Breast augmentation with a patient’s own fat is one of the most debated topics in medical forums. Some patients are very satisfied with this procedure, while others complain about cysts and lumps.
The growing interest in natural breast enhancement methods reflects a broader trend in aesthetic medicine toward minimally invasive procedures. According to recent industry analyses published on Aesthetic News, patients increasingly seek alternatives that use their own body tissues rather than synthetic materials.
Who is a good candidate for breast fat transfer?
When considering breast fat transfer, you must weigh all pros and cons. Fat transfer is best suited for individuals who already have a naturally correct breast shape. This is the shape that surgeons love when performing implant augmentations because the predictable outcome is excellent.
Breast fat transfer is also a great option for patients with ASYMMETRY: you can add more fat to one side or even augment only one breast to achieve the desired result.
Fat transfer is also very effective for a PECTUS CARINATUM (pigeon chest) deformity because implants are guaranteed to migrate in opposite directions on such anatomy. Fat, on the other hand, will remain where it was injected and will not migrate.
Fat Injection and Why Lumps Occur
Many patients have unrealistic expectations for this surgery. They want their breasts to increase by 1-1.5-2 cup sizes immediately, so they inject a large amount of fat, and end up with complications such as cysts.
When fat is injected in a bolus into the breast tissue, it is unable to get sufficient blood supply. This leads to encapsulation and then resorption. If the fat is not completely resorbed, it can result in cysts, which lead to complications.
This is simply a MISTAKE IN TECHNIQUE for this procedure.
It’s important to understand! The maximum volume of fat to be injected into the breast tissue is up to 300 ml per single surgery. A patient can increase their breast size by 0.5-1 cup size in one procedure.
What does the size depend on?
Women have different types of breast tissue:
- In some, the fatty component is predominant, so we can inject more fat, and it will survive better.
- In others, the glandular component is predominant, along with fibrous mastopathy and not much subcutaneous fat. In these cases, less fat can be injected in one procedure.
In such instances, it is recommended to perform two or three procedures to achieve the desired result without any serious complications.
Breast Fat Transfer vs. Breast Implants
Disadvantages of Breast Fat Transfer:
- Limited volume of fat that can be injected into the breast area, resulting in only a slight increase in breast size per procedure (maximum of 0.5-1 cup size).
- If the injection technique is incorrect, it can lead to the formation of cysts and calcifications in the breasts.
Disadvantages of Breast Implants:
- Capsular contracture
- Seroma
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
- Systemic chronic inflammatory reactions to implants
- Implant displacement due to anatomical features of the chest wall
- Implant rotation
- Implant rupture
These issues are not dependent on the surgeon’s experience or skill.
And sooner or later, you will likely need to see a surgeon again for a follow-up intervention: re-augmentation, implant removal + breast lift, and so on.
What other procedures are suitable for fat grafting?
Surgeons often use breast fat transfer for minor corrections, even during a single-stage implant placement. They are confident that a small volume of fat is perfect for improving fat survival, filling the upper breast slope, and in cases of tuberous breasts, filling the constrictive lower pole.
In some cases, breast fat transfer can be combined with a breast lift, as lifts or reductions can result in a deficit or an unfilled upper pole. Adding fat to the upper breast pole can enhance the results of this surgery when the proper technique is used.
No one doubts that fat transfer is effective in the buttock area.
Why is this so obvious? Because the buttock area has a large fat depot from birth. You can inject anywhere from 300-350 ml to 1-1.5 liters of fat into this area in one procedure without worrying about consequences or complications. The buttocks immediately appear full and well-projected. The same applies to the breasts. If you want a natural, organic look, I recommend breast fat transfer to my patients. The fat doesn’t migrate, and once it survives, it is stable and remains where it was placed.
Let’s Summarize
Advantages of Breast Implants:
This is an excellent surgery that allows for a breast increase of more than one cup size. It is a suitable option for specific breast shapes, such as tuberous breasts, where a certain amount of pressure is needed to achieve a good and desirable shape. In these cases, an implant-based procedure is the only option. The results are good and quick, and you’ll be satisfied with the outcome.
Advantages of Breast Fat Transfer:
After this surgery, you will not need any future corrections because your own tissues are used. The fat tissue survives well. If you gain weight, your breasts gain weight with you. If you lose weight, your breasts also lose volume, but not completely. The fat cells remain, they just shrink slightly.
If you want to increase your breasts by 0.5-1 cup size or fill the upper breast slope, breast fat transfer is an ideal choice. There are no incisions; the procedure is performed through very small punctures. No one will ever know you had a plastic surgery (if that’s important to you).
The breasts will look beautiful and natural!
