What Is Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer?
Unlike a traditional breast augmentation procedure, which relies on breast implants to provide enhancement, natural breast augmentation uses excess fat from other areas of the body to improve breast shape and contour, as well as conservatively increase breast size. The fat used for the procedure can come from virtually any area of the body where unwanted fat is located. The fat transfer process (also referred to as fat grafting) can be used instead of breast implants, or in addition to them. Additionally, this technique is often used for breast reconstruction surgery.
How Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Performed?
During the natural breast augmentation procedure, liposuction is used to harvest fat from one or more designated donor sites, such as the thighs, flanks, abdomen, and/or hips. (During your consultation, our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph DiBello, can help you determine which area(s) are best.) After unwanted fat has been removed, it is carefully filtered and purified before it can be injected into the breasts. The prepared fat is then skillfully injected in targeted locations throughout the breasts, ultimately creating a fuller, natural appearance. This process enables Dr. DiBello to gradually and precisely enhance shape and size, since each injection is relatively small.
What Are the Benefits of Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer?
In addition to the benefit of fat reduction and contouring in the area(s) where fat has been harvested, fat transfer breast augmentation offers a number of other benefits, such as:
- Eliminates any potential risks associated with introducing a foreign object (breast implants) to the body
- Recovery is often shorter, compared to traditional breast augmentation
- No incisions are made on the breast, so there is little to no residual scarring
- Higher levels of customization can be achieved when reshaping the breast
What Is Recovery Like After Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
Following natural breast augmentation with fat transfer, patients may experience some tenderness, swelling, and/or bruising in the breasts and donor region(s), but any discomfort is usually managed well with prescribed medication. Breasts may initially appear slightly larger than intended—however, this should resolve over time as swelling goes down and some of the injected fat cells are reabsorbed into the body. Most patients are able to return to work and/or other low-impact activities within about seven to ten days. Heavy lifting, sports, and other strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks, to ensure proper healing.
All surgery carries risks and potential side effects. Cysts, infection, microcalcifications, and fat necrosis (death of fat cells) may occur and can possibly compromise breast cancer detection on future mammograms. Since some resorption/dispersion of the grafted fat over time is expected, touch-up or follow-up injections may be necessary to maintain shape.
Dr. DiBello did a wonderful job on my breast augmentation back in 2008. Since then, I've had two kids and breastfed both. My breast still look incredible. I am so pleased with my breasts 12 years later. If you're looking for a talented doctor that listens to exactly what you want, look no further - Dr. DiBello is the doctor for you.
How Much Does Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost?
Most natural breast augmentation procedures range from $7,500 to $9,000 at DiBello Plastic Surgery, depending on the number of liposuctioned areas and the total volume of fat transferred. To give you a better idea of the actual overall price, this amount is inclusive of several variables, such as Dr. DiBello’s fee, prescribed medications, hospital/facility fees, and anesthesia (most plastic surgery price quotes available online only provide the average cost of the surgeon’s fee). To obtain a personalized price estimate that takes your unique needs and desires into consideration, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. DiBello.