So, you’re considering having breast augmentation surgery, and you think you want to go with a fat transfer breast augmentation, but you aren’t quite sure which option is right for you.
Well, don’t worry!
Synergistiq Wellness has created this comprehensive guide to discuss the pros and cons of fat transfer breast augmentation. By the end, you’ll better grasp this cosmetic procedure and what you can expect regarding the costs, the results, and the recovery time for fat transfer surgery.
If you are considering a fat transfer breast augmentation in the Tampa area, talk with the body sculpting specialists at Synergistiq Wellness today. We’re Tampa’s premier body sculpting aesthetic center, and we’re ready to help you achieve your desired results. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons!
What is a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
Fat transfer breast augmentation, also known as natural breast augmentation, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is performed by a plastic surgeon who uses a three-step process to transfer fat to the breasts from other areas of the body. The procedure involves the following steps:
- The plastic surgeon performs liposuction to harvest fat from donor sites with excess fat.
- The harvested fat is liquefied and processed so that it is more likely to survive the fat grafting process.
- The cosmetic surgeon then injects the processed fat into the breasts, leading to a more natural-looking enhanced breast size and shape.
The fat transfer breast augmentation procedure is an excellent option for women looking for more natural-looking breast augmentation and who want to achieve breast enhancement without breast implants. Another factoring that makes this breast augmentation procedure attractive to women is that it is essentially two cosmetic procedures in one: liposuction and breast augmentation.
Advantages of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Let’s dig into the advantages of choosing fat transfer breast augmentation over implants.
1. Less Invasive Compared to Breast Implants
One of the most significant advantages of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it is a less invasive cosmetic procedure than breast implant surgery. The fat transfer option is ideal for women who do not want to undergo invasive surgery for breast enhancement.
A fat transfer breast augmentation surgery involves harvesting fat from other areas of the body and then transferring it to the breasts, which means that there is no need to create large incisions in the breast tissue or insert foreign objects (breast implants) into the body to achieve breast enhancement.
2. Combines Liposuction and Breast Enhancement
Another advantage of this breast augmentation procedure is that it is two procedures rolled up into one. Women who have a fat transfer breast augmentation procedure done receive the slimming benefits of liposuction and the confidence boost of breast enhancement.
The plastic surgeon can harvest fat from different body areas with excess, unwanted fat and use that for the breast augmentation procedure. You can harvest fat from your abdomen, sides, lower and upper back, underarms, or anywhere with enough donor fat.
3. More Natural-Looking and Feeling Results
One of the most significant advantages of a fat transfer breast augmentation procedure is that it produces a more natural-looking and feeling breast. The breasts will have a softer, more natural appearance and feel because they are made of the patient’s own fat, which is what natural breast tissue is made of.
Some women want the added roundness and firmness that silicone or gel implants offer, but for those women who prefer a more natural look and appearance, a fat transfer breast augmentation procedure is the better option.
4. Fewer Complications Than Breast Implants
Another advantage of fat transfer breast augmentation is that the procedure has fewer complications than breast implant surgery. With a fat transfer breast augmentation, there is no risk of implant rupture or implant-related complications because there are no implants.
Because of the fat purification and processing of this natural breast enhancement procedure, most women’s bodies typically accept the transplanted fat without major complications or rejections.
5. Less Risk of Scars
A fat transfer breast augmentation procedure has a much smaller risk of scarring than breast implant surgery. This is because the fat transfer procedure only requires small incisions for liposuction and fat transfer, so there is no need for large incisions in the breast tissue. Additionally, there is no risk of capsular contracture distorting the shape of your breasts during fat transfer breast augmentation because there aren’t foreign bodies inserted into them.
6. Faster Recovery Time
Generally, a fat transfer breast augmentation cosmetic procedure has a faster recovery time than breast implant surgery. Patients can typically return to work and other normal activities within a few days of a fat transfer breast augmentation. In contrast, recovery from breast implant surgery can take several weeks because it is a more invasive procedure.
Downsides of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Despite various advantages of this procedure, for some women, there may be potential drawbacks to consider with a fat transfer breast augmentation, depending on personal aesthetic and surgery expectations.
1. Results Are Less Pronounced Than Implants
Fat grafting breast enhancement results are typically less pronounced than breast implant surgery results. Implants may be a better option if you are looking for a significant increase in breast size or breast volume. For women who want more natural-looking results, they may have to sacrifice larger breasts with a fat transfer.
2. Breasts May Still Sag
The fat transfer breast augmentation procedure does not provide the same degree of lift as breast implant surgery. This means that if you have significant drooping or sagging breasts, this fat grafting procedure alone may not be able to provide the desired lift. In these cases, a breast lift may be necessary in addition to fat transfer.
3. May Require Multiple Procedures To Get Desired Results
In some cases, it may take multiple fat transfer procedures to achieve the desired breast enhancement results. This is because the body may not accept all of the transplanted fat, which can reduce breast size after the procedure. As a result, patients may need to undergo multiple fat transfer breast augmentation procedures to achieve their desired cup size and breast shape.
4. You Might Not Have Enough Donor Fat Available For Fat Harvesting
To be a good candidate for a fat transfer breast augmentation, you need to have enough donor fat available for harvesting. If you don’t have enough excess fat in other areas of the body, you may not be a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure.
5. Can Be More Expensive
A fat transfer breast augmentation can be more expensive than breast implant surgery. This is because the fat transfer procedure is more time consuming and requires more skill and expertise from the surgeon, which factors into the breast augmentation costs. You’ll also have to factor in the potential for multiple procedures if you aren’t satisfied with the results of your first.
6. The Transplanted Fat Might Not Survive The Graft
There is a small risk with a fat transfer breast augmentation that the transplanted fat may not survive the graft, which can reduce breast size after the procedure. This risk can be minimized by selecting a skilled and experienced surgeon at a plastic surgery facility with a strong reputation for body sculpting or body contouring procedures.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Implants
Breast implants have long held the reputation as the de facto method of breast augmentation for many years (since the 1960s, in fact). It wasn’t until the 1990s that the fat transfer procedure for breast augmentation became cosmetically viable due to advancements in fat processing and purification, which drastically improved the survival of fat grafts.
Since then, women have chosen fat transfer breast augmentation over breast implants as a less invasive way to naturally enhance their breasts without foreign substances like silicone implants.
There are some notable drawbacks to using breast implants that turn some women away:
- Risk of surgical complications
- Potential scarring
- Implant displacement
- Implant rupture
Fat transfer breast augmentation, on the other hand, uses the patient’s own fat, which eliminates the risk of complications associated with implant surgery.
Schedule Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation in Tampa, FL
If you are considering a fat transfer breast augmentation, it’s important to speak with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to determine whether this procedure is best for your aesthetic goals.
At Synergistiq Wellness, we offer fat transfer breast augmentations and other fat transfer procedures to help you achieve your cosmetic goals! Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons and learn more about the benefits of this natural breast augmentation procedure.
*The information on this page was written or reviewed for accuracy by the Synergistiq Wellness team. Learn more about us!