Autologous breast augmentation is a surgical procedure in which fat tissue is removed from one part of the body and injected into another part of the body. In this case, it’s used to fill out breasts that are too small or unevenly sized.
It’s important to know that there are two types of autologous breast augmentation: autologous fat grafting and fat transfer. Autologous fat grafting involves taking fat from one area of your body and injecting it into your breasts. Fat transfer involves transferring fat from one area of your body to another through liposuction.
The most common areas that women get their fat from for autologous breast augmentation are the thighs and stomach area, but some people also use their arms or buttocks. The amount of fat harvested depends on how much volume you want added to your breasts and how big they are now (if they’re different sizes).
The cost of autologous breast augmentation depends on several factors, including geographic location, surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, operating room fees, surgical equipment fees, hospital costs (if any), and follow-up visits with doctors/nurses after surgery
In this article, we will discuss airsculpt breast fat transfer cost and fat transfer breast augmentation risks.
Autologous Breast Augmentation Cost
The cost ranges from $6,500 to $8,500 and depends on your cosmetic goals and the extent of the procedure. Keep in mind that the price of breast augmentation using the fat transfer technique also includes liposuction to remove the fat used during the procedure
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
At our practice near Atlanta we see breast augmentation patients who want only a modest increase in the size of their breasts. One option offered at Buckhead Plastic Surgery is fat transfer breast augmentation, which takes unwanted fat from other areas of the body and uses it to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. Fat grafting is also an alternative if you do not feel comfortable using silicone gel or saline breast implants.
Breast enhancement patients come to Atlanta from throughout the southeastern U.S. to have Dr. Larsen perform their surgeries. If you’d like to meet with him, request a consultation online, or call us (404) 367-9005 to schedule an appointment.
Your Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Fat grafting has been used for years in cosmetic surgery, especially as a natural filler in facial plastic surgery. Advances in fat transfer techniques have led to fat grafting becoming a safe and effective breast enhancement procedure.
Unlike traditional breast augmentation, this natural form of breast enhancement uses excess fat from your own body to improve the shape and size of your breasts. Because of the process, women benefit not only from enhancing their breasts, but also from losing excess fat from areas where it is not wanted.
Customized Surgical Plan
After listening to your cosmetic goals, Dr. Larsen works with you to create a personalized fat transfer breast augmentation plan that includes a thorough physical examination and determining the best sources of fat for enhancing your breasts. Dr. Larsen uses liposuction to perform the fat grafting procedure, extracting the donor fat cells from areas such as the abdomen, hips, back, or thighs.
Fat grafting involves 3 steps:
- Extraction: Fatty tissue is removed from the donor area using liposuction
- Processing: Healthy fat cells are separated from other fluids and impurities removed during the liposuction process
- Re-injection: Dr. Larsen carefully injects the purified fat cells into the breasts
- Because your body will naturally absorb some of the fat, Dr. Larsen injects just a bit more than needed so that your results meet your expectations once any swelling goes down.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from a fat transfer breast augmentation is normally quicker than that of traditional breast augmentation. Each patient’s recovery is unique, however, and your downtime will depend on the areas of the body where Dr. Larsen performed liposuction and the volume of fat removed. Liposuction involves very small incisions, meaning that any scarring is extremely minimal.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Guide Atlanta Plastic Surgery
Common Questions
What does fat transfer breast augmentation cost?
The cost ranges from $6,500 to $8,500 and depends on your cosmetic goals and the extent of the procedure. Keep in mind that the price of breast augmentation using the fat transfer technique also includes liposuction to remove the fat used during the procedure.
Who’s a good candidate for fat transfer breast augmentation?
Our patients who undergo fat transfer breast augmentation are often thrilled with the natural-looking results and the improved contours of their bodies. The women who consider fat transfer breast augmentation share certain characteristics. Patients may have naturally small breasts and want a subtle, but beautiful enhancement. The technique is best for women who want to increase the size of their breasts by no more than 1 bra cup size. It can also be quite effective for women who have lost some volume after having children, or for patients who want to create symmetry to the breasts. The technique is also a good option for women who would rather not have implants.
What happens if I lose weight after undergoing the procedure?
Weight loss can affect the results to a degree, but fat cells shrink as you lose weight (i.e., they do not go away completely). Unless the weight loss is significant, you will probably not notice a difference in the size of your breasts.
Fat transfer breast augmentation costs an average of $9,300, according to 1,191 reviews from RealSelf members.
However, the cost can range from $3,200 to as much as $15,700.
Fat transfer breast augmentation involves transplanting your own fat from other areas of the body (such as the abdomen or thighs) to the breast, a kind of “natural breast augmentation.”
Insurance doesn’t cover breast fat transfer, because it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure.
FIND A DOCTOR NEAR YOU
What does the cost include?
During your initial consultation with a surgeon, you’ll discuss the treatment plan they recommend. This is the perfect time to ask for a detailed, personalized cost quote that includes:
- The surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesia fees
- Facility fees for the hospital or surgery center
- Follow-up appointments
Also ask if you’ll need to budget for pain medication or recovery supplies, such as a compression garment.
Is a fat transfer breast augmentation worth the money?
Fat transfer breast augmentation has a 89% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so a solid majority of people who had the procedure think their results are worth the investment.
RealSelf members who were happy with the outcome reported that their final results had a full, natural look.
Among those who say it was “Not Worth It,” the biggest complaint is that their results are too subtle. Some also say they were left with scarring or complications.
This isn’t the right breast enhancement procedure for everyone. People who are concerned about sagging may be better candidates for a breast lift, while those who want a size increase of more than one cup size could have a better outcome with breast implants.
Ultimately, only you and an experienced plastic surgeon can determine if the cost of fat grafting breast augmentation is right for your budget and aesthetic concerns.
What affects the cost of a fat transfer breast augmentation?
These are the biggest factors in whether what you pay for your procedure will be more or less than the average cost.
- Your surgeon’s credentials and level of experience.
An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can help ensure that you’ll get your desired results, safely, but they will charge more for their time and expertise.
Fat transfer to the breasts is generally considered safe, but both liposuction and fat injection come with risks that more experienced surgeons know how to avoid.
For example, the risk of cysts can be mitigated if your surgeon injects the fat very slowly and carefully, one drop at a time.
A surgeon who rushes may leave you with nodules, cysts, or contour irregularities, either at the liposuction site or on the breasts themselves.
Before you book a consultation, check your prospective surgeons’ board certifications, patient reviews, and before-and-after photos.
- Their practice location.
Medical practices operating in areas with higher costs of living typically charge more.
For example:
According to Atlanta, Georgia plastic surgeon Dr. Alan N. Larsen, a fat transfer to breasts costs more than breast implants. “It is usually about $5,000 to $10,000 more than traditional breast enhancement surgeries,” he says on his website, adding that he typically charges about $6,800 for traditional breast augmentation.
In Columbia, Maryland, plastic surgeon Dr. Sarah Mess cites her fat grafting cost for the breasts typically ranges between $10,000 to $15,000. “Breast implant removal, multi-site liposuction or large volume liposuction above the lipo harvest requirement may result in higher fees,” her website explains.
- Where your surgery is performed.
Your surgeon’s own surgical center will probably come with a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room.
If you go this route, ask if their facility is accredited, and make sure your doctor has admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in case you need to be transferred, in an emergency.
- The complexity of your procedure.
Fat transfer breast augmentation starts with a liposuction procedure to harvest excess fat, which is why it’s more expensive than breast enhancement via breast implants.
The amount of fat involved can impact your cost. A higher volume of fat will take longer to harvest, process, and precisely inject.
“Take into account how much fat we would be transferring and how many areas we need to harvest the fat from,” explains Dr. Christopher Khorsandi, plastic surgeon in Henderson, Nevada. “When multiple sites are needed to get the fat, the cost increases, since the surgery will take longer.”
You may also need multiple fat grafting procedures to obtain the results you want, because not all of the transferred fat cells will survive.
“Oftentimes, a second transfer is necessary for some contour touch-ups or volume issues,” says Dr. Andrew M. Lofman, a plastic surgeon in Bloomfield Hills, Missouri.
You can expect to pay for each additional procedure, though some surgeons may offer a price break to correct an asymmetrical result.
- The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it.
This procedure can be performed with local or general anesthesia, and what you choose will impact the cost. The more expensive option is typically general, where you’re fully unconscious, whereas local anesthesia tends to cost less.
The total price of your anesthesia typically includes the anesthesia provider fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and additional staff.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is qualified to give you anesthesia and may come at a lower cost than an anesthesiologist (a medical doctor who administers anesthesia). However, a board-certified anesthesiologist could increase your safety—which is always worth the cost.
Can you finance fat transfer breast augmentation?
Yes, cosmetic surgery financing can help spread out the cost of procedures like fat transfer breast augmentation.
Talk with your surgeon about which plastic surgery financing options they accept. RealSelf can also connect you with vetted lenders.
SEE FINANCING OPTIONS
Where can I find fat transfer breast augmentation surgeons near me?
The best way to get a personalized breast fat transfer estimate is to have an in-person consultation with a surgeon. We make it easy to find qualified breast fat transfer surgeons in your area.
RealSelf Verified doctors meet or exceed requirements verified by RealSelf, including licensing in good medical standing, high patient-satisfaction ratings, and commitment to responsive service.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost Near Me
When considering the cost of fat transfer breast augmentation, it is important to take into account various factors that can influence the overall price. The number of sites being treated, the size of those areas, and other important considerations all play a role in determining the final cost. In general, the cost of
fat transfer breast augmentation can range from $6,000 to as high as $23,000.
Factors Affecting Cost
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- Number of sites being treated: The more sites that need to be treated, the higher the overall cost is likely to be.
- Size of treatment areas: Larger treatment areas may require more time and resources, leading to a higher cost.
- Complexity of the procedure: More complex procedures may require additional expertise and resources, which can increase the cost.
- Location of the treatment facility: The cost of living and operating a medical facility can vary depending on the location, which can impact the overall cost of treatment.
Cost Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of the potential cost range for fat transfer breast augmentation treatment:
| Number of Sites | Size of Areas | Other Considerations | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Small | Simple procedure | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| 3-5 | Medium | Moderate complexity | $9,000 – $12,000 |
| 6 or more | Large | High complexity | $13,000 – $23,000 |
It is important to consult with a medical professional to determine the specific cost of %%selected_text%% treatment based on your individual needs and circumstances. By understanding the factors that can influence the cost and the potential cost range, you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Risks
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Risks
When considering fat transfer breast augmentation, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the procedure. While fat transfer breast augmentation is generally considered safe, there are still risks that patients should be aware of before undergoing the procedure.
Risks of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Some of the potential risks of fat transfer breast augmentation include:
- Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection at the site of the fat transfer.
- Calcification: In some cases, the transferred fat may calcify, leading to lumps or hardness in the breast tissue.
- Loss of Volume: Not all of the transferred fat may survive, leading to a loss of volume in the breasts over time.
- Asymmetry: There is a risk that the breasts may become asymmetrical following fat transfer breast augmentation.
- Scarring: While scarring is generally minimal with fat transfer breast augmentation, there is still a risk of visible scarring at the site of the fat transfer. Reducing the Risks
There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks associated with fat transfer breast augmentation, including:
- Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in fat transfer breast augmentation.
- Following all pre- and post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon.
- Avoiding smoking and other factors that can impair healing.
- Monitoring the breasts for any changes or abnormalities following the procedure.
Conclusion
While fat transfer breast augmentation can be a safe and effective way to enhance the size and shape of the breasts, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the procedure. By understanding these risks and taking steps to reduce them, patients can make informed decisions about whether fat transfer breast augmentation is right for them.
