How long does a fat transfer breast augmentation last? The results from a fat transfer breast augmentation are lifelong. It can take up to six months to see the final results. During this time, the fat cells settle into their new places, where they remain for life.
In this guide, we review the aspects of:
- Fat grafting breast augmentation specialist
- How long does fat transfer last in breasts?
- Does fat transfer work for breast augmentation?
- How much fat can be grafted to breasts?
Discover the most popular technique for Breast Augmentation at Avenue
Breast augmentation using your own fat is now the most popular procedure at Avenue Aesthetic Surgery. We were one of the first in Melbourne to offer this procedure and now have over 9 years of experience. While silicone gel or saline filled implants were previously the only method surgeons had to augment the size of breasts, recent years have seen the development of a fat grafting technique to provide a breast augmentation. At Avenue Aesthetic Surgery we offer extensive experience in breast enlargement by autologous fat transfer.
Although aesthetic surgeons have been transferring fat into the face and other parts of the body for over 20 years, the amount of fat transferred was of relatively low volume (usually 10-20cc). For the breasts, larger volumes (usually at least 100cc) are required. While surgeons were initially concerned whether such a large volume of fat would survive in the breast or cause lumpiness, advanced techniques are now available whereby large volumes of fat (100-400cc) can be transferred into the breasts to provide permanent breast augmentation with a low risk of lumpiness. Fat transfer to the breasts has a very wide application. It can be suitable if you would like a slightly larger breast with a softer, more natural appearance when compared to breast implants. It can be suitable for those who prefer to avoid breast implants. It can be suitable if you are having a breast lift as it can soften the shape of the breasts and cleavage. It can also be a suitable alternative if you are having your breast implants removed and replaced.
The fat is harvested with a special cannula to ensure that very small pieces of fat are collected. This fat is then prepared into a type of ‘puree’ which can be injected through a specially designed cannula into the breast tissue and under the skin of the breast. This fat is then massaged and moulded so that a smooth and uniform breast enlargement is produced. The fat is injected into multiple tunnels to give the cells maximum chance of survival. For women desiring a modest increase in breast volume, breast augmentation by fat transfer could be the answer. Moreover, if the fat is taken from the hips and thighs, it results in a rebalancing of the figure. And thanks to the fully-equipped Private Hospital, we can perform many of our breast augmentations as a Day Case, which means you’ll be able to go home in the afternoon and recover in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Of course if required, overnight stays are available as well.
Recovery typically involves wearing a postoperative bra for 3 months and a compression garment over any sites where fat was harvested for 6 weeks. We recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for approximately 6 weeks following surgery. Most of our patients return to relatively normal activity and sedentary work after 1 week.
All surgery carries risks which are important to understand so that you make a well-informed decision. Complications associated with fat grafting include bleeding, infection, fat necrosis/lumpiness, poor fat survival, alterations in nipple sensation, asymmetry, poor scarring, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) and anesthetic complications. Risks associated with liposuction must also be considered.
This listing is not all-inclusive and patients may be at risk for additional complications depending on their past medical and surgical history. A thorough discussion will occur during consultation with your surgeon including ways to mitigate risks prior to surgery and steps taken to treat complications should they occur.
How long does fat transfer last in breasts?
Women assign a lot of importance to the appearance of their breasts. From size to shape to firmness, the breasts can be an important part of body confidence for many. But most people aren’t born with perfect breasts or breasts that resemble breasts portrayed by the media. While breasts come in enough shapes and sizes that there is no “normal” appearance, it’s understandable if you want to augment your breasts to achieve a certain aesthetic goal. At Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Marietta, GA, we know that fat transfer breast augmentation is a good option for many women.
Fat transfer breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery that augments the size and shape of the breasts by using the body’s own fat storage. Essentially, fat is grafted from one part of the body and placed in the breasts to achieve mild to moderate augmentation. In general, this treatment is most appropriate for women who want to increase their cup size or slightly alter the shape of their breasts.
How Long Does Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Last?
You can expect the results of a fat transfer breast augmentation procedure to last a lifetime. That’s right – the results of this procedure can last for decades. Unlike breast implants, which need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years (or sooner if there is an implant complication), you only need to have a single fat transfer to achieve long-lasting results with this augmentation treatment.
So, why do the results last so long? To put it simply, fat cells are incredibly stubborn, so once they find a home somewhere, they aren’t likely to leave. Fat cells are known to grow and shrink depending on how much fat they are storing, so fat cells placed in the breasts will generally last for as long as you do not lose a significant amount of weight.
When Will You See Results?
Most women will be able to see the results of this fat transfer procedure about one month after the surgery. At this point, your initial results will be a preview of what your final results will look like once your body fully recovers from the treatment and the new fat cells placed in your breast settle.
You will likely be able to see the final results of your treatment within one to three months, depending on how much fat was transferred and how quickly new fat cells settle into their new location. During this time, you may attend follow-up appointments to assess the progress of your treatment.
How Does It Work?
A fat transfer is generally a two-part process, so your procedure may take a bit longer to complete than traditional breast augmentation with implants. The first part of your treatment will be liposuction. A small amount of fat will be removed from a donor site on your body, usually an area of the body where fat is abundant, such as the stomach, hips, or thighs.
After the fat has been grafted, it will then be prepared and injected into the breasts to augment the shape and volume of the bust. The injections will be placed on other fatty areas of breast tissue and administered in a way that will correct the shape or size of the breast naturally. There are no incisions on the breasts involved in this treatment.
Why Do Surgeons Overfill?
You may be surprised that your surgeon will likely overfill your breasts with the donated fat cells. More fat cells than are necessary for your augmentation will be harvested from your body and injected into your breasts. The reason for the overfill is simply because up to 20% of donated fat tissue will die off during the first month after your treatment.
For most people, about 60 to 80% of donated fat tissue will remain in the breasts after the procedure. This means that donated fat cells will attach to the breast tissues and existing fat in the breasts. This process will take several weeks to complete. By overfilling your breasts with donor fat, you will not need to have this procedure again to achieve your aesthetic goals since some fat cell death is already accounted for.
Preparation
This breast augmentation procedure is still a surgery, so even though the procedure is minimally invasive, you will still need to make some preparations. For example, for about one week before your surgery, you should stop the use of any blood-thinning medications, like Aspirin, and blood-thinning supplements, like ginkgo and vitamin E.
You will need to arrange for transportation after your procedure. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital overnight. The night before your surgery, you should eat lightly and fast for at least 8 hours before your procedure to avoid any nausea caused by the use of general anesthesia. We strongly encourage patients to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
Aftercare
Your aftercare instructions will involve directions on how to care for your breasts and how to care for the areas of the body where liposuction was used. It’s common for compression garments to be used on donor sites and sometimes the breasts to encourage faster healing and more even tissues, particularly on areas where liposuction was used. Some of your aftercare instructions may include avoiding hot water, strenuous activity, and other specific tips that will help you heal more quickly.
How Long Is Recovery?
Compared to other breast augmentation methods, such as implants, your recovery time will be much shorter and more comfortable with a fat transfer. You can generally expect your immediate recovery time to last for at least two to three weeks. After one to two weeks, most people can return to work and other daily activities; after three weeks, you will be able to resume most strenuous activity, including exercise.
During your initial recovery period, you will be advised to move carefully and follow all of the aftercare instructions given to you. In general, your occupation will determine how quickly you are able to return to work. Some people who work in offices may go back to work in less than a week, and others who have more physically active jobs may need more than a week for immediate recovery.
Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Better Than Implants?
If you’re thinking about breast augmentation, then the chances are high that you’ve done your homework already. Many women struggle to choose between implant augmentation and fat transfer augmentation. Ultimately, the best breast augmentation treatment for you will depend on what your aesthetic goals are, how much volume you want to increase in the breast, and your lifestyle.
Why Choose Fat Transfer?
Many women opt for a fat transfer breast augmentation because the general recovery time is much easier than implant breast augmentation. But there are other reasons why a fat transfer may be the best fit for you.
No Breast Implant Complications
Breast implants can dramatically augment the appearance of the breasts, but they also come with certain risks. For example, leaks, deflation, and capsular contracture are all complications that can happen with breast implants, regardless of whether you choose silicone or saline. Many women who want to avoid those complications opt for a fat transfer procedure instead.
A fat transfer is generally low-risk in terms of potential complications down the line. Not only will you never need to replace a flawed implant, but your immune system will also not try to reject the implant or create painful scar tissue in the breasts that will require another surgery. After the fat is injected into the breasts, you will only need to focus on recovery while the fat cells make a new home in your breast tissue.
Less Traumatic
Placing a breast implant is somewhat traumatic to the body. With breast implants, it’s common for multiple incisions to be made on the breast or beneath the breast tissue to give your surgeon enough room to place and inflate the breast tissue. With this procedure, the fat injections are far less traumatic for the breasts.
More Natural Results
Breast implants such as gummy bear implants try to achieve a natural feel and look, but some women are still dissatisfied by the artificial appearance of these implants. However, with a fat transfer, you will be able to enjoy results that look and feel natural. Not only will the shape of your breasts appear more naturally round, but the breast tissue itself will be as soft as your natural breast tissue.
Longer-Lasting Results
The results of this procedure will last for decades – or even a lifetime. This is a vast improvement to other breast augmentation procedures that may not produce long-lasting results. For example, it’s common for breast implants to have complications that mean they need to be replaced. Because the fat transfer will bond with your natural breast tissue, you will be able to enjoy your results permanently.
Who Are Ideal Candidates?
Most women who aren’t satisfied with the size, shape, or overall appearance of their breasts are good potential candidates for this fat transfer procedure. More often than not, candidates are between the ages of 20 and 40. It’s common for women who have recently stopped breastfeeding to use this treatment to correct the size and shape of the breasts. Other signs you may be an ideal candidate for this procedure include:
Healthy Patients
The surgery portion for this procedure means you will need to use general anesthesia to complete the liposuction and fat injection process of the treatment. Candidates must be in good general health to be qualified for this treatment.
Patients Who Want Moderate Breast Size Increase
This procedure is ideal for women who want to moderately increase the size of their breasts or subtly correct shape concerns. If you want to drastically increase your breast size, then you may not be a candidate for this treatment.
Patients With Adequate Fat Donation
Patients will also need to have an adequate amount of fat to donate to the breasts. During your consultation, we will examine potential donor sites to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for fat grafting.
Does fat transfer work for breast augmentation?
The term breast fat transfer refers to the process of taking unwanted fat from one part of the body (through liposuction) and using it to fill out the breasts, effectively making them fuller and plumper.
Many people who desire breast augmentation prefer this method of creating fuller breasts as it has multiple unique benefits. Below, we’ll go over these benefits and answer some common questions regarding the procedure.
When most people think of breast augmentation, they think of the silicone breast implants that can be inserted into each breast and used to increase volume and change breast shape.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t know about an alternative method of breast augmentation called breast fat transfer. Likewise, they are unaware of the many benefits that this procedure has to offer.
Here are 3 to be aware of.
- It fixes nuanced issues and makes less significant overall changes in breast size.
First, breast fat transfer is ideal for the patient who only wants a slight change in the size or shape of their breasts. For example, if they feel that there is an asymmetry between the right and left breasts, this is often best fixed with breast fat transfer. Alternatively, with this procedure (unlike traditional augmentation), more nuanced changes can be made. For example, just a small amount of fat can be added above the nipple or to another specific area where added volume would enhance appearance.
- It gets rid of excess body fat.
Next, breast fat transfer is an ideal solution for patients who are looking to increase the volume of their breasts while at the same time reducing body fat in other places. It’s worth pointing out that a smaller amount of fat is usually taken out during breast fat transfer than would be taken out with a traditional liposuction procedure. But the overall effect can still be successful for many patients looking to change the overall appearance of their silhouette.
- It’s the ideal natural solution.
Finally, many patients find that breast fat transfer is a more natural solution to their desire for bigger, fuller breasts. Instead of a foreign object being inserted into the breast, their own body fat is simply being transferred from one area to another. In this way, not only is the substance being used less invasive, it also provides that natural look that breast augmentation patients nearly always desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Fat Transfer
Does Fat Transfer Last?
Yes. When performed correctly, the use of body fat as an augmentation material for the breasts is highly effective and long-lasting. This is yet another benefit to breast fat transfer. Many surgeons go so far as to call the procedure permanent.
The reason for this is the biological nature of the fat being used. In order for it to survive in the injection site (the breasts), it needs to form its own blood supply. To be sure, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes 30% to 50% of the injected fat will not survive. But your surgeon will have prepared for this by slightly overshooting the amount of fat that they insert and also by (in some cases) performing the procedure in several stages.
How Much Fat Is Used in Breast Fat Transfer?
Most of the time, just a few hundred milliliters of fat will be inserted into the breasts to change the overall silhouette and cup size. This will always depend on what changes the patient would like to see in the final results of their procedure.
Are There Any Side Effects?
In some patients, side effects may occur after breast fat transfer. With any surgical procedure, however, side effects are always a possibility. Fortunately, your surgeon will be there to address any issues you may have.
When it comes to breast fat transfer, the most common side effects include cysts or dense lumps that can appear in the breast after fat grafting. Necrosis of fat, or the death of fat cells, is also a side effect that may occur. But as is explained above, your surgeon will have prepared for the possibility that some of the transferred fat will not survive by performing the grafting in stages and/or slightly overshooting the amount of fat that is grafted.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Breast Fat Transfer?
Because breast fat transfer actually involves two procedures, it’s worth noting that the entire procedure is slightly more invasive than traditional breast augmentation. It may also require more downtime as multiple areas of your body will be affected (the fat donor location and the breasts).
Likewise, it’s important to note that, even though it is an ultimate positive that breast fat transfer is a permanent solution to breast augmentation, this means that it’s also not able to be reversed. Alternatively, it is possible to remove a silicone or saline breast implant.
The good news is that, ultimately, breast fat transfer actually has lower risks than augmentation using implants. For example, capsular contracture, possible rupture, rippling of the implants, and poor positioning are all possibilities with implant breast augmentation. These events are rate, but use of fat from your own body has a much lower risk of complication. Because it is your own fat, your body will not reject it.
Can Fat Transfer Be Performed Anywhere Else?
Yes. Many patients are unaware that fat transfer is a procedure that can be used on multiple parts of the body.
For example, if you’d like to augment your face in some way — perhaps to fill in lines or wrinkles, add volume to the cheeks or lips, or plump the forehead — fat transfer can be the perfect solution. Again, the substance being used is all natural, the results look natural, and the positive effects are permanent. Fat transfer or fat grafting can also be used on the hands, buttocks, and other locations on the body.
How much fat can be grafted to breasts?
When most people look at fat transfer breast augmentation before and after photos, they can’t believe the “after” pictures aren’t with implants. It’s an amazing procedure that produces amazingly natural results.
While this procedure can’t increase the size of your breasts two or three cup sizes, fat grafting can definitely achieve a modest size increase and improve imperfections such as dimpling, uneven breasts, or a lack of upper pole fullness.
When it comes to the success rate of fat grafting, approximately 55 to 80 percent of fat that is harvested from elsewhere on the body and transferred to the breast survives. In essence, this gives fat transfer breast augmentation an overall success rate of 55 to 80 percent when considering aesthetic outcomes.
Of course, there are other ways in which this procedure may be considered a “success”. But overall, when patients want to know about the surgery’s success rate, they are really asking how likely it is that the fat they have transferred will survive.
Understanding the Success Rate of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
The success rate of fat transfer breast augmentation can often be determined before the patient undergoes surgery. That is, Dr. Lahar will usually be able to tell the patient whether or not they will have a high fat survival rate after their surgery.
Ultimately, whether or not the transferred fat survives in its new location in the breasts depends on several factors. Most importantly, it depends on how much fat the patient has to begin with.
As an example, let’s consider a woman who is extremely athletic. Women with athletic bodies tend not to have very much excess fat on their abdomens, upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. Therefore, it can be difficult to harvest fat for liposuction for this procedure.
You need to have enough excess fat that can then be transferred to the breasts. However, in athletic patients, while modest adjustments can be made with fat grafting, there may be an overall lower fat survival rate.
Let’s contrast this with someone who has a significant amount of excess fat. Perhaps they have fat in their belly, flanks, and hips that they would like to have removed and relocated to the breasts. In these patients, the fat survival rate is likely going to be higher simply because more fat can be transferred.
Of course, other factors — such as how well the patient adheres to her recovery instructions and how skilled the surgeon is — will also play a role in the success rate of fat transfer breast augmentation.
Does Fat Transfer to Breasts Last?
If the fat transfer process is performed well and the fat is handled gently throughout the procedure, there is a high likelihood that the fat will survive in the breasts. When this happens, the results of the entire procedure should last indefinitely.
In other words, when the fat “takes” in its new location, a breast fat transfer 1 year later will look just as it did a few months after surgery. The fat will remain and thrive in the breasts just as if it were always there.
Is Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Risky?
Overall, breast augmentation with fat transfer is not an especially risky surgery. However, all surgeries come with potential complications such as the risk of infection, complications with anesthesia, excessive bleeding, and more.
With fat transfer procedures, in particular, there is also the risk of fat necrosis (the death of fat cells) and fat reabsorption (the reabsorption of fat cells by the body).