We've compiled the most frequently asked questions about breast surgery for you. You can find the answers to everything you're wondering about breast surgery under these questions. To make it easier for you to find what you're looking for, we've categorized these questions as the most frequently asked before, during, and after surgery. Here are the frequently asked questions about breast surgery:

What You Should Know Before Getting Breast Surgery

1. What Is Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is an aesthetic procedure that women today choose to have according to their own preferences, covering different types such as breast augmentation, reduction, and lift. It's generally performed according to universal standards of beauty, under which breasts that are firm, full, and shapely are considered the general ideal.

2. What Should an Ideal Breast Look Like?

While an ideal breast follows the universal standard of beauty, it also varies according to each person's own preferences and needs. In general, an ideal breast is expected to be firm and full. However, as mentioned, the appearance of an ideal breast can vary based on a person's individual needs and requests.

3. What Causes Breast Sagging?

The two most important causes of breast sagging are age and gravity. It's practically inevitable for some sagging to begin in a woman's breasts as she ages. Gravity is another major factor. To minimize the effect of gravity on breast sagging, a bra should be worn — though choosing the right bra is very important here.

Other causes of breast sagging include gaining and losing weight. After a certain amount of weight gain, the skin of the breast stretches. With weight loss, changes in breast shape can then begin to appear. On the other hand, exercise, which benefits the whole body, is also effective in delaying breast sagging. A sedentary lifestyle is among the factors that can accelerate breast sagging.

4. In Which Situations Is Breast Surgery Performed?

As with many aesthetic procedures, breast surgery can be performed both for a healthy body and for aesthetic appearance. That said, it's generally performed in cases involving concerns about appearance. The most common breast surgery performed for health reasons is mastectomy. Also known as breast removal surgery, this procedure is performed on women who have breast cancer.

5. How Is Breast Surgery Performed?

Breast surgery is divided into several groups. The most commonly performed among these are breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lift surgeries. Different techniques exist for each type of procedure. The technique used in surgery is shaped by the patient's expectations, breast size, and the plastic surgeon's assessment. Breast implants are generally used in augmentation surgeries, or the patient's own body tissue is used instead. However, since the reliability of the second technique is lower, plastic surgeons generally use breast implants. So-called 'natural' breast enlargement methods mentioned on platforms like forums are not medically real.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Aesthetics

6. What Methods Are Used in Breast Surgery?

The methods used in breast surgery vary depending on the type of procedure being performed. There are many methods for achieving the ideal breast shape the patient wants. If breast augmentation is being performed, implants are used in most cases. In breast reduction surgery, excess tissue in the breast is removed during the operation. In breast lift surgery, the breast is repositioned and made firmer. Each type of surgery also has its own different techniques. Although implants are the predominant method used in augmentation surgery, there is also a technique in which tissue taken from the patient's own body is injected into the breast. The area where the incision is made also varies. For example, in breast reduction surgery, there are techniques where only the area around the nipple is cut in a circular pattern, as well as techniques that combine a circular cut around the nipple with an additional vertical incision. This decision is made based on the examinations performed, the patient's wishes, and the surgeon's assessment.

7. Is Non-Surgical Breast Lift Possible?

For breast sagging that occurs for any reason, non-surgical breast lift is not possible.

8. What Is the Breast Surgery Process Like?

The breast surgery process varies depending on the scope and type of surgery being performed. For any woman undergoing a breast lift, augmentation, or reduction procedure, the process begins with finding the most suitable plastic surgeon for her. The first step is an initial consultation and examination with the surgeon. During this examination, the patient's concerns and wishes are heard, and the tests required for surgery are carried out. Afterward, a plan is jointly determined together with your surgeon. Based on this plan, your surgeon will also inform you about what to pay attention to before surgery. You'll also already know from your surgeon what kind of process awaits you after the operation. In addition, your surgeon will explain in detail what you should pay attention to, and during which periods, after the surgery.

How Does the Breast Surgery Process Work?

9. Are Breast Surgeries Painful?

Because of the anesthesia given during surgery, the patient doesn't feel any pain for about 10 to 12 hours. After that, if pain medication isn't used, some soreness may begin to be felt. However, taking the pain medication recommended by your surgeon prevents pain caused by the surgery. As a result, the process proceeds very smoothly for all types of breast surgery. That said, at this point it's essential that you follow your surgeon's advice for both before and after the operation to the letter.

10. How Do You Choose a Surgeon for Breast Surgery?

You can put together a shortlist based on people close to you who have had breast surgery, as well as people who share their surgical experiences online and other available information. You can then do more in-depth research on the surgeons on your list, and even request an initial consultation with them. After all of this, your options will narrow down to a small number. From the surgeons remaining on your list, you can choose the one who gives you the most trustworthy and satisfying answers.

11. How Much Do Breast Surgeries Cost?

Breast surgery prices aren't fixed. The price of breast surgery can vary depending on the type and scope of the procedure being performed. For example, the price of breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lift surgery each differ from one another. In addition, other factors such as the hospital where the surgery takes place, the hospital's location, the number of days spent in hospital, and the surgeon's level of skill also affect breast surgery prices.

Things to Know Before Breast Surgery

The Most Frequently Asked Questions Before Breast Surgery

12. Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Surgery?

The answer to this question varies for each person, depending on their physical characteristics, preferences, and current situation. A woman with medium-sized breasts who is happy with them may still choose to have breast surgery because her breasts lost volume after childbirth. Women who are genetically predisposed to smaller breasts also frequently turn to this option. Since breast sagging can begin with age or after breastfeeding ends, many women in later life also choose to have breast lift surgery. If you feel you fall into one of these or similar categories, it can be said that you're a good candidate for breast surgery.

13. What Tests Are Done Before Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is generally considered suitable for women between the ages of 18 and 45; for women over 45, tests such as a mammogram are also performed.

14. What Are the Types of Breast Implants?

Silicone implants are used as the prosthesis in breast augmentation surgery. Having been used for a long time, silicone implants have evolved considerably and become far more refined. In fact, with today's silicone implants, issues such as implant rupture, gel leakage, or deformation of the implant no longer occur. Silicone implant manufacturers even offer guarantees on this. Silicone implants are also divided into types such as round implants and teardrop-shaped implants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implants

15. Can a Breastfeeding Mother Have Breast Surgery?

'Does getting implants prevent breastfeeding?' is one of the questions frequently asked on this topic. Breast augmentation surgery performed with silicone implants doesn't damage the milk ducts in any way, because the milk glands aren't touched during the operation. However, as with any surgery that requires an incision, anesthesia is administered in breast augmentation surgery with implants, and the same applies to other types of breast surgery. Since anesthesia temporarily affects the composition of breast milk, it isn't medically appropriate for breastfeeding mothers to have breast surgery. In cases that are purely due to health issues, a certain amount of breast milk is expressed and stored in a suitable container beforehand. This amount is calculated based on the estimated time it will take for the effects of the anesthesia to wear off. The baby is fed with this stored milk until the anesthesia has worn off. Once the effects of the anesthesia have passed, the mother can go back to breastfeeding naturally.

16. How Long Does Breast Surgery Take?

The answer to 'How many hours does breast surgery take?' varies depending on the type and scope of the surgery. Breast surgery is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia; a silicone implant procedure takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. A mastectomy, on the other hand, takes an average of 2 to 2.5 hours, while gynecomastia surgery takes approximately 1 hour.

17. What Should You Pay Attention to Before Breast Surgery?

For the process to go smoothly and successfully, the most important thing to pay attention to before breast surgery is choosing the right surgeon for you. Making the right choice will ensure the process goes very successfully. Your surgeon will inform you about what to pay attention to before breast surgery. That said, we can share some general guidelines with you here.

As with any other surgery involving an incision, you should quit smoking at least 3 months before the operation, since smoking delays the healing of swelling. You should also have tests such as X-rays and MRIs performed as requested by your surgeon. In addition, you should avoid blood-thinning foods and medications for at least 1 week before surgery. These medications include Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Coraspin, Aspirin, and Novalgin. Foods to avoid before breast surgery include green tea, cherry stems, flaxseed, and other herbal products with a weight-reducing effect. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure should also bring their blood sugar and blood pressure to normal levels before surgery.

Things You Should Know Before Getting Breast Surgery

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Recovery After Breast Surgery

18. What Is the Breast Surgery Recovery Process Like?

You can be discharged from the hospital the day after surgery with your doctor's approval. This can sometimes take as little as 6 hours, though patients generally stay in hospital for 1 day. You should take the medication given by your doctor to prevent the soreness that begins once the effects of general anesthesia wear off. The pain fully subsides after about 1 week. Because these surgeries involve an incision, some temporary swelling occurs. This swelling resolves over time as the breast begins to take on its final shape. It can take up to 1 week for the dressings applied after surgery to be removed. Once the dressings are removed, you can start showering again with your doctor's approval. You can generally return to your social life by the end of the first week. The results themselves, however, are permanent. The full recovery period varies between 2 and 12 months depending on the type and scope of the surgery performed.

19. How Many Days Does It Take to Recover From Breast Surgery?

How many days it takes for breast surgery to heal varies depending on the type and scope of the operation. For example, recovery is very fast after breast augmentation surgery — by the end of the first week, most people are able to return to their normal daily life and work.

20. Does Breast Lump Removal Surgery Leave a Scar?

Breast lump removal surgery doesn't leave a scar. In addition, because this procedure doesn't involve intervening in the breast tissue itself, the milk glands aren't damaged either.

21. Does Swelling Occur in the Breast After Surgery?

Swelling can occur in the breast after surgery. While this varies depending on the type of surgery, it's a temporary condition.

Swelling and Edema in the Breast After Surgery

22. Does Sagging Occur in the Breast After Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation surgery itself does not cause any sagging in the breast afterward.

Breast Sagging After Augmentation Surgery

23. Is There Loss of Sensation After Breast Surgery?

The answer to this question depends on the surgical technique used. As Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic, we use the central pedicle technique. Breast surgeries performed with this technique do not result in any loss of sensation. With many other techniques, sensation can be lost, particularly in the nipple.

Is There Loss of Sensation After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

24. What Causes Breast Asymmetry?

Breast asymmetry can occur in both women and men, and it can arise for a variety of different reasons. Causes of breast asymmetry include pregnancy, breastfeeding, problems that occur during development, and conditions such as Poland syndrome.

What Is Breast Asymmetry? How Is It Corrected?

25. When Can I Swim After Breast Surgery?

This is a question frequently asked by people whose breast surgery happens to fall during the summer. You need to wait an average of 3 to 4 weeks before you can swim after breast surgery. However, because the procedure involves incisions, you should still avoid excessive sun exposure. Your surgeon will give you the exact details for your specific situation.

26. Things to Pay Attention to After Breast Surgery

There are many things to pay attention to after breast surgery. Your surgeon will share all the details of what you need to be careful about following the operation. In general terms, we can list the main points to pay attention to after breast surgery here. Because the surgery involves an incision, you should not smoke at all after the operation. Doctors generally recommend a rest period of 3 to 4 days, during which the patient shouldn't bathe. In particular, you should avoid tiring activities during the first week after breast surgery. After 2 to 3 weeks, you can start taking walks at a normal pace, and after about 2 months you can return to your daily sports activities. It's also a good idea to avoid the sun and other sources of heat, since excessive heat exposure can prolong your recovery time.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Breast Implants

27. Are Breast Implants Harmful?

Getting breast implants isn't harmful. In the early days when silicone implants first began to be used, some bodies would have a reaction to the implants. However, as technology and techniques in this field advanced over time, the potential harms associated with silicone implants began to be prevented. Today, there is no harm in getting silicone breast implants.

28. Does Getting Breast Implants Hurt?

The process of getting silicone implants isn't a painful one. Some pain may occur only with procedures performed under the muscle, and this pain is managed with the medication recommended by your doctor.

29. Can a Breast Implant Rupture?

Thanks to today's technology and techniques, silicone breast implants do not rupture. Since they were first introduced, silicone implants have been continuously improved and refined. As a result, implant rupture, gel leakage, or deformation of the implant no longer occur.

30. How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

There are silicone implants of different brands and qualities. That said, implants can generally be used for many years. However, situations that may require the implant to be removed can arise in later years. These are usually not because the implant has reached the end of its lifespan, but rather for medical or aesthetic reasons.

31. At What Age Can You Get Breast Implants?

Breast implants can be used once breast development is complete, which corresponds to age 18. However, in cases involving congenital conditions such as Poland syndrome, exceptions can be made regarding the minimum age for surgery.

32. Can You Tell If a Breast Has an Implant?

A breast with an implant takes on a firm form immediately after surgery. Especially after the first year has passed, it settles into its most natural appearance, and it becomes impossible to tell from the outside whether it has an implant. The type and brand of implant used, as well as the skill of the surgeon who performs the operation, play a major role here.

33. Can You Tell by Touching a Breast Implant?

Beyond whether it's noticeable from the outside, 'Can you tell an implant by touch?' is another question that's frequently asked. For about 1 month after surgery, the breast may feel extra firm. This is due to the temporary swelling caused by the operation. After 1 month, the breast gradually settles into its natural appearance. By the end of 1 year, depending on the technique and type of implant used, the breast with the implant fully softens and comes very close to a natural look — meaning it reaches almost the same texture as a breast without an implant. So the answer to 'Can an implant be felt by hand?' is, after a year has passed since surgery, 'No.'

34. Can Implants Correct a Sagging Breast?

Having an implant placed can help firm up the breasts to a certain extent. However, this will only be effective if the breasts have mild sagging. If the breasts are significantly sagging, a breast lift procedure is performed as well.

35. Round Implants or Teardrop Implants?

Which type of implant is preferable depends on the situation and the patient. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages relative to the other. Which one is right for you becomes clear based on your body type, your aesthetic preferences, and the assessment your surgeon makes after examination.

Choosing an Implant for Breast Surgery

36. Can a Teardrop Implant Shift Position?

As with any aesthetic procedure, choosing the right surgeon is important for breast augmentation surgery as well. Teardrop implants, in particular, do carry some possibility of shifting position. There are two main reasons for this. The first is surgeon-related error. The other relates to the patient's own body, independent of any error by the surgeon. In rare cases, the body can react when a teardrop implant or similar type is placed. As a result of this reaction, shifting can occur with teardrop implants and other implant types alike. When this happens, outside the surgeon's control, a second surgery is needed.

37. How Much Does Getting Breast Implants Cost?

The price of getting breast implants can vary depending on factors such as the brand and type of implant used, the hospital where the surgery takes place, the surgeon's level of skill in the field, and similar considerations.

38. Do Breast Implants Damage the Milk Glands?

In breast surgery performed to place implants, the implants are positioned in the lower tissue layer of the breast. At this position, there is no contact with the milk ducts. As a result, the milk ducts aren't damaged in any way, and mothers are able to breastfeed after breast augmentation surgery.

39. What Are the Signs of Capsular Contracture in a Breast Implant?

Capsular contracture in a breast implant can develop over time after surgery. The main cause of this is the quality of the implant. High-quality implants can remain in the body for the patient's lifetime without deforming. However, because some lower-quality implants have a shell that can erode over time and develop small openings, the gel filling inside the implant can gradually begin to leak out. If this gel isn't pure, the body perceives it as a harmful substance. As a result, the body forms a capsule of tissue around the gel in an attempt to contain what it perceives as a harmful substance. This is how the structures known as capsules begin to form. In some cases, the body forms a thin capsule that may not be noticeable. When thicker capsules form, however, their presence can be easily felt by touching the breast from the outside. Depending on the size of the capsule, touching it can cause varying degrees of pain. If you notice signs like these, you should be sure to consult your surgeon and have the necessary tests performed.

40. When Does a Breast Implant Soften?

After breast implant surgery, softening of the breast with the implant starts to become noticeable by the end of the first 3 months. Full softening of the implant, however, takes up to 1 year.