Breast Augmentation with Implants vs. Fat Transfer: Which Is Right for You?

When you think of breast augmentation, the first thing that comes to mind may be implants. While a significant number of breast enhancement surgeries do indeed involve artificial breast implants, that's not the only option patients have to add volume to their breasts. Another popular choice for women looking to enhance breast size or shape is a fat transfer. While both procedures can accomplish similar goals, there are certain aspects of each that may make one or the other a more suitable option for a particular patient.

For example, women who wish to avoid synthetic implants may prefer a fat transfer, while those without enough excess fat to harvest may be better candidates for breast augmentation with implants. In some cases, a combination of breast implants plus fat transfer may be appropriate.

At Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa, Orange County board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef offers a complete suite of cosmetic breast surgeries, including breast augmentation with implants and breast fat transfer. As part of your comprehensive consultation, Dr. Motakef will discuss your available options in detail and help determine which one may be the right choice for you. Here, you'll find additional information to help inform your decision.

What is a fat transfer breast augmentation?

Also called a breast fat transfer or fat grafting to the breast, a fat transfer breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting fat from one area of the body — like the abdomen, hips, or thighs — and injecting it into the breasts to add volume, enhance breast shape, improve symmetry, and address any other aesthetic concerns about the breasts a patient may have.

Should I get breast implants or a fat transfer?

There are several things to consider when choosing between breast implants vs. fat transfer breast augmentation, including:

• Current breast size
• Desired breast size
• Amount of excess fat available elsewhere on the patient's body
• Breast asymmetry, sagging, or other concerns the patient may have
• Potential allergy to synthetic implants
• Patient's age

Generally speaking, patients who desire a substantial breast size increase and women without enough excess fat to harvest for a transfer may be better candidates for breast implants, while women who prefer a more natural look and feel, as well as those who have a personal reason to avoid synthetic implants, may be better suited to a breast augmentation with fat grafting. In some cases, patients may choose to add a fat transfer to their implant-based breast augmentation to enhance upper pole volume and make other minor adjustments that boost the natural look and feel of their results.

Is a breast fat transfer permanent?

Unlike breast implants, which can retain their volume indefinitely, breast fat transfer results can change over time, primarily due to weight fluctuation and age. Because fat cells transferred to the breast will respond to weight gain and loss just as they would elsewhere in the body, the size of the breasts can be impacted by these fluctuations, making it important to maintain a stable weight to preserve your breast fat transfer results for as long as possible.

Look and feel more feminine and confident with breast augmentation surgery in Anaheim Hills, CA

If you've been thinking about breast augmentation surgery but still have questions about implants vs. fat transfer, we are here to help. To learn more about the benefits of each type of breast augmentation and how those may uniquely apply to you, call our knowledgeable team at Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon and Orange County, CA breast enhancement specialist Dr. Saba Motakef today.