at or below the breast crease, an implant alone will not lift it – you will need a lift with implants. Our article breast lift or breast augmentation? explains how to tell the difference.

You should be in good health, at least 18 years old, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and have realistic expectations about size and shape. Women with a congenital shape difference, such as tuberous breasts, may need additional techniques – see breast asymmetry and tuberous breasts.

Implants: shape, size and placement

Implants can be round or anatomical (teardrop), with different profiles and volumes. They can be placed under the breast gland, under the chest muscle or in a dual plane, through an incision in the breast crease, around the areola or in the armpit. The choice depends on your tissue thickness, chest width and the look you want; trial sizers are used during the consultation in Istanbul. Our breast implants guide explains each option in detail.

Breast augmentation at New City Clinic

New City Clinic uses certified cohesive silicone gel implants from established international manufacturers. The brand and model are named in your written quote, and you leave Istanbul with an implant card showing the serial numbers. The surgeon measures your chest width, breast base and skin stretch, and suggests implants that fit your frame rather than simply the largest volume possible.

The official page breast augmentation at New City Clinic summarises the procedure, and the clinic blog has two detailed guides: breast augmentation Turkey – implant guide and breast implants in Turkey: safety, aftercare and removal.

Choosing your implant size

The most common regret after augmentation is not the size itself but a size that does not suit the body. A good implant is chosen from measurements – the width of your breast, the thickness of your tissue and how much your skin stretches – and then refined with sizers in a bra. Very large implants on a narrow chest stretch the tissue and increase the risk of rippling and sagging over time.

Bring photos of results you like, but think in terms of shape and proportion rather than cup letters, which vary between brands and countries. The clinic article how to choose breast implant size and shape is a useful read before your consultation.

Preparing for surgery

Stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery, pause blood-thinning medicines and supplements as instructed, and have a breast ultrasound or mammogram if you are over 40 or have a family history. Buy a couple of soft front-opening tops and plan help at home for the first days after you return, especially if you have small children. The coordinator sends a full preparation list and our travel guide covers packing and flights.

Recovery

Expect tightness and soreness for a few days, especially with implants under the muscle. You wear a post-operative bra for 4–6 weeks. Most patients return to office work within a week and fly home after 5–7 days, once the surgeon has checked the wounds. Avoid lifting heavy objects and raising your arms above your head for the first weeks; gentle walking is encouraged from the first day.

Results and what to expect

Right after surgery the implants sit high and the breasts feel firm. Over six to twelve weeks the muscle relaxes and the implants settle into a softer, more natural position. The scar, usually in the crease under the breast, fades over a year. The aim is a fuller breast in proportion with your body, clothes that fit better and improved symmetry – not a perfect match between the two sides, which no surgery can guarantee.

Price in Istanbul vs the UK

At New City Clinic breast implants in Turkey cost from €2,800 to €4,000 all-inclusive, with the implants, surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital night, hotel, transfers and check-ups. In the UK a private breast augmentation typically costs the equivalent of €5,500–€8,500. The price depends on the implant brand and type and on the hospital. See the comparison on our prices page and the current figures on the official New City Clinic price list.

Risks

Haematoma, infection, capsular contracture, implant malposition, rupture, changes in nipple sensation and the rare BIA-ALCL, a lymphoma associated mainly with textured implants. Implants may need to be replaced at some point in your life; regular check-ups are recommended. Smoking, infection and very large implants increase the risk of complications.

Long-term care

Keep your implant card and tell any doctor or radiologist that you have implants. Silicone implants do not need to be changed on a fixed date, but they should be checked if the breast changes shape, hardens or becomes painful; your doctor may recommend an ultrasound or MRI from time to time. Most women can breastfeed after augmentation. If, years later, the breasts drop or you want a change, see our pages on implant replacement and lift with implants.

Incision options explained

The most common incision is in the inframammary fold, the crease under the breast. It gives the surgeon excellent control, keeps the implant away from the milk ducts and leaves a scar hidden under the breast. A periareolar incision at the lower edge of the areola can be used when the areola is large enough, and is sometimes chosen when a small lift of the areola is combined. An axillary incision in the armpit avoids a scar on the breast but gives less control and is used less often. Your surgeon will recommend the approach that suits your anatomy and implant.

Choosing your surgeon

Breast augmentation looks simple, but long-term results depend on careful planning: the right implant width, the right pocket and a precise operation that limits bleeding and contamination. Choose a specialist in plastic surgery whose name you know before you travel, ask which implant brand will be used and in which hospital, and make sure you will be examined before you fly home. You can meet the New City Clinic surgeons and compare with our checklist for choosing a clinic in Turkey.

Breast augmentation for UK and Irish patients

Most English-speaking patients who choose breast augmentation in Istanbul travel from the UK and Ireland on a direct flight of around four hours and stay five to seven days. Before travelling, collect any relevant medical records, and plan a week off work after you return. Your coordinator speaks English and remains your contact for follow-up questions after you are home. Practical details are in our travel guide.