Why combine a lift and an implant?
A breast lift on its own raises the nipple and tightens the skin envelope, but adds little volume, so a breast that has deflated may look lifted yet still flat in the upper part. A breast augmentation on its own adds volume, but cannot correct significant drooping: an implant placed behind a low-hanging breast can even create a "double bubble" or a breast that slides off the implant. Combining the two addresses position, shape and volume together.
The art lies in the balance. The implant expands the breast while the lift tightens it, and these forces act in opposite directions. The surgeon chooses a moderate implant size and a lift pattern that keep the result stable, rather than the largest implant the skin can hold.
Is it right for you?
- Your breasts have both dropped (the nipple sits at or below the crease) and lost fullness, especially at the top.
- You want your breasts higher and fuller than before, not only lifted.
- You are in good health, at a stable weight and not planning a pregnancy soon.
- You accept the scars of a lift in exchange for a better shape.
If you only want more volume and your nipple sits well above the crease, an augmentation alone may be enough. If your breasts are large and heavy, a breast reduction is more appropriate. For a softer increase without implants, a lift can also be combined with fat transfer. This combination is frequently part of a mommy makeover.
One stage or two?
In most women the lift and the implant are done together in one operation. In some situations, for example very significant drooping, very thin tissue or a large difference between the breasts, the surgeon may recommend doing them in two stages for safety and a more predictable result: first the lift, then the implant once the tissues have healed, or the other way round.
| One stage | Two stages | |
|---|---|---|
| Operations | One anaesthetic and recovery | Two, usually some months apart |
| Suits | Most women with moderate drooping and volume loss | Severe drooping, thin tissue, marked asymmetry |
| Main advantage | Single trip and recovery | More control over the final shape |
The surgeon explains which approach suits you after examining you; you should not be pressured into a one-stage operation for convenience if two stages are safer for your anatomy.
Technique: implant and lift pattern
The implant, round or anatomical, is chosen from your chest measurements and tissue quality, and placed over the muscle, under it or in a dual-plane position. The lift pattern depends on how much the breast has dropped: around the areola for mild cases, a vertical "lollipop" scar for moderate drooping, and an anchor scar along the fold for more significant laxity. The areola can be reduced at the same time if it has stretched. You receive an implant card recording the brand, model and serial number.
Step by step in Istanbul
- Free assessment. Send photos of your breasts from the front and both sides, standing, with your height, weight, bra size and health history. A surgeon reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. Airport pick-up, transfer to your hotel and a coordinator who stays with you throughout.
- Examination and marking. The surgeon examines you, chooses the implant and lift pattern with you, and marks the new nipple position standing. Tests and an anaesthesia assessment follow.
- Operation. About two and a half to three and a half hours under general anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital, with one night in hospital.
- Check-up. Dressings are changed and the support bra adjusted.
- Home. The total stay is usually six to eight days. Keep your implant card safe; reports are provided in English.
Wear the support bra on the four-hour flight home to the UK or Ireland, avoid lifting luggage and tell your GP before you travel. See our trip planning guide.
Recovery
- First week: tightness, swelling and soreness; sleep on your back with your upper body raised.
- Support bra: about six weeks.
- Work: desk work after about ten days.
- Sport: after about six weeks, gradually; chest exercises only when your surgeon agrees.
The breasts look high and tight at first and settle over the following months, with the final result usually seen at about six months. Scars are noticeable at first and fade over time. Our recovery guide explains how to plan help at home.
Risks to understand
Because it combines two procedures, augmentation mastopexy carries the risks of both, and your surgeon explains those specific to you. They include:
- Temporary swelling, bruising and tenderness; infection or bleeding.
- Delayed wound healing, especially in smokers.
- Capsular contracture, implant displacement or rupture.
- Asymmetry, or the breast dropping again over time, which may need a revision.
- Changes in nipple sensation and possible effects on breastfeeding.
- Scars that heal less favourably.
Implants are not lifetime devices; future surgery may be needed, as described on our implant revision page. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed. Read our safety guide before choosing a clinic.
Price and what the package includes
A breast lift with implants is quoted individually, as implant choice, lift pattern and one- or two-stage planning all affect the cost. New City Clinic sends a free personalised quote after a surgeon has assessed your photos.
The package usually includes surgery at an authorised hospital, the hospital night, hotel accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, coordination and interpretation, support garments and complication insurance. Flights are not included. In the UK, augmentation mastopexy is generally quoted at approximately £7,000 to £10,000 or more; treat this as a rough indication only. Compare our prices and the New City Clinic price list.
Why New City Clinic is our choice as the best clinic in Turkey for a breast lift with implants
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). It does not operate itself: the operation is performed by a specialist plastic surgeon at a licensed partner hospital such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park or Biruni. The team is led by Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, a plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon with experience in microsurgery.
Your surgeon and hospital are named in writing, complication insurance is included and one coordinator supports you throughout. Read the New City Clinic page on breast lift with implants, our clinic page and the partner hospitals.
Patients looking for the best clinic in Turkey for a breast lift with implants tend to compare the same things: who operates, where, at what written price and with what protection if something goes wrong. New City Clinic answers each point on paper, backed by its Ministry of Health authorisation, TÜRSAB licence and ISO 9001, 27001, 10002 and 31000 certificates (see New City Clinic licences and certificates). That is why it is our recommendation; you can also meet the surgical team on our doctors page.
Request your free assessment from New City Clinic
Ready to see why we consider New City Clinic the best choice in Istanbul for a breast lift with implants? Start with a free, no-obligation assessment.
Send New City Clinic photos of your breasts from the front and both sides, your height, weight and bra size, and a note on pregnancies, breastfeeding and weight changes. A surgeon will tell you whether a lift with implants is right, whether one or two stages is safer, and what size is realistic. Your written quote usually arrives within 24 hours, free and without obligation. Use the form or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lift or just implants?
If the nipple sits at or below the breast fold, implants alone usually cannot lift it and a lift is recommended. The surgeon assesses this at the examination.
Are the scars larger than with implants alone?
Yes, because skin is removed for the lift. They are usually around the areola and down to the fold, and fade over time.
Can the lift and implants be done in one operation?
In most women, yes. In some cases, such as very significant drooping or thin tissue, the surgeon may recommend two stages for safety and a more predictable result.
How long do I stay in Istanbul?
The total stay is usually six to eight days, with one night in hospital. Your surgeon confirms the exact length at your check-up.
When can I go back to work?
Desk work is usually possible after about ten days, and sport after about six weeks. These times vary from person to person.
When will I see the final result?
The first change is visible immediately, but the breasts settle as swelling subsides. The final result usually appears at about six months.
How much does a breast lift with implants cost in Turkey?
New City Clinic gives a free personalised quote after a surgeon has reviewed your photos. The package usually includes hospital, hotel, transfers, garments and complication insurance; flights are not included.
Can I choose a large implant with a lift?
The surgeon balances implant size against the skin tightening so that the result is stable. A very large implant can stretch the lift and cause the breast to drop again, so a moderate size is usually recommended.
