Breast Augmentation in Northern Cyprus

Implants are classified according to three main criteria:

Shape

• Round implants: Provide greater fullness in the upper pole (décolletage). They move naturally and retain their position. This is the most widely chosen type today.
• Anatomical (teardrop) implants: Offer a more natural lower-pole curve with less projection in the upper portion. They may be preferred for certain body types and patients with thinner tissue coverage.

Surface

• Smooth: Standard for round implants. Moves freely within the pocket.
• Textured: Micro-roughened surface; reduces the risk of rotation particularly in anatomical implants. In recent years, certain texture types have been associated with a rare form of lymphoma, leading regulatory bodies including the FDA and European authorities to restrict their indications. At Nis Clinic, manufacturer and model selection is guided by current safety data.

Fill

• Cohesive silicone gel: The current standard. The gel maintains its structure in the event of rupture or leakage.
• Saline: An older option; rarely chosen today.

The right implant for you is selected by assessing your chest wall width, existing tissue volume, target size and lifestyle.

Whether the implant is placed beneath the breast tissue or beneath the pectoral muscle directly influences the outcome:

• Sub-glandular (above the muscle): The implant sits immediately beneath the breast tissue, on top of the pectoral muscle. Shorter recovery, less postoperative discomfort. May be appropriate for patients with sufficient breast tissue who are active in upper-body exercise.
• Sub-muscular (below the muscle): The upper portion of the implant lies beneath the pectoral muscle. This creates a more natural transition in the upper pole and reduces the risk of visible edge rippling in patients with thinner tissue coverage. Some data suggest a modestly lower rate of capsular contracture.
• Dual plane: The upper portion is sub-muscular, the lower portion is sub-glandular — a balanced technique that is widely preferred today.

The decision is made based on your tissue thickness (pinch test), breast base width and your target aesthetic outcome.

For patients who do not wish to use implants and for whom a modest volume increase is sufficient, breast augmentation using the patient's own fat tissue is an alternative. Generally one cup size of increase can be achieved; a large volume change should not be expected. The procedure involves harvesting fat by liposuction, processing it, and injecting it into the breast tissue. The absence of a foreign material is an advantage; however, this approach is not suitable for all patients, it requires an adequate donor site, and the outcome is more limited compared with silicone implants. Your suitability is assessed at consultation.

We offer the initial consultation online (Zoom or WhatsApp video call) or in person at our clinic. The majority of patients travelling from overseas or from Türkiye prefer an online first meeting, then a detailed in-person assessment before surgery.

During the consultation we discuss:

• Your motivation for breast augmentation and your expectations
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding history
• Family history of breast cancer or breast disease
• Current breast ultrasound or mammography findings (recommended for patients over 40)
• Current medications (including hormonal treatments and anticoagulants)
• Chronic health conditions and smoking history
• Any previous breast surgery

At the end of the consultation we provide you with a clear preliminary plan: whether you are a suitable candidate, which implant range will be considered for you, the approximate cost, and suitable dates for surgery. Setting realistic expectations is an important part of this stage — the goal is not "whatever size I want" but a size that your body can carry and that will look natural over the years.

During the in-person assessment we carry out three separate evaluations:

1. Chest wall measurement: Breast base width, inframammary fold position, the distance between the two breasts and symmetry are assessed. Implant diameter is selected according to these measurements — the aim is "the implant that fits you", not "the biggest possible".
2. Tissue analysis: Skin elasticity, existing breast tissue thickness and the degree of laxity are evaluated. Sub-muscular placement is preferred for very thin tissue coverage; sub-glandular or dual plane for adequate tissue.
3. Visual assessment: To evaluate different implant volumes on the patient's body, calibrated sizers or, where available, 3D simulation may be used. The aim is to establish clarity of expectation before any decision is made.

Following measurements and tissue assessment, the implant type, volume range and placement technique we recommend are discussed with you together.

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia with an experienced anaesthetist. Average duration is 1–2 hours; bilateral, uncomplicated cases are completed within this timeframe.

Typical schedule:

• 08:00 — Arrival at clinic, final blood tests, anaesthetic assessment
• 08:30 — Theatre preparation, disinfection, surgical marking
• 09:00 — General anaesthesia and procedure begins
• 10:00–11:00 — Procedure complete, recovery room
• 13:00 — Transfer to room, first oral fluids
• Evening — Observation at the clinic; most patients are discharged the same day or the following morning

The incision is preferably placed within the inframammary fold (beneath the breast), where scarring is best concealed. A periareolar (around the nipple) incision is also an option. Both incisions fade over time; silicone tape or gel is recommended for scar care in the early months.

Whether a drain is used is decided during the procedure; in many cases today, drain-free closure is possible.

Recovery after breast augmentation is more comfortable than most patients expect; however, a pulling sensation in the chest muscles during the first few days is normal, particularly with sub-muscular placement.

• First 48 hours: Mild to moderate discomfort and a feeling of tightness are normal. These are managed with prescribed analgesics. Rest with the head elevated in a semi-upright position.
• Days 3–7: A return to light daily activities is possible. A specialist support bra (post-op bra) is worn day and night for 4–6 weeks.
• Days 10–14: Follow-up appointment, dressing care. Most bruising has cleared. Return to desk-based work is possible within this period.
• Weeks 4–6: Gradual return to upper-body exercise (with the surgeon's approval). Swimming, sauna and heavy lifting are assessed from this point onwards.
• Month 3: Most swelling has subsided and the result begins to settle.
• Month 6: The implants soften and the process known as "drop and fluff" — the final settling of the implants — is complete. The true aesthetic outcome becomes clear at this stage.
• Month 12: Annual review appointment; scar fading continues through to this point.

We stay in contact with you via WhatsApp at every stage. Send us photographs and we will respond to your questions within the same day.

Related page: Medical tourism packages — transfers, accommodation and follow-up included

Breast implants require ongoing medical monitoring throughout their lifetime. At Nis Clinic we provide full follow-up during the first 12 months, with annual reviews recommended thereafter. Current clinical guidance suggests that approximately 5–6 years after implant placement, and subsequently at 2–3 year intervals, implant integrity should be assessed by MRI or high-resolution ultrasound. Routine breast cancer screening (mammography) continues at age-appropriate intervals; specialist techniques are used for patients with implants.

• Aged 18 and over (the FDA lower age limit for saline implants; silicone gel implants are recommended from age 22). These thresholds are observed in TRNC and Türkiye practice.
• Individuals who have completed breast development and consider their breast volume to be small, or who have experienced volume loss following pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Patients with natural asymmetry between the two breasts who wish to improve symmetry
• Individuals in good general health, including those with chronic conditions that are well controlled
• Patients with realistic expectations — breast augmentation adds volume; it does not address breast ptosis (sagging) on its own. Moderate to significant ptosis may require a combined mastopexy (breast lift).
• Non-smokers, or those who can stop smoking 4–6 weeks before surgery

After Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The most common request for breast augmentation comes from the post-pregnancy and post-breastfeeding period. For this group, our recommendation is to wait at least 6 months after weaning — this allows the breast to reach its final shape and for hormonal fluctuations to stabilise.

• Active breast cancer or a suspicious breast finding: Breast surgery assessment takes priority.
• Uncontrolled chronic conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disease or cardiac conditions require an internal medicine review first.
• Smoking: Impairs wound healing and increases the risk of capsular contracture. Cessation is required for 4–6 weeks before surgery.
• Autoimmune conditions: A rheumatology consultation is arranged; an individual risk–benefit assessment is carried out.
• Active pregnancy or breastfeeding: Surgery is deferred.
• Pregnancy planned in the near future: We advise patients planning pregnancy imminently to defer the procedure until afterwards.
• Weight fluctuation: Being at or close to a stable target weight is important for preserving the long-term result.
• Suspected body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): Psychiatric support takes priority.

A patient we tell "this is not right for you" is more valuable to us than one we say "yes" to — because an unsuitable procedure serves nobody.

Breast augmentation is not purely a technical operation — it is a discipline built on aesthetic planning and long-term outcome management. Op. Dr. İbrahim Meyzin is a Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and a full member of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association (CTMA), Registration No. 969. Breast surgery in Northern Cyprus is carried out with careful consideration of the patient's bodily proportions, lifestyle and long-term satisfaction. He is personally present throughout every procedure; the model of "technicians operate, doctor oversees" is not practised at Nis Clinic.

Full profile, certifications and publications: Doctor profile — Op. Dr. İbrahim Meyzin

Breast augmentation is a personal decision that many patients prefer to keep private. Northern Cyprus offers practical advantages in this respect: 1 hour 15 minutes from Istanbul, 4–4.5 hours from London by air. Treatment without a Schengen visa stamp in your passport. The chance of encountering someone you know is minimal.

After your procedure you can spend 7–10 days on the Kyrenia coast, in a quiet setting and a mild climate. During the recovery period, calm surroundings and low stress make a genuine medical difference — tissue healing and cortisol levels are closely linked.

Our three clinic locations:

• Nicosia — main clinic and consultation centre
• Kyrenia — on the coastline, positioned for medical tourism patients
• Famagusta — serving patients on the eastern side of the island

The Mia FemTech Alternative

If you are interested in a smaller incision and a shorter recovery, you can explore our Mia FemTech page for the minimally invasive breast augmentation approach available at our clinic. This page describes the classic augmentation mammoplasty technique.

Breast augmentation costs vary considerably by clinic, implant brand and country:

• United Kingdom: €7,000–€12,000+
• Türkiye (quality clinics): €3,000–€6,000
• Nis Clinic (classic silicone breast augmentation): from €6,000 (average range €6,000–€9,000)

This range varies according to the implant brand and model chosen (Motiva, Allergan Natrelle, Polytech, etc.), the placement technique, the need for any additional procedure (combined mastopexy, supplementary fat grafting) and the length of stay. The exact figure, tailored to you, is provided after your consultation and assessment. Our package price includes airport transfers, 2–3 nights' clinic or hotel accommodation, the surgery, anaesthesia, implant costs, medications, specialist support bra, follow-up appointments and 12-month WhatsApp support. There are no hidden charges.

If you are looking not for the cheapest option but for someone with a documented specialism and a structured long-term follow-up — you are in the right place.