When performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon, fat transfer is a very safe procedure. The technique has been around for over 100 years, and has been refined over the last 30 years.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer
It’s been a dream of many women to take fat from one area of their body and transfer it to the breasts for increased volume. This procedure can be a reality, to an extent.
BREAST AUGMENTATION USING FAT TRANSFER
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. and one of our most popular services. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned figure through the placement of saline or silicone implants.
Fat from a part of the body where you can spare it can be used to plump up another area where volume is needed, such as the face or buttocks. It can also be used to increase the breast size by one cup size or less, as well as augmenting after breast cancer and filling in small defects. It can also be used to refine the appearance of implants.
ADVANTAGES OF BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER
- Minimal scarring: Only very small incisions are used
- All-natural: No risk of allergic reaction, and an extraordinarily natural look and feel
- Fat is removed: Liposuction is used to remove fat from parts of the body such as the stomach, hips, or thighs
- No complications from implants: Common implant issues such as rupture, rippling, or migration are avoided
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER?
During your consultation with Dr. Stephens, he will evaluate your areas of concern and go over your aesthetic goals. He will then be able to tell you if a breast augmentation with fat transfer is right for you or not. Women who make the best candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer are those who:
Have fully developed breasts
Have enough body fat to use for the breasts
Only want to moderately increase their breast size (one cup or less)
Want to correct small defects of the breasts
Want to refine the results of their breast implants
Do not need a breast lift
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Are non-smokers in overall good health
Have realistic expectations for the procedure
USING FAT TRANSFER TO REFINE BREAST IMPLANTS
While fat transfer is often done on its own for subtle enhancement, it can also be used to refine the results of breast implantation. Injected fat that is strategically placed can hide the edges of the implant for a softer, smoother appearance for the breasts and an added layer of cushion around the implant.
COST OF BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER
The cost of breast augmentation with fat transfer at Stephens Plastic Surgery starts at $5,000 and may vary from person to person. The overall cost of the procedure is subject to variation based on individual circumstances, particularly the complexity of each case. The degree of customization required for the procedure, the materials utilized, and the intricacy of the case can all contribute to the potential variance in pricing. Recognizing that such transformative enhancements may involve financial considerations, Stephens Plastic Surgery also extends financing options to ensure flexibility for individuals pursuing this procedure.
BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER PROCEDURE DETAILS
In this procedure, normal, healthy fat is removed from an area with extra fat such as the stomach, hips, or thighs using liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected into target areas of the breasts to add natural-looking volume. In the right patients, fat makes the ideal filler and delivers just the right amount of enhancement or correction needed. When the fat survives properly, it looks and feels beautifully natural, and because it comes from your own body, you don’t have to worry about an allergic reaction.
This procedure can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The first step is liposuction. Dr. Stephens will create a very small incision near the area where fat will be removed. He will then insert a cannula (a small, thin tube) into this incision so it can break up and remove the fat from the body into a container. The fat will first be purified, then re-injected into the breasts where volume is desired. The procedure takes 1-2 hours.
WHAT RESULTS TO EXPECT
You’ll be able to see early results shortly after the procedure, but final results aren’t apparent until 5-6 months. About 50%-70% of the fat survives, while the rest becomes absorbed by the body. Because of this, you may need to have the procedure again to meet your desired aesthetic goals.
During your consultation with Dr. Stephens, he will talk to you about how many sessions you’ll need.
AFTER YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Recovery from breast augmentation with fat transfer is minimal. Here are some things to consider:
Most patients return to work in one week
- Bruising, swelling, and tenderness typically subsides within a few weeks
- Avoid showering for 48 hours following the procedure
- The breasts should not be submerged in water for one week
- A surgical bra will be worn for one week
- Exercise can usually be continued at six weeks
BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER FAQ
Is fat transfer safe?
Does breast augmentation with fat transfer affect a mammogram?
With new techniques, fat can be transferred to the breasts without obscuring mammograms. In the past, the scar created during the procedure would obscure mammograms. However, with newer and better techniques, this is no longer an issue.
Can fat be used to increase my breast size by more than one cup?
Fat transfer is more appropriate for more subtle enhancement. While many women would prefer a more natural filler than a breast implant, the fat transfer procedure simply cannot increase breast size as much as an implant can. It’s much more effective for improving small defects, refining the appearance of implants, and addressing the appearance of the breasts after cancer.
