Posted in Breast Surgery
Plastic surgeons often hear that their patients have a desire to increase their breast size. This is why breast augmentation with implants is the most regularly performed cosmetic surgery in the country. While breast implants offer a guaranteed change in the size, shape, and projection of the breasts, not every woman likes the idea of placing a foreign object in their body. While implants are safe and reliable, they are not foolproof. Rupture, capsular contracture, and bottoming out are just some of the potential complications seen with breast implants, and for some women, these risks are just too high. Fortunately, there is another way to enhance the size of the breasts without the use of saline or silicone implants. The answer is fat transfer.
What Is Breast Augmentation Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer is a surgical procedure that enhances multiple areas at the same time. Essentially, fat transfer is just what it sounds like: transferring fat from one area of your body to another. During a fat transfer, excess fat is taken from an area in which you do not want it, commonly the abdomen, hips, or thighs, and moved to an area that could use a little enhancement. Here, that area is the breasts. Fat transfer increases the size of the breasts in a completely natural and organic way. Since the fat is taken from you, there is nothing foreign being added to your body; therefore, there is a minimal chance of allergic reaction or rejection, and as fat is not a solid implant, there is no chance of implant-related complications.
Would Breast Augmentation Fat Transfer Work for You?
When hearing about breast augmentation with fat transfer, it may seem as though there would be no reason to offer breast implants because the benefits sound so appealing. While breast augmentation with fat transfer provides all of these, there are limitations, and it is only ideal for specific patients. The main problem that some women find when desiring breast augmentation with fat transfer is that they do not have enough fat to harvest for the transfer. The fat being added to the breasts needs to come from somewhere, and many petite women do not have enough excess fat on their body to take.
Are They Interchangeable?
Even if you do have the proper amount of fat to harvest, there is still a chance that breast augmentation with fat transfer may not work for you. The results of breast augmentation with fat transfer will look slightly different than the results provided through implants. Implants come in many sizes and shapes, allowing you to customize the final appearance and projection of your breasts. This is possible because implants are sturdy structures with a defined shape.
Fat does not have that same benefit. The results achieved through fat transfer will appear far more subtle than that of implants. For some women, this subtleness and natural appearance is a plus; for others, they want the more significant, defined breast appearance. Truthfully, it comes down to what kind of results interest you. Both implants and fat transfer will increase the size of the breasts; it is up to you to define what type of enlargement you are seeking. For women who desire larger breasts, multiple procedures may be necessary as only so much fat can be placed in the breasts during a single procedure.
To see if you are a candidate for breast augmentation with fat transfer or implants, contact Dr. Schlechter at North Shore Aesthetics by calling (847) 393-4770 or by filling out our online contact form.
