What Are Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Results Like?

Fat transfer breast augmentation is often called a natural alternative to breast implants, which appeals to women considering breast enhancement surgery. However, it is important to understand both the benefits and limitations of breast augmentation with fat transfer and how combining implants with fat grafting may be the best option for you.

What Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

How would you like to take excess fat from your abdomen, hips, or another area of your body and use it to enhance the size and shape of your breasts? It probably sounds too good to be true, but for the right person, it is an effective option.

The procedure involves liposuction to remove fat, which is then purified by spinning it in a specialized centrifuge. The surgeon then strategically injects the fat into the breasts to add volume and improve their contours.

Benefits and Limitations of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Benefits

If you’re looking for a subtle, natural increase in breast size—about a half-cup to one-cup bra size—fat transfer breast augmentation is an excellent option. Because the technique uses your own tissue, the results look and feel natural. The procedure also avoids risks associated with synthetic implants, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture.

Fat transfer is also a technique our surgeons may use if you’re removing implants and getting a breast lift. Our surgeons use the fat to shape the breasts and add a little more lift, as you can see in these fat transfer breast augmentation before and after photos:

Limitations

Women seeking a more significant breast size increase are not good candidates for the fat transfer technique. Another limitation of fat grafting is fat resorption, where the body reabsorbs some of the transferred fat. No matter how successful the procedure is, a percentage of the transferred fat will always vanish. Even with optimal technique, studies show that some fat, typically around 30% to 50%, may not survive long term. Most of this loss occurs within the first few months after surgery.

Why Combine Fat Transfer with Breast Implants?

While fat transfer alone is excellent for modest enhancements, it limits how much volume we can effectively add in a single session. Most women seeking a dramatic change still require implants to achieve their desired fullness. This is where hybrid breast augmentation comes in.

Hybrid breast augmentation involves placing a breast implant and then using fat grafting to refine and perfect the result. Some of the reasons you may choose to combine implants with fat transfer include:

Enhanced natural look and feel: Fat grafting adds a layer of soft, natural tissue over and around the implant, camouflaging its edges and creating a seamless transition between the implant and your natural breast tissue. This is especially important for women with thin skin or little existing breast tissue.

Improved symmetry: Few breasts are naturally symmetrical. Different sizes of implants can help offset asymmetry, but adding fat enables the surgeon to fine-tune the breasts’ shape and symmetry. An earlier blog post discusses how breast augmentation corrects uneven breasts.

Softer cleavage and improved contours: If you have a broad chest or breasts that sit far apart, implants alone may not create the desired cleavage. Fat grafting adds fullness to the inner breasts, enhancing cleavage and creating natural-looking results.

Body contouring: Combining liposuction with breast augmentation is a benefit that patients truly enjoy. Sculpting your midsection with liposuction can complement your enhanced breast size.

Is Hybrid Breast Augmentation Right for You?

If you desire fuller breasts with a natural look and feel, and you have areas of unwanted fat, hybrid breast augmentation could be an excellent solution. It’s particularly well suited to women who want:

• A natural, soft breast appearance
• Correction of asymmetry or contour irregularities
• Enhanced cleavage or fullness in specific areas
• The added benefit of body contouring

The best way to know which breast enhancement procedure is right for you is to consult with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. You can request a consultation using the online form or by calling us at (303) 278-2600.