BBL in Istanbul · Day 10 of 10
Day 10 after a BBL in Istanbul
Most patients are not cleared for a long-haul flight before about two weeks. Keep the pressure off your buttocks for weeks yet.
Short answer
On day 10 after a BBL in Istanbul:
- Not today Sitting · Sleeping position · Exercise · Hammam, sauna, baths and swimming · Smoking
- With care Walking · Compression garment · Flying home
Good options today: Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern.
Today's rules
Sitting
Avoid sitting on your buttocks. Many surgeons allow no sitting for the first 10 to 14 days except on the toilet and to eat; after that, sit only on a BBL pillow placed behind your thighs. The ASPS article cited here suggests keeping any sitting to about 10 minutes at a time for six weeks.
Source: The Aesthetic Society · American Society of Plastic Surgeons · American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Sleeping position
Sleep on your stomach, or as your surgeon instructs, not on your back.
Walking
Walk a little several times a day, around your hotel or the nearby streets. Lie face down to rest.
Source: The Aesthetic Society · American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Compression garment
Wear the support garment around the clock, as your surgeon instructs.
Exercise
No exercise until your surgeon clears you, usually six to eight weeks after surgery.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons · The Aesthetic Society
Hammam, sauna, baths and swimming
The sources cited here do not give a date. Keep heat and water away from the liposuction incisions until your surgeon confirms they have healed.
Smoking
Do not smoke. Surgeons typically ask patients to stop for several weeks before and after surgery.
Source: Acibadem International · The Aesthetic Society
Flying home
Flying needs your surgeon's sign-off, often at least one to two weeks after surgery and longer for long-haul. Sit on a BBL pillow, take an aisle seat, stand and walk hourly and drink water.
Source: Acibadem International · NHS
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
4 things you can do today
Hagia Sophia
The great dome is worth it, but queues stand in the sun and the inside is crowded. Women cover their hair and everyone removes shoes.
Gentle walking, some open-air walking, about 1.5 hours
Grand Bazaar
A covered maze of 4,000 shops. Shaded, but shoulder to shoulder at peak times. Go early on a weekday.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 2 hours
Basilica Cistern
The cool, dim underground cistern with the Medusa heads. Walkways get packed at midday; go at opening time.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 1 hour
Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront
Turkish modern art in a cool, airy building on the water, with a café looking at the old city.
Gentle walking, indoors, about 2 hours
Also fine today: Turkish cooking class · Galata Tower · Spice Bazaar · Eminönü street-snack walk · Pera Museum · Istanbul Archaeology Museums
2 things to skip today
Bosphorus sightseeing cruise
Why not: It means sitting for a long time, which puts pressure on the grafted fat.
Not during the 10 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
Turkish hammam
Why not: It means steam, hot water or sauna heat.
Not during the 10 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
Where to eat today
- Balık ekmek at Eminönü. Grilled fish in crusty bread from the boats by the Galata Bridge.
- Simit from a street cart. The sesame bread ring Istanbul runs on. Crunchy.
- Esnaf lokantası lunch. Tradesmen's canteens serve soups, stews, rice and vegetable dishes from steam trays. Point at what you want. Let soup cool if you have had dental work.
Put every day of this guide in your calendar, with your dates