Breast Augmentation — volume, shape, and proportion
Breast augmentation using silicone implants, planned around breast base width, tissue characteristics, implant profile, and overall proportion. The aim is not simply more volume, but a result that sits coherently within the patient's frame.
Anesthesia
General
Duration
1–2 hours
Hospital
1 night
Work
2–3 weeks
Driving
4 weeks
Sport
6 weeks
The aim is not simply more volume, but proportion that fits the frame.
Dr. Serkan Kaya · Dual Plane · Inframammary
Dual Plane
Breast Augmentation
Volume planned for your frame
Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures worldwide — and one of the easiest to oversimplify. The goal is not to create the largest possible result. It is to create a result proportionate to the patient's frame, chest wall dimensions, soft tissue envelope, and long-term aesthetic balance.
The most important decisions are made before surgery: implant base width, profile, projection, placement plane, and how the implant will relate to the existing soft tissue envelope. Getting these decisions right is what separates a result that feels coherent from one that does not. Sizing is based on measured anatomy rather than bra-based approximation.
Dual plane placement — why it is often preferred
The two primary placement options are subglandular and dual plane. For most patients, dual plane is preferred because it provides better upper pole coverage, helps the implant sit more naturally across the chest, and allows a more controlled relationship between implant, muscle, and existing breast tissue. In selected patients with adequate soft tissue coverage, subglandular placement may still be appropriate. In the great majority of cases, the incision is placed in the inframammary fold because it offers direct access, reliable pocket control, and a scar that usually remains well concealed.
The procedure
How the procedure is planned and performed
01
Consultation & sizing
Implant selection is based on breast base width, tissue thickness, existing volume, chest wall characteristics, and the degree of change being sought. I do not plan from cup size; I plan from measurements. Implant profile influences projection, while base width determines how the implant will sit on the chest wall and how naturally it can be integrated into the breast footprint.
02
Anesthesia
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes around 1–2 hours. A single overnight hospital stay is standard.
03
Incision & pocket creation
The incision is usually placed in the inframammary fold, where it is generally concealed within the natural crease. The pocket is then created in the chosen plane, most often dual plane, with the upper portion beneath the pectoralis muscle and the lower portion beneath the glandular tissue.
04
Implant insertion & positioning
The selected implant is inserted and positioned with careful attention to symmetry, base width match, and pocket control. Depending on the anatomy and the intended shape, either round or anatomical implants may be used. Implant choice is determined by the clinical picture rather than by trend preference.
05
Closure & recovery
Closure is performed with absorbable sutures, and drains are not routinely required. A supportive bra is worn immediately after surgery and typically continued for 6 weeks. Arm movement above shoulder level is limited during the early period so that the pocket can settle without unnecessary tension.
Indications
Who is breast augmentation right for?
Breast augmentation may be appropriate across a range of anatomical presentations, but not every patient is best served by implants alone. The consultation determines whether augmentation by itself is appropriate, or whether a lift or staged approach would produce a more coherent result.
Naturally small breasts disproportionate to frame
Volume loss after pregnancy or weight loss
Breast asymmetry — different sizes or shapes
Tuberous or constricted breast deformity
Adequate skin envelope — or combined with lift
Stable weight, not planning pregnancy imminently
Recovery
What to expect after surgery
The early period usually involves tightness, pressure, and some restriction of arm movement, particularly with dual plane placement. This is expected and usually manageable. Implants often sit high at first and then settle gradually over the following weeks as the pocket relaxes and the tissues adapt. The more stable early shape is usually clearer by around 3 months, while a more settled result is better judged from around 6 months.
1 night
Hospital stay
2–3 wk
Return to work
6 wk
Bra period
6 months
Final shape
FAQ
Common questions
Modern cohesive silicone gel implants do not have a fixed expiry date, and routine replacement at 10 years is an outdated rule rather than a current standard. Replacement is considered when there is rupture, capsular contracture, meaningful positional change, or a patient-driven reason to revise size or shape. Periodic imaging is recommended to monitor implant integrity over time.
Neither is universally better. Round implants generally provide more upper pole fullness and are not affected by rotation. Anatomical implants create a more gradual slope and may suit selected anatomical situations. The decision depends on existing breast shape, tissue characteristics, chest wall dimensions, and the kind of result that can be achieved without forcing the anatomy.
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant tightens excessively and begins to compress or distort it. Risk is reduced through careful technique, meticulous pocket preparation, minimal implant handling, and appropriate intraoperative precautions. It cannot be eliminated entirely, but with modern implants and sound technique its incidence is relatively low.
When volume loss and significant ptosis are both present, augmentation may need to be combined with mastopexy rather than performed alone. This is more complex than either procedure by itself, with longer scars and a more demanding recovery pattern. Whether the correct answer is a combined operation or a staged sequence depends on the degree of ptosis, tissue quality, and how much change is being asked of the breast envelope.
Most international breast augmentation patients stay 5–7 days in Istanbul. Consultation, pre-operative tests, surgery, and the first follow-up all take place during that period. Before departure, the early recovery plan is reviewed clearly. After returning home, scheduled remote follow-up continues through the initial healing phase.
With dual plane placement, the upper part of the implant is covered by muscle, which usually creates a softer transition and reduces implant visibility or palpability in that area. Soft-tissue coverage still remains part of planning, particularly when choosing implant size, profile, and placement.
Because breast augmentation with implants does not usually involve direct interference with the milk-producing glandular structures, breastfeeding remains possible for the great majority of patients. Future pregnancy-related breast changes and individual variation can still influence the overall experience.