When undergoing a breast augmentation, you may have concerns regarding how your breasts may look and feel after the procedure. If the goal of your breast augmentation is to achieve a more natural appearance and feel, a fat transfer method may be right for you.
Here is everything you should know about fat transfer breast augmentation so that you can decide what is best for you.
What is a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
This type of augmentation, also called autologous breast augmentation, is a procedure performed to restore the shape and appearance of the breasts using the woman’s own fat tissue. The fat tissue used for breast augmentation is harvested from other body areas like the abdomen, thighs, love handle area, or buttocks. Once the fat cells have been removed from the donor area, they are injected into the breasts to add shape and volume. The procedure results in a soft, natural breast appearance and feel.
Benefits of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Women who undergo a natural breast augmentation achieve more modest results, and it is most commonly used when women want only to go up a cup size or less. Benefits include:
- It results in a more natural look and feel.
- It does not use silicone or saline implants, so no foreign materials are used.
- The results are permanent and do not need to be replaced at any specific interval, as saline or silicone implants do.
- This procedure is a two-in-one procedure in which an area of the body is slimmed and the breasts enhanced simultaneously.
- There is a shorter recovery time.
- Because the person’s own body fat is used for the procedure, there is less risk of rejection when compared to breast implants.
- The incisions and scars left behind are smaller as the procedure only requires liposuction to remove the fat and an injection to place the fat cells into the breast tissue.
Disadvantages
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks or disadvantages to be aware of beforehand. Disadvantages can include:
- There are limits to how much fat can be harvested from the donor sites, and if there is not much fat to harvest, more than one procedure may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
- In some cases, fat can be reabsorbed into the body, changing the result over time.
- There is a limit to how much breast size can be increased. Typically, a fat transfer breast augmentation can increase the cup size by no more than 1 cup.
- If breast sagging is a concern, this type of augmentation may not be the best procedure for you, as the fat transfer increases breast volume and can increase sagging. However, the procedure can be combined with a breast lift to combat this.
- Fat transfer breast augmentation may cause suspicious false positive results on yearly mammograms for breast cancer screening.
- Liposuction in the areas where fat was harvested can leave dents or scar tissue that can change the appearance of the harvest area.
- There is a risk of a complication called fat necrosis with this type of breast augmentation. Fat necrosis can lead to painful scar tissue and cysts that will also change the appearance and shape of the breasts.
Who is a Good Candidate for The Procedure?
This type of procedure may not be suitable for everyone. The best candidates for the procedure are women looking to enhance the look and feel of their breasts but do not desire a significant increase in breast size. Otherwise, women who want to undergo a fat transfer breast augmentation should be in generally good health, nonsmokers, and not pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is the Recovery Time of a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
Immediately following the procedure, most women can expect to be swollen, a little sore, and have some bruising in both the breast area and the donor site. Resting is essential in the first few days after the procedure to allow for proper healing. Women should avoid high-impact exercise or activities for at least the first two weeks following the procedure. Most women recover entirely within about six weeks.
Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Right For You?
If you are looking for a subtle way to improve the look and feel of your breasts, a fat transfer breast augmentation may be right for you! Schedule a complimentary consultation today and learn more about the benefits.