Breast Augmentation Abroad: Safety Checklist, Recovery and Flying Home
Breast augmentation abroad can save money, but only if safety is not the part you save on. This guide gives you a practical checklist for choosing a clinic, explains how to prepare, what recovery looks like week by week, and what to consider before flying home after surgery.
Is breast augmentation abroad safe?
Breast augmentation abroad can be as safe as at home, or much less safe. The country matters less than the clinic, the surgeon, the preparation and the aftercare plan. A lower price is only good value if those four things are in place.
The NHS guidance on cosmetic surgery abroad puts it plainly: weigh the potential savings against the potential risks, check the surgeon's qualifications and experience, and find out in advance who provides follow-up treatment if something goes wrong. It also warns that travel insurance often does not cover complications of surgery.
Safety checklist for choosing a clinic abroad
Use this list before you pay a deposit anywhere, including with us.
- Licence. Ask for the medical licence and the legal entity that provides treatment. At City Medical Centre, medical services are provided by AKC POMOSHCH LLC, medical licence No. Л041-01137-77/00754324.
- The surgeon. Ask who will actually operate, their training and how often they perform breast augmentation. Speak to that surgeon, not only to a sales manager.
- Pre-operative tests. A careful clinic asks for tests before surgery. If nobody asks about your health, treat it as a warning sign.
- Implant information. You should know the type, shape, surface and size of the implant, and receive its documentation after surgery.
- Anaesthesia and hospital stay. Breast augmentation is done under general anaesthesia, so check that you stay under medical supervision afterwards.
- A written price. The cost should be fixed in a contract, with a clear list of what is included.
- Aftercare. Agree how follow-up works once you are home, who you contact with a concern, and what happens if a second operation is ever needed.
Choosing your implants with the surgeon
Implants can be silicone or saline, round or anatomical (teardrop-shaped), smooth or textured. The size and profile are chosen together with the surgeon, based on your chest width, skin and the look you want. Bring reference photos, but expect honest advice about what suits your body.
It also helps to know that implants are not permanent. The US Food and Drug Administration states that breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, and that the longer people have them, the greater the chance of complications. The clinic's own guidance is that implants typically last about 10 to 15 years before replacement.
Timing after pregnancy
If you have had a baby, wait at least 6 to 12 months after birth and after breastfeeding has ended. Breasts change a great deal in that time, and surgery too early can affect the result.
How to prepare for breast augmentation
Preparation begins weeks before the trip. Most of the tests can be arranged at home; ask your coordinator which results the clinic accepts from abroad.
- Blood tests, coagulation panel and infection tests.
- ECG and chest X-ray.
- Breast ultrasound.
- Stopping aspirin-type drugs, steroids and hormonal medicines, always with your doctor's agreement. Oral contraceptives are stopped at least a month before surgery.
The operation takes 1.5 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, followed by one day in hospital.
Breast augmentation recovery week by week
Recovery is gradual. The table below follows the clinic's recovery guidance; your surgeon will adjust it to your healing.
| Time after surgery | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Moderate discomfort, the most noticeable days |
| Days 5–7 | Discomfort much less |
| 7–14 days | Return to non-physical work |
| 1–2 weeks | Walks |
| Weeks 2–3 | Pain usually gone |
| About 1 month | Swelling settles |
| 4–6 weeks | Compression garment worn; then fitness and swimming allowed |
| 3 months | Strength training |
| 3–6 months | Full recovery |
| 3–12 months | Sensitivity usually returns |
| 6–12 months | Scars fade |
The compression garment is worn for 4 to 6 weeks, day and night unless your surgeon says otherwise. Avoid lifting heavy bags, including your suitcase, in the first weeks, and ask for help at the airport.
Flying after breast augmentation
NHS guidance on surgery abroad recommends not flying for 5 to 7 days after procedures such as breast surgery, because both air travel and major surgery increase the risk of a blood clot. A long-haul flight adds hours of sitting still, so the right date for you may be later.
The flight date is your surgeon's decision, made after checking the wounds and how you feel. Ask your coordinator at the free consultation how many days to plan in Moscow, then book flights with some margin. On the plane, wear your compression garment, drink water, walk when you can and keep medicines in your hand luggage. Our guide to surgery in Moscow for foreigners covers visas, payment and other practical questions.
Complications you should know about
Every operation carries risk. The possible complications of breast augmentation include hematoma, seroma, infection, a change in nipple sensitivity, capsular contracture, asymmetry, wound separation and tissue necrosis. The FDA also lists breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare cancer of the immune system, among the risks of breast implants.
Contact a doctor promptly if one breast suddenly swells or becomes much more painful than the other, if you develop a fever, or if a wound opens or discharges. Keep your implant documents, and tell any doctor you see later that you have implants.
Price and what it includes
At City Medical Centre, breast augmentation in Moscow costs $4,700 (previously $5,900). A breast lift without implants is $4,700, a breast lift with implants $5,400, breast reduction $4,700, and implant removal $3,300.
The price is all-inclusive: anaesthesia, the inpatient stay and a year of follow-up by the plastic surgeon. When you compare offers from other countries, compare these items rather than the headline figure. If you are travelling from the UK or the Gulf, see our pages for patients from London and Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How long after breast augmentation can I fly?
NHS guidance on cosmetic surgery abroad recommends not flying for 5 to 7 days after breast surgery because of the risk of blood clots. A long-haul route may need a longer wait. Your surgeon decides the date after checking your wounds, so plan your return flight with a few days of margin.
How long is recovery after breast augmentation?
Discomfort is strongest in days 1 to 3 and much less by days 5 to 7. Most people return to office work after 7 to 14 days. Fitness and swimming are allowed after 4 to 6 weeks, strength training after 3 months, and full recovery takes 3 to 6 months.
Do breast implants need to be replaced?
Yes, eventually. The FDA says breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the chance of complications grows the longer you have them. According to the clinic's guidance, implants typically last about 10 to 15 years before they need replacing.
What is included in the price at City Medical Centre?
Breast augmentation costs $4,700 and the price is all-inclusive: anaesthesia, the inpatient stay and a year of follow-up by the plastic surgeon. The cost is fixed in the contract after the consultation. Ask your coordinator about anything travel-related, such as accommodation, as it is not part of the listed price.
How long do I wear a compression bra?
The compression garment is usually worn for 4 to 6 weeks after breast augmentation. It supports the implants while swelling settles and the tissues heal. Your surgeon tells you when you can switch to a normal bra.
Get a free consultation and a fixed quote
Send your name and phone number, and a coordinator will call you back. You can also send photos and questions on WhatsApp.
- The first consultation is free, online consultations are available
- The doctor names the cost after the assessment, and it is fixed in the contract
- A personal coordinator guides you from the first message to recovery
Related guides
- Travel & planning
Surgery in Moscow for Foreigners: Planning, Visa, Payment and Travel
Planning surgery in Moscow as a foreigner? Prices, step-by-step planning, visa rules to check, payment with foreign cards, how long to stay and what to ask.
6 min read - Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty Abroad: What to Know, Recovery Week by Week and When You Can Fly Home
Planning rhinoplasty abroad? Preparation, recovery day by day and week by week, when splints and stitches come out, and how long to wait before flying home.
6 min read - Hair transplant
Hair Transplant Cost by Country: What Drives the Price and How to Compare Clinics Abroad
Why hair transplant prices differ by country, what really drives the cost, how to compare Turkey, the UK and the US fairly, and what FUE and DHI cost in Moscow.
6 min read