Everything you wanted to know about breast augmentation

For patients travelling from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and the Gulf, the package includes: VIP private airport pickup and return transfers (via IST or SAW), 5-7 nights at a 4-5 star hotel in Nişantaşı, Şişli or Maslak, all hotel-clinic-hospital transfers, surgery at a JCI-accredited private hospital, board-certified anaesthesia, the first inpatient night, all medications, pre-operative laboratory and imaging tests, and a personal English-speaking patient coordinator throughout your stay. You receive a single written quotation after consultation.

Conducted via WhatsApp video or Zoom. Before the call, you send 3-angle photos (front, profile, oblique) and basic measurements (chest circumference, current bra size, cup size). Dr. Erdal personally meets you for 30-45 minutes, reviews your medical history and goals, and recommends a suitable implant range. The first consultation is free; planning notes and an initial written quotation are sent by email within 24 hours.

Bank transfer (in EUR, GBP, USD or TRY), credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex — single payment or instalments), and cash payments are accepted. International transfers via Wise or Revolut work well due to lower fees. International patients typically pay a 20-30% deposit to reserve the surgery date and the balance on the day of surgery in Istanbul. Cryptocurrency is not accepted. All payments are documented with an official invoice.

Yes. The Turkish Ministry of Health has tightly regulated medical tourism through USHAŞ (International Health Services Inc.) since 2017. Only clinics holding the official Health Tourism Authorization Certificate may legally serve international patients. Our certificate number: 2026034015610080000444996. The certification requires a minimum SKS quality score of 85, an active International Patient Department, annual government audits, and formal financial guarantees.

For the first 6 weeks you have direct WhatsApp access to Dr. Erdal — share photos, ask questions, get same-day responses. Video follow-ups are scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months. If a complication requires local care, we coordinate with a trusted plastic surgeon in your country through our FACS and FEBOPRAS international networks — we have established colleagues in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK and the Gulf states.

No translator needed. Dr. Erdal is fluent in English. Our patient coordinator speaks English and German fluently. The nursing team has working English. Written materials (consent forms, discharge instructions, prescriptions) can be provided in English or German. WhatsApp communication is available in English, German or Turkish around the clock.

EU citizens (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, etc.) enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days. UK citizens obtain an e-visa online (about 30 USD, approved within 24 hours). US, Canada, Australia citizens — e-visa or visa-free depending on agreement. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry. No special medical entry document is required, but bring your appointment confirmation.

We operate at private hospitals that are JCI-accredited or hold equivalent international quality certifications. Joint Commission International (JCI) is the gold-standard US-based independent body that certifies hospital quality on patient safety, infection control, anaesthesia protocols, and emergency response. JCI accreditation means international protocols and standards equivalent to leading hospitals in London, Berlin or New York.

The total includes: surgeon's fee, anaesthesia fee, hospital and operating room costs, implant cost (varies by brand and model), pre-operative tests, first inpatient night, medications, and post-operative follow-ups. International patients also receive hotel + transfers + coordinator. Per Turkish Ministry of Health regulation, specific prices cannot be published on websites; a written quotation is provided after consultation.

Three main reasons: (1) lower operating costs (staff salaries, hospital rents, currency advantage); (2) 0% VAT advantage on services to international patients under Turkish health tourism law; (3) high case volume of qualified surgeons keeps per-case costs down. Quality is not compromised — same Motiva, Mentor, Polytech implants; same FDA/CE-approved equipment; the same surgical standards. Typical savings: 40-60% versus equivalent quality in Western Europe.

A 20-30% deposit secures your surgery date. If cancelled or rescheduled at least 14 days before surgery, the deposit is refunded or transferred to a new date. Cancellations within 14 days may forfeit a portion of the deposit (covering hotel and hospital reservation costs). Medical-reason cancellations (sudden illness, visa issue) are handled flexibly. Full payment of the balance is on the day of surgery in Istanbul.

For complications attributable to our team (e.g. early hematoma drainage, capsular issue) within the first year, the surgeon's fee is waived. Patient-requested changes (size adjustment, brand swap) follow standard pricing. Issues covered under implant manufacturer warranty (rupture, BIA-ALCL) — the implant cost is covered by the manufacturer. We provide written warranty terms in the consultation package.

Most private and public insurance plans worldwide do not cover purely cosmetic breast augmentation. Reconstructive cases (post-mastectomy reconstruction, Poland's syndrome, congenital asymmetry) may be covered — check your policy. We provide detailed itemised invoices that can be submitted to insurance for any reconstructive portions or if your policy includes cosmetic coverage.

Turkish Ministry of Finance regulation (2017) exempts services rendered by Health Tourism Authorisation-licensed clinics to non-resident patients from VAT (KDV). When you provide a foreign passport showing non-Turkish residency, your invoice is automatically issued without VAT. This is the legal framework that makes Istanbul 40-60% cheaper than equivalent Western European care — it is not a discount, it is a tax exemption granted by Turkish law.

Yes. All modern silicone implants we use (Motiva, Mentor, Polytech, Sebbin) come with the manufacturer's lifetime rupture warranty. Motiva also covers Baker III/IV capsular contracture and BIA-ALCL up to 10 years post-op. To activate your warranty, keep the implant card you receive after surgery. Q Inside Safety Technology chips on Motiva implants allow any future clinic to scan and identify your implant data — anywhere in the world.

Hematoma: blood collection in the surgical pocket (incidence 1-3%). Recognized by sudden swelling, pain, and skin discoloration; requires surgical drainage. Seroma: clear fluid accumulation (incidence 1-2%). Usually resolves spontaneously or with needle aspiration. Both are early-stage (within 7 days) complications that resolve fully with prompt management — no lasting effect on the cosmetic result.

Modern sterilisation and prophylactic antibiotic protocols keep infection risk to 1-2%. Watch for: fever above 38°C (100.4°F), increasing redness or warmth at the breast, unexpected swelling, foul-smelling discharge, sudden severe pain. Be vigilant the first 4 weeks. Early antibiotic treatment resolves most cases; severe infections may require temporary implant removal with replacement after 3-6 months.

Temporary sensation change occurs in 80-90% of patients and fully normalises within 6-12 months. Persistent reduced sensation in around 10% of patients — more common with larger implants or periareolar incisions. Complete loss of sensation is rare (1-2%). Early-phase massage, warm showers, and nerve-stimulation exercises support recovery. Discuss your priority on sensation preservation during consultation — incision choice can be optimised accordingly.

Natural breasts have some asymmetry — pre-op photos document existing differences. Post-op, up to 1 cm volume difference and 0.5 cm height difference is within acceptable limits. Visible asymmetry (>1.5 cm) warrants revision evaluation after 6 months. Perfect symmetry is medically unattainable; the goal is balanced, natural appearance, not mirror-image identicality.

Rotation only matters with anatomical (teardrop) implants. Round implants look the same regardless of rotation — not a problem for them. Anatomical rotation incidence is 1-14% across studies, dropping below 1% with meticulous pocket dissection. Rotation creates visible shape distortion; manual repositioning or surgical revision is needed. This is one reason we prefer round Motiva Ergonomix for most patients.

Rippling — visible or palpable folds of the implant edge under the skin — affects 5-10% of patients, especially thin patients. Prevention strategies: cohesive gel implants like Motiva Ergonomix, dual-plane or submuscular placement (muscle adds coverage), correctly sized implants for your frame, and hybrid technique with autologous fat grafting. Treatment for established rippling: implant exchange, plane change, or fat grafting at the visible area.

When submuscular (subpectoral) implants visibly distort or shift sideways during pectoral muscle contraction — most noticeable in athletic women during chest exercises. Solutions: dual-plane technique reduces it; subglandular (above-muscle) placement eliminates it but may cause more rippling in thin patients; pectoral tendon release is a revision option. Mild animation is normal and unproblematic; significant cases can be revised.

Short flights (2-3 hours) are safe from day 5-7 post-op. Long-haul flights (4+ hours) — wait 7-10 days to reduce DVT risk. International patients typically take their return flight on day 7. In-flight DVT precautions: stay well-hydrated, wear compression stockings, walk every hour, avoid alcohol. Your patient coordinator schedules return flights with these factors in mind.

General rule: no hot water, chlorinated water, or salt water until incisions are fully healed (4-6 weeks). Sauna and hot tub from week 6. Sea and pool swimming from weeks 6-8. Continue protecting scars with silicone tape for 3 months. Strict 50+ SPF sunscreen on scars for the first 6 months — UV exposure causes scars to darken permanently.

Yes, MRI is fully safe with modern silicone implants — they are non-magnetic and do not interact with the MRI machine. MRI is in fact the most sensitive method for detecting silent implant rupture; the FDA recommends an MRI screening at 5-6 years post-op for asymptomatic patients. Q Inside Safety Technology chips in Motiva implants are MRI-compatible (FDA/CE certified).

Yes — after the first 6 weeks. No upper-body lifting in the first 6 weeks. Light weights (5-10 kg) from week 6-8; full strength training from week 12. Bench press, push-ups, and dips heavily activate pectoral muscles and may produce animation in subpectoral implants — dual-plane placement reduces this. Professional athletes receive a customised return-to-sport plan.

Bilateral 350cc implants add roughly 700-750 grams total — about 1.5 lb. The scale will show this as a small permanent increase, well within normal day-to-day weight fluctuation (1-2 kg). Post-op, mild fluid retention causes 2-3 kg temporary weight gain in the first 2 weeks; this resolves. Implant weight does not interfere with weight loss or weight gain plans afterwards.

Nothing over 5 kg in the first 4 weeks — including children. Weeks 4-6: cautious lifting up to 10 kg. Full normal activity from week 6. Babies under 4 months should be placed in your lap rather than lifted directly. Mothers of young children should plan surgery with realistic childcare support — partner, parents, or a temporary nanny — to fully respect the recovery timeline.