Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

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Despite the popularity of breast augmentation, some women prefer to avoid implants as a way to enhance their breasts. There can be many different reasons for this, including concerns about implant rupture or complications. Other women simply prefer a natural way to enhance their breasts. Fortunately, natural breast augmentation is one of the most effective alternatives available and comes with a few additional benefits over traditional breast augmentation.

What is Natural Breast Augmentation?

Natural breast augmentation, otherwise known as fat transfer breast augmentation, is a combination procedure between liposuction and breast augmentation. This procedure uses autologous fat cells to enhance the breast shape with unwanted fat from other areas of your own body. By relying on fat grafting to add breast volume, fat transfer breast augmentations avoid many of the risks and possible complications that come with breast implants. Fat transfer is best for small-volume augmentation, correcting asymmetry, or adding more medial fullness to breast tissue when used in conjunction with breast implants.

Candidates for Natural Breast Augmentation

Natural breast augmentation can be a great option if you’re looking for long-term results without the use of implants. In many cases, fat transfer augmentations can be used to correct breast irregularities or to enhance your results from a breast augmentation with implants. When considering your options with natural breast augmentation, it’s important that you be in good overall health and have a substantial amount of fat on your body that can be used. In many cases, breast augmentation with fat transfer can achieve a modest increase in breast size, so you may need to consider the use of implants if your goals are beyond what fat transfer can achieve. Your breasts should also have good shape and skin quality, meaning they are not sagging or overly deflated. These concerns may mean you’ll require a breast lift for best results. During a private consultation, Dr. DiFrancesco will discuss your goals and assess whether natural breast augmentation is your best option for breast enhancement.

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Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer Procedure

Fat transfer breast augmentations occur in a few different steps which can be performed during the same surgical session. Dr. DiFrancesco will ensure you understand each step and what to expect during your consultation.

Liposuction

Fat transfer breast augmentation begins with a minimally invasive liposuction procedure to collect fatty tissue. Some of the most common areas for this include the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks. This can be performed using a local anesthetic and a small incision through which a surgical cannula is inserted. Using a gentle back-and-forth motion, this cannula helps break up fat for easy removal. After the right amount of fat is collected, the incision is closed.

Preparation

After the fatty tissue is collected, it goes through a processing and purification step to prepare it for injection. This usually includes ensuring it’s properly liquified and free of impurities before it’s placed in syringes for the next step.

Augmentation

Once the fat is collected and prepared, it can be carefully injected into the breasts. This is usually accomplished using a grid pattern and multiple, small injections to make sure the fat is evenly distributed and creates the ideal shape and contours. During this step, Dr. DiFrancesco may inject more fat than required for your results since some cells will not survive the transfer process. After your breasts and incision sites are prepared for recovery, you can return home.

Natural Breast Augmentation Recovery

The recovery period for natural breast augmentation is shorter than traditional breast augmentation recovery. This is because your liposuction incisions will be very small and will heal within one week. During your recovery period, it’s important to wear supportive compression garments to aid blood flow and help your skin adhere to the new contours. This includes your donor area and your new breasts. You should avoid sleeping on your stomach or otherwise putting pressure on the new fat since this can make it more difficult to adjust to its new location. You’ll be prescribed medications to manage swelling, and Dr. DiFrancesco can use a long-acting nerve blocker to help manage discomfort during the first few days.

Your breasts may look bigger than you wanted during your initial recovery. This is because you can expect some amount of volume loss as time goes on. Over the weeks and months after the procedure, swelling will reduce and your breasts will settle into their intended size, shape, and contours.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Can belly fat be used for breast reconstruction?

Abdomen fat is most commonly used in fat transfers to the breast.

Can I take my surgical bra off for a few hours?

We recommend you only take your bra off for showers and to launder the bra during the first week post op. After the first week we would like you to wear the surgical bra during the day.

Can you transfer fat to your breast?

Yes, fat transfer to the breasts can be a great option for women who want a small increase in size without using implants.

Does fat transfer last?

Approximately 60% of the fat transferred survives long term.

How long is recovery after fat transfer?

The sutures will heal within a week or two. Most patients are fully recovered within 4 to 6 weeks. Final results are seen at 6 months.

How painful is breast augmentation recovery?

Fat transfer to the breasts can be performed under local anesthesia and has mild discomfort after the procedure.

When can I run after breast augmentation?

You may resume exercise 4 -6 weeks after breast augmentation.

How long is the recovery time for a fat transfer breast augmentation?

Recovery from natural breast augmentation can differ from patient to patient, but it typically takes a few months to be fully recovered.

Where can I remove fat from for fat transfer breast augmentation?

Fat can be removed from the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, buttocks, and even the arms and moved to the breasts. The best place for removal will depend on your body type and where you have the best fat to graft.

Is natural breast augmentation painful?

Absolutely not! We’ll use anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. You may feel some discomfort afterward, but we’ll prescribe pain medication to help with your recovery process.

Will the results of a fat transfer breast augmentation be noticeable?

Absolutely! The results will depend on how much fat is transferred, but you will be able to see a significant difference after the procedure.

What are the benefits of natural breast reduction?

Some of the benefits of natural breast reduction include natural-looking results, a faster recovery process, a natural feel to your breasts, and a less invasive procedure.

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Schedule a Consultation

Natural breast augmentation, or fat transfer augmentation, is an excellent alternative to other breast enhancement procedures if you’re looking for a boost without extensive downtime or implants. To begin discussing your options for fat transfer breast enhancement with a double-board-certified plastic surgeon, contact our Atlanta office by calling or filling out our online form. During a consultation, Dr. DiFrancesco can recommend your best options from our selection of surgical and non-surgical procedures.