BBL Turkey FAQ: every question, answered

To confirm your surgery date, we ask for a deposit of 30 per cent of your package price. This secures your surgeon, operating theatre and hotel. The remaining 70 per cent is paid in Istanbul after your in-person consultation and pre-operative tests, before surgery takes place. If your tests show that surgery would not be safe for you, your surgeon will not operate and your deposit will be refunded. As soon as your deposit is received, you will get a written confirmation detailing your procedure, dates and full price.

Every BBL Turkey package covers your surgeon's fee, anaesthesia, the operating theatre, pre-operative blood tests, your hospital stay, hotel accommodation in Istanbul, VIP transfers between the airport, hotel and clinic, compression garments, a BBL pillow, prescribed medication, post-operative check-ups and a lymphatic drainage massage. You will also have a dedicated English-speaking coordinator on WhatsApp throughout your trip and for aftercare once you are home. Flights, travel insurance, meals outside the hotel and any extra nights are not included, so please budget for these separately.

You can pay your deposit by bank transfer or card, and the balance in Istanbul by card, bank transfer or cash in pounds, euros or US dollars. You can reschedule once free of charge with at least 14 days' notice. If you cancel more than 30 days before surgery, your deposit is refunded less a 10% administration fee; within 30 days it can be credited towards a new date within 12 months. If your surgeon decides surgery is not medically safe, your deposit is refunded. The complete terms are sent with your booking confirmation.

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a fat transfer procedure that reshapes and adds volume to the buttocks using your own fat rather than implants. Fat is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, back and thighs, then purified and injected into the buttocks in carefully planned layers. Because it combines body contouring with augmentation, many patients notice a slimmer waist as well as a fuller, rounder shape. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes three to five hours.

Safety depends on the surgeon, the hospital and the technique rather than the country. At BBL Turkey, every procedure is carried out by board-certified plastic surgeons in JCI-accredited hospitals, the same international standard held by many leading private hospitals in the UK and Europe. Our surgeons inject fat only into the subcutaneous layer, above the muscle, which is the technique recommended by international safety task forces. No surgery is risk-free, and possible complications include infection, seroma, fat necrosis and, rarely, fat embolism. Your surgeon will review your medical history and discuss these risks openly before you book.

A BBL 360 with BBL Turkey starts from $4,990 all-inclusive, covering surgery, anaesthesia, your hospital stay, hotel accommodation, VIP transfers, compression garments and aftercare. A Skinny BBL, designed for slimmer patients with less fat to harvest, starts from $4,490. For comparison, a BBL in the UK typically costs between £12,000 and £16,000 for the surgery alone, before garments or aftercare. Your final price depends on the areas treated and any combined procedures, and we confirm it in writing after your online consultation, so there are no surprises when you arrive.

The lower price reflects lower operating costs rather than lower standards. Staff wages, hospital overheads, rent and insurance are all considerably cheaper in Istanbul than in London or Manchester, and the exchange rate means your pounds or euros go further. Istanbul's hospitals also perform a high volume of cosmetic procedures, which keeps costs efficient. The surgeons, equipment and accreditation are comparable to what you would find privately in Europe. We always encourage patients to compare credentials, not just prices, and to be wary of any clinic that seems unusually cheap.

We recommend that patients having a BBL in Turkey stay in Istanbul for 7 to 10 days. You will usually spend one night in hospital after surgery, followed by the rest of your stay in a partner hotel close to the clinic. During this time you will attend follow-up checks, have any drains removed and receive a lymphatic drainage massage. Staying for the full period lets your surgeon monitor early healing and confirm you are fit to fly. Patients combining a BBL with other procedures may be advised to stay towards the longer end.

Yes. Your surgeon, nurses and patient coordinator all speak English, and your dedicated coordinator stays in touch with you on WhatsApp from your first enquiry until well after you are home. They will meet you at the airport, accompany you to appointments and translate whenever needed. We can also arrange support in German, French or Dutch on request. Consultations, consent forms and aftercare instructions are all provided in English, so you will always understand exactly what is happening and what is expected of you.

You should avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for around two to three weeks, as pressure can damage the newly transferred fat before it establishes a blood supply. During this time you can lie on your front or side, stand and walk. When you do need to sit, for example in a car or on the toilet, use a BBL pillow placed under your thighs so your buttocks are lifted. Most surgeons allow normal sitting after six to eight weeks. Your surgeon will give you a personalised timeline at your final check-up.

Most patients fly home 7 to 10 days after surgery, once their surgeon has confirmed they are fit to travel. Flights from Istanbul to London take around four hours, and to most European cities between two and four hours. To reduce the risk of blood clots, wear your compression garment and flight socks, stay hydrated, walk the aisle regularly and take any blood-thinning injections you have been prescribed. Use your BBL pillow on the seat. Some patients book extra legroom for comfort. Please do not book a return flight earlier than your surgeon advises.

You will usually wear a stage one compression garment day and night for the first two to three weeks, removing it only to shower. After that, most patients move to a firmer, more fitted stage two garment for a further four to six weeks. Compression reduces swelling, supports your skin as it settles over the liposuctioned areas and helps achieve a smoother contour. Your first garments are included in your BBL Turkey package, and your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to switch stages or stop wearing them.

Gentle walking is encouraged from the day after surgery, as it improves circulation and lowers the risk of blood clots. Most patients return to light activity after two to three weeks, low-impact cardio after four to six weeks and full gym sessions after about eight weeks. Avoid exercises that put direct pressure on your buttocks, such as cycling or seated machines, until your surgeon approves them. Heavy glute training should wait at least three months, until the fat has settled. Everyone heals differently, so always follow your surgeon's personalised advice.

It varies with your body shape, the amount of donor fat available and the result you want. Most patients have between 600cc and 1,200cc transferred to each buttock, though slimmer patients may receive less. Your surgeon will not inject more than your tissues can safely support, as overfilling raises the risk of fat necrosis and other complications. Roughly 60 to 70 per cent of transferred fat typically survives long term, so surgeons allow for some loss when planning volume. You will receive a realistic estimate after your surgeon has reviewed your photos and measurements.

Once the transferred fat has established a blood supply, usually within three to six months, the surviving fat cells behave like fat anywhere else in your body and can last for many years. However, your shape will change if your weight changes significantly, and ageing, pregnancy and loss of skin elasticity will all have an effect over time. Keeping a stable weight, eating well and exercising regularly are the best ways to maintain your result. Nobody can guarantee a specific outcome, but patients who keep their weight stable tend to enjoy their shape long term.

Neither is better for everyone. A BBL uses your own fat, so it looks and feels natural, carries no risk of implant rejection or displacement, and slims the areas where fat is harvested. It does require enough donor fat, and some of the transferred volume is reabsorbed. Implants offer more predictable volume and can suit very slim patients, but they carry risks such as capsular contracture, infection and shifting, and may need replacing in future. For most patients with adequate fat, a BBL gives a softer, more natural shape. Your surgeon will advise which option suits your body.

Yes, many patients combine a BBL with a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or breast lift, often as part of a mommy makeover. Combining surgeries means one anaesthetic, one recovery period and one trip, which can save time and money. However, longer operations carry greater risk, so your surgeon will only recommend a combination if your health, BMI and the total operating time allow it to be done safely. In some cases they may advise splitting procedures into two stages several months apart. Your combined plan and price are confirmed during your consultation.

Our surgeons generally prefer patients to have a BMI below 30, ideally between 22 and 28, as this provides enough donor fat while keeping surgical risks lower. Patients with a BMI above 32 are usually asked to lose weight before surgery, because a higher BMI increases the risk of blood clots, wound problems and anaesthetic complications. If you are very slim, a Skinny BBL may be more suitable, as it is designed for patients with limited fat to harvest. Please share your height, weight and photos so your surgeon can assess you individually.