The prices
| Ireland | Turkey (package) | |
|---|---|---|
| Breast lift | €6,000 to €8,100 | €3,600 to €5,900 |
| Lift with implants | From about €9,500 | €4,500 to €7,800 |
| Implants alone | €5,000 to €6,800 | €3,900 to €6,500 |
Add flights for you and whoever travels with you, the nights in a hotel before you're fit to fly, and the time off work.
Flying home
The UK's NHS advises not flying for five to seven days after breast surgery, because flying and surgery both raise the risk of a clot. On the flight, wear loose clothes and compression stockings, get up and walk, and do calf exercises. Some airlines want a fit-to-fly letter: get it before you leave the hospital.
Aftercare
Wound checks, stitches out at about 10 days to two weeks, and a review months later all happen after you're home. Ask before you book who does them, who you ring at night once you're back in Ireland, and what happens, and who pays, if you need a second operation. Ask for a written discharge summary in English.
What the Department of Foreign Affairs advises
- Research the provider and check the hospital is accredited in that country
- Find out what legal action you could take if something goes wrong
- Talk to your own doctor before you go
- Get travel insurance that suits; most policies don't cover surgery that goes wrong, and the EHIC isn't valid outside the EU
- The Department can't give financial or legal help after treatment abroad
In Ireland
Every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and only a doctor with specialist registration can practise independently as a specialist. For a breast lift, check that the surgeon is on the Specialist Division in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, using the Medical Council's online register. You meet the surgeon who will operate, take time to think, and have every check-up within reach.
Questions people ask
How much is a breast lift in Turkey?
Packages are advertised at about €3,600 to €5,900, before flights and extra nights.
When can I fly after a breast lift?
The UK's NHS advises waiting five to seven days after breast surgery.
Will an Irish surgeon fix a problem from surgery abroad?
Don't assume it. Before you go, ask an Irish surgeon whether they'd see you and what it would cost.
Is it safe to have a breast lift abroad?
It can go well, but aftercare at a distance is the weak point. Plan it before you book.