Key Takeaways
- Fat grafting breast augmentation uses liposuction to remove fat from areas like the tummy or thighs and injects it into the breasts to increase volume.
- Because no implant is inserted, there is no chest wall incision, a shorter recovery time, and the procedure is performed under local rather than general anesthesia.
- It is ideal for patients who want a subtle size increase, have uneven breasts, or have had a lumpectomy and want to correct a contour irregularity.
- A key risk is fat reabsorption, where the body metabolizes some of the transferred fat over time, potentially resulting in decreased size or asymmetry.
- Very slim patients may not have enough donor fat to achieve their desired result and may not qualify as good candidates for this procedure.
Breast augmentation with fat grafting, also known as a natural breast augmentation, or fat transfer breast augmentation, is a surgical option for enhancing the size of your breasts without the use of implants. The procedure uses liposuction to remove fat from one area of your body (like the tummy or thighs) and then injects the fat into the breasts to increase the volume.
The Benefits
There are several benefits to breast augmentation with fat grafting. There is no incision because you are not inserting an implant into the breast wall. The recovery time is shorter than that of a traditional breast augmentation because of the lack of incision, and because you are not disturbing the muscle tissue of the breasts. Also, you are under local anesthesia generally as opposed to general anesthesia, so there are less risks in that regard.
It is also an excellent augmentation option for women with uneven breast sizes who just want to increase the size of one breast, and for women who have had a lumpectomy and just want to correct the divot in the breast tissue. If you want to increase your breast size subtly, as opposed to going up several cup sizes, a breast augmentation with fat grafting can give you that result.
Also, there is no risk of an immunological reaction from your body like there is with the insertion of implants, because you are using your own body tissue to augment the size of your chest. There is also less risk that you will lose sensation in the breasts.
The Risks
Like any surgery, breast augmentation with fat grafting has risks. Since the fat is your own tissue, your body might reabsorb some of it over time, which can lead to decreased breast size or uneven breasts. There are also risks associated with the liposuction portion of the procedure, such as scarring or uneven skin texture.
There is also the risk that you wont be a good candidate for the procedure. Many women who want augmented breasts are already slim and wont have enough body fat to provide to increase their breast size. Your surgeon will let you know if you are a good candidate for the surgery.
If you have any questions about breast augmentation with fat grafting in Northern Virginia or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our offices at (703) 215-9152.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is breast augmentation with fat grafting and how does it work?
Fat grafting breast augmentation removes fat from a donor area of the body such as the abdomen or thighs using liposuction, then purifies and injects that fat directly into the breasts. This increases breast volume without the use of implants, incisions in the chest wall, or disruption of the breast muscle.
Who is an ideal candidate for fat grafting breast augmentation?
This procedure is ideal for patients who want a subtle, modest increase in breast size, those who have uneven breasts and want to increase one side, or patients who have had a lumpectomy and wish to correct a residual contour irregularity. It is not appropriate for patients seeking a dramatic size increase.
What are the advantages of fat grafting over traditional implants?
Fat grafting requires no chest incision, involves a shorter recovery, uses local rather than general anesthesia, carries no risk of immunological rejection since your own tissue is used, and has a lower risk of loss of breast sensation compared to implant placement.
What are the risks of breast augmentation with fat grafting?
The primary risk is fat reabsorption, where the body gradually reabsorbs some of the transferred fat, which can reduce breast size or cause uneven results over time. There are also risks associated with the liposuction portion, including scarring or uneven skin texture at the donor site.
What if I don't have enough body fat for a fat grafting breast augmentation?
Very slim patients may not have enough donor fat to achieve a meaningful increase in breast volume. Your surgeon will evaluate your body composition during the consultation and let you know whether traditional implants might be a more appropriate option.