Silicone gel
Designed to feel close to natural breast tissue. Modern cohesive gels hold together rather than behaving like a liquid.
- Use
- Most widely used in Turkey and Europe
- If the shell tears
- Can be silent; periodic imaging advised
Choosing your implant
Breast Implant Types in Istanbul silicone or saline, round or anatomical, and a size chosen with sizers
The main breast implant types are silicone gel and saline, in round or anatomical shapes, several profiles and smooth or textured surfaces. Most Vivid Clinic patients receive silicone gel implants chosen from measurements and sizers. Plan 6–7 days in Istanbul.
- 6–7 days in Istanbul
- 1 night in hospital
- Desk work after about 1 week
Free medical review within 24 hours · No obligation · ★ 5.0 from 157 Google reviews
Editorially reviewed by the Vivid Clinic Surgical Board · Last reviewed September 2026
At a glance
What are breast implant types, and what to expect
Breast implants are medical devices with a silicone outer shell, filled with silicone gel or sterile salt water (saline). Fill, shape, profile, width and surface all change how the result looks and feels. Ready to plan the operation itself? See our breast augmentation in Istanbul page.
- Procedure time
- 1–2 hUnder general anaesthesia
- Stay in Istanbul
- 6–7 daysIncluding 1 hospital night
- Back to desk work
- About 1 weekSupport bra day and night at first
- Upper-body training
- About 6 weeksSwimming usually resumes then too
- Implants settle
- 3–6 monthsScars fade gradually
- Rupture screening
- 5–6 yearsThen every 2–3 years for silicone (FDA)
See all procedure details
| Procedure time | Typically 1–2 hours |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia |
| Hospital stay | 1 night |
| Recommended stay in Istanbul | 6–7 days |
| Most common fill at Vivid Clinic | Silicone gel |
| Back to desk work | About 1 week |
| Exercise | Upper-body training after about 6 weeks |
| Final result | Implants settle over 3–6 months |
| Results last | Many years; replacement or revision may be needed over time |
| Implant monitoring | Imaging for silent rupture as your surgeon advises |
Real patient results
See the full galleryBreast implants before and after
Results from Vivid Clinic patients, shared with consent. Individual results vary. 6 cases shown; each caption states what the photos show and what is not recorded.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22339 Before: Small breasts. After: Fuller, rounder breasts.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22351 Before: Small breasts. After: Fuller, rounder breasts.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22357 Before: Small, slightly uneven breasts. After: Fuller, more even breasts.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22333 Before: Small breast volume. After: Rounded, projected breast.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22347 Before: Small breasts. After: Fuller breasts.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Breast augmentation with implants · Case VC-22342 Before: Flat chest. After: Rounded breast projection.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Photos are unedited clinic composites; before and after photos may differ in lighting, clothing and pose. Consent is on file at the clinic.
Candidacy
Who are breast implants right for — and who should wait?
Breast implants often suit you if
- You want a predictable increase of more than about one cup, or more upper fullness
- You feel your breasts are small for your frame or have lost volume
- You want size chosen from measurements and sizers, not cup size alone
- You accept implants are not lifetime devices and may need future surgery
It is usually wise to wait if
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy soon
- You expect to lose a lot of weight
- You have an untreated breast lump or an abnormal screening result
Want only a modest, natural-feeling change and have spare fat? Fat transfer breast augmentation may suit you better than any implant type. Some patients benefit from a hybrid of both.
Silicone or saline
Breast implant types by fill
Every implant has a silicone outer shell. What fills it changes how it feels and how a leak shows. Silicone gel implants are the standard choice at Vivid Clinic.
Form-stable gel
A more highly cross-linked, highly cohesive gel keeps its shape even when upright. Most often used for anatomical implants.
- Feel
- Can be slightly firmer
- Incision
- Usually slightly longer
Saline
Filled with sterile salt water. Saline implants tend to feel less natural and ripple more in slim patients.
- If the shell leaks
- Saline is absorbed; the breast visibly deflates
- Availability
- Confirmed at consultation
A brand name alone does not make a good result: fit, placement and technique matter more. Your surgeon tells you the manufacturer, model and volume before surgery, and you receive an implant card with serial numbers.
Step by step
How your implant is chosen and placed
Implant volume is measured in cubic centimetres (cc), not cup sizes. Your surgeon matches the implant's base width to your breast, then chooses the profile. Low or moderate profiles look softer on a broad chest; high profiles add projection on a narrow chest.
Photo review
Send photos online for an early surgeon opinion.
Measurements
Chest width, breast base width, skin stretch and tissue thickness.
Sizers
Try sizers in a bra; 3D simulation where available.
Tests
Blood tests and an anaesthetic review.
Surgery
General anaesthesia, usually through a discreet fold incision.
Aftercare
One hospital night, check-ups and your implant card.
Your Istanbul journey
Six to seven days, fully coordinated
Your exact schedule is confirmed with your plan. Most patients are cleared to fly on day 6 or 7.
Day 1
Arrival
A VIP airport transfer takes you to your hotel. Your patient coordinator or interpreter meets you.
Day 2
Implant selection and surgery
Consultation, measurements, sizers and tests, then surgery at an accredited partner hospital. You stay one night with nursing care.
Days 3–5
Hotel recovery
Discharge after a surgeon check. Rest, short walks and a dressing check at the clinic.
Days 6–7
Fit-to-fly review
Final review and fit-to-fly confirmation, then an airport transfer. The 24/7 post-operative support line continues at home.
Send your photos and goals for a free implant review.
A plastic surgeon suggests the implant type, shape, profile and volume range that suit your body. Free, with no obligation.
Recovery
Recovery after breast implant surgery
Most people are back at desk work after about a week. Incisions and pocket placement are explained on our breast augmentation page.
- Week 1Tightness, swelling and bruising. Support bra day and night; no heavy lifting.
- Weeks 2–3Most people are back at desk work, and swelling settles steadily.
- Weeks 4–6Light exercise. Upper-body training and swimming usually resume at about six weeks.
- Months 3–6Implants soften and settle into their final position; scars fade gradually.Final result
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the longer you have them, the more likely complications become. Many patients keep the same implants for well over a decade; others replace them earlier.
For silicone implants, the FDA recommends ultrasound or MRI checks for silent rupture at five to six years, then every two to three years. If you later want implants out, see our breast implant removal page.
Round or teardrop
Round vs anatomical breast implants
In short: round implants are the most common choice and look the same if they rotate. Anatomical implants can suit very little breast tissue or a wish for a subtle slope, but rotation can distort the breast.
| Round | Anatomical (teardrop) | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Symmetrical | Fuller at the bottom, tapering towards the top |
| Upper fullness | More upper-pole fullness | A subtler upper slope |
| If it rotates | Appearance does not change | Rotation can distort the breast |
| Surface | Smooth or micro-textured shells are common | Usually textured to stay in place |
| Gel | Cohesive silicone gel | Most often firmer form-stable gel |
| Often suits | Most patients | Very little breast tissue, or a subtle slope |
For a deeper comparison, read our guide to round vs teardrop breast implants.
Price and packages
What determines your breast implant quote
An honest quote needs a surgeon's review of your photos first. We then give a personal quote for the implant and plan that suit you. The consultation is free.
Your all-inclusive package
Typically covers:
- Breast implant surgery
- Implants
- One hospital night
- Medication
- Support bra
- Hotel accommodation
- VIP transfers
- Patient coordinator and follow-up
Your price depends on
- The implant type, manufacturer and surface your surgeon recommends
- Whether a lift, fat transfer or liposuction is added
- The partner hospital and number of nights
- Any extra tests your health history requires
Why Vivid Clinic
Meet our medical team
Why patients choose Vivid Clinic for breast implants in Istanbul
- Plastic surgeons, with medical review by Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı
- A full implant consultation with samples, sizers and a written recommendation
- Implants from established manufacturers with European CE marking
- Accredited partner hospitals in Istanbul, with an anaesthetist
- A multilingual patient team and a 24/7 post-operative support line
Medical review
This page was medically reviewed by a plastic surgeon on the Vivid Clinic team.
Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
- Plastic surgery specialist since 2006 (Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul)
- Associate professor since 2015
- Clinical fellow in Rio de Janeiro in 2016
Safety
Risks of breast implants and how we reduce them
Textured surfaces were developed to reduce rotation and capsular contracture. The FDA reports a higher risk of a rare lymphoma, BIA-ALCL, with textured than smooth implants. Your surgeon names the surface of any implant recommended and explains why.
Possible effects
- Bleeding and infection
- Capsular contracture and implant rupture
- Rippling, implant malposition and asymmetry
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Rarely, BIA-ALCL; some people report poorly understood whole-body symptoms
How we reduce them
- Implant dimensions chosen to fit your tissue
- Established, CE-marked implants
- Accredited partner hospitals with an anaesthetist
- Antibiotic and implant-handling protocols
- A surgeon check before you fly home
BIA-ALCL usually appears years after surgery as persistent swelling, fluid or a lump near the implant. It is treated by removing the implant and capsule; the FDA's BIA-ALCL questions and answers do not recommend removal without symptoms.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about breast implant types
Which breast implant types can I choose from in Istanbul?
At Vivid Clinic, most patients choose silicone gel implants, either standard cohesive gel or firmer form-stable gel. Within those, you can choose round or anatomical shapes, several profiles and a wide range of volumes. Surface options are discussed openly because of the link between textured implants and BIA-ALCL. Saline implants are rarely used in Turkey today, so your surgeon will confirm whether they are an option for you.
Silicone or saline: which breast implant type feels more natural?
Silicone gel implants are designed to feel close to natural breast tissue, and modern cohesive gels hold together rather than behaving like a liquid. Saline implants tend to feel less natural and ripple more in slim patients. A saline leak is easy to spot because the breast deflates. A silicone tear can be silent, so periodic imaging is recommended for silicone implants.
Which implant profile is right for me?
It depends on the width of your chest and breast and the projection you want. Low or moderate profiles have a wider base and a softer look on a broad chest. Moderate-plus is the most common middle ground. High or extra-high profiles are narrower with more projection, useful on a narrow chest. An implant wider than your breast can sit too far into the armpit or cleavage.
How long do breast implants last before they need replacing?
There is no fixed expiry date. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the chance of needing another operation rises over time. Many patients keep their implants for more than ten years, but capsular contracture, rupture, pregnancy or weight change can mean earlier surgery. For silicone implants, the FDA advises imaging at five to six years after surgery and then every two to three years to check for silent rupture.
Are textured breast implants still used after the BIA-ALCL warnings?
Some textured implants remain available, but the FDA reports that BIA-ALCL risk is higher with textured than smooth surfaces, and one manufacturer's macro-textured implants were recalled in 2019. For most round implants, smooth or lightly textured shells are a common choice. Your surgeon will name the exact surface of any implant recommended and explain why, so you can decide with full information.
Can I try sizers to choose my breast implants before surgery in Istanbul?
Yes. During your consultation in Istanbul you can try sizers inside a bra and, where available, see a 3D simulation. Your surgeon then checks that the preferred volume fits your breast width and skin stretch. Sizers are a guide rather than an exact preview, because implants placed under tissue and muscle look slightly smaller than the same sizer worn in a bra.
Can I still have mammograms with breast implants?
Yes. Women with breast implants should continue routine breast screening. Tell the radiographer you have implants so they can use additional displacement views, which move the implant back to show more breast tissue. Implants placed under the muscle can make imaging slightly easier. Bring your implant card to appointments, and discuss any new lump, swelling or change in shape with a doctor promptly.
Free assessment
Plan your breast implants in Istanbul
Send your photos and goals through WhatsApp or the form. A Vivid Clinic surgeon reviews them, and your coordinator returns a personalised plan. The consultation is free and without obligation.
- 1Share your details and photosHere, or by WhatsApp on +90 545 742 3565.
- 2Medical review within 24 hoursThe implant type, shape, profile and volume range that suit your body, the operation, your stay in Istanbul and your quote.
- 3Your personalised Istanbul planDates, hotel, transfers and your coordinator’s contact.
Get my free implant plan
Free · No obligation · Reply within 24 h
Related reading
Summarize this page
Open a summary of this guide in your AI assistant.
ChatGPT