For patients in South Africa

Chin implant in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

A chin implant brings a small or recessed chin forward, so that the chin, nose and jawline look better balanced, especially in profile. For South African patients, what needs extra planning is the stay in İzmir and the long flight home. This page covers both.

What the operation involves

The surgeon chooses an implant to suit your face and places it over the chin bone. In most cases the incision is made inside the mouth, so there is no visible scar on the skin; sometimes the surgeon recommends a small incision under the chin instead, which usually heals as a discreet line. The implant is a permanent change, unlike filler.

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

Who it suits

• People with a naturally weak, recessed or under-projected chin
• People who feel their chin is out of proportion with their nose, cheeks or other features
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or who can stop before surgery, and whose expectations are realistic

If an implant is not the best option, the surgeon will say so and may suggest an alternative, such as a sliding genioplasty, where the chin bone itself is moved forward. If your chin is too prominent rather than too small, read chin reduction in Turkey from South Africa. Some patients combine a chin implant with nose surgery; see our rhinoplasty guide.

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, and swelling, bruising, tightness and temporary numbness around the chin are normal. If the incision is inside the mouth, you follow a soft diet for the first few days.

By days four to seven the swelling is easing. Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days. The flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town is long, so book a ticket you can change, rest with your head raised on board and drink water.

Recovery at home

Most people return to work and normal routines within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise, contact sport and anything that could press on the chin should wait until the surgeon clears you. Most swelling settles between weeks two and six, and the implant settles fully into position over three to six months, when the final profile 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 a chin implant 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 I have a visible scar?

Usually not. In most cases the incision is inside the mouth. Sometimes the surgeon recommends a small incision under the chin, which usually heals as a discreet line.

Is a chin implant permanent?

Yes. The implant is made of durable, biocompatible material and is meant to stay in place for life, unless you choose to have it removed or replaced.

Will I be able to eat normally?

If the incision is inside the mouth, you will be asked to follow a soft diet for the first few days. The surgeon will tell you when you can return to your normal diet.

Will my medical aid cover a chin implant?

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.