360 Lipo & BBL Istanbul: My Honest Review
I never thought I’d be the kind of person who flies abroad for surgery.
I’m not particularly adventurous. I don’t like uncertainty. And for years, the idea of travelling to another country for a cosmetic procedure felt like exactly the kind of thing you read cautionary tales about in tabloids.
But here I am, eight months later, writing this from my living room in Leeds — with results I genuinely couldn’t have achieved at home, at a price I could actually afford. So let me tell you exactly what happened.
How It Started: Three Procedures, One Decision
I’d been researching body contouring for about two years. Not obsessively — just the kind of quiet, private research that I think a lot of women do when they’re unhappy with something but not quite ready to admit it out loud.
My concerns were specific. After two pregnancies and a significant amount of weight loss, I had stubborn fat deposits around my waist, flanks and back that weren’t shifting regardless of what I did. My backside had essentially disappeared. And the skin — particularly around my abdomen — was loose in a way that made me feel like my body didn’t match how I felt inside.
My GP was sympathetic but clear: none of this would be addressed on the NHS. Private consultations in the UK gave me quotes that ranged from eye-watering to genuinely laughable. One clinic in London quoted me £18,000 for the three procedures combined — and that didn’t include aftercare, compression garments or follow-up appointments.
A colleague mentioned she’d had work done in Istanbul. I smiled politely and internally dismissed it entirely.
Three months later, I was on the Estelux website at midnight filling in a consultation form.
What is 360 Liposuction?
Before I get into my experience, let me explain what 360 lipo actually is — because it’s not the same as standard liposuction.
Standard liposuction targets a specific area. 360 liposuction — as the name suggests — addresses the entire circumference of the midsection: the abdomen, flanks, waist and back, all in one procedure. The result is a complete, sculpted waist rather than a patchy improvement in one area.
For me, this was the difference between a partial result and the full transformation I was looking for.
What is BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)?
A Brazilian Butt Lift uses the fat removed during liposuction — rather than implants — to add volume and shape to the buttocks. The fat is processed and carefully injected to create a natural, proportionate result.
The reason BBL works so well alongside 360 lipo is that you’re essentially redistributing your own body’s fat. What’s removed from one area is transferred to enhance another. No foreign materials, no implants — just your own tissue, repositioned.
What is J-Plasma (Renuvion)?
J-Plasma — also known as Renuvion — was the procedure I knew least about going into this. My surgeon at Estelux recommended it specifically because of the loose skin I had following my weight loss.
J-Plasma uses cold helium plasma energy delivered beneath the skin’s surface to cause immediate and ongoing skin contraction. Think of it as tightening the envelope around the new shape created by the liposuction. Without addressing the skin, lipo alone can sometimes leave you with a deflated rather than sculpted appearance.
The results of J-Plasma continue to develop for up to twelve months after the procedure — which is something I’ll come back to later.
The Consultation Process
I sent photos and a description of my concerns to Estelux via WhatsApp on a Wednesday evening. By Thursday morning I had a personalised response — not a template, an actual response that addressed what I’d written.
A video consultation followed within the week. My surgeon walked me through each procedure in plain English, explained why the three worked well in combination for my specific situation, and gave me realistic expectations for both the results and the recovery. There was no pressure. When I said I needed time to think, the response was simply: “Of course — come back when you’re ready.”
That unhurried approach was what made me trust them. Every clinic I’d spoken to in the UK had made me feel like a sale. This felt like a medical consultation.
The Cost: What I Actually Paid
I’m going to be straightforward here because vague answers about cost frustrate me.
My all-inclusive package at Estelux covered the 360 liposuction, BBL, J-Plasma procedure, pre-operative blood tests, four nights hotel accommodation, airport transfers both ways, my personal patient coordinator, compression garments, aftercare kit and remote follow-up support for three months.
The total was less than half of what the London clinic had quoted me for the procedures alone — without any of the additional support.
For a personalised quote, contact Estelux directly via WhatsApp. They provide clear, itemised pricing with no hidden costs added after you’ve committed.
Arriving in Istanbul
I flew from Manchester. Just over four hours — shorter than I’d expected.
A driver was waiting at arrivals. I was taken to a comfortable hotel a short distance from the clinic. My coordinator messaged me within minutes of landing to confirm everything had gone smoothly and to run through the schedule for the following day.
Istanbul itself surprised me. I’d half-expected to feel out of my depth in an unfamiliar city. Instead, I felt looked after in a way that I genuinely hadn’t anticipated. The clinic runs a smooth, well-organised operation — you’re never left wondering what happens next.
The Day of the Procedure
Pre-operative checks began at 7:30am — blood pressure, blood tests, final consultation with my surgeon who confirmed the plan and marked the treatment areas carefully.
The combined procedure was performed under sedation anaesthesia — one of Estelux’s differentiators. I was completely unaware throughout. No awareness, no discomfort. I woke up in recovery feeling groggy and tight, but not in pain.
The full 360 lipo, BBL and J-Plasma took approximately six hours. I rested at the clinic for a further two hours before being transferred back to the hotel, where my coordinator checked in that evening to make sure I was managing.
Recovery: The Honest Version
I want to be completely honest here because I think people sometimes sanitise recovery experiences in a way that isn’t helpful.
The first three days were uncomfortable. Moving was slow. Getting in and out of bed required effort. The compression garment — which you wear continuously for the first six weeks — is not pleasant, but it is non-negotiable for good results.
I had brought enough medication, the aftercare kit was comprehensive, and Omar checked in every day via WhatsApp without being intrusive. By day four I was moving around the hotel comfortably. By day six I flew home without difficulty.
Recovery timeline:
- Week 1–2: Significant swelling and bruising. Compression garment 24 hours. Rest essential.
- Week 3–4: Swelling reducing noticeably. Most patients return to desk work.
- Month 2: Bruising resolved. Shape beginning to emerge through residual swelling.
- Month 3–4: Results becoming clearly visible. BBL volume settling into final position.
- Month 6: Significant improvement. J-Plasma tightening effect well underway.
- Month 8–12: Final results. Skin continues to tighten and refine.
The Results: Eight Months On
Eight months after my procedure, I can say this clearly: the results have exceeded what I hoped for.
The 360 lipo has created a waist definition I genuinely didn’t believe my body was capable of. The BBL has restored the shape that two pregnancies took away — proportionate and natural, not exaggerated. And the J-Plasma has tightened the loose skin that I’d spent two years trying to accept.
I wore a swimsuit on holiday last month. For the first time in six years, I didn’t spend the entire time worrying about how I looked.
That’s not a small thing.
What I Wish I’d Known
1. The combination matters. 360 lipo, BBL and J-Plasma work together in a way that none of them do individually. The lipo creates the shape, the BBL enhances it, and J-Plasma refines the skin around it. Don’t do one without considering the others.
2. Results take time. At week four I was still swollen and bruised and slightly panicking. By month three I understood why people do this. By month eight I stopped second-guessing the decision entirely.
3. The compression garment is non-negotiable. Wear it. All the time. For as long as you’re told. I cannot stress this enough.
4. The flying home is manageable. I was anxious about the flight. With surgeon clearance, compression garment and a business class seat upgrade I treated myself to, it was fine.
5. Research the clinic, not just the country. Turkey has excellent clinics and poor ones, just as the UK does. Verify Ministry of Health licensing. Check reviews across multiple platforms. Ask specific questions and see how they’re answered.
Would I Do It Again?
Without question.
The combination of 360 lipo, BBL and J-Plasma at Estelux Istanbul gave me results that weren’t accessible to me at home — either because of cost, waiting times, or the fact that the combination wasn’t offered at all.
If you’re in the UK and you’ve been researching these procedures, I’d encourage you to actually look into Istanbul properly rather than dismissing it based on assumptions. I dismissed it for three years. I wish I hadn’t.
Getting Started
Estelux offers a free, no-obligation consultation via WhatsApp. Send your photos and questions — you’ll receive a personalised response within the hour.
WhatsApp: +90 552 813 86 86
Estelux Istanbul — Plastic Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Hair Transplant & Dental Treatment for International Patients.
