Is Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer a Win-Win?

Most women opt for breast surgery to improve their appearance and self-confidence. But just as there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a bra, you also have choices regarding breast augmentation. This procedure has truly evolved over the years, and today we can offer you options like natural breast augmentation with fat transfer vs. breast implants. 

What is unique about breast augmentation with fat transfer? What is recovery like? Are you a good candidate? Let’s explore how and why a fat transfer breast augmentation could be a win-win for you!

What Is a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

This breast enhancement procedure is a natural alternative to silicone or saline breast implants. During a breast augmentation with fat transfer, we use liposuction to remove unwanted, excess fat from other areas of the body (typically the abdomen and thighs). After cleansing the fat, we make tiny incisions to transfer the fat cells, increasing breasts by about one cup size. Fat transfer is an outpatient procedure performed using general or local anesthetic with sedation. Several treatments may be necessary to achieve subtle, natural, long-lasting results.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?

Do you have unwanted fat and desire fuller or more proportional breasts? If so, a breast augmentation with fat transfer may be a win-win solution for you. Women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy also often pursue this procedure as an alternative to breast implants.

During your consultation, here are other factors we consider in determining if you are a good candidate:

• You are in good overall health.
• You have sufficient excess body fat to perform the fat transfer and achieve the desired result.s
• You have realistic expectations—remember, this procedure can only increase your breasts by approximately one cup size.
• You have small or asymmetric breasts that can benefit from enlargement or reshaping.
• You are not expecting to lift sagging breasts—but we can sometimes pair a breast lift with breast augmentation with fat transfer.
• You are not currently nursing or pregnant.

Natural Breast Augmentation Pros and Cons

Many patients are intrigued by breast augmentation using fat transfer because it is a way to improve your silhouette without adding anything foreign to the body. But not every patient is a good candidate for a fat transfer, even though nearly anyone can get breast implants. Are you wondering which is right for you? Consider these pros and cons:

Pros:

• It’s a natural repurposing of a patient’s tissue instead of inserting foreign objects into the body.
• Results appear softer and more natural than implants.
• Breasts are enlarged while excess fat is removed, sculpting your overall figure.
• Tiny incisions = minimal scarring.
• It creates long-lasting results without the risk of rupturing or shifting implants.

Cons:

• You are limited to increasing breasts by one cup size; you can’t choose from a range of breast implant sizes and shapes.
• This procedure alone doesn’t lift the breasts or prevent sagging.
• Some transferred fat cells will not “survive” upon relocation, which can diminish the results.
• This is a multi-faceted and more expensive procedure; it may take more sessions to achieve desired results.

What Is Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Recovery Like?

Remember our earlier reference that this is not a one-size-fits-all procedure? This also applies to your recovery. Because every patient and procedure is unique, recovery times can vary slightly. In general, here is what you can expect from your recovery:

• You can see results immediately because we don’t bandage your breasts.
• You may need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling (depending on the amount of fat transferred).
• We prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers, which you should take as directed.
• We recommend sleeping on your back to keep pressure off your breasts.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing eases healing and recovery.
• Bruising and swelling should diminish within 2 weeks.
• Several treatments may be necessary to achieve your full, desired results.

Let’s Recap … Natural Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Or Breast Implants?

An innovative approach like fat transfer breast augmentation is ideal for enlarging your breasts while sculpting your physique. The results are more natural and subtle than breast implants. However, this procedure is not the best fit for patients with minimal excess body fat and/or who want much larger breasts. These patients should use traditional breast implants to get more dramatic results.

Are you still wondering which breast surgery approach is right for you? We offer fat transfer augmentation and breast implants for women in Torrance, CA, and nearby communities such as Long Beach and Redondo Beach. Please check out our patient before and after photos, and request a consultation online or call us at (310) 784-0644 to schedule an appointment.