A conversation with Dr. Serdar Bora Bayraktaroğlu on breast augmentation, aesthetic proportion, body language, implant selection, breastfeeding, scars, and long-term safety.
Thin summer straps, the freedom of the sea, and the quiet wish to feel more balanced in the mirror… In the right patient, breast augmentation is not simply about creating “larger breasts”. It can restore harmony to the upper body, give rhythm to the way clothes fall, and add a new tone to the way a woman relates to her own body.
Is breast augmentation simply about making the breasts larger?
No. Breast augmentation is not only about adding volume; it is about re-reading the proportion of the upper body, the flow of the silhouette, and the balance between the breasts. In some women, breast tissue is naturally underdeveloped. In others, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change, or aging may reduce fullness, especially in the upper pole of the breast. The goal is not to place a foreign-looking volume on the body, but to create a harmony that feels as if it belongs to that person.
Who usually considers this operation?
Women with naturally small breasts, noticeable asymmetry between the two breasts, or volume loss after weight change, pregnancy, or breastfeeding may consider breast augmentation. But being a good candidate is not only about wanting the surgery. The patient should be medically suitable, have realistic expectations, and aim for a result that respects the limits of her body. If there is significant sagging, an implant alone may not be enough; in some cases, breast lift and augmentation should be planned together.
What matters most to you during the first consultation?
For me, the first consultation is about understanding where the patient’s dream body can meet her own anatomy. Height, weight, shoulder-waist-hip ratio, chest width, breast base diameter, skin thickness, nipple position, and lifestyle are all evaluated together. Sometimes a patient asks for a larger volume, but the tissue may not safely or elegantly allow it. Good surgery listens to what the patient wants, while respectfully planning what the body can carry.
Is “how many cc do I need?” the right question?
It is one of the most common questions, but on its own it is not the right question. The same volume can look completely different on different bodies. An implant that appears elegant and natural on one woman may look too prominent on another. The real question is this: Does the implant’s base width, profile, and projection match the patient’s chest anatomy? I choose implants not only for today’s photograph, but also by considering possible future weight change, pregnancy plans, exercise habits, and how the tissues may evolve over time.
How do you plan a natural-looking breast augmentation?
Natural-looking does not necessarily mean small; it means correct. While increasing breast volume, the aim is to create a shape that communicates with the shoulder line, waist curve, and hip ratio. In very slim patients, the plan must be especially precise so that implant borders do not become visible. Skin thickness, existing breast tissue, and muscle structure help determine where the implant should sit. In a good result, the patient looks more balanced in clothing, while in the unclothed body the implant does not announce itself – the body does.
What do you evaluate when choosing a silicone implant?
Implant choice is never based on volume alone. We evaluate base width, height, profile, projection, gel characteristics, surface features, and compatibility with the patient’s own tissue. Today, there are many new-generation implants with different shapes and projections, which allows us to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. My philosophy is not to “add” an implant to the body, but to place it within the architecture of the body.
Where can the implant be placed?
The implant can be placed behind the breast tissue, under the muscle, or in a dual-plane position, where it relates to both the muscle and the breast tissue. In slim patients, the additional coverage provided by the muscle may be useful for a more natural look. In patients with more breast tissue, different planes may be preferred. This is one of the most individualized decisions in the operation, because implant position also affects how the breast behaves over the years.
Why is the inframammary incision often preferred?
The inframammary fold gives the surgeon controlled access for implant placement, and the scar is hidden within a natural shadow line under the breast. The scar does not disappear completely; that would not be an honest statement. However, with careful technique, good wound care, and time, it often becomes much less noticeable. This approach is also practical and reliable because it allows precise pocket preparation while limiting unnecessary trauma to the breast tissue.
What happens on the day of surgery?
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. According to the preoperative plan, the incision is made, the implant pocket is prepared, the implant is inserted, and the tissues are closed in layers. At the end of surgery, a special bra or supportive dressing is used. I usually prefer to observe my patients in the comfort of the hospital for the first night; this provides safety and reassurance in the early period.
Is the first recovery period painful?
Most patients describe the first days not as sharp pain, but as tightness and pressure in the chest. This sensation may be more noticeable when the implant is placed under the muscle. Regular pain control, sleeping on the back, avoiding sudden arm movements, and following postoperative instructions make recovery much more comfortable. The aim is not to leave the patient with something she must simply endure, but to guide her through a manageable healing rhythm.
When can patients return to social life?
The first week should be calm. The patient can walk and take care of simple daily needs, but heavy lifting, sudden arm movements, and intense exercise should be avoided. Many patients can return to social life carefully after about one week. For sports, swimming, the sea, the pool, upper-body workouts, and weight training, the timeline should be determined by the surgeon. Recovery is not a race; it is a controlled rhythm.
Does breast augmentation prevent breastfeeding?
With modern techniques that aim to preserve nipple sensation and milk ducts, breast augmentation does not directly prevent breastfeeding in most women. However, it would not be accurate to give a 100 percent guarantee for any surgical procedure. Implant position, incision location, the patient’s own breast tissue, and milk production after delivery can all influence breastfeeding. For patients who are planning children, this subject should be discussed openly before surgery.
Do implants interfere with breast cancer screening?
No, they do not prevent screening. However, the radiology team must know that the patient has breast implants. This allows them to plan the appropriate imaging techniques and additional views when needed. Having breast augmentation does not mean abandoning routine breast health checks. On the contrary, knowing one’s own body, maintaining regular screening, and consulting a physician for any new lump, pain, discharge, or shape change are essential.
Do breast implants last forever?
Breast implants can be used for many years, but it is not accurate to say that they are lifetime devices that never require follow-up. Implants are medical devices, and over time the patient’s tissues, body weight, pregnancies, menopause, and the implant itself may change. Routine check-ups help monitor the condition of the implant. If there is no problem, replacement solely because a certain number of years has passed is not always necessary; but rupture, capsular contracture, distortion, pain, or a new aesthetic preference may require revision.
What is capsular contracture?
The body forms a thin layer of tissue, called a capsule, around every implant; this is normal. Capsular contracture occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the implant. The breast may become firm, change shape, or feel painful. It does not happen in every patient, but it is one of the known risks of breast implant surgery. Careful surgical technique, minimizing bleeding and infection risk, appropriate implant selection, and regular follow-up can help reduce this risk.
Do pregnancy, weight change, and aging affect the result?
Yes. Breast augmentation does not stop time; it gives the body a more balanced starting point. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, rapid weight gain or loss, and hormonal changes around menopause can all affect breast tissue. For patients who want to enjoy their results for many years, I recommend stable weight, regular exercise, good skin care, and routine follow-up. Aesthetic surgery is not magic; it is a long-term partnership with the body.
Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?
Yes, in suitable patients it can be part of a broader body-shaping plan. For example, it may be considered within the same aesthetic scenario as a tummy tuck, VASER liposuction, or breast lift. However, the decision to combine procedures should be based on the patient’s general health, surgical duration, recovery capacity, and expectations. Sometimes the most elegant result does not come from doing everything on the same day, but from approaching the body in the right sequence.
What is the secret of a good breast augmentation result?
For me, a good result is not when the patient looks in the mirror and says, “I had surgery.” It is when she says, “I look more like myself.” Breast augmentation should be read within the whole story of the body: shoulders, waist, posture, clothing choices, lifestyle, and the way a person feels in her own skin. Breast aesthetics is not merely a matter of volume; it is a matter of proportion, elegance, and confidence.
