For patients in South Africa

Jaw implant in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

A jaw implant, also called a mandible implant, widens and defines a narrow or soft jawline so the lower face looks stronger and better balanced. 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 selects implants to suit your anatomy and places them along the jawbone. In most cases they are inserted through incisions inside the mouth, so there are no visible scars on the skin; in some cases the surgeon may recommend another approach and will explain why. Once healed, mandible implants are a permanent change that needs no ongoing maintenance, unlike non-surgical jawline treatments.

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

Who it suits

• People with a naturally narrow, weak or under-defined jawline
• People who want a stronger lower face and better overall facial balance
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or who can stop before surgery
• People with realistic expectations about the result and the recovery

Jaw implants are commonly combined with a chin implant, cheek implants, rhinoplasty, neck liposuction or a facelift to balance the face as a whole. The surgeon decides what is safe to do in one operation. If implants are not the most suitable option, the surgeon will say so and may suggest another contouring procedure.

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 tightness around the jaw are normal, and if the implants were placed through the mouth you follow a soft diet.

Between days four and seven the swelling improves, though the jawline can look more pronounced than it will in the end. Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days. The flight 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 return to work and daily activities within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise and anything that could press on the jaw should wait until the surgeon clears you. Most swelling settles between weeks two and six, and the implants settle fully over three to six months, when the final jawline 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 and dentist 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 jaw 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.

Is a jaw implant the same as a mandible implant?

Yes. Mandible is the medical name for the lower jaw, so a jaw implant and a mandible implant are the same procedure.

Will jaw implants leave visible scars?

Usually not. In most cases the implants are inserted through incisions inside the mouth. In some cases the surgeon may recommend another approach and will explain why.

Can a jaw implant be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Jaw implants are commonly combined with chin implants, cheek implants, rhinoplasty, neck liposuction or a facelift. The surgeon decides what is safe in one operation.

Will my medical aid cover a jaw 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.