3 Facts You Should Know About Breast Fat Transfer

3 Facts You Should Know About Breast Fat Transfer

The term breast fat transfer refers to the process of taking unwanted fat from one part of the body (through liposuction) and using it to fill out the breasts, effectively making them fuller and plumper.

Many people who desire breast augmentation prefer this method of creating fuller breasts as it has multiple unique benefits. Below, we’ll go over these benefits and answer some common questions regarding the procedure.

3 Facts You Should Know About Breast Fat Transfer

When most people think of breast augmentation, they think of the silicone breast implants that can be inserted into each breast and used to increase volume and change breast shape.

Unfortunately, many patients don’t know about an alternative method of breast augmentation called breast fat transfer. Likewise, they are unaware of the many benefits that this procedure has to offer.

Here are 3 to be aware of.

1. It fixes nuanced issues and makes less significant overall changes in breast size.

First, breast fat transfer is ideal for the patient who only wants a slight change in the size or shape of their breasts. For example, if they feel that there is an asymmetry between the right and left breasts, this is often best fixed with breast fat transfer. Alternatively, with this procedure (unlike traditional augmentation), more nuanced changes can be made. For example, just a small amount of fat can be added above the nipple or to another specific area where added volume would enhance appearance.

2. It gets rid of excess body fat.

Next, breast fat transfer is an ideal solution for patients who are looking to increase the volume of their breasts while at the same time reducing body fat in other places. It’s worth pointing out that a smaller amount of fat is usually taken out during breast fat transfer than would be taken out with a traditional liposuction procedure. But the overall effect can still be successful for many patients looking to change the overall appearance of their silhouette.

3. It’s the ideal natural solution.

Finally, many patients find that breast fat transfer is a more natural solution to their desire for bigger, fuller breasts. Instead of a foreign object being inserted into the breast, their own body fat is simply being transferred from one area to another. In this way, not only is the substance being used less invasive, it also provides that natural look that breast augmentation patients nearly always desire.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Fat Transfer

Does Fat Transfer Last?

Yes. When performed correctly, the use of body fat as an augmentation material for the breasts is highly effective and long-lasting. This is yet another benefit to breast fat transfer. Many surgeons go so far as to call the procedure permanent.

The reason for this is the biological nature of the fat being used. In order for it to survive in the injection site (the breasts), it needs to form its own blood supply. To be sure, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes 30% to 50% of the injected fat will not survive. But your surgeon will have prepared for this by slightly overshooting the amount of fat that they insert and also by (in some cases) performing the procedure in several stages.

How Much Fat Is Used in Breast Fat Transfer?

Most of the time, just a few hundred milliliters of fat will be inserted into the breasts to change the overall silhouette and cup size. This will always depend on what changes the patient would like to see in the final results of their procedure.

Are There Any Side Effects?

In some patients, side effects may occur after breast fat transfer. With any surgical procedure, however, side effects are always a possibility. Fortunately, your surgeon will be there to address any issues you may have.

When it comes to breast fat transfer, the most common side effects include cysts or dense lumps that can appear in the breast after fat grafting. Necrosis of fat, or the death of fat cells, is also a side effect that may occur. But as is explained above, your surgeon will have prepared for the possibility that some of the transferred fat will not survive by performing the grafting in stages and/or slightly overshooting the amount of fat that is grafted.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Breast Fat Transfer?

Because breast fat transfer actually involves two procedures, it’s worth noting that the entire procedure is slightly more invasive than traditional breast augmentation. It may also require more downtime as multiple areas of your body will be affected (the fat donor location and the breasts).

Likewise, it’s important to note that, even though it is an ultimate positive that breast fat transfer is a permanent solution to breast augmentation, this means that it’s also not able to be reversed. Alternatively, it is possible to remove a silicone or saline breast implant.

The good news is that, ultimately, breast fat transfer actually has lower risks than augmentation using implants. For example, capsular contracture, possible rupture, rippling of the implants, and poor positioning are all possibilities with implant breast augmentation. These events are rate, but use of fat from your own body has a much lower risk of complication. Because it is your own fat, your body will not reject it.

Can Fat Transfer Be Performed Anywhere Else?

Yes. Many patients are unaware that fat transfer is a procedure that can be used on multiple parts of the body.

For example, if you’d like to augment your face in some way — perhaps to fill in lines or wrinkles, add volume to the cheeks or lips, or plump the forehead — fat transfer can be the perfect solution. Again, the substance being used is all natural, the results look natural, and the positive effects are permanent. Fat transfer or fat grafting can also be used on the hands, buttocks, and other locations on the body.

Schedule Your Breast Fat Transfer Consultation Appointment

If you have been considering a breast augmentation, consider breast fat transfer. If you’re not sure whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure, call us today to discuss your options with Dr. Stark.

Dr. Stark is a double board certified Philadelphia plastic surgeon with extensive experience helping patients achieve their ideal breast shape and size. He is happy to sit down with you, examine your current silhouette, and give you the best assessment of your options, including the possibility of breast fat transfer.

To start making moves towards the breasts of your dreams today, contact us to book your virtual consultation appointment.