What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to increase breast volume, improve breast contour, and address selected differences in breast size or symmetry.
One of the most commonly used methods is augmentation with breast implants. In selected patients, fat transfer to the breasts may also be considered as an alternative or complementary option when a more limited increase in volume is desired.
Permanent injectable fillers should not be considered equivalent to standard breast augmentation surgery. Any injectable material used in the breast area requires separate assessment regarding regulatory approval, safety profile, and long-term outcomes.
Breast augmentation may be considered not only in individuals with naturally small breasts but also in patients who experience volume changes after:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Significant weight loss
- Aging
- Changes in body composition
The procedure may also help address selected breast asymmetries.
For patients researching breast augmentation in Turkey, surgical planning should focus on individual breast anatomy and body proportions rather than selecting an implant according to cup size alone.
Breast implants may also be used in reconstructive surgery after cancer or trauma. However, breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation are different surgical pathways and require different planning based on medical history, previous treatments, tissue availability, and reconstructive goals.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation may be considered for adults whose general health is suitable for elective surgery and who wish to change breast volume or shape.
Potential candidates may include:
- Individuals with naturally small breasts
- Patients with noticeable volume differences between the breasts
- Women who have experienced volume loss after pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Individuals with reduced breast fullness after significant weight loss
- Patients with age-related changes in breast volume
- Individuals seeking greater upper-pole fullness
- Selected patients requiring breast reconstruction
Candidacy should also consider:
- General health
- Completion of breast development
- Weight stability
- Smoking and nicotine use
- Existing breast tissue
- Future pregnancy plans
- Realistic expectations
Age-related implant regulations may vary depending on the country and implant type. Therefore, a universal statement that every person over 18 is automatically an appropriate implant candidate would not be accurate.
Patients considering breast augmentation in Istanbul should undergo an individualized medical and anatomical evaluation before choosing an implant.
How Is Breast Anatomy Evaluated Before Augmentation?
Breast augmentation planning involves more than selecting an implant volume.
The surgeon may evaluate:
- Chest width
- Breast base diameter
- Existing breast tissue thickness
- Nipple position
- Inframammary fold
- Skin elasticity
- Breast asymmetry
- Presence and degree of breast ptosis
- Upper-pole fullness
- Shoulder, waist, and torso proportions
These factors influence implant size, shape, profile, placement, and incision selection.
In some patients, an implant alone may provide the desired result. In patients with significant breast sagging, breast augmentation and breast lift surgery may need to be evaluated together.
An implant alone should not be expected to correct every degree of breast ptosis.
Preparation Before Breast Augmentation Surgery
A detailed assessment of general health and breast anatomy is important before surgery.
Medical Evaluation
Patients should inform their surgeon about:
- Current medications
- Chronic medical conditions
- Allergies
- Previous operations
- Previous breast procedures
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding history
- Family or personal history of breast disease
- Smoking and nicotine use
- Previous wound-healing problems
Depending on age and individual risk factors, breast ultrasound, mammography, or other imaging studies may be recommended before surgery.
Smoking and Nicotine
Smoking and nicotine may negatively affect circulation and wound healing.
Patients may therefore be advised to stop nicotine use for a period before and after breast augmentation.
Instead of applying the same fixed two-week rule to every patient, the recommended period should be determined according to medical history, surgical technique, and individual risk factors.
Medications and Supplements
Medications and supplements that may influence bleeding should be reviewed before surgery.
Blood thinners and other prescription medications should not be discontinued without medical guidance.
Any necessary adjustment should be coordinated with the relevant physician.
Choosing a Breast Implant
Implant selection is not based solely on the desired breast size.
The surgeon evaluates:
- Implant volume
- Implant base width
- Projection or profile
- Implant shape
- Implant filling
- Surface characteristics
- Chest width
- Existing breast tissue
- Skin quality
- Desired breast contour
The objective is to select an implant that fits the patient’s anatomy rather than forcing the anatomy to accommodate an unsuitable implant.
Round vs Anatomical Breast Implants
One important decision in breast augmentation surgery is implant shape.
Neither round nor anatomical implants are universally better.
Round Breast Implants
Round breast implants are available in different widths, volumes, and profiles.
Depending on the selected implant and patient anatomy, they may:
- Increase upper-pole fullness
- Provide different degrees of projection
- Be used across a range of breast and chest-wall dimensions
Because the implant is symmetrical around its central axis, rotation does not generally create the same orientation-related shape change seen with anatomical implants.
However, round implants do not automatically create an artificial appearance.
The final breast contour also depends on:
- Implant volume
- Implant profile
- Placement plane
- Thickness of existing breast tissue
- Skin characteristics
Anatomical or Teardrop Breast Implants
Anatomical implants, also called teardrop-shaped implants, are designed with different upper and lower pole dimensions.
They may be considered in selected patients depending on existing tissue, chest anatomy, and desired breast contour.
Because anatomical implants have a defined orientation, rotation may alter breast shape.
The choice between round and anatomical implants should therefore be based on anatomy and surgical goals rather than the assumption that one shape always looks more natural.
Types of Breast Implants According to Filling
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants contain silicone gel within an outer silicone shell.
Different implants may vary in:
- Gel characteristics
- Volume
- Projection
- Shape
- Surface characteristics
Silicone implant rupture may not always produce obvious external symptoms.
For this reason, long-term implant surveillance may be recommended according to implant type, regulatory guidance, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Ultrasound and MRI may be used when implant integrity needs to be evaluated.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants contain sterile saltwater inside a silicone outer shell.
If rupture occurs, the saline can be absorbed by the body and a loss of implant volume is generally more noticeable.
Saline and silicone implants have different advantages, limitations, and indications.
The most appropriate option depends on available implant systems, anatomy, expectations, and the surgeon’s assessment.
Breast Implant Placement: Over or Under the Muscle
Implant placement is another major component of breast augmentation planning.
It is not accurate to state that under-the-muscle placement always looks natural and over-the-muscle placement always looks artificial.
Subglandular Placement
With subglandular implant placement, the implant is positioned beneath the breast tissue and above the pectoral muscle.
This approach may be considered in patients who have sufficient breast tissue and suitable soft-tissue coverage.
Potential considerations include:
- Less direct involvement of the pectoral muscle
- A different early recovery profile in selected patients
- Greater risk of implant visibility or rippling when tissue coverage is limited
Submuscular Placement
Submuscular placement refers to techniques in which at least part of the implant is positioned beneath the pectoral muscle.
In patients with thinner breast tissue, this may provide additional soft-tissue coverage over the upper portion of the implant.
However, muscle movement may interact with the implant, and recovery characteristics may differ from subglandular placement.
Dual-Plane Breast Augmentation
Dual-plane breast augmentation combines elements of different anatomical planes.
It may be considered according to:
- Breast tissue thickness
- Degree of ptosis
- Inframammary fold position
- Implant characteristics
- Desired breast contour
The appropriate implant plane depends on the patient’s anatomy rather than a universal preference for one technique.
How Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia.
The duration varies depending on:
- Surgical technique
- Implant placement
- Breast asymmetry
- Previous breast surgery
- Whether additional procedures are performed
For this reason, a fixed operating time of 90 minutes or two hours should not be applied to every patient.
During surgery, the surgeon generally:
- Creates the planned incision
- Develops the implant pocket
- Controls bleeding
- Inserts the selected implant
- Assesses implant position and breast symmetry
- Closes the incisions
Incision Options for Breast Augmentation
Different incision approaches may be used.
Inframammary Incision
An inframammary incision is positioned along or near the breast fold.
It provides direct access to the implant pocket and may allow controlled implant positioning.
Periareolar Incision
A periareolar incision is positioned along part of the border of the areola.
It is not suitable for every patient.
Areola size, breast anatomy, future breastfeeding considerations, implant characteristics, and surgical requirements should be evaluated.
Transaxillary Incision
A transaxillary incision is made through the underarm.
This approach may be considered in selected patients.
The incision length varies according to the implant and surgical technique, so stating that all breast augmentation incisions are three to four centimeters would not be accurate.
Are Drains Used After Breast Augmentation?
Drains are not required in every breast augmentation procedure.
The surgeon may decide whether to use a drain depending on:
- Intraoperative bleeding
- Surgical technique
- Implant pocket
- Combined procedures
- Individual patient factors
When drains are used, removal timing depends on clinical assessment and drainage rather than a fixed postoperative day.
Recovery After Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation recovery varies according to implant placement, implant size, surgical technique, and individual healing characteristics.
First Days After Surgery
Patients may experience:
- Tightness
- Pressure
- Breast tenderness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Temporary sensory changes
When the pectoral muscle is involved in the surgical plan, movement of the chest muscles may produce more discomfort during early recovery.
Hospital Stay
Many breast augmentation procedures can be performed as outpatient surgery.
However, an overnight hospital stay may be considered depending on:
- Recovery from anesthesia
- Extent of surgery
- Additional procedures
- General health
- Surgeon and facility protocols
Return to Work and Daily Activities
Some patients with desk-based or light occupations may return to work within several days to approximately one week.
More physically demanding jobs may require additional recovery time.
Feeling well enough to return to work does not mean that internal healing is complete.
Exercise and Heavy Activity
During early recovery, patients may be advised to restrict:
- Heavy lifting
- Intense chest exercises
- High-impact sports
- Activities that may cause trauma to the breasts
Return to full exercise should be gradual and based on postoperative assessment.
When Do Breast Implants Settle?
Immediately after surgery, the breasts or implants may appear:
- Higher
- Firmer
- Tighter
- Mildly asymmetric
As swelling decreases and tissues adapt, the breast contour gradually changes.
Implants may take several weeks or months to settle into a more stable position.
The early postoperative appearance should therefore not be considered the final result.
Postoperative Care After Breast Augmentation
Supportive Bra
A medical or supportive bra may be recommended according to the surgical plan.
The type of bra and duration of use depend on implant position, surgical technique, and healing.
Sleeping Position
During early recovery, sleeping on the back with the upper body slightly elevated may be recommended.
The timing for returning to side or stomach sleeping should be determined according to the surgeon’s advice.
It is not accurate to state that sleeping on the side will automatically cause implant displacement.
Incision Care
Incisions should be cared for according to the postoperative protocol.
Patients should contact their medical team if they experience symptoms such as:
- Increasing redness
- Unexpected drainage
- Fever
- Significant swelling
- Sudden breast asymmetry
- Severe or increasing pain
Follow-Up Appointments
Breast implants require both early postoperative and long-term follow-up.
Patients should continue routine breast health screening and attend implant-related follow-up according to the implant type and medical recommendations.
Are Breast Implants Lifetime Devices?
Breast implants should not be considered lifetime devices.
This does not mean they must automatically be replaced after a specific number of years.
Implant replacement or removal may become necessary because of:
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture
- Implant displacement
- Changes in aesthetic preferences
- Changes in natural breast tissue
- Pregnancy
- Weight changes
- Implant-specific complications
The longer a patient has breast implants, the greater the possibility that additional implant-related surgery may eventually be required.
For patients considering breast implants in Turkey, long-term follow-up requirements should be discussed before surgery, not only the initial aesthetic result.
What Are the Risks of Breast Augmentation?
As with all surgical procedures, breast augmentation has potential risks and complications.
Possible general and implant-specific risks include:
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Delayed wound healing
- Unfavorable scarring
- Temporary or permanent sensory changes
- Breast asymmetry
- Implant malposition
- Visible or palpable implant edges
- Rippling
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture
- Seroma
- Persistent pain
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome
- Need for revision or additional surgery
- Anesthesia-related complications
Certain rare conditions have also been associated with the capsule surrounding breast implants.
Patients should receive information about implant-specific safety issues, including conditions such as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and other rare capsule-associated malignancies that have been reported.
Individual risk may vary according to implant characteristics and other factors.
Capsular Contracture
The body normally forms a capsule of scar tissue around a breast implant.
In some patients, this capsule may become abnormally firm or tight.
This is known as capsular contracture.
Depending on severity, it may cause:
- Breast firmness
- Shape distortion
- Implant displacement
- Discomfort or pain
More significant cases may require additional surgery.
Implant Rupture
Breast implants may rupture over time.
The clinical presentation depends partly on the implant filling.
Saline implant rupture usually produces a noticeable decrease in breast volume.
Silicone implant rupture may be more difficult to identify without imaging.
Silicone Breast Implant Surveillance
Silicone gel implant rupture can occasionally occur without obvious symptoms.
For this reason, implant integrity may be evaluated through imaging according to implant type, regulatory recommendations, symptoms, and physician assessment.
Patients should understand that implant surveillance does not replace routine breast cancer screening.
Both aspects of breast health need to be managed independently according to age and individual risk factors.
Breast Augmentation and Breastfeeding
Many people with breast implants are able to breastfeed after surgery.
However, breastfeeding ability cannot be guaranteed after breast augmentation.
The effect of surgery may depend on:
- Incision location
- Surgical technique
- Existing breast anatomy
- Effects on milk ducts or nerves
- Preoperative breastfeeding capacity
Certain periareolar approaches may have a greater potential to affect structures involved in breastfeeding.
Submuscular placement does not automatically guarantee preservation of milk production.
Patients who plan future pregnancies and breastfeeding should discuss these considerations before surgery.
Breast Implants and Mammography
People with breast implants should continue routine breast health screening according to their age and individual risk profile.
Implants may make visualization of some areas of natural breast tissue more challenging during mammography.
For this reason, patients should inform the mammography or radiology team that they have breast implants before imaging.
Additional mammographic views or implant-displacement techniques may be used to improve visualization of breast tissue.
Depending on the clinical situation, additional imaging may include:
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Other breast imaging methods
Implant integrity imaging and breast cancer screening serve different purposes and one does not replace the other.
Breast Implants and Pregnancy
Having breast implants does not automatically prevent pregnancy.
However, hormonal and anatomical changes during pregnancy can affect natural breast tissue.
These changes may alter:
- Breast volume
- Skin elasticity
- Nipple position
- Breast shape
The changes occur primarily in the natural breast tissues surrounding the implant.
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, some patients may experience volume loss or breast sagging.
At that stage, possible options may include:
- Observation alone
- Breast lift
- Implant exchange
- Implant removal
- Breast lift combined with implant revision
Not every patient needs additional surgery after pregnancy.
Breast Augmentation in Turkey and Istanbul: Personalized Implant Planning
Patients considering breast augmentation in Turkey, breast augmentation in Türkiye, or silicone breast implants in Istanbul may have very different chest dimensions, breast tissue characteristics, and aesthetic expectations.
There is no universally ideal breast implant.
Surgical planning should consider:
- Chest width
- Breast base diameter
- Natural breast volume
- Skin quality
- Degree of breast sagging
- Nipple position
- Breast asymmetry
- Implant shape
- Implant profile
- Implant volume
- Implant surface characteristics
- Implant placement
- Physical activity level
- Future pregnancy plans
- Patient expectations
- General health
Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu evaluates existing breast tissue, chest anatomy, skin characteristics, breast base dimensions, symmetry, and desired volume when planning breast augmentation.
The objective is not to use the largest implant possible, but to select an implant and surgical approach that remain compatible with the patient’s anatomy and body proportions.
Why Choose MD Aesthetics and Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu?
At MD Aesthetics, breast augmentation planning begins with an individualized assessment of breast anatomy, chest-wall structure, skin and breast tissue characteristics, asymmetry, medical history, and aesthetic expectations.
Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu evaluates implant shape, volume, profile, and placement according to each patient’s anatomy rather than applying one standardized implant choice to every patient.
Whether breast lift surgery or another complementary approach is required is also assessed separately.
The treatment process includes preoperative assessment, personalized surgical planning, early postoperative care, and long-term follow-up.
Before deciding on breast augmentation in Istanbul, patients should understand that breast implants are not lifetime devices and may require future monitoring, imaging, implant revision, replacement, or removal.
Expected results, scars, recovery, breastfeeding considerations, long-term follow-up, implant-specific risks, and alternative treatment options should all be discussed during the medical consultation.
A breast assessment considers tissue position and the degree of sagging as well as volume. Learn about Breast Lift for sagging and Breast Reduction for excess breast volume on the relevant pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to increase breast volume and improve the appearance of the breasts by placing implants beneath the breast tissue or, in suitable cases, using techniques such as fat transfer. Treatment planning is carried out following a medical evaluation, taking into account each patient's individual facial and body proportions.
Breast augmentation surgery may be considered for individuals who are dissatisfied with their breast volume and whose general health is suitable for surgery. Suitability is determined through a medical examination, considering the patient's expectations, the condition of the breast tissue, and overall health criteria.
Mild swelling, tenderness, and discomfort may occur after breast augmentation surgery. These effects generally begin to decrease within the first few days. Wearing a special supportive bra may be recommended, while the time required to return to daily activities varies from person to person. The entire recovery process is planned and monitored by the physician.
The incisions made during the procedure are typically positioned along the crease beneath the breast or around the areola, with the aim of making scars less noticeable over time. The surgical technique is designed to minimize the visibility of scars as much as possible.
Breast augmentation surgery provides long-lasting results. However, the natural aging process, weight changes, and hormonal fluctuations may affect the appearance of the breasts over time. The lifespan of breast implants also depends on individual factors, making regular medical follow-up important.
Other Services
Related Blog Posts
Kliniğimizde olan en son gelişmeleri ve yenilikleri buradan takip edebilirsiniz. Güncel haberler ve duyurular için bizi izlemeye devam edin.