Breast Revision · Istanbul

When your first breast surgery didn't go right.

Specialised revision breast surgery for international patients whose primary augmentation, lift, or implant placement didn't deliver the result they wanted. Implant size change, capsular contracture, malposition correction, explant. By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal — FACS, FEBOPRAS, double board-certified.

FACS · FEBOPRAS
Double board-certified
JCI Hospital
Istanbul
5.0/5
127+ reviews
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal, plastic surgeon Istanbul

If your first breast surgery left you wanting more, you are in the right place.

Wrong size

Implants too big, too small, asymmetric, or inappropriate for your frame. Most common reason patients seek revision — and the most variable in outcome depending on surgeon experience.

Implant size change →

Capsular contracture

Your implants have hardened, become painful, or distorted. Baker grade 3 or 4 with visible shape change or discomfort. Treatment is surgical — capsulectomy with implant exchange.

Capsular contracture →

Implant malposition

Bottoming out, lateral displacement, double bubble, or symmastia. The implant has moved out of the proper pocket. Internal capsulorrhaphy with fold reconstruction.

Malposition correction →

Explant or exchange

You want your implants out — with or without replacement, with or without lift. Or you want them changed for a softer, more natural shape after years of high-profile original implants.

Explant & en bloc →

Revision is not the same as primary surgery — and the surgeon's experience determines outcome.

Revision breast surgery is technically more demanding than the original operation. The pocket has scar tissue, the soft-tissue cover is altered, the inframammary fold may be disrupted, and the patient is — often understandably — distrustful after their first experience. The clinical reality is straightforward: this is work for surgeons with both depth in primary aesthetic surgery and specific experience handling other surgeons' complications.

Dr. Erdal's profile fits this brief. Double board-certification (FACS, Chicago 2025; FEBOPRAS, 2020), Associate Professor (Doçent, 2024) academic rank, 28 peer-reviewed publications, ISAPS World Congress Gold and Bronze medals (Athens 2023), and observership rotations at Memorial Sloan Kettering (2018) and Ghent University Hospital (2023). The complete clinical profile is on the surgeon page.

Practically, this means three things for international revision patients:

  1. Honest pre-operative assessment. Some revisions are technically achievable; some are not. The first job of consultation is to tell you which is which — not to sell you on a procedure.
  2. Single-surgery solutions. Most revisions can and should be done in one operation. Staging is occasionally necessary but is not the default.
  3. Complication management included. All complication management for the first 6 months is included in the original quote — at the same JCI hospital, by the same surgeon.

From international revision patients

All reviews below are from international patients who completed revision breast surgery with Dr. Erdal. Names and locations published with consent.

★★★★★

Implant size reduction + capsulotomy

"I had implants placed in 2018 in another country and they were always too big for my frame. After two pregnancies they also bottomed out. I researched revision surgeons for over a year before choosing Dr. Erdal. The consultation was the most thorough I have had — he explained exa…"

Helena R. United Kingdom
★★★★★

Capsular contracture treatment, both sides

"Baker grade 3 capsular contracture eight years after my original augmentation. My breasts had become hard and were painful when I slept on my stomach. Dr. Erdal performed a capsulectomy with implant exchange, smooth-surface implants this time. The pain was gone within two weeks. …"

Sofia D. Italy
★★★★★

En bloc explant without replacement

"I had decided to remove my implants after 12 years. I wanted en bloc removal for my own peace of mind. Dr. Erdal was honest — he explained when en bloc is medically necessary versus patient preference, and respected my decision either way. The operation went smoothly. He performe…"

Catherine L. France
All reviews

Revision questions, answered

I had my first breast surgery abroad. Can you still help with revision?

Yes. International patients who had primary surgery elsewhere are the typical revision case. Bring whatever documentation you have — operative notes, implant card, before/after photos, current concerns. We can plan revision without the original surgeon's involvement.

How long after my primary surgery should I wait before revision?

For aesthetic revisions (size, shape, position), wait 6–12 months minimum after primary surgery — tissue needs to settle and the final result needs to be visible. For capsular contracture or symptomatic complications, wait until symptoms are stable but don't postpone indefinitely. For BIA-ALCL concerns, evaluate immediately.

What information should I bring to my consultation?

Operative notes from primary surgery (or as much detail as you have), implant card or implant details (manufacturer, size, profile, surface, lot number), before-and-after photos from primary surgery, photos of your current state, and a clear written summary of what bothers you most about the current result.

Can I have my implants removed completely without a lift?

Yes — explant without lift is a valid choice. Whether you'll need a lift depends on your skin envelope, original implant size, and your priorities. Some patients accept some sagging in exchange for no implants and minimal scarring; others want the lift to address the skin laxity. Both decisions are reasonable.

What is en bloc capsulectomy, and is it always necessary?

En bloc capsulectomy means removing the implant together with its surrounding scar capsule as a single intact unit. It's medically necessary in some specific cases (such as confirmed BIA-ALCL or significant capsular contracture). For most other indications it's a patient preference rather than medical necessity. Dr. Erdal will explain whether en bloc is indicated for your specific case.

What if my implants need to come out due to capsular contracture but I want new ones?

Capsulectomy plus implant exchange in one operation is the standard approach. New implants are typically placed in a different plane (e.g., subglandular → subfascial or submuscular) or with a different surface to reduce recurrence risk. The capsule is fully removed.

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Government Authorisation

International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate

This clinic is officially authorised by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı, General Directorate of Health Services) to provide international health tourism services. The Ministry audits the clinic's surgeon credentials, facility standards, infection-control protocols, and complication-tracking systems before issuing this certification.

Authorization No.
2026034015610080000444996
Issued to
Doç. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal Muayenehanesi
Issue date
10 March 2026
Verifiable at
turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-ebys

Click certificate to view at full resolution. Document carries digital signature and QR-code verification on the original.