Reviewed by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya — a qualified physician and specialist plastic surgeon (ISAPS, TPRECD). Surgery is carried out at Acıbadem, an accredited private hospital in Istanbul. General information, not medical advice.
Breast augmentation increases breast size and improves shape and symmetry, using implants or, in some cases, your own fat. Done well, it looks and feels natural and in proportion with your body — which is why the plan matters as much as the procedure.
What is breast augmentation?
Augmentation adds volume and improves shape, either with a breast implant (silicone or saline) chosen to suit your body, or with fat transferred from another area for a modest, natural increase. The right choice depends on your goals, your anatomy and how much change you want.
Implant types and placement: your options
Most of the decision in a breast augmentation is not whether but what — the implant and where it sits. The right combination is planned around your frame, tissue and goals.
| Choice | Options and what they mean |
|---|---|
| Implant shape | Round gives fuller upper-pole volume; teardrop (anatomical) follows a more sloped, natural profile. |
| Implant filling | Silicone (including cohesive “gummy bear”) feels closest to natural tissue; saline is an alternative filled with sterile salt water. |
| Projection / profile | Low, moderate or high profile changes how far the breast projects for a given base width. |
| Placement | Under the muscle (submuscular / dual-plane) or over the muscle (subglandular / subfascial) — chosen on your tissue cover and lifestyle. |
| Fat transfer | Your own fat for a modest, natural increase without an implant — suited to smaller changes. |
There is no single universally right implant — the honest answer is the one matched to your anatomy. Over-sizing for a frame is the most common cause of a result that looks and feels “done” and ages poorly.
Are you a good candidate?
- Smaller or asymmetric breasts, or volume lost after pregnancy or weight change.
- A stable weight, good general health, and realistic expectations.
- A wish for more volume or better balance — not a fix for significant sagging, which may need a lift instead or as well.
Augmentation is also used to improve tuberous (constricted) breasts and to even out marked asymmetry — assessed individually.
If your breasts also sag, your surgeon may recommend a breast lift alongside augmentation for a well-balanced shape.
Wondering if you are a candidate?
Send photos and a short note about what bothers you. Dr. Çetinkaya assesses them personally and gives you a realistic surgical opinion.
How it is performed
Under general anaesthesia at Acıbadem in Istanbul, the implant is placed through a discreet incision (often in the breast fold) either under the breast tissue or the muscle, or fat is harvested by liposuction and transferred. Implant type, size and position are planned with you to suit your frame.
Recovery
Expect soreness, swelling and tightness for the first one to two weeks, eased with a support bra. Most people return to desk work in about a week or two and avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for several weeks. The breasts settle into their final shape over a few months.
Risks and safety, honestly
Breast augmentation is well-established and, in a qualified surgeon’s hands at an accredited hospital, safe — but implants are medical devices and honesty about risk matters. General surgical risks (bleeding, infection, poor healing) apply, plus implant-specific ones: capsular contracture (firm, distorting scar tissue around the implant), rupture or deflation over time, rippling, and changes in nipple sensation. Implants are durable but not lifetime devices and may need exchange or removal in future. Some women report symptoms they attribute to their implants — often called breast implant illness (BII); research continues, and a good surgeon discusses it openly and supports removal if you ever choose it. A rare cancer of the scar capsule (BIA-ALCL) has been linked mainly to certain textured implants and is part of a full, honest consent conversation. At Clinic Elia your surgery is performed by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya at Acıbadem, with genuine informed consent — not a sales pitch.
Results
Results are long-lasting. Implants are durable but not lifetime devices and may eventually need review or exchange; fat transfer gives a subtler, permanent increase. A well-chosen size ages more gracefully than an oversized one.
Cost in Turkey
Breast augmentation in Turkey typically costs well below UK, EU and North American prices, within a package covering surgery, anaesthesia, aftercare, hotel, transfers and a coordinator. Your quote follows an assessment.
Your surgeon
Procedures at Clinic Elia are led by Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya, a specialist in aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery. Your suitability and plan are confirmed after an honest assessment.
Get a surgeon’s honest opinion
Send photos from the front and in profile on WhatsApp. Dr. Çetinkaya assesses them personally and you get a realistic opinion and one clear, all-inclusive quote — with no pressure and no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Implants or fat transfer — which is right for me?
Implants give a defined, adjustable increase; fat transfer gives a modest, natural one using your own tissue. Your surgeon advises based on your goals and anatomy.
Will it look and feel natural?
A size and implant chosen to suit your frame looks and feels natural. Over-sized implants are what look and feel “done.”
Do implants last forever?
They are durable but not lifetime devices; they may eventually need review or exchange. Your surgeon explains what to expect.
Can I breastfeed afterwards?
Many women can, though it depends on the technique and your anatomy. Discuss this with your surgeon if it matters to you.
Do I also need a lift?
If your breasts sag, a lift may be recommended alongside augmentation for a well-balanced shape. Your surgeon assesses this.
Where are the scars?
Usually in the breast fold or another discreet location, where they fade over time.
How long do I stay in Turkey?
Usually around 7 days for surgery and initial recovery, confirmed in your plan.
Round or teardrop implants — which is better?
Neither is universally better. Round adds upper-pole fullness; teardrop gives a more sloped, natural profile. Your surgeon recommends based on your frame and goals.
Over or under the muscle?
Under-the-muscle (dual-plane) often suits slimmer patients with less natural cover and lowers visible rippling; over-the-muscle can suit those with more tissue. It is decided on your anatomy.
Silicone or saline?
Modern cohesive silicone (“gummy bear”) feels closest to natural tissue and is most common; saline is an option some prefer. Both are discussed at assessment.
What is capsular contracture?
Scar tissue naturally forms around any implant; occasionally it tightens and firms the breast. It is uncommon, treatable, and part of honest consent.
Is breast implant illness (BII) real?
Some women report symptoms they link to their implants. Research is ongoing; we take it seriously, discuss it openly, and support removal if you ever wish it.
Are the before-and-after photos real?
We show only genuine, consented results. Learn what to check in our honest before & after guide.
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Considering breast augmentation?
Message us on WhatsApp for a free, honest assessment and an all-inclusive quote. See also breast lift and plastic surgery in Turkey.