For patients in South Africa

Cheek implants in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Cheek implants give more shape to flat or poorly defined cheekbones, or put back mid-face volume lost with age. For South African patients, the extra planning is around the stay in İzmir and the long journey home. This page explains both.

What the operation involves

The surgeon selects implants that suit the shape of your face and places them over the natural cheekbones. In most cases the incisions are made inside the mouth, so there are no visible scars on the skin; occasionally the surgeon may recommend a different approach and will explain why. Once healed, the implants are a permanent change and need no ongoing maintenance, unlike fillers.

Full details are on the cheek implants treatment page. Our facial implants guide compares cheek, chin and jaw implants, and our facial surgery guide for South African patients covers the rest.

Who it suits

• People with naturally flat, under-projected or poorly defined cheekbones
• People who have lost volume in the mid-face with age and want a fresher contour
• People who want stronger definition and better balance between their features
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or who can stop before surgery, and whose expectations are realistic

If implants are not the best option, the surgeon will say so and may suggest using your own fat instead; see facial fat transfer in Turkey from South Africa. Cheek implants are sometimes planned together with a chin implant to balance the whole face.

Your stay and the flight home

On arrival you have health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon. After surgery you recover at Mandarin Grove near İzmir, with nursing support and follow-up checks. For the first three days you rest with your head raised, including at night. Swelling, bruising and a tight feeling across the cheeks are normal, cold compresses may help, and if the incisions are inside the mouth you follow a soft diet.

Between days four and seven the swelling starts to settle, although the cheeks can still look fuller than they will in the end. Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days. The journey to Johannesburg or Cape Town is long, so book a return ticket you can change, rest with your head raised on board and drink water.

Recovery at home

Most people are back at work and normal routines within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise, contact sport and anything that could press on the face should wait until the surgeon clears you. Most swelling fades over weeks two to six, and the implants settle fully into position over three to six months, when the final cheek contour shows.

Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team. Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications and clinically necessary revisions for one year from surgery; that treatment is done in İzmir without charge, but flights and accommodation are yours to cover. It does not cover preferring a different look when the result is within what was discussed. Keep your GP informed, and take your operation notes and implant details home for your own records.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• 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
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective cosmetic surgery abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment; check with both

What we will not do

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

Frequently asked questions

How long after cheek implants can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days. The surgeon decides, so book a return ticket you can change in case you are asked to stay longer.

Will cheek implants leave visible scars?

Usually not. In most cases the incisions are made inside the mouth. Occasionally the surgeon recommends a different approach and will explain why.

Are cheek implants permanent?

Yes. Once healed, cheek implants are a permanent change and need no ongoing maintenance, unlike fillers.

Is fat transfer an alternative to cheek implants?

For some patients, yes. If implants are not the most suitable option, the surgeon may recommend fat transfer to the cheeks instead.

Will my medical aid cover cheek implants?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective cosmetic surgery abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Check with both before you book.

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