Breast Augmentation With Fat Grafting

Name: Breast Augmentation With Fat Grafting
Brand: Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery
Rating: 4.9 (210 reviews)

Have you been considering breast augmentation but don’t like the idea of having breast implants? Or maybe you just wish you filled out that dress a little bit more? Breast augmentation with fat transfer (natural breast augmentation) may be a good option for you. While implants are still used very commonly, this is an increasingly popular procedure that uses your own fat to increase the size of your breasts.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Ann Arbor, MI

Our doctors at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, serving Brighton, Hartland, Howell, Novi, and Toledo OH, specialize in fat transfer procedures, including fat transfer to the breasts. This is one of the most common procedures they perform. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, or want to know call or schedule your consultation!

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What is breast fat transfer? Who is a good candidate? What is the difference between implants and fat? What are the downsides of fat transfer? What is the recovery? Will I need more than one procedure? How long does breast fat transfer last? Does fat transfer increase my risk of breast cancer? I have breast implants and would like to have them removed. Can I replace them with fat? Breast fat transfer FAQs

What is Breast Fat Transfer?

Breast augmentation fat transfer is a natural breast augmentation without the use of any foreign devices. Liposuction is performed to areas of stubborn fat. Mostly commonly this includes the abdomen and flanks, but this depends completely on your body and what areas bother you. The fat that is removed is then purified and then injected to the breast using a small incision. This increases the breast volume with no implants!

Who is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer to the Breasts?

The ideal candidate is in good health, has stubborn fat elsewhere in their body, and is looking for a subtle increase in the volume of their breasts. Generally, we recommend this surgery for those look for a natural appearance and who are looking to be up to one cup larger in breast volume. It can also be combined with a breast lift for those that want a lifted appearance and a slight increase in volume. Smokers are not candidates for this surgery.

Schedule A Consultation

Our Michigan plastic surgery specialists understand that the difference is in the details when it comes to achieving your desired results. Visit Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Ballard at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, schedule your consultation today.

What is the Difference Between Breast Implants and Fat?

Implants are the most common way that breast augmentation has traditionally been done. They are a device that has a silicone shell that that is most commonly filled with a silicone gel but can also be filled with saline. Because they are a solid device, they provide a predictable increase in volume and help to provide a rounder, more define shape to the breast. They are ideal for someone looking to increase in size by more than a cup size or for anyone looking for a more defined cleavage area or breast shape. However, they do have numerous complications that can be associated with them, such as capsular contracture, rupture, malposition (moving of the implant, typically downward and outward), among other rare complications. The FDA recommends imaging of silicone implants to assess for a silent rupture.

For these reasons, many women are looking an alternative way to boost breast volume. This is where fat transfer can be an ideal solution. Fat is a natural part of your body so rather than placing a foreign device in the breast, your own natural fat is removed from other areas of the body via liposuction, purified, then injected to the breast. Once the fat takes, it becomes a natural part of your body, as it was before, and it will gain and lose weight along with the rest of the body. There are downsides to fat that are important to be aware of:

Firstly, there is a limit to how much fat can be transferred at one time. During liposuction, we are removing fat cells from their normal blood supply. When we inject the fat into the breast, it does not have a blood supply at first, so new blood vessels must grow into these fat cells for them to survive. For this reason, if too much fat is injected at one time, it overwhelms the blood supply of the breast, and you can risk nodules called fat necrosis or oil cysts in the breasts.
Also, not all the fat cells transferred will survive, and typically 60-70% of the fat cells will survive though this can vary slightly. It can therefore be less predictable than an implant in terms of the volume achieved.

For those looking for a larger increase in breast size, an implant may be a better option. If you are looking to avoid an implant but want a substantial increase in size, then more than one fat transfer procedure may be required to achieve your goals.

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What are the Downsides of Breast Fat Transfer?

The biggest downside with fat transfer is that there is a limit to the increase of breast volume that can be achieved in one surgery. This is because there is a limited blood supply for the new fat cells and that 30-40% of the transferred fat will not survive. There are also complications such as fat necrosis (which feel like nodules in the breast), oil cysts, and infection that can occur. Also, because liposuction is being done at the same time (which can be a bonus for many patients!), it can be a slightly longer recovery than a breast augmentation with implants, that typically involve a very short recovery time.

What is Fat Transfer Recovery Like?

Recovery is typically 1-2 weeks. Patients will typically feel fairly good after 1 week. For less active jobs, patients may return to work at this point, if they are no longer taking opioid pain medication. For more physical active jobs, 2 weeks is the recommended downtime. After the procedure, it is normal to have swelling and bruising. The bruising is typically resolved by 2 weeks. The swelling improves rapidly in the first month but can take months to fully resolve. To help with swelling, patients must wear a compression garment for 1-2 months. Some patients choose to wear it longer as they find the support helpful. Patients are encouraged to walk regularly immediately after surgery. They should avoid strenuous lifting or exercise for 2 weeks. They may then begin light exercise and 2 weeks and can return to full activity at 1 month after surgery.

Will I Need More Than One Fat Transfer Procedure?

The need for a second procedure depends on your goals. If you are looking to increase size but up to a cup size, you may be able to achieve that in one surgery. If you are looking for a larger increase in volume, then additional procedures may be required to achieve your goals.

How Long Does Breast Fat Transfer Last?

Breast fat transfer should be a permanent change to breast volume. However, the fat will react like the fat in the rest of your body. If you gain weight, then the breasts should increase in size and if you lose weight, they will decrease in size. Changes in body composition are normal as the body ages so this can affect the breasts as well.

Does Fat Transfer Increase My Risk of Breast Cancer?

No, there is no evidence that breast fat transfer increases the risk of breast cancer. However, the fat transfer procedure can increase the likelihood of a suspicious area on mammogram. Therefore, although it does not increase your risk of breast cancer, it can potentially increase your risk of having a biopsy in the future.

I Have Breast Implants and Would Like to Have them Removed. Can I Replace Them with Fat?

Yes, this is a common request from patients and can certainly be done! Whether patients have had their implants for a while, or are starting to experience problems with them, many patients no want to have breast implants but still want to maintain some volume, so fat transfer can be a great option to replace this volume. However, in most cases, especially with larger implants, fat will not be able to replace all the volume of the implants, for the reasons listed above. It is always possible to do additional fat transfer procedures if more volume is desired.

Learn More About Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery

Breast implants aren’t the only way to shape and enhance your breasts. Learn more about breast augmentation with fat at a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons. We offer services to those throughout Michigan and Ohio such as Brighton, Hartland, Howell, Novi, and Toledo. Call Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery at (734) 436-2186 or schedule a consultation online.

Breast Augmentation With Fat Grafting FAQ

How Much Does Breast Fat Grafting Cost in Ann Arbor?
Should I Choose Fat Grafting or Breast Implants?
Can I Combine Implants with Fat Grafting?
Is Fat Grafting Permanent?
Is Fat Grafting Safe?
Will Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Affect My Nipple Sensation?
How is breast augmentation with fat grafting performed?
What are the benefits of breast augmentation with fat grafting?
Can breast augmentation with fat grafting correct asymmetry?
What is the recovery process like after breast augmentation with fat grafting?
Will I have visible scars after breast augmentation with fat grafting?
Are there any risks or complications associated with breast augmentation with fat grafting?
Can I combine breast augmentation with fat grafting with other procedures?
Can I see before and after photos of breast augmentation with fat grafting patients?
Will I need to wear a compression garment after breast augmentation with fat grafting?
Is financing available for breast augmentation with fat grafting?

How Much Does Breast Fat Grafting Cost in Ann Arbor?

Many variables affect the cost of a surgical procedure. To ensure you receive accurate pricing, our team will provide a detailed quote for your fat grafting procedure when you come in for your consultation.

Should I Choose Fat Grafting or Breast Implants?

Fat grafting and breast implants are excellent ways to enhance your breast appearance. Work with your surgeon to determine which procedure will best meet your needs. Fat grafting is ideal for women who want to enhance their breast size and shape without implants. Breast implants can add significantly more volume to the breasts than fat and are ideal for women who want to dramatically alter their breast size. Implants are also more predictable in terms of the final volume. However, implants are foreign devices that can develop complications down the road. Fat is your own natural tissue that will continue to be a part of you throughout your life.

Can I Combine Implants with Fat Grafting?

Yes! For some patients this can be an ideal solution. This can allow a smaller implant that adds volume and projection, and then fat can be used to provide additional shaping and cleavage. Patients that have constricted or tuberous breasts, widely spaced breasts, or asymmetries are often ideal candidates for this surgery, but really almost anyone can be a good candidate! Come discuss with one of our plastic surgeons to see if it is the right option for you.

Is Fat Grafting Permanent?

Fat grafting creates a long-lasting improvement in breast size and shape. Though not all the transferred fat cells will survive in their new location, most of the fat that remains six months after surgery will stay in the breast area long-term. Our surgeons typically inject extra fat into the breasts in anticipation of fat loss.

Is Fat Grafting Safe?

Fat grafting is very safe when performed by a skilled plastic surgeon in an accredited operating facility. Our surgeons use the latest equipment and techniques to ensure the highest levels of safety and results.

Will Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Affect My Nipple Sensation?

Fat grafting does not typically affect nipple sensation. Occasionally there may be temporary changes to sensation, but this will return to normal within a few weeks of surgery.

How is breast augmentation with fat grafting performed?

During the procedure, fat cells are harvested via liposuction from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The harvested fat is processed, and then strategically injected into the breasts to achieve the desired volume and shape.

What are the benefits of breast augmentation with fat grafting?

Breast augmentation with fat grafting offers several benefits, including a more natural look and feel, minimal scarring, simultaneous body contouring through liposuction, and the potential for long-lasting results.

Can breast augmentation with fat grafting correct asymmetry?

Breast augmentation with fat grafting can help improve breast symmetry by adding volume to one or both breasts to create a more balanced appearance.

What is the recovery process like after breast augmentation with fat grafting?

Recovery from breast augmentation with fat grafting involves some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with pain medication and compression garments. Most patients can return to normal activities within a week after surgery.

Will I have visible scars after breast augmentation with fat grafting?

Scarring is minimal with breast augmentation with fat grafting, as small incisions are made for liposuction and fat injection. Dr. Malhotra utilizes advanced techniques to ensure discreet placement of incisions.

Are there any risks or complications associated with breast augmentation with fat grafting?

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including infection, bleeding, asymmetry, and fat necrosis. However, these risks are minimized when a skilled and experienced surgeon like Dr. Malhotra performs the procedure.

Can I combine breast augmentation with fat grafting with other procedures?

Yes, breast augmentation with fat grafting can be combined with other procedures, such as breast lift or liposuction, to achieve comprehensive aesthetic goals.

Can I see before and after photos of breast augmentation with fat grafting patients?

Yes, before and after photos of breast augmentation with fat grafting patients are available to review during your consultation with Dr. Malhotra. These photos can give you a better idea of the potential results you can expect from the procedure.

Will I need to wear a compression garment after breast augmentation with fat grafting?

After breast augmentation with fat grafting, a compression garment may be recommended to minimize swelling, support the tissues, and promote optimal healing.

Is financing available for breast augmentation with fat grafting?

Yes, financing options are available to help make breast augmentation with fat grafting more affordable for our patients. Our staff can provide information on payment plans and financing solutions to fit your budget and make your aesthetic goals more attainable.