For patients in South Africa

Buttock shaping in Turkey from South Africa: BBL, implants or a lift?

Buttock shaping covers three different operations: a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), buttock implants and a buttock lift. They solve different problems, and the right one depends on your anatomy, how much spare fat you have and the state of the skin. Other body procedures are in our body contouring guide for South Africans.

The three options

• Brazilian butt lift (BBL) — fat is taken by liposuction from areas such as the waist or flanks and transferred to the buttocks, shaping both at once; see our BBL guide
• Buttock implants — silicone implants add volume for people who do not have enough body fat for a BBL; see our buttock implants guide
• Buttock lift — removes loose, sagging skin to give a firmer contour, usually after major weight loss or with age; see our buttock lift guide

See also our fat transfer guide. All three operations are summarised on the buttock shaping treatment page.

Which one suits you

As a rule of thumb: if you want more volume and have enough spare fat, a BBL is usually considered first. If you want more volume but are slim, implants may be the better option. If the problem is loose skin rather than a lack of volume, a lift is the operation that addresses it, and it is sometimes combined with fat transfer. The surgeon decides after examining you, and will say if none of these suits you. Tell us at the start about any history of blood clots, hormone medication or weight-loss injections.

What happens in İzmir

After your first message and photographs, you arrive in İzmir for health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with the surgeon before anything is confirmed. The operation itself typically takes two to four hours. Afterwards you are monitored, dressings are changed and nurses support you through the first days, with structured follow-up before you are cleared to fly.

Sitting and the flight home

After a BBL you are asked not to sit directly on your buttocks for the first weeks, so the transferred fat is not compressed. After implants or a lift, the surgeon will also give you instructions on sitting and lying. A ten-hour flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg or Cape Town therefore needs more planning than a short hop to Europe, and South African patients may be asked to stay longer.

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Recovery: between check-ups, patients recover at Mandarin Grove near İzmir
• Fitness to fly: the surgeon decides when you can fly, so book a return ticket you can change
• On the plane: ask the surgeon whether you should use a cushion, and choose an aisle seat so you can stand up often
• Blood clots: a long flight after body surgery raises clot risk; follow the surgeon’s precautions, usually your compression garment, regular walking and plenty of water
• Cover: medical schemes and travel insurance usually exclude planned cosmetic surgery abroad

Risks and follow-up

The risks are discussed openly at consultation. They include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, fluid collection (seroma), slow wound healing and uneven contours, and more rarely bleeding, infection, blood clots, reabsorption of transferred fat after a BBL, implant-related problems after implants, and changes in skin sensation. Our surgeons are board-certified.

Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call; İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa. For one year our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and clinically necessary revisions, not a result within what was discussed; accepted cases are treated in İzmir at no charge, but flights and accommodation are your own cost. See our clinic facts and complaints procedure.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, we will not promise a result, and we will not operate if your health makes it unsafe. A long journey is not a reason to add more procedures to one operation than the surgeon judges safe.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, a BBL or buttock implants?

Neither is better in general. A BBL suits people with enough spare fat to transfer; implants suit people who want more volume but are too slim for a BBL. The surgeon advises after assessing you.

What does a buttock lift do?

A buttock lift removes loose, sagging skin to give a firmer contour, usually after major weight loss or with age. It does not add volume on its own.

How long does buttock shaping surgery take?

The operation typically takes two to four hours, depending on the technique and whether other procedures are added.

How long after buttock surgery can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but the surgeon decides. Because the flight takes around ten hours and sitting is restricted after some procedures, plan for a longer stay and a return ticket you can change.

Will my medical aid cover buttock shaping?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic body surgery done abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Ask your scheme and your insurer specifically before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.