Breast augmentation in Istanbul · Day 1 of 10

Day 1 after breast augmentation in Istanbul

Most people go home the same day or after one night. Rest with your head and shoulders raised, keep the support bra on and take a short walk around your room or the hotel.

Short answer

On day 1 after breast augmentation in Istanbul:

  • Not today Lifting and reaching overhead · Baths, hot tubs and pools · Flying home
  • With care Walking and exercise · Support bra · Sleeping position

Good options today: Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia.

Today's rules

Not today

Lifting and reaching overhead

Do not lift anything over your head for 2 to 3 weeks, and avoid lifting anything that makes you strain for 4 to 6 weeks. Let your companion handle suitcases.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS

With care

Walking and exercise

Try to walk a little every day. Nothing strenuous: no jogging, cycling, weights or aerobic exercise.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS

With care

Support bra

Wear the support or sports bra day and night, except in the shower, as your surgeon says. Some surgeons ask for it for up to 3 months.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS

Not today

Baths, hot tubs and pools

Do not take a bath or soak in a hot tub for about 4 weeks. Ask your surgeon before swimming, the hammam or a sauna.

Source: Kaiser Permanente

With care

Sleeping position

Sleep on your back with your head and shoulders raised on pillows, at an incline, especially in the first days.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · The Aesthetic Society

Not today

Flying home

Most teams want you near the clinic until the first wound check, commonly one to two weeks. Long-haul flights in the first week are generally discouraged because of clot risk.

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Bosphorus dinner cruise with show

    An evening of seated dinner, folk dance and city lights from the water. Drinks are optional; you can ask for soft drinks only.

    Seated, indoors, about 3 hours

Also fine today: Bosphorus sightseeing cruise · Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront · Eminönü street-snack walk · Galata Tower · Turkish cooking class · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Pera Museum · Istanbul Archaeology Museums · Spice Bazaar · Whirling dervish ceremony · Nargile café in Tophane · Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden

2 things to skip today

  • 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.

  • Topkapı Palace

    Why not: Too much walking and effort for this stage.

    Usually fine from day 4.

Where to eat today

  • Kebab and lahmacun. Adana kebab, lahmacun and pide in Fatih or Kadıköy. Spicy and chewy.
  • 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.

Put every day of this guide in your calendar, with your dates

Questions people ask