Is Fat Transfer to the Breast Permanent?

• 4 September 2024
• Dr Joseph Rizk

Last updated on September 5, 2024

If I have a Fat Transfer to the Breast Procedure, How long will it last?

Wondering if fat transfer to the breast is a better alternative to breast augmentation.  Well one factor you may want to consider when considering the benefits of fat transfer to the breast is that it is a permanent alternative! Breast implants often need revising after 15 years.

Heres some information about the longevity of a Fat transfer to the Breast Augmentation

Fat grafting to the breast is a and effective way to increase the size of your breasts without having a foreign substance in your body.  Fat transfer to the breast is a natural alternative to implants as it uses YOUR own fat from your thighs or buttocks ( Yes an added bonus!!) transferred to your breasts.  Not only is this a natural procedure but fat transfer to the breast does not come with the added long term side effects such as capsular complications, breast implants rotating, breast implants leaking and 15 year revisions ( which is common!).

So the main point is unless you have dramatic weight-loss, your larger breasts are there to stay for good!  As fat tissue is an organic substance that your body has made, your body does not try to get rid of it ( known as an immune response),  your body is happy to live with your own fat anywhere in the body.

My patients may need 1 or 2 procedures to get the results they desire, I know this so when deciding the fee for a fat transfer to the breast augmentation, I consider the cost of potentially requiring 2 procedures.  This way if a patient prefers fat transfer to the breast over breast augmentation, price will not have to be such an issue.

Often a patient wants to look like they have had breast implants ( the perky american looking breast).  If a patient wants the look of an implant breast augmentation then i warn against the fat transfer to the breast procedure.  Fat transfer to the breast can increase breast size around 1 cup size, yes its a modest increase! so this procedure is for people who modest NATURAL results.

Also one should note there are permanent changes to the structure of your fat tissue, so its always good for my patients to have a mammogram ( or some form of radiological imaging) so i can document these changes.  In Some patients this can be misdiagnosed as breast tissue growth ( breast cancer) , and further tests will be required just to be sure! but fat transfer to the breast does NOT increase chances of breast cancer, rather it can be misdiagnosed if proper documentation is not in place!

Another important factor about the longevity of fat transfer to the breast is that i is more Unpredictable than implants! as some of the fat will survive and some may not , this is why multiple procedures of fat transfer augmentation is required and my fee structure reflects this.

About The Author

Dr Joseph Rizk

Dr Joseph Rizk is a trusted advanced Plastic Surgeon based in Sydney. He has undergone significant training to become an expert in the fields of breast, face and body surgery.