Breast Fat Transfer

What is Breast Fat Transfer?

Breast fat transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation (to the breasts), is a surgical procedure that plumps up a patient’s breasts using their own naturally occurring fat. This treatment is an alternative to breast implants and gives a subtle, one to two cup size increase in breast size (*Results may vary from patient to patient). Fat transfer to the breast is a safe and natural procedure, and because it uses your own fat cells, you can never have an allergic reaction. The Japanese have been successfully using the fat transfer method for over 20 years in various plastic surgery cases, including breast enhancement.

Breast fat transfer is a three-stage process. First, anaesthesia will be administered and excess fat will be removed via liposuction from your thighs, hips, flanks, back or tummy. Our doctors use techniques that preserve the quality of fat harvested and minimise the reabsorption rate.

Once enough fat has been removed from the donor area, it will be processed to prepare the fat cells for injection. This is done by spinning the fat in a centrifuge to separate the cells from any fluid or impurities. The purified fat is then placed in syringes.

In the final phase of the breast fat transfer procedure, your doctor will use a cannula to inject the fat into the breast tissue for a beautiful improvement in size and shape. This fat is massaged and moulded to ensure a smooth and uniform result.

Am I a candidate for fat transfer breast augmentation?

Breast fat transfer is a suitable option for women looking for a natural enhancement in breast size without the use of implants. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if you fit the following criteria:

• You are in good physical and mental health 
• You have realistic expectations regarding what breast fat transfer can achieve 
• You are a stable, healthy weight 
• You are unsuitable for breast implant surgery 
• You have firm, elastic skin 
• You do not have any blood circulation problems 
• You have enough fat stores to harvest and transfer 
• You are a non-smoker or are willing to quit before and after surgery

Ultimately, the best way to determine whether you are a candidate for fat transfer to the breasts is to meet with our doctors for a consultation at Cosmos Clinic.

How do I prepare for breast fat transfer surgery?

Your initial consultation is designed to facilitate good communication between you and the Cosmos Clinic team, which we believe is key to a rewarding surgical experience. Your doctor will do a thorough examination, collect a full medical history, and listen carefully to your concerns and goals. Based on this, your doctor will formulate a detailed treatment plan. 

You will spend a considerable amount of time with your doctor and office staff preparing and planning for your fat transfer procedure, including a discussion of pre-operative instructions. Smokers will need to quit at least two weeks prior to surgery, as smoking can delay healing and increase surgical complications. Additionally, your doctor may ask that you avoid certain medications that could lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery. 

We suggest preparing for recovery by purchasing some comfortable clothing, filling any required prescriptions, and preparing some healthy meals. You should also arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital and, if possible, help with tasks at home for the first few days after surgery. 

How long does the breast fat transfer procedure take?

During your breast fat transfer, you will usually spend between two and four hours in the operating theatre, depending on the amount of fat transferred to achieve your desired outcome. 

Is fat transfer to the breast painful?

Your breast fat transfer will be performed under local anaesthesia and twilight sedation, so you should not experience any pain during the procedure. Some discomfort and pain are to be expected during recovery, which you can alleviate with medications prescribed by your doctor. 

When will I see the results of my breast fat transfer?

While you will notice an enhancement in the size of your breasts immediately after surgery, this is mainly due to post-operative swelling. As this swelling subsides, you will slowly begin to see your new breast contour. You can expect initial results to appear around six to eight weeks after surgery, with final results visible within six months.

How much fat will be transferred to my breasts?

In most cases, a few hundred millilitres of fat will be transferred to the breasts to change the overall silhouette and cup size. The precise amount always depends on what changes the patient hopes to see in the final results of their procedure.

What size will I be?

The breasts can be enlarged by one to two cup sizes with this breast surgery. The results are subtle but noticeable. In addition to the volume increase, a breast fat transfer procedure can enhance your natural breast shape and improve mild contour irregularities.

If you want a larger increase than one breast fat transfer procedure can achieve, it would be advised to get natural-looking breast silicone implants or have multiple fat transfer sessions to the breast.

How long will my fat transfer breast augmentation results last?

All of the fat that survives the transfer process will remain in your breasts permanently. However, weight fluctuations after surgery can interfere with the volume of your breasts. Thus, we recommend that patients follow a healthy diet and exercise routine after their breast fat transfer in order to maintain results in the long term. 

Where does the donor fat come from?

The ideal donor site for breast fat transfer is different for everyone and will depend on where you have enough excess fat available to harvest. However, common liposuction sites include the abdomen, thighs, hips and back. Other areas include the upper arms, buttocks and flanks. 

During your consultation at Cosmos Clinic, your fat transfer doctor will help determine which areas of the body have an appropriate amount of excess fat. They may recommend using one area or multiple for your fat transfer procedure, depending on the natural distribution of fat in your body.

Will I have visible scars after my breast fat transfer?

Breast fat transfer is sometimes referred to as a scarless breast augmentation; however, this isn’t entirely accurate, as scarring is an inevitable part of any procedure. Despite this, significant scarring is very rare after breast fat transfer, as the incisions required to perform liposuction and inject the transferred fat are both very small and will be placed in locations that can be easily hidden. 

How many fat transfers will I need?

When considering breast fat transfer, you will need to keep in mind that not all of the fat will take. In order to survive, the transferred fat will need to create a new blood supply to the body. If this fails, you may need up to three or four fat transfers to create your desired outcome. Fat transfer procedures can be scheduled three to six months apart.

At Cosmos Clinic, we use advanced techniques that ensure a survival rate of over 80 percent so that you can achieve ideal results in one procedure. One operation can produce a one to two cup size increase in breast volume with enhancement to the cleavage and overall breast shape.

Can I get implants later if I want more fullness?

Yes, you can have silicone or saline breast implants inserted at a later date after a fat grafting augmentation. 

Can I get implants and fat transfer at the same time?

A procedure that combines breast implants with breast fat grafting is known as a hybrid breast augmentation. The hybrid procedure can offer the significant volume increase possible with implants as well as the soft, natural results produced by fat transfer. The fat is placed strategically around the implant to conceal the edges for a more natural look and feel. A smaller implant can often be used in these operations because the result is not reliant on the implant alone. 

Will breast fat transfer increase my risk of breast cancer?

There is no proof that a fat transfer into the breast has any impact on breast cancer, although there is also no proof that it does not. This procedure has been widely accepted in Europe and Japan for over 20 years. RACS has stated that fat transfer into the breast is as safe as other breast enlargements techniques. RACS has also stated that the fat injected into the breast does not make it more difficult to detect breast cancer.

It is important to note that there is also a risk of fat necrosis/calcification and cysts (5% chance) and infection (1% chance). As such, we advise that you tell the radiologist that you have had a fat transfer to the breast when you go for a mammogram so that they can determine the difference between calcification and breast cancer.

What are the risks and side effects of fat transfer breast augmentation?

No cosmetic procedure is free of risk. However, our Cosmos Clinic doctors have vast liposuction experience and have performed thousands of fat transfer breast augmentation procedures Australia-wide without incident. Some of the potential side effects to be aware of following your breast fat transfer include:

• Pain and aching
• Bruising and bleeding
• Persistent swelling
• Delayed healing
• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Poor scarring
• Changes in skin sensation
• Fluid accumulation
• Blood clots
• Death of fat cells, resulting in the need for revision surgery

Why do Cosmos Clinic doctors use Vaser liposuction for breast fat transfer?

The success of breast augmentation with fat injections depends on how gently the fat tissue is transferred from the donor site to the breast. It is important to note that not all the fat cells injected into the breast survive the transfer process. With traditional liposuction, less than 50% of fat cells survive the transfer (*Results may vary from patient to patient). 

The Vaser liposuction technique removes fat more gently than traditional liposuction so that about 80% of the fat cells survive the transfer into the breast tissue. This makes the Vaser liposuction technique the best way to transfer body fat into the breast.

During a Vaser liposuction procedure, small incisions are made in the skin and the area is filled with a solution that helps numb the site. A probe that transmits ultrasound energy into the fat is then inserted through the incision. Heat generated by the ultrasound separates fat cells from the fibrous tissue, giving the fat a softer consistency that is easier to remove. The ultrasound energy also produces a skin tightening effect, which reduces the amount of skin sagging after surgery.

Vaser liposuction is often considered safer than traditional liposuction. With this technique, there is less pain and trauma, virtually no scarring, and a quicker recovery time (though each patient’s experience may vary).

I don’t have much fat on my body — can I still have breast fat transfer done?

There are two options for very slim or fit patients. The first is to gain weight until there is enough fat that can be removed. This must be done thoughtfully, with a healthy approach. The second is to use breast implants instead of or in addition to fat transfer. 

Can I use someone else’s fat?

As appealing as this option might sound, the answer is no. The fat must come from your body, or there is a risk of infection and rejection. One of the remarkable things about fat transfer is that it eliminates the risk of rejection or allergic reaction since the material is 100% organic and comes from your own body.

When is fat transfer better than breast implants?

Fat transfer is suitable for women seeking subtle improvements and a modest change in size. Patients who prioritise a natural look and feel may find that fat transfer fits their needs better than breast implants. This procedure is also popular with patients who prefer to avoid having foreign material in their body and the risk of complications that accompanies it. 

Additional benefits of fat transfer include:

• Sculpting in another area(s) of the body
• Less invasive
• Minimal incisions and scarring
• Shorter recovery time
• No implant-related complications

When are breast implants better than fat transfer?

Breast implants may be the better option for women who are very slim, want a significant size increase or desire the stable, predictable results implants can provide. Breast augmentation with implants can deliver dramatic changes, especially in the upper pole/cleavage, and may provide a small lifting effect. 

Additional benefits of breast implants include:

• Backed by decades of research
• Scarring in only one area of the body
• Can be removed easily if desired
• Often lower cost than fat transfer
• Suitable for a wider range of patients

Will the size of my breasts change if my weight changes?

The fat transferred to your breasts will behave just like fat in other areas of your body. If you lose weight, you can expect your breast size to decrease. On the other hand, your breast size could grow if you were to gain weight.

If this occurs, you are not losing or gaining fat cells. The number of fat cells in your breasts will remain stable after the initial reabsorption period, but those cells can increase and decrease in size as your weight changes. Your body proportions will also remain the same, fluctuating in harmony with each other.