Breast augmentation

Understanding breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the world, sitting at the top of the ISAPS global figures year after year. Behind that ranking are women with very different lives, each with her own story and her own reasons.

Those reasons vary a great deal: breasts felt to be too small (breast hypoplasia), a loss of volume after pregnancy or breastfeeding, a noticeable difference between the two breasts, or the wish to rebalance the figure after major weight loss. Which technique fits, breast implants or fat transfer to the breast, comes down to your build, what you’re hoping for and your surgeon’s opinion.

At Body Expert, the plastic surgeons at our partner clinic take the time to look at each case on its own terms. The aim never changes: a natural result, in keeping with your figure, that holds up over the years. To see our packages in Istanbul, have a look at our page on breast augmentation in Turkey.

Everything about breast augmentation

Breast implants: types and choices

The implant you pick weighs heavily on the final result. These days, the vast majority of implants are filled with cohesive silicone gel: this gel feels very close to natural breast tissue and, if the shell tears, it stays put rather than spreading.

Implants also differ in shape. Round ones give a fuller upper breast, with a slight push-up effect. Anatomical, teardrop-shaped implants follow the natural curve of the breast and suit women after a discreet look. The implant’s profile (low, moderate, high or extra-high) sets the projection, matched to the shape of your chest.

Then there’s the surface of the shell, smooth or textured. Textured implants were long used to limit contracture, but macrotextured models have been pulled from the market over a link to a rare lymphoma (more on that below). Most procedures now use smooth-surface implants.

Incisions and placement

To slide the implant in, the surgeon has a choice of approaches, meaning a choice of incision routes:

• The inframammary incision, in the natural fold under the breast: the most common, with direct access and a well-hidden scar.
• The areolar incision runs around the areola and uses the change in skin colour to disguise the mark.
• The armpit (axillary) incision keeps the scar away from the breast but calls for a particular technique.

Where the implant sits matters just as much:

• Behind the muscle (submuscular), the implant is better camouflaged, which helps slimmer women.
• In front of the muscle (subglandular), recovery is often quicker and there’s less discomfort.
• The dual plane blends the two: the top of the implant under the muscle, the bottom under the gland.

Fat transfer to the breast: a natural alternative

Fat transfer to the breast is the fully natural option for a modest increase, typically about one cup size per session. The idea: take fat by liposuction where there’s too much of it (tummy, thighs, hips), purify it, then reinject it into the breasts.

Its big draw is the complete absence of any foreign material, for a very natural feel. In return, you need a bit of fat to harvest, and some of the graft is reabsorbed in the first few months (often around a third), so a second session is sometimes needed to reach the volume you’re after. On the cancer front, recent data is reassuring: fat transfer does not raise the risk of breast cancer.

Results, scars and how things change

Straight after surgery, the breasts look swollen and ride high on the chest while the swelling goes down. Over the weeks, the implants drop and find their place. The final result is usually there to see between the 3rd and 6th month, once the tissues have softened.

The scars follow the same path: pink and slightly raised at first, they fade to become almost invisible after 12 to 18 months. Massage with a healing cream and strict sun protection in the first year make a real difference to how they end up.

On longevity, an implant isn’t a lifetime device: there is no automatic replacement at ten years. The rupture rate for gel implants sits between 8 and 15% at 10 years in FDA Core follow-up studies, then climbs with time. Regular ultrasound or MRI checks keep an eye on implant integrity, and today’s cohesive-gel implants come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Possible risks and complications

Like any surgery, breast augmentation carries risks, even if serious complications stay rare with an experienced surgeon. The most common is capsular contracture, the hardening of the tissue shell that forms around the implant: it affects around one woman in ten at ten years and, in its marked forms (Baker grades III and IV), can call for a revision.

After that come haematoma, infection (treated with antibiotics), movement or rotation of the implant, and a temporary drop in nipple sensation. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is, for its part, an extremely rare complication: regulators have established a link with certain textured implants and withdrawn macrotextured models from the market, under closer monitoring. Good news on the motherhood side: breast augmentation is compatible with breastfeeding, since today’s techniques protect the gland and the milk ducts.

Contraindications and precautions

A few situations mean putting off or ruling out surgery: a current pregnancy or breastfeeding, an active infection, clotting disorders or blood-thinning treatment that can’t be paused, and certain autoimmune conditions. Smoking, for its part, weakens healing: it has to stop a month before and a month after the operation, no exceptions.

A full breast check (mammogram and ultrasound) is done beforehand as a matter of course, to rule out anything unusual and to serve as a baseline for follow-up.

Why choose Body Expert for your breast augmentation

Our clinic, in central Istanbul, runs on modern equipment and operating theatres built to international standards. Our plastic surgeons carry out several hundred breast augmentations a year, with results our patients regularly praise.

With Body Expert, everything is organised for you: a 5-star hotel, VIP transfers, English-speaking support and 12 months of post-operative follow-up. Your dedicated assistant stays by your side from your first message to full healing. To compare the packages on offer, take a look at our page on breast augmentation in Turkey.

In summary

Breast augmentation brings volume and balance back to the bust, with two main routes depending on your build and your wishes: silicone implants, for a predictable gain in volume, or fat transfer, which reinjects your own fat for a softer finish. A breast lift can be added if the skin has loosened. Either way, the goal stays a natural result, in keeping with your figure, one you can fully appreciate between the 3rd and 6th month.

Done well by an experienced plastic surgeon, the operation is reliable and its aftermath is usually straightforward: a few days’ rest, a support bra for a month or so, then a gradual return to normal life. Risks exist, as with any surgery, but they stay well managed and are explained to you openly before you decide.

That’s exactly where Body Expert makes the difference: surgeons who specialise in breast surgery, partner clinics in Istanbul selected for their facilities and their teams’ experience, English-speaking support from the first exchange through to healing, and up to 70% savings on UK prices. Choosing where and by whom to have breast surgery is a big decision, and you deserve to see it clearly. Fancy an honest opinion on your plans? Ask for your free quote within 24 hours: you’ll get a personalised treatment plan, with no obligation.

Sources and references

1. International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (2024). ISAPS global survey on aesthetic/cosmetic procedures. https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/
2. 2. Hua, S., & Xu, H. (2024). Volume retention rate after breast autogenous fat grafting and related influencing factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 89, 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2023.12.003
3. Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM). (2024). Les implants mammaires : informations générales. https://ansm.sante.fr/dossiers-thematiques/dispositifs-de-surveillance-des-implants-mammaires/les-implants-mammaires-informations-generales
4. Valente, D. S., Bins-Ely, P., Kieling, L., Konzen, A. T., Steffen, L. P., Lazzaretti, G. S., & Zanella, R. K. (2024). Breast fat grafting and cancer: a systematic review of the science behind enhancements and concerns. Translational Breast Cancer Research, 5, 14. https://tbcr.amegroups.org/article/view/85711/html