Everything You Need to Know About Breast Fat Transfer Augmentation

• 5 September 2024
• Dr Joseph Rizk

Last updated on September 5, 2024

Recent developments in fat grafting technology means that plastic surgeons are now able to use your own body fat to naturally increase the size of your breasts by 1 – 2 cup sizes.

For some women breast augmentation using silicone or saline implants is not an option, whether for medical reasons or personal preference. Breast fat transfer, also known as natural breast augmentation, is a less invasive option to consider, an implant-free procedure with a faster recovery time and resulting in a more natural appearance.

This month, we share everything you need to know about breast fat transfer augmentation surgery, including what to expect from the procedure and the advantages of breast fat grafting compared to implants:

WHAT IS BREAST FAT TRANSFER AUGMENTATION SURGERY?

Breast fat transfer is a new plastic surgery procedure which involves removing fat from one part of the body, usually the abdomen or thighs, and transferring it to the breasts in a technique called autologous fat grafting.

This procedure uses liposuction to remove stubborn fat, injecting the fat cells into your breasts to create volume and reshape them naturally without the introduction of foreign bodies such as silicone. The result is breasts which look and feel completely natural, improving the contour of your body organically without invasive surgery or scarring.

ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL BREAST AUGMENTATION VS IMPLANTS

There are several advantages of choosing breast fat grafting over traditional breast augmentation using silicone or saline implants.

Firstly, natural breast augmentation involves the liposuction of unwanted body fat from problem areas, meaning that you can enhance your breasts and contour your stomach or thighs in the same procedure.

Secondly, breast fat transfer is a less invasive procedure than traditional breast augmentation. Because implants may need to be placed under the muscle in patients with less body fat, there can be a higher level of discomfort in the first 48 hours after surgery, and a longer recovery period required overall. With a breast fat transfer procedure, recovery is quicker and there is minimal scarring. There are also no foreign materials introduced into the body with breast fat transfer surgery, meaning there is no risk of implant complications in the future.

Finally, breast fat transfer augmentation results in a more natural contour than traditional implants. This creates an organic look and feel to your breasts, while enhancing their shape and increasing their volume by up to 2 cup sizes.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING BREAST FAT TRANSFER SURGERY?

Breast fat transfer augmentation surgery is performed under local or general anaesthetic. The type of anaesthetic used generally depends on the amount of fat being removed, as well as your medical condition prior to surgery. Healthy patients can have small amounts of liposuction performed under local anaesthetic.

A liposuction technique is used to remove fat from the body. The fat is then treated in a way which purifies the fat cells and stem cells to promote growth and viability, and strategically injected into the breasts. Because this procedure uses the patient’s own body fat, there is a high rate of healthy fat survival, with new blood vessels naturally forming within the injected and integrated fat cells.

Unlike a traditional skin graft, there is minimal scarring associated with this procedure. In this context, ‘grafting’ refers to the bonding of your existing breast fat with the injected fat from another part of your body.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST FAT GRAFTING?

Breast fat transfer augmentation is an individualised procedure which may not be suitable for every patient. Before committing to the procedure, you should consider whether natural breast augmentation is right for you.

Breast fat grafting is not recommended for patients with very low body fat stores, or if you are on certain medications. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you are physically healthy with a stable weight.

We recommend booking a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon to discuss your options. During the consultation, your surgeon will educate you about the benefits and possible risks of breast fat transfer surgery, explain the procedure in detail, and determine if this procedure is suitable for you.

Please keep in mind that any surgical procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should always seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner. See our FAQ for more information.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY PROCEDURE?

You should ensure that you are at a healthy, stable weight before your natural breast augmentation procedure. We do not recommend deliberately putting on weight before the surgery.

You may also be advised to stop taking particular medications which could affect clotting and anaesthesia, or to schedule a blood test or other medical examination.

Before your procedure, it is likely that you will receive preoperative instructions from your surgeon. It is vital that you follow these instructions carefully, as it may affect the outcome of your breast fat transfer surgery.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY NATURAL BREAST AUGMENTATION RESULTS?

The best way to maintain the results of your breast fat transfer augmentation surgery is to make good lifestyle choices. Following a healthy diet and regular exercise regime will ensure that your weight remains stable, and you maintain your enhanced contours. To learn more, see our blog post on what to expect following liposuction.

Please note that losing weight may result in the loss of volume from your breasts. This is because the fat cells transferred to your breasts will respond to weight loss the same way as the area from which it was taken, such as your abdomen or thighs.

FINDING A QUALIFIED BREAST FAT TRANSFER AUGMENTATION SURGEON IN SYDNEY

When looking for a qualified plastic surgeon in Sydney, make sure that you confirm their certifications and choose a surgeon who specialises in the procedure that you are considering.

Dr Joseph Rizk is an experienced reconstructive and plastic surgeon based in Sydney, who specialises in breast reconstruction and augmentation using autologous fat grafting, also known as organic breast augmentation.

Rather than spending months researching the best options for breast augmentation and plastic surgeons in Sydney, a consultation with Dr Rizk will give you all the answers you need, including the most suitable procedure for your circumstances and body type.

For more information on breast fat transfer augmentation surgery, including the cost, benefits and details about the procedure, submit an enquiry to our clinic or book a consultation with Dr Rizk today.

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.