Frequently asked questions

The cost depends on the technique (implant, DIEP or latissimus dorsi flap), the number of stages, one or both sides, and the length of hospital stay. Because these vary so much, a personal quote is prepared after your reports and photographs have been reviewed online.

Safety depends on the surgeon’s training, the hospital and careful planning rather than the country. Reconstruction in Istanbul is planned and performed by a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, with your oncology history reviewed before any plan is made.

Most implant-based procedures need about 7–10 days in Istanbul, and microsurgical flap reconstruction such as DIEP about 14 days. Smaller procedures like fat grafting or nipple reconstruction usually need 3–7 days.

Yes. There is no time limit. Delayed reconstruction is possible months or many years after mastectomy, usually with your own tissue or with a tissue expander followed by an implant.

Yes. Reconstruction is usually planned 6–12 months after radiotherapy, once the skin has recovered. Own-tissue techniques such as the DIEP flap are often preferred because they bring healthy, well-supplied tissue to the irradiated area.

Neither is better for everyone. Implants mean a shorter operation and recovery; a DIEP flap gives a soft, natural breast that ages with you and is often preferred after radiotherapy. The choice depends on your body, your treatment history and your preferences.

Most women return to desk work 2–3 weeks after implant reconstruction and 4–6 weeks after DIEP flap surgery. Strenuous exercise is usually resumed after about 6 weeks.

Sensation in a reconstructed breast is usually reduced. Some feeling often returns gradually over months, particularly with own-tissue reconstruction; nerve reconnection can be considered in selected flap operations.

Reconstruction does not prevent the detection of recurrence. Your oncology team continues routine follow-up, and the type of reconstruction is documented so that imaging can be interpreted correctly.

Yes. Both sides can be reconstructed in one operation, for example after bilateral or preventive (BRCA) mastectomy, with implants or with tissue from the abdomen divided between the two sides.

Most reconstructions involve one main operation and one or two shorter refinement procedures, such as symmetry surgery, fat grafting or nipple reconstruction, spaced a few months apart.

Yes. Immediate reconstruction is performed in the same operation as the mastectomy, often preserving the breast skin and sometimes the nipple, when your breast surgeon and oncology team agree it is appropriate.

Look for a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with experience in both implant and microsurgical techniques, clear information about the plan and stay, and a direct line of communication before and after surgery.

Most patients fly home once wounds and drains have been checked: usually 7–10 days after implant procedures and about 2 weeks after flap reconstruction. Compression stockings and walking during the flight are recommended.

Your pathology report, treatment summary (including chemotherapy and radiotherapy dates), recent imaging and front and side photographs of the chest. These allow a preliminary plan before you travel.

The cost depends on the technique (implant, DIEP or latissimus dorsi flap), the number of stages, one or both sides, and the length of hospital stay. Because these vary so much, a personal quote is prepared after your reports and photographs have been reviewed online.

Safety depends on the surgeon’s training, the hospital and careful planning rather than the country. Reconstruction in Istanbul is planned and performed by a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, with your oncology history reviewed before any plan is made.

Yes. There is no time limit. Delayed reconstruction is possible months or many years after mastectomy, usually with your own tissue or with a tissue expander followed by an implant.

No. Share your treatment history and what you hope to achieve. Your case is assessed individually and the suitable options are explained to you.

Yes. Medical reports and photographs can be sent securely for an initial review, so that you receive a preliminary plan before making travel arrangements.

It depends on the procedure: roughly 7–10 days for many implant-based procedures and around two weeks for microsurgical flap reconstruction such as the DIEP flap.

Consultations and coordination are available in English and Turkish. Interpreting support for other languages can be arranged on request.

Your pathology report, a summary of your cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy dates), current medication, any relevant imaging, and photographs of the chest from the front and both sides.

Flight timing depends on the procedure and your recovery. As a general guide, around 7–10 days after implant-based procedures and about two weeks after microsurgical flap reconstruction.

It is strongly recommended to travel with a companion, particularly for larger procedures, so that you have support during the first days of recovery.

Follow-up continues through scheduled photo and video check-ins. We also encourage you to keep your local doctor informed and can provide a written summary of your surgery.

Costs depend on the technique, the number of stages and the hospital stay. After an online review of your reports and photographs, you receive a personal plan and quote before you make any travel arrangements.

There is no fixed age limit. Suitability depends on your general health, previous treatment and the technique planned, rather than on age alone.

Yes. Reconstruction can be considered months or many years after mastectomy. Previous radiotherapy and the condition of the chest skin are evaluated carefully to recommend suitable techniques.

Neither is better for everyone. Implant reconstruction involves a shorter first operation, while own-tissue reconstruction often gives a softer, more natural feel and is frequently preferred after radiotherapy. The choice depends on your anatomy, treatment history and priorities.

Most reconstructions involve one main operation followed by one or two smaller refinement procedures, such as symmetry surgery or nipple reconstruction. The exact number depends on the technique and on how your body heals.

Reconstruction does not generally hinder the detection of recurrence. Follow-up imaging is planned with your oncology team according to the type of reconstruction.

There is no upper time limit. After radiotherapy, waiting until the skin has settled — commonly six to twelve months — is usually advised, but the timing is planned individually.

Yes, in most cases. Irradiated skin behaves differently, so own-tissue techniques are often considered. See our page on reconstruction after radiotherapy.

Sensation is usually reduced after mastectomy. Some return of feeling may occur over time, particularly with own-tissue reconstruction, but this varies between patients.

The cost depends on whether a tissue expander is needed, the type of implant and whether one or both sides are reconstructed. A personal quote follows the online assessment.

Implants are not lifetime devices. Many last well over ten years, but further surgery may be needed at some point, so regular check-ups are recommended.

Implants do not have a fixed expiry date, but they are not lifetime devices. Many last ten years or longer; replacement is considered if there is rupture, contracture or a change in shape.

Most patients feel tightness or pressure for a day or two after each fill, which is usually manageable with simple pain relief.

Yes. Fat grafting is frequently used to improve soft-tissue coverage, soften edges and reduce visible rippling.

Many women are, but suitability depends on the amount of available tissue, previous surgery, general health and smoking status. Photographs and medical history allow an initial assessment before travel.

Yes. The donor-site scar is planned to sit within the underwear or bra line where possible.

Yes. A latissimus dorsi flap, for example, is often combined with an implant to provide both coverage and volume.

The cost reflects a longer microsurgical operation, 3–5 nights in hospital and close monitoring. A personal quote is prepared after your CT angiography or imaging and photographs have been reviewed.

Discomfort is usually greatest in the abdomen during the first days and is controlled with regular pain relief. Because the abdominal muscles are preserved, pain is typically less than after older muscle-sacrificing techniques.

A unilateral DIEP flap commonly takes several hours; bilateral reconstruction takes longer. The exact duration depends on vessel anatomy and whether other procedures are combined.

Around two weeks is generally recommended so that the early recovery and wound checks can be completed before your flight home.

The abdominal closure is similar to a tummy tuck, and many patients notice a flatter lower abdomen, but the aim of the operation is breast reconstruction.

Most patients do not notice a significant difference in everyday activities, as other muscles compensate. Some reduction may be felt in specific strenuous movements.

Yes. It is a common option for revising implant reconstructions affected by thin tissue, exposure or radiotherapy-related contracture.

When performed with appropriate patient selection and coordination with the oncology team, oncoplastic surgery is considered oncologically safe and may allow wider tumour excision while preserving shape.

Sometimes. A reduction or lift of the opposite breast may be offered — at the same time or later — to improve symmetry.

Not necessarily. Many women have successful reconstruction many years later. Your scar, skin quality and donor tissue are assessed to suggest suitable techniques.

It is advisable to have confirmation that active treatment is complete and that there are no contraindications. We will ask for your recent follow-up reports.

Sometimes, but complication rates are higher. Your skin quality is examined and alternatives such as own-tissue reconstruction or combined techniques are discussed.

Commonly six to twelve months, so that acute skin changes have settled. The timing is decided individually.

Yes. Previous operative notes, implant cards and imaging help plan the revision. Photographs allow a first assessment before travel.

Usually at least three to six months after the previous operation, once swelling has resolved and tissues have softened.

Reconstructed breast skin often has reduced sensation, so most patients experience little discomfort. Local anaesthesia is used.

Yes. A 3D areola and nipple tattoo is a non-surgical alternative that many women choose.

It depends on the goal. Minor contour corrections may need one session, while larger volume changes may require two or three, spaced several months apart.

In selected patients, staged fat grafting with external or internal expansion can achieve reconstruction, but it usually requires several sessions.

No. Augmentation adds volume to a normally shaped breast. Tuberous breast correction releases the constricted base, lowers the fold and reshapes the areola — an implant or fat may be added as part of the reconstruction.

Usually once breast development is complete, typically from the late teens. Adults of any age can be treated.

Mild cases often need one operation. Poland syndrome and severe asymmetry are frequently corrected in stages.

In mild cases with small volume needs, release of the base combined with fat grafting can be enough. Larger corrections usually include an implant.

The main incision is placed around the edge of the areola, where it usually becomes discreet over time.

Yes. In men, reconstruction focuses on restoring the chest contour, often with a custom implant or muscle transfer.

Mild cases may need one operation; more pronounced cases are usually treated in two or three stages.

Yes. Slight differences are common. Correction is considered when the difference is clearly visible or affects clothing and confidence.

Usually yes — enlarging one side and lifting or reducing the other are often combined.

In risk-reducing surgery the nipples can often be preserved, depending on breast size, shape and your breast surgeon’s recommendation.

No. Reconstruction rebuilds the shape after the breast tissue has been removed; the risk reduction comes from the mastectomy itself.

Often, yes. A lift is frequently combined with an implant, and reconstruction on one side is often combined with symmetry surgery on the other. Whether combining is safe is decided individually.

Send front and side photographs with a short description of what bothers you. Dr. Fatih Kılıç reviews them and explains the options that suit your anatomy.

Depending on your age and history, up-to-date breast imaging is requested before most breast operations.

The cost depends on the implant brand and type, the hospital stay and whether a lift is also needed. A personal quote is given after your photographs and measurements have been reviewed.

Most patients can fly about 5–7 days after breast augmentation, once the wounds have been checked.

There is no fixed expiry date. Many implants remain in place for well over ten years, but further surgery may be needed at some point. Regular check-ups help detect problems early.

Most women can, particularly when the incision is placed in the breast fold and the implant is placed beneath the gland or muscle.

The width of your chest and breast, the quality of your skin and your wishes are combined. Trying sizers during the consultation helps visualise the result.

The cost depends on the number of donor areas, the volume transferred and whether more than one session is planned. A personal quote follows the online assessment.

Yes. Experienced radiologists can distinguish fat-grafting changes from other findings. Always tell them that you have had fat transfer.

Many women are satisfied after one session. For a larger change, a second session can be planned about six months later.

If there is not enough fat to harvest, an implant or a combination of implant and fat is usually more suitable.

The cost depends on the incision pattern, whether an implant is added and the hospital stay. A personal quote follows the review of your photographs.

If the main problem is sagging and the nipple lies at or below the breast fold, a lift is needed. If the breasts are firm but small, augmentation alone may be enough. Many women benefit from both.

The result is long-lasting, but the breasts continue to age and can change with pregnancy or weight changes. A stable weight helps preserve the result.

If further pregnancies are planned, it is often better to wait, because pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch the breast again.

A lift removes skin, not volume, so cup size usually stays similar or changes slightly. If you want smaller breasts, a reduction is planned instead.

The cost depends on the amount of tissue removed, the technique and the hospital stay. A personal quote is prepared after your photographs and symptoms have been reviewed.

Yes, around the areola and usually down to the breast fold. Scars are placed where they are covered by a bra or swimsuit and fade gradually over 12–18 months.

The amount removed is planned according to your body proportions and wishes. Most women aim for a size that is in proportion with their frame and relieves their symptoms.

Significant weight gain, pregnancy or hormonal changes can increase breast volume again, but regrowth is uncommon at a stable weight.

Yes. A one-sided reduction is often performed to correct asymmetry or to match a reconstructed breast.

The cost depends on whether the capsule is removed, whether new implants, a lift or fat transfer are planned and the hospital stay. A quote follows the review of your implant details and imaging.

Yes. Implants can be removed permanently, often combined with a lift or fat transfer to restore a natural shape.

Implants that cause no problems do not need routine removal, but regular check-ups are recommended. Removal is always an option if you no longer wish to have them.

Yes. Please send your implant card or operative notes, any recent ultrasound or MRI and photographs, so that the operation can be planned before you travel.

Not always. Whether the capsule is removed, partly or completely, depends on its thickness, the reason for surgery and safety considerations.

Recurrence is possible, especially in grade 3 inversion, but is reduced by supporting the nipple from beneath during surgery.

When the ducts are preserved, breastfeeding is often still possible. If ducts must be released, the ability to breastfeed may be reduced.

Yes. It is often part of a breast lift, reduction or tuberous breast correction.

The cost depends on whether liposuction alone or gland excision and skin removal are needed. A personal quote follows the review of your chest photographs.

Light cardio is usually possible after 2 weeks, and chest and upper-body training after about 4–6 weeks.

Once the gland has been removed, recurrence is uncommon. Significant weight gain, steroid use or certain medications can cause new enlargement.

The incisions are small and placed at the border of the areola and in natural creases, where they usually become discreet.

Pubertal gynecomastia often resolves on its own, so surgery is usually considered only if it persists after puberty.

It is usually harmless, but it can develop the same conditions as normal breast tissue, so it is included in breast check-ups.

Yes. It is often combined with breast reduction, lift or augmentation.