59+ medical terms commonly encountered in breast augmentation, lift, and implant surgery — explained, surgeon-curated reference. Reading before consultation gives you shared vocabulary; your surgeon explains better, you understand more clearly.
A
Anatomical Implant
Teardrop-shaped breast implant; fuller at the bottom, sloped at the top — mimics the natural breast shape. More natural appearance than round, but slightly higher rotation risk.
Asymmetry (Breast Asymmetry)
Difference between two breasts in size, shape, or position. Mild asymmetry is normal; significant asymmetry is corrected surgically.
Axillary Incision
Incision through the armpit. No scar on the breast, but a visible scar in the armpit. Limited preference.
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma — a rare T-cell lymphoma associated with breast implants. Seen in macro-textured implants. See: BIA-ALCL guide.
BII (Breast Implant Illness)
A cluster of systemic complaints — fatigue, joint pain, brain fog. Causal relationship is not yet scientifically proven.
BWD (Breast Width Distance)
Base width of the breast. Foundational measurement for cc selection — typically 11-15 cm.
C
Cc (Cubic Centimeter)
Implant volume unit. ~150-200cc ≈ 1 cup size increase (approximate).
Capsular Contracture
Hardening of the natural fibrous capsule that forms around the implant. Baker grades I-IV. Advanced grades cause pain and shape distortion.
Capsular Contracture
See Capsular Contracture.
Capsulotomy
Surgical loosening of the capsule (without complete removal). Used in mild capsular contracture.
Capsulectomy
Surgical removal of the capsule. May be total or partial.
Cohesive Silicone
High-viscosity silicone gel that retains its shape even when cut. Also called "gummy bear" silicone.
Hybrid placement technique: part of the implant under muscle, part under glandular tissue.
E
EBOPRAS / FEBOPRAS
European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery — the European board for plastic surgery. FEBOPRAS is the fellowship from this board.
En-bloc Capsulectomy
Complete removal of the capsule around the implant in one piece. Used in BIA-ALCL and some capsular contracture cases.
F
FACS
Fellow, American College of Surgeons — internationally recognized membership of the American College of Surgeons.
FDA Approval
US Food and Drug Administration's safety and efficacy approval for medical devices.
Fibrocystic Breast
Benign cystic changes in the breast. Not a contraindication for implant surgery.
Fat Transfer (Lipofilling)
Injection of one's own fat (harvested by liposuction) into the breast. Implant alternative or complement.
G
Gel Bleed
Leaking of gel through the capsule in older silicone implants. Not seen in modern cohesive silicone.
Granuloma
Connective tissue reaction around the implant. Generally rare and insignificant.
H
Hematoma
Postoperative blood collection due to bleeding. Seen in first 24-48 hours, requires intervention.
Hybrid Augmentation
Combination of implant + fat transfer. Provides more natural results and reduces visible implant edges.
I
Implant Passport
Official document with implant brand, model, serial number, and lot number. Provided by manufacturer; should be kept lifelong.
Inframammary Incision
Incision in the natural fold beneath the breast. Most common; the scar is hidden.
ISAPS
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — global aesthetic plastic surgery society.
Inverted-T (Anchor) Incision
The most aggressive mastopexy incision: around the areola + vertical + horizontal in the fold.
J
JCI
Joint Commission International — US-based international hospital accreditation body. Selected Turkish private hospitals are JCI accredited.
L
Lollipop (Vertical) Incision
Mastopexy incision: around the areola + straight down. For Grade II ptosis.
Lateral Decubitus
Side-lying position. The safest sleeping position other than supine for an implant patient in the first month.
M
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Surgical repositioning of a sagging breast. Performed alone or with implant.
Macro-textured
Implant surface with roughness >100 μm. Withdrawn since 2019 due to BIA-ALCL risk (FDA Allergan BIOCELL recall).
Micro-textured
Implant surface with roughness 50-100 μm. Low BIA-ALCL risk; in widespread use.
Mommy Makeover
Combined aesthetic plan for postpartum body: breast augmentation/lift + abdominoplasty +/- liposuction.
N
Nano-Surface
Implant surface with roughness 10-50 μm (e.g. Motiva SmoothSilk). Between smooth and micro; very low BIA-ALCL risk.
Nipple-Areolar Complex (NAC)
The nipple and surrounding pigmented area. Repositioned or reshaped during mastopexy.
P
Periareolar Incision
Incision around the nipple. Used in "donut" mastopexy or as implant incision.
Polyurethane Implant
Foam-coated implant. Reduces capsular contracture risk but harder to exchange.
Profile (Implant Profile)
How far the implant projects from the chest wall: Low / Moderate / High / Ultra High.
Pseudoptosis
Pseudo-sagging — nipple at fold level but tissue below the fold. Grade I ptosis.
Ptosis
Breast sagging. Classified per Regnault as Grade I, II, or III.
R
Random Lump
Palpable mass in the breast. May be unrelated to implant; must be evaluated.
Regnault Classification
Breast sagging (ptosis) grading system: Grade I (mild), II (moderate), III (severe).
Revision Surgery
Corrective second surgery after a previous implant operation. Implant exchange, capsular contracture treatment, etc.
S
Saline Implant
Implant filled with sterile saline. Absorbed if ruptures, but higher risk of "rippling."
Sebbin
French premium silicone implant brand. Long warranty period.
Seroma
Serous fluid collecting around the capsule postoperatively. Early seroma (first 6 months) usually normal; late seroma (1+ years) raises BIA-ALCL suspicion.
Silicone Gel
Modern silicone implant filling. Cohesive type retains its shape.
Sizer
Trial implant in different cc volumes used during consultation. Mirror evaluation.
Smooth Surface
Smooth implant surface. Roughness <10 μm. BIA-ALCL risk near zero.
Snoopy Breast Deformity
Shape distortion where the implant sits high while the natural breast tissue droops below. From inadequate mastopexy.
Subglandular Placement
Implant placement under the breast tissue but above the muscle. Shorter recovery.
Submuscular Placement
Implant placement under the pectoral muscle. More natural look, less capsular contracture risk, but longer recovery.
T
Tuberous Breast
Congenital breast shape anomaly. Narrow base, underdeveloped lower pole, large areolae. Requires specialized surgical approach.
U
USHAŞ
Turkish International Health Services Inc. — the body that issues Turkey's Ministry of Health Tourism authorization certificates.
V
VECTRA XT
3D breast imaging system. Used in consultation for virtual simulation of different cc volumes.
Z
Zona Dyna
Dynamic zone of the breast — upper-medial area affected by pectoral muscle movement. Animation may occur with submuscular placement.
Disclaimer
This glossary is for general information and does not substitute medical advice. How terms apply to your individual situation depends on your personal anatomy and health status. For definitive guidance, book a consultation.