The Difference Between Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants

Key Takeaways:

  • Versatility and Natural Feel: Fat transfer offers a natural alternative for those seeking a moderate increase in breast size, while implants provide a more significant and structured enhancement.
  • Hybrid Augmentation: Combining both fat transfer and breast implants allows for a customized, sculpted appearance, leveraging the natural softness of fat grafting around the structural benefits of implants.
  • Personalization in Procedure: Every individual’s body and aesthetic goals are unique; understanding the differences and potential synergies between fat transfer and implants can guide patients to make informed choices about their breast augmentation.

Today, we’re exploring some exciting ways to customize your breast augmentation to match your unique vision of beauty. Whether you’re considering a subtle enhancement or a more pronounced change, understanding the options of fat transfer and breast implants can empower you in making the best choice for your body.

What’s Right for You: Fat Transfer or Implants?

Fat transfer to the breast has been gaining popularity, particularly among younger patients who are looking for a modest increase in breast size—a single cup size, for example—and desire a natural look. “If you want just a single cup increase in your breast size and a very natural breast, and you have a tight skin envelope, it may be appropriate,” I explain. This method involves harvesting your own fat (typically between 200 to 400 cc’s) and reintroducing it into the breast area. However, it’s important to remember that some of the transferred fat may not survive, which can affect the final volume increase.

On the other hand, breast implants have evolved significantly in terms of technology, offering an incredibly natural feel. “They feel like one with your breast because of the cohesive nature of the gel,” which means they integrate seamlessly, reducing any sense of separation between the body and the implant. This option is excellent for those who need not just volume but also structural support from their augmentation.

Hybrid Breast Augmentation: The Best of Both Worlds

Many of my patients opt for what we call a hybrid or composite breast augmentation. This innovative approach combines the volume and lift provided by implants with the natural feel and fine-tuning possible with fat grafting. “We cannot just put fat grafting in breasts that are tautic or have loose skin envelopes,” which is why the hybrid method is so beneficial. By placing an implant for structure and then using fat grafting to enhance the cleavage area and soften the edges, we achieve a beautifully natural yet augmented look.

Tailored to Your Unique Shape

Each body is different, and the art of plastic surgery lies in tailoring each procedure to the individual’s specific aesthetic goals and physical needs. “A lot of times I like to combine both techniques to create what we call a hybrid or composite breast augmentation,” allowing for a completely customizable look that respects the natural anatomy while enhancing it.

Why Choose a Plastic Surgeon in Tampa, FL?

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is crucial. In Tampa, FL, our clinic ensures that every step of your breast augmentation process is guided by expertise, safety, and a commitment to achieving your desired outcomes. Whether you choose fat transfer, implants, or a combination of both, our goal is to enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence with results that look and feel natural.

We welcome you to schedule a consultation at Politis Plastic Surgery where we can discuss your vision and how we can help you achieve the look that best fits your body and your dreams.

References:

  1. Politis Plastic Surgery Instagram Reel. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3QCJfRMbtU/
  2. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation: Procedure, Results & Risks. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24033-fat-transfer-breast-augmentation
  3. RealSelf. (n.d.). Breast Augmentation with Implants vs. Fat Transfer. Retrieved from https://www.realself.com/surgical/breast-augmentation
  4. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2021). Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting. Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/fat-grafting-for-breast-augmentation
  5. Mayo Clinic. (2022). Breast Augmentation: Fat Transfer vs. Implants. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178

What is breast augmentation with fat grafting or fat transfer?

Breast augmentation is the surgical procedure to increase breast size. It is a great option for women who don’t like their breast size and would like to improve the shape of their bust line. While increased breast size can be achieved through implants, some women don’t like foreign substances being placed in their bodies.

If you are such a woman with concerns about the use of implants, then breast augmentation with fat grafting or fat transfer is a viable option for you. Plus, it is a safe procedure that achieves great results.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we provide a combination of high quality implants and safe fat transfer surgery to help women achieve their desired breast shape and volume. And we proudly offer the fat transfer approach as an effective alternative to implants in enhancing breast appearance.

What is fat grafting?

Also called autologous breast augmentation, fat grafting is the removal of fat through liposuction from one area of the body and transferring it to another part where it helps to enhance volume. 

The fat is usually harvested from the stomach, flanks or thighs and then separated from blood and other liposuction fluids. It is also cleaned with antibiotic solution to ensure that only healthy, non-infectious tissue is used for breast augmentation. 

Processed fat is then slowly injected into the breasts to the desired shape and volume, completing the augmentation procedure. Once injected, the fat fills in the hollowing that has occurred due to weight loss, trauma, surgery or ageing, and immediately helps to increase volume and enhance shape. 

After the injection of fat, the plastic surgeon gently massages the breasts to make sure the fat deposits are distributed evenly for a smooth, uniform appearance. Since the fat comes from the body, there are typically no adverse reactions to it.

Is the procedure ideal for you?

Breast augmentation by fat transfer is a perfect option for you if your breasts are naturally smaller in size or asymmetrically shaped. The procedure may equally help if you have loss of shape or volume after pregnancy, dramatic weight loss or aging.

More specifically, fat grafting is a great option if you desire a more natural alternative to breast implants.  Of course, you’ll need to have an adequate amount of fat on your body so that your plastic surgeon can harvest enough of it for the grafting. If you are a very thin woman or lack excess fat in your body, then you’re unfit for the procedure.

Increasing breast size by fat transfer is also perfect for you if you don’t like the dramatic results produced by breast implants. Fat grafting typically results in a more subtle enhancement. Plus, you won’t need to remove or replace the fat like is done with breast implants.

Besides, fat transfer is great if you want to fix minor issues. You can undergo breast augmentation by fat grafting to achieve a smaller increase in breast size, fix minor breast asymmetry, enhance breasts without scarring, or fine-tune the results of a breast implant procedure. 

During your initial consultation, Dr. Effie Politis will assess your body to determine if you have enough fat for liposuction. The surgeon will also establish whether you are in good health for the procedure. Likewise, you will be instructed to refrain from tobacco products or to quit smoking before the surgery as smoking directly affects the healing of cells and tissues.

What results should you expect?

You should expect your breast to increase by one full cup size after fat grafting. The breasts will feel soft and natural, and you will see the full effects of the procedure within a few months.

Dr. Effie Politis uses safe, cutting-edge liposuction technology to efficiently harvest fat without damaging the surrounding tissue. So by following your post-operative care instructions carefully, you should expect quick recovery and should be back on your feet within a few days.

It is normal for the body areas that underwent liposuction to feel sore. Also, you’ll have some bruising and swelling in the treated areas. But you’ll have prescribed pain relief medication to help minimize the discomfort as you recover.

Unmatched breast augmentation results

Would you like to enhance your breasts naturally? Through breast augmentation by fat transfer, you can achieve your desired breast size without the risks associated with breast implants.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer a safe, effective fat grafting procedure that produces remarkable results. When you contact us for the procedure, Dr. Effie Politis will schedule your consultation session immediately. 

Then, during your visit, she will review your medical history, do a physical examination, and discuss your aesthetic goals and options. She will not only answer your questions and make valuable suggestions, but will also design for you a personalized fat grafting procedure to achieve your desired results.

For more information on how to enhance your breasts through breast augmentation, visit us at Politis Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL for your plastic surgery.

What is Fat Transfer

Hi my name is Dr. Effie Politis with Politis Plastic Surgery

Fat Transfer is a great technique or adjunct to many of my surgeries. It can be used on the face, breast, buttocks or any other part of the body with any contour deformities. So basically we take fat from an area that has more fat, so typically the abdomen, the flanks and we transfer to an area that’s deficient of fat. The way we do that is by harvesting the fat with small cannulas liposuction, liposuction cannulas under a certain amount of pressure, then we process and filter the fat and wash it so we clean it up from all of the oil and ingredients that we don’t want. And then it is placed through a closed system into cannulas and we can inject that again for panfacial rejuvenation or breast enhancement if they’re looking for smaller volumes. Of course you’ve heard of the buttock augmentation with fat and that’s another procedure that we can do with this excess fat.

What Is The Fat Transfer Procedure?

Autologous fat grafting, or fat transfer, is a procedure that allows your surgeon to transfer your own fat from one area of your body to another. Fat transfer is often used for aesthetic and reconstruction procedures to: • Enhance volume and fullness of body areas with soft tissue loss or deficiency • Contour or reshape body areas • Improve overall symmetry and fine-tune body proportions In fat grafting, fat tissue is removed from other parts of your body — usually your thighs, belly, and buttocks — by liposuction. The tissue is then processed into liquid and injected into the breast area to recreate the breast. REVOLVE™ System is designed to remove localized deposits of excess fat through small incision and subsequently transfer the tissue back to the patient. Use of this device is limited to those physicians who, by means of formal professional training or sanctioned continuing medical education (including supervised operative experience), have attained proficiency in suction lipoplasty and tissue transfer. (source: revolvefatgrafting.com) If you want to know more, ask a #boardcertifiedplasticsurgeon for a FULL-BODY CONSULTATION to discuss the benefits of fat transfer.