How Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Measures up to Breast Implants

When most women think about breast augmentation, saline or silicone breast implants typically come to mind first. While this is the most common surgical procedure for increasing breast size, there is another option available. Fat transfer breast augmentation offers a minimally invasive breast enhancement alternative that can help some women achieve a much more natural breast enhancement.

Here we examine fat transfer breast augmentation vs breast implants, what each procedure can achieve, and what makes a good candidate for fat transfer breast augmentation. 

What Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

Fat transfer breast augmentation, also known as fat grafting, involves the removal of fat from another part of the body, such as the hips, thighs, or tummy. This fat undergoes specific processing before it is then injected into the breast tissue in order to increase breast volume naturally. 

Pros

• A natural form of breast enhancement that does not introduce any foreign substance to the body.
• Allows for body contouring in other areas of the body, such as the tummy or thighs, in order to collect fat cells for transfer.
• Creates a more natural appearance and feel to the breasts.

Cons

• Only able to provide minimal breast volume increases, ranging from a half to one full breast cup size. You can opt for additional fat grafts down the road to further increase your breast volume.
• Many of the transferring fat cells may die during the process, so it is difficult to ensure a specific amount of fat cells.
• Due to potential cell death, many surgeons choose to inject additional fat cells. This over-injection can increase the risk of infection, calcification, and undesirable results. 
• Fat transfer breast augmentation often costs considerably more than traditional breast augmentation.

What Is a Traditional Breast Augmentation?

Traditional breast augmentation involves the surgical placement of silicone or saline breast implants through incisions around the breast. 

Pros

• Offer reliable and predictable size and volume changes to the breasts.
• Implants are safe and long-lasting.
• Less expensive breast augmentation options.
• Implants can be removed if you are unhappy with the results. 

Cons

• Implants come with a risk of rupture or leak.
• There is a risk of rippling with breast implants.
• Implants can cause capsular contracture.
• Breast augmentation with implants requires incisions that will produce scarring.

Are You a Good Candidate?

In general, if you are looking to add a small amount of additional volume to the breasts or address uneven breast volume, you may be a great candidate for fat transfer breast augmentation. If you are looking for a more significant volume increase, breast implants are likely to be a better option.

Whether you are considering a breast augmentation with implants or a fat transfer, Dr. Campanile and his team are looking forward to assisting you in deciding which option will best help achieve your goals. To learn more about breast augmentation, call 303-345-7476 today to schedule a consultation and begin the journey to a new you.