Breast Augmentation: Choosing Between Fat Transfer and Breast Implants

Breast augmentation with fat transfer or with breast implants, which one should I go for? This is one of the frequently asked questions by patients who are considering enhancing their breasts. 

We understand why most patients get confused by these two options. It’s because both breast implants and fat transfer are popular and they all have a high success rate. 

Your surgeon will help you pick the right technique for you. Nevertheless, we have written this article so that you know the sets of pros and cons of fat transfer and breast implants. 

So, without further ado, let’s get into it. 

ALSO READ: Types of Breast Implants: Silicone, Saline, or Gummy Bear?

Breast Augmentation by Fat Transfer 

Most people think that breast augmentation by fat transfer is more like Liposuction. But there’s a slight difference. Breast augmentation by fat transfer takes fat from one area of the body and places it in the breasts to make them appear more attractive. On the other hand, Liposuction is a procedure used to remove fat from unwanted body areas. 

You have to be a healthy, middle-aged, non-smoker, and have excess fat in some body areas for you to be an ideal candidate for this procedure. The fat used in this procedure is extracted from body areas such as the tummy, thighs, hips, and flanks. Fine cannulas or medical tubes are used to remove and transfer the fat. As you can tell, this procedure is complicated and has to be performed by an experienced surgeon. 

Advantages of Fat Transfer

Here are the other advantages of breast augmentation by fat transfer procedure:

• Uses the patient’s tissues and this results in the breast looking more natural.
• This technique offers patients little to no scarring since there is no introduction of foreign material.
• The procedure has a shorter recovery time.
• Breast and nipple sensation remains intact, and patients get to enjoy a slimmer and shapelier donor site.

Disadvantages of Fat Transfer

While breast augmentation by fat transfer comes with a ton of benefits, this procedure is not without its share of disadvantages:

• Its reliability is not as accurate as breast implants. Some fat may not survive the procedure and can disappear through being reabsorbed by the body.
• Fat transfer is also criticized for its temporary effect.  Injected fat may be absorbed by the body over time, decreasing the resulting breast size.
• Fat transfer risk is calcification (or the death of fat cells), which may form cysts if they are large enough and hinder mammograms’ clarity.
• Fat transfer is also less reliable in patients that have undergone prior radiation treatment, whether after mastectomy or breast conservation treatment (lumpectomy + radiation treatment).

Breast Augmentation With Breast Implants

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty with breast implants, is a surgical procedure that aims to increase the size, shape, or fullness of the breast using silicone, saline, or alternative composite breast implants. These implants are carefully placed under the chest muscles or breast tissue.

This technique is best for women who have small breasts or who have breasts that are not equal in size. Surgeons also use this technique to correct uneven breasts which are congenital or due to a disease or another surgery, and to improve the self-confidence of women who care about their physical appearance.

Advantages of Breast Implants

Here are the other advantages of the breast augmentation with breast implants procedure:

• High success rate.
• Breast implants are durable, they can last for 10 to 15 years.
• Unlike fat transfer, breast implants have immediate results that are visible soon after the procedure
• Done right, they can make your breasts look youthful. 

Disadvantages of Breast Implants

Here are the other disadvantages of this technique:

• You will have to replace breast implants eventually – when they become ruptured or deflated. 
• Another area of concern with implants is the formation of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is due to hard scar formation around the implant.
• Finally, the type of incision used to insert implants may also affect sensation in the breast and nipple area.

There’s a commonly held misconception that breast implants need to be removed and replaced every ten years. This couldn’t be further from the truth. When the implant is not ruptured or deflated, there’s no need to remove and replace it. Some patients can even go for 20 years without the need for another surgery. 

Over to you…

So, there you have it. Now that you have an idea of the main difference between breast augmentation by fat transfer and breast implants, which one would you prefer? You don’t have to make this decision on your own, we have experienced surgeons who can help you make the right decision for free. You just have to reach out to one of our professional healthcare consultants and we will link you to the best breast augmentation surgeon.

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Watch the video below and join Justine on her journey as she shares her experience with a breast lift and implants in Turkey: