Breast Fat Transfer or Breast Implants: How To Choose

To increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts, a breast fat transfer or breast implants can be used.

Either of the options will of course have their pro’s and con’s, and ultimately not one method is necessarily better than the other. Deciding between a breast fat transfer or breast implants will largely depend on your aesthetic goals.

If you’re not sure which procedure to choose, a consultation with Dr Sawhney at Sculpted Clinic, Gold Coast, will allow you to discuss what you would like to achieve and have your personal features assessed to determine what method may benefit you the most.

What is a breast fat transfer?

To add volume to the breasts, fat can be harvested with liposuction from unwanted areas of the body, such as the thighs or tummy, and transferred to the breasts. With a breast fat transfer, the transferred fat can be shaped to create a symmetrical, natural-looking result, without the need for breast implants.

Dr Sawhney has refined the use of autologous fat transfer in breast surgery, using advanced techniques to deliver the best results possible. It can be ideal for those who only want a subtle increase in size, of about one to two cup sizes. The procedure creates permanent results, but should be followed by a healthy diet and exercise routine to avoid significant weight fluctuations, as this can alter the results down the track.

Pro’s and con’s of a breast fat transfer

A breast fat transfer can offer a long list of benefits. Firstly, since it is a less invasive procedure than those that require implants, it can be associated with shorter recovery times and fewer post-procedural risks. There can also be less scarring after the procedure, since smaller incisions are used than more invasive methods.

The fat transfer method can also contribute to slimming-down other areas of the body in the process, doubling as a liposuction procedure on areas such as the hips, tummy, and thighs. A cellular renewal process can also be triggered during the procedure, which can improve the health and appearance of the skin.

Aesthetic concerns like asymmetry, congenital or developmental breast changes can be addressed with the procedure, as well as visible ribs that can be present in women with quite thin figures.

A potential downside of a breast fat transfer is that it cannot achieve larger breast enhancement goals, as this would require implants. If you would prefer an enhancement of more than one or two cup sizes, the pro’s of a breast enhancement with implants could be more appealing to you. You can discuss whether you would benefit more from a breast fat transfer or breast implants during an in-person consultation.

Multiple fat transfers

If you are wanting a large augmentation and do not want to have implants you can even do sequential fat transfer. The second transfer can be a larger volume than the first as the amount of fat you can transfer into a breast depends on the amount of breast volume you start with. You can discuss this option with Dr Sawhney at your consultation and he can show you results of all the above options at your consultation.

What are breast implants?

Breast implants are artificially made with a silicone or saline filling, with the purpose to alter the size and shape of the breasts. A breast enhancement with implants can be highly personalised, offered with a variety of options, including placement options, shape and texture variations, and sizes.

A breast augmentation with implants can be suitable for those who would like a more significant enhancement, or a more dramatic change in shape than what can be achieved with a breast fat transfer. The surgical change is permanent, however implants may need to be replaced later in life, and significant weight changes can interfere with the initial results.

Pro’s and con’s of breast implants

While implants can create a far more enhanced result, there are some pro’s and con’s when it comes to the more detailed options.

Implants are available in a teardrop or round shape, each of which have their own pro’s and con’s. Teardrop implants can create a more natural-looking result on the upper breast, but do have a risk of moving out of place. Round implants can look slightly less natural, but if they do rotate it should not affect the results.

All implants have a silicone shell, but are either filled with silicone or saline. Silicone implants can feel softer, however, have less chance of changing shape if a rupture occurs thanks to firmer cohesive gel implants. Saline implants, while feeling firmer, aren’t associated with health risks if they do rupture and leak into the body, simply absorbing into tissues. This however means they deflate when they rupture and the breast becomes smaller again.

As for texture of the outer shell, breast implants are made to be either textured or smooth. All teardrop implants are textured which helps prevent rotation of the implant. Rotation of a tear drop implant changes it’s shape and deforms the breast. Some research suggests that textured implants can lessen the risk of capsular contracture, however, textured implants require longer incisions to place. Smooth implants feel softer than textured and can possibly appear more natural, but have a higher risk of moving out of place or rippling.

The main benefit of an enhancement with breast implants is that it can achieve a much more significant change. However, the con’s, such as higher risks, longer recovery time and potentially more scarring may outweigh the pro’s for candidates who would be happy with a less dramatic change.

Combining the two options

Sometimes, a breast fat transfer can actually be combined with an enhancement with implants. It can help smooth the implant outline, creating a more natural contour. IT is particularly worthwhile in thin patients with very small breasts who want a large augmentation in one operation. If the two methods are combined, some con’s may be eliminated from each of the methods, but so can some pro’s. For example, the potential negative of a breast fat transfer being that it cannot achieve more dramatic results will no longer be present, however, the positive of the method being less invasive will obviously be taken over by the invasiveness of the implant method.

While either breast fat transfer or breast implants can achieve an increase in size and change in shape, the benefit of undergoing a combination of these methods is achieving a significant change in a way that is more natural-looking. It all comes down to your aesthetic desires and which procedure will feel more worthwhile.

Book a consultation with Dr Raja Sawhney

If you still aren’t sure if you would prefer a breast fat transfer or breast implants, or if you feel you have chosen a method and want to discuss a personalised procedure plan, come into our Gold Coast clinic for an in-person consultation.

Dr Raja Sawhney, Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon, has extensive experience in complex breast procedures. He specialises in reconstruction as well as cosmetic breast surgery, with expert knowledge on how to construct or enhance natural-looking breasts, according to each patient’s preferences.

Contact our team today to book your consultation or ask us any questions you may have about the procedures we offer at Sculpted.

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