Breast fat transfer are cosmetic procedures involving the transfer of unwanted excess fat from a place like the hips, abdomen, or upper arms to the breasts.
The goal of this procedure is to add volume and plumpness to the breasts, and in many cases, it can replace breast implant surgery.
Unfortunately, fat transfer breast augmentation is not as well-known, so a lot of patients still don’t realize it’s an option for them.
If you are considering this procedure for yourself, here are 7 things you should know.
7 things you should know about Breast Fat Transfer
1. It’s best for women who want to make only slight changes to the size of their breasts.
Breast implants are best for you if you want to make significant changes to your breasts. For example, if you would like to go up two, three, or more breast sizes, you’ll want implants almost certainly.
On the other hand, a fat transfer procedure can enhance your breasts if you’re only looking to go up one breast size – or maybe two.
Breast fat transfer augmentation is also good for reshaping the breasts — for example, adding a bit more plumpness and volume above the nipples and areolas.
2. It’s still a serious surgery.
37 year old female after breast augmentation with 250cc low+ profile implants and breast fat transfer.
*Results may vary
Although you won’t be adding implants to your body with breast transfer augmentation, it’s still a serious surgery. In other words, don’t assume that it’s simply an outpatient procedure like Botox or other injectables.
You’ll need anesthesia, and incisions and injections are necessary for the procedure. There’s also considerable downtime after the surgery, during which you’ll need to follow strict recovery instructions and get lots of sleep and rest.
3. It can help define other parts of your body in addition to enhancing your breasts.
One of the biggest advantages of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it can make other parts of your body look better as well. That’s because liposuction is used to remove the “donor fat” from other trouble areas such as the back, abdomen, or upper arms.
Simply discuss what other areas of the body you would like to improve with Dr. Sieber at your consultation appointment. For example, if you have some extra fat around your waist, he can source the donor fat from your abdomen.
This will improve the appearance of that area of your body and make it slimmer and smoother.
4. It’s a great procedure if your breasts are uneven.
Women who have breasts that are unevenly sized no longer need to have a breast reduction performed on the larger breast or to get an implant for the smaller breast in order to make them even. Now, a fat transfer breast augmentation can simply be used to even out the breasts for a uniform appearance.
5. It provides the most natural results.
Women commonly lament the fact that their breasts may not look natural if they opt for a bigger size or perkier shape with implants. It’s uncomfortable knowing someone may be able to spot the fact that they’ve had breast augmentation surgery. This is perfectly understandable, and it makes fat transfer breast augmentation a superior solution.
That’s because with fat transfer augmentation, you’re going to achieve the most natural looking results. That is, the improvements to your breasts will generally be subtle.
You can rest assured you’ll be using your body’s own fat to augment your breast shape, so no foreign objects will need to be implanted either.
6. Any scarring will be minimal.
Nearly all cosmetic surgeries will result in at least some scarring. Fat transfer breast augmentation is no exception. The majority of the incisions will be made during the liposuction phase of the surgery — when fat is removed from unwanted areas in order to be processed and reinserted into the breasts.
Even though this step requires small incisions, however, when compared to breast implants, most fat transfer breast augmentation procedures will result in significantly fewer scars.
In addition, Dr. Sieber is incredibly skilled at making his incisions in discrete locations. And with the proper post-operative care, any scarring will also fade over time.
7. Patients won’t have to worry about potential implant complications.
Although the risk of breast implant complications is rare, they are something to consider when opting for an implant procedure. Also, certain implants require intermittent testing to ensure they are intact and working well. Breast augmentation using the fat transfer process, on the other hand, will never result in these issues.
The fat will either live and survive in its new location in the breasts or not. There are very few risks of fat transfer breast augmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is better fat transfer or implants?
A: If you want to change the size and/or shape of your breasts, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best procedure for you will depend on several factors, including exactly what you want the outcome of the procedure to be. The best way to know if a fat transfer augmentation is right for you (or if you need implants) is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber.
Q: How much fat is required for a fat transfer?
A: This depends on what your goals are. If you want your results to be significant (adding a notable amount of volume and sizing up at least a few bra sizes), you’ll need an equally significant amount of excess fat elsewhere on your body. And keep in mind that a little extra will be needed on top of that because not all of the transferred fat will survive.
In the end, some individuals may find that they don’t have enough excess fat and will need to consider another procedure such as breast implants or a breast lift, if applicable.
Q: What can I expect at my consultation?
A: One of the most important steps in your fat transfer breast augmentation journey is your consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber. This must take place before you schedule your surgery.
At any type of cosmetic surgery consultation appointment, it’s important to bring with you a rundown of your medical history. Dr. Sieber will want to know about any past surgeries, the current medications and/or vitamins and supplements you are taking, any medical conditions you have currently or have endured in the past, and any other relevant medical information.
In addition to discussing your medical history and current health, one of the main things you’ll do at your consultation appointment is talk about what you hope to achieve with surgery. Plan on being open and honest about what your goals are. Some patients like to bring in pictures of the way their breasts used to look or pictures of others that they would like to emulate with their results.
Finally, Dr. Sieber will want to examine your breasts to help determine the best procedure for you. It’s also important that you are in good health before moving forward with any type of surgery, so he may perform a short physical examination and could order additional tests, when necessary.
Q: How long does breast fat transfer last?
A: Yes, your results should last for many years. In some rare cases, results may diminish over time, but this is usually due to a significant change in weight after the surgery.
For the best results, it’s important to maintain a stable weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. The fat that survives the transfer is permanent, so as long as you can stay within a healthy, normal weight range, your results should persist.
What are pros and cons of fat transfer breast augmentation?
PROS
- Dual Toning Procedure: Sculpt Your Body All Over!
- Minimal Invasive Surgery.
- Relatively Fewer Complications.
- Natural and fuller breasts.
CONS
- The limited increase in breast size.
- Not every candidate is an ideal candidate.
- Unpredictable fat survival results.
Book a Consultation Today!
Sieber Plastic Surgery
Have you been considering a breast fat transfer to increase the size of your breasts or change their shape? Breast augmentation using fat transfer could be for you.
To learn more about this procedure, see before and after photos and find out if you would be a good candidate, give us a call and make a consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber today.
Sources
Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
