Fat grafting to the breast is a surgical procedure that increases the volume and external projection of the breasts. This procedure involves the careful liposuction of another body area with excess fat. This fat then undergoes a cleaning process, after which it is injected into the breast tissue, making the breasts look fuller and rounder. The result is a soft, natural-appearing breast without an implant. Fat transfer to the breasts can also be used in conjunction with a breast lift or breast augmentation with an implant to soften the result of these other procedures. Either way, fat grafting to the breasts can offer beautiful, natural results.

The benefits of breast augmentation using fat grafting to the breasts are unique to each individual. Benefits of fat grafting to the breasts may include:

• Boosting your self-esteem
• Adding balance to your figure
• Improving your self-confidence at the beach or in certain types of clothing
• Restoring breast volume that was lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
• Correcting mild asymmetry
• Making the breasts look fuller and rounder without the use of implants
• Results that look and feel natural
• Improving breast shape and cleavage

Maybe your breasts never developed to the size you would like or have lost their volume after childbearing and breastfeeding. Perhaps you’ve lost weight, and your breasts have gotten smaller as part of that process. Possibly, your breasts developed unevenly and differ in size from right to left. For those whose breasts are smaller than they would like, breast augmentation with fat grafting to the breasts may be the right option.
In addition to deciding whether breast augmentation can meet your personal goals, there are several factors to be considered in determining whether you are a good candidate for breast augmentation.

Good candidates for breast augmentation include those who:

• Want to achieve a mild to moderate increase in the volume of the breasts
• Have excess fat in an undesirable area that can be transferred to the breast
• Want to achieve optimal proportions for their figure
• Have generally good physical and mental health
• Are nonsmokers, or are willing to stop smoking before surgery
• Have realistic expectations from breast augmentation with fat grafting surgery

While fat grafting to the breast can address various concerns, it has limitations. Knowing these limitations and understanding when you may be a candidate for a different type of surgery is essential. Fat grafting to the breasts cannot:

• Achieve significant volume changes to the breast; this type of augmentation yields a less significant, more subtle increase in breast volume
• Lift breasts
• Correct sagging/ drooping
• Tighten loose skin
• Completely correct asymmetry

It is essential to know that fat grafting to the breasts does not yield the same increase in volume or appearance of the breasts that an implant-based breast augmentation provides. Fat grafting to the breast provides a more subtle, natural-appearing breast. If your goal involves very prominent upper pole fullness, an implant for augmentation may be a better choice. Similarly, if your goal consists of an increase in breast size by more than 1-2 cup sizes, an implant may be a better choice for you.

In addition, it is essential to know that, depending on the amount of breast tissue you currently have, there is a limit to the amount of fat grafting that can be successfully performed in one procedure. For those wanting more volume enhancement, more than one fat grafting treatment may be required.

Fat grafting to the breasts is an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia in an operating room. After your surgery, you will be placed in dressings and a bra. You will spend a short time in the recovery room before a friend or family member takes you home, where you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night. We will advise you on pain medication to ease any discomfort, give you detailed post-operative instructions, and schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress.

It is expected to experience some pain and swelling in the first few days after surgery.

Incisions usually heal between 1 and 2 weeks after surgery. Depending on your type of work, you can generally return to work within one week. Initially, you will have some activity restrictions, but most people can return to total activity six weeks after surgery.

You may notice less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. This is usually temporary. It may, however, take weeks, months, or even more than a year before the sensation returns to normal. Your breasts may also require some time to assume a more natural shape. Final results are usually seen at six months to a year after surgery.

Every patient’s recovery is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than average.

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