Breast augmentation utilizing Fat Transfer is an operation to modestly increase the size and shape of a woman’s breast. Many of our patients undergo breast augmentation with fat transfer in an effort to enhance their body contour, to correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy or to balance different sized breasts. Many of our patients note an increased sense of self confidence and improvement of their appearance after breast augmentation with fat transfer. Expectations for breast surgery should be healthy and realistic. In my practice, patients come in all shapes and sizes, with varied desires regarding size and shape. I try to temper patient wishes and desires with reality, like patient anatomy, body type and skin elasticity. It is my job to counsel, educate and listen to my patients, to help me achieve the best possible result, and of course, make sure my patients are happy with that result!

The consultation process(plan to spend at least one hour), includes an in-depth discussion about your desires with regard to size, shape and dimensions of your breasts after breast augmentation with fat transfer surgery. It is the surgeon’s task to explain all aspects of the operation, the pros and cons, and most importantly, the concept of realistic expectations with regard to your postoperative result. I ask each patient to bring photographs demonstrating the size and shape of the breasts that she desires, so I can understand exactly what she is looking for. Those patients who desire a larger increase in breast size are better candidates for breast augmentation with implants, not fat transfer. Large volume fat transfer to the breasts is less reliable than implants because of inconsistent fat “take”, or incorporation by the breast tissue. I prefer to meet a second time with each patient prior to surgery to assure complete understanding of her desires from her breast augmentation with fat transfer.

The fat is usually harvested from the abdomen and flank regions and then washed and treated with an antibiotic solution. The sterile fat is then placed in syringes for placement just over the chest muscle below the breast. Consistent take is better achieved with smaller volume fat transfer, which is why I recommend fat transfer for only those women desiring modest breast augmentation. There are 3 possible types of incisions for this operation; directly below the nipple, in the crease below the breast, or in the armpit region.

I strongly believe that this formula works because of experience and I have successfully treated women for breast augmentation surgery from across the U.S. and Europe. Over 20 years of experience and dedication to my breast augmentation patients has rewarded me with a loyal following of women who understand the importance of choosing the right plastic surgeon for their breast augmentation surgery.

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is a highly personal operation that is not fully understood by many people. If the surgical goals have been met, then your surgery was a success. For that reason, it is important for both of us to understand those goals.

Breast imaging techniques and technology have improved to such a degree, that most radiologists are extremely comfortable imaging patients with breasts augmented by fat transfer.

If you have concerns about the size of your breasts, especially in relation to the girth of the rest of your body and are troubled about asymmetry because of smaller breasts, then Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer may be an option for you. This type of surgery can alleviate those concerns, and help provide balance for your physique with MODEST increase in breast size. Ideal candidates are women who are realistic about what the surgery can afford after a complete consultation. Breast Augmentation Surgery with Fat Transfer can be performed for all breast sizes. Scars on or near the breasts are an inevitable consequence of this type of surgery, but they are very small, 2-3 mm. I close the skin with great care and offer advice and support regarding scar care after surgery.

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer is performed in my state of the art, fully certified operative suite located on the Upper East Side in NYC. Depending on the procedure, I utilize either general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation, administered by one of our experienced, board certified anesthesiologists. Recovery after surgery takes 1-2 hours, with my RN at your side at all times. For your safety, I require that a friend, family member or private duty nurse accompany you home and spend at least one night with you. You will be given a followup appointment with me in 1-3 days.

Most of my patients return to work within 7 days postoperatively, and pain after surgery is well controlled with pain medication. My staff and I will counsel you regarding all aspects of scar care to achieve the best possible, least noticeable scars.

Related procedures:

  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Reconstruction
  • Breast Reduction
  • Gynecomastia
WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF FAT VS IMPLANTS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION?

The advantage of fat over implants for breast augmentation is the fat comes from YOUR body and is not a foreign material. Implants must be removed or replaced at some point (20 years for the newer generation implants), most of the transferred fat is permanent.

WHAT IS THE DISADVANTAGE OF FAT TRANSFER FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Fat “take” or incorporation within the breasts, can be inconsistent, especially with large fat transfer. For that reason, I only recommend breast augmentation with fat transfer for patients desiring modest breast augmentation. Also, inconsistent fat take can result in asymmetrical breasts, necessitating revision.

HOW LONG DOES FAT LAST WHEN TRANSFERRED TO THE BREASTS?

Once incorporated into the breast tissue, early studies indicate that it should be permanent, but long term studies to prove this are still being performed.

HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT TO BE SWOLLEN AFTER UNDERGOING BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER?

The majority of swelling will decrease over the first 4-6 weeks, but complete resolution takes approximately 3-6 months.

WHEN WE WILL MY RECOVERY BE COMPLETE?

It usually takes approximately 6 months for the breast tissue and skin to stretch and accommodate the fat and allow the fat to take, become incorporated and settle in. The breasts look good right after surgery, but improve over time, and by the end of 6 months most of my patients tell me that they truly feel like theirs.

WHAT KIND OF SCARS CAN I EXPECT AFTER HAVING A BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH FAT TRANSFER?

The scars are small, 2-3 mm, and the approaches described above result with scars that are placed in locations that are hidden and well camouflaged. However, each person heals differently and scarring varies from individual to individual. My staff and I counsel all our patients regarding scar care after surgery.