Breast augmentation is most commonly associated with implants, but it is possible to alter the shape and look of the chest without inserting a foreign substance. With more studies being released about the health issues linked to both silicone and saline implants, many patients are looking for other, safer options. Natural breast augmentation fat transfers give patients the ability to enhance the breasts with fat already found in other parts of the body. Using the patient’s own fat and stem cells eliminates complications that arise from external implants, guarantees a soft breast volume, and achieves a more natural look. Plus, it targets areas that a patient may want to be slimmer making it essentially a plastic surgery two for one.

For a natural breast augmentation with fat transfer, the surgeon uses liposuction to remove fat cells from the stomach, thighs, arms, love handles, or wherever there’s enough excess fat to graft and then injects it into the breasts. In some cases, fat can be grafted from multiple areas. Prior to the procedure, patients will consult with their surgeon to determine the fat harvesting sites as well as the desired size and shape of their new breasts. After removing the fat, the surgeon will refine and concentrate the tissue before using it to sculpt each breast. It takes around three to five hours to complete and is performed under local anesthesia with sedation for minor cases or general anesthesia for more invasive cases.

Benefits of natural breast augmentation with fat transfers include:

• Smaller incisions compared to implants
• No risks of implant associated complications
• More natural looking results
• Fat contouring to other parts of the body from harvesting process

The recovery from this type of augmentation is dependent on the number of fat sites used and the amount of fat being grafted. Typically, patients are able to return to work within a week with bruising and swelling in the breasts lasting around three weeks. The fat donation sites will also be bruised and swollen for at least a week. Outside of this, there’s minimal pain but patients will be given pain management medication and other post-op instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. During the recovery period, excess lifting and upper body activity should be limited as well as any pressure on the breasts so patients should sleep on their backs.

Fat transfers last longer than implants and it’s not necessary to replace anything so people can expect life long results. By using fat, and being able to slowly add excess mass to the breasts little by little, the surgeon has more control to carefully shape the breast for each unique body. The fat provides an extremely natural look and feel when compared to implants. However, despite being a popular alternative to breast implants, fat transfers have some limitations when it comes to final results – the procedure can only increase breasts by a single breast size at a time while implants can be much larger.

There are also risks and complications that could arise with the surgery such as:

• Infection
• Necrosis
• Absorption of transferred fat
• Scarring
• Excess bleeding
• Calcification or lumps in the breast

To avoid complications, patients should closely follow post-op instructions and, most importantly, choose a skilled and precise surgeon. Regardless of the above risks, through research, The American Society of Plastic Surgery has determined that fat transfer breast augmentations are safe and do not lead to a high rate of breast cancer.

Natural breast augmentations with fat transfers are the best option for people who desire a modest increase in breast size and have a sufficient amount of excess fat in other areas of the body. Since it’s considered a cosmetic procedure, most insurance providers will not cover the surgery unless it’s deemed medically necessary (i.e. breast reconstruction or correcting implant malfunction).

Barrett Plastic Surgery offers skilled fat transfer breast augmentations in Los Angeles. The team of surgeons has mastered the art of minimally invasive techniques that reduce scarring for a beautiful result.

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