Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation: Can I Get a Natural Boob Job?

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the UK. It uses implants to increase the size, shape and symmetry of the breasts and can produce natural-looking results. However, some people just don’t like the idea of implants. If that’s the case for you then there are other options. Fat transfer breast augmentation is a potential alternative that can enhance your breasts more naturally.

Fat transfer breast augmentation, also known as lipofilling, lipomodelling or a fat graft, involves a liposuction procedure to harvest fat cells from other parts of the body. The surgeon then injects those fat cells into the breasts to boost their volume and enhance their shape.

Fat transfer breast augmentation can be an effective alternative to a traditional ‘boob job’. That said, it’s not without its risks and drawbacks, and it still involves an expensive surgical procedure that leads to a relatively small increase in breast size. With that in mind, we take a closer look at what breast transfer augmentation is, the kind of results you can expect and some of the pros and cons.

What is fat transfer breast augmentation?

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a procedure that uses your own body fat to enhance breast volume and shape. The first step is for the surgeon to perform liposuction, usually on the hips, thighs or abdomen, to harvest fat from your body. They then treat the fat to remove any impurities before injecting it into the breasts to increase their volume, enhance their shape and correct an asymmetry.

The surgeon will overfill the breasts as around 40% of the transferred fat is reabsorbed into the body. That means it can take time – typically around six months -before you’ll see the final results of the procedure. Patients can increase their breast volume by between one and one-and-a-half cup sizes using this technique, so fat transfer breast augmentation results are less dramatic than implants. That makes it a good fit for women who want to enhance the shape and size of their breasts subtly. Breast implants are the best option If you want a more significant increase in size.

What are the results of fat transfer breast augmentation?

One of the key benefits is that as the procedure uses your own body fat, your breasts will look and feel natural and move in a natural way. As we’ve said, the fat transfer breast augmentation results are quite subtle, but you can choose to have multiple procedures to increase your cup size further. However, that can be very expensive when compared to a single breast enhancement with implants that will achieve similar results.

The fat transfer breast augmentation results are lifelong. As long as you maintain a healthy weight, fat cells that successfully transfer to the breasts will remain there permanently. However, if you lose weight, the fat that has been transferred will act in the same way as the rest of the fat in the body, so if you lose weight you will likely see a reduction in your breast size.

Of course, the breasts will still be subject to the ageing process. They will lose fat and tissue over time and the connective tissues that support the breasts will lose elasticity, leading to sagging.

An often overlooked fat transfer breast augmentation result is the effect on the donor area. The surgeon will remove stubborn and unwanted fat from areas such as the tummy or thighs. That will give you all the benefits of a liposuction procedure and leave the donor area looking sculpted and refined.

Is a fat transfer breast augmentation a natural boob job?

Some clinics and surgeons refer to fat transfer breast augmentation as a ‘natural boob job’ because it uses the patient’s own fat instead of implants. While that might look on the marketing materials, in reality, there’s no such thing as a natural boob job.

In a fat transfer breast augmentation, patients undergo a surgical procedure to remove fat from one part of the body before injecting it into another. So, although there’s nothing natural about the process, it can lead to natural-looking results.

Unfortunately, there’s no natural way to increase breast size. Cosmetic surgery, whether it’s via fat transfer breast augmentation or implants, is the only solution. Of all the other supposed ‘natural ways to increase breast size’, such as creams, pumps, diets and supplements, none have been proven to work.

What are the fat transfer breast augmentation risks?

Although fat transfer surgery is less invasive than a breast implant procedure, it still carries certain risks.

• Bleeding and bruising – Some patients may experience bleeding during the procedure and most have significant swelling and bruising afterwards.
• Scarring – Small scars are common and will fade but not completely disappear. Thick, obvious scars known as hypertrophic scars are far less common.
• Infection – Infection is a risk with any type of surgery. The risk is relatively low as the procedure is minimally invasive. Your surgeon will inform you of the telltale signs of infection to look out for.
• Fat reabsorption – The proportion of fat reabsorbed into your body differs from patient to patient. However, some can lose up to 50% of the injected fat, which will impact the results.
• Fat necrosis – Fat necrosis is one of the primary risks of any fat transfer surgery. Fat cells can die if they do not receive enough oxygenated blood during the transfer process. The result can be a range of unpleasant symptoms including painful lumps and cysts, skin discolouration, scar tissue, uneven skin and changes to the breast shape and appearance.
• Fat embolism – This is one of the most dangerous complications and occurs when the injected fat causes a blockage in a blood vessel. It’s very rare but it can be fatal if it goes undetected.

Fat transfer breast augmentation: pros and cons

Every type of surgery has its advantages and disadvantages. Making a list of the pros and cons of fat transfer breast augmentation can focus your mind on whether it’s the right procedure for you or if there could be more appropriate alternatives.

Fat transfer breast augmentation pros

• Natural appearance

One of the biggest benefits for many women is having a result that looks and feels natural. You will experience the same sensation as before the operation, your breasts will continue to move naturally and the results are subtle, so it won’t be obvious that you’ve had work done.

• Minimal scarring

You can expect small scars from the incisions made during the liposuction and where the fat is injected into the breasts. However, these scars will fade over time and eventually be almost unnoticeable. When performing a traditional breast augmentation, the incisions made to insert the implants are larger but they are hidden out of the way to make them as discreet as possible, and also fade over time.

• Permanent results

Although the results are subtle, they are permanent. Not all the fat will survive the transfer process and the results are affected by ageing and weight loss, but the procedure will boost your breast volume for the longer term.

• A sculpted body

As well as larger breasts, you also get the dual benefit of having stubborn fat removed from an area like the abdomen or thighs. That will leave you with a slimmed-down, more sculpted look.

• Quicker recovery and a reduced risk of complications

The risk of complications is relatively small as the procedure is minimally invasive and no foreign materials are put into your body. The recovery period is also faster than implants and you can usually return to work and light activity after one week.

Fat transfer breast augmentation cons

• Smaller increase in breast size

The biggest downside for most patients is the limited results you can achieve. Fat transfer typically increases breast size by between one and one-and-a-half cup sizes. Your results can also be diminished by fat reabsorption.

• Repeat procedures

If you do want significantly larger breasts, the only way to achieve it is either through breast implants or by repeating the fat transfer procedure. With an average cost of between £5,000 and £6,000 for fat transfer breast augmentation, it can become very expensive.

• Sagging breasts

Although fat transfer increases the size of your breasts it doesn’t make them firmer or address sagging. Breast implants give you firmer breasts while a breast lift can address sagging.

• It may not be suitable

If you are very lean, you may not have excess fat that can be safely removed from other areas. In that case, breast implants would be the best choice.

Advantages of breast implants

Both fat transfer breast augmentation and traditional breast implants are procedures that can improve the shape and size of your breasts and boost your confidence. However, breast implants have certain advantages that may make them the better choice.

• Greater predictability – You can choose the size, shape and profile of your breast implants to meet your precise goals.
• Significant size increases – You can increase the size of your breasts by two or three cup sizes and see immediate results.
• More firmness – Implants make breasts fuller and firmer and improve cleavage.
• Long-lasting results – Implants can comfortably last 10 or 15 years and generally provide more durable results.
• Customisation options – With guidance from your surgeon, you can choose from a wide range of customisation options to achieve a bespoke result. The implant size, projection and type will be considered to provide the most natural-looking boob job.

Safe and high-quality breast augmentation with Enhance Medical

Find out more about our cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, at the Enhance Medical Group. Contact us with any questions or book a free consultation at one of our locations throughout the UK. Our team includes some of the country’s most experienced breast augmentation surgeons. We are also the UK’s leading day-case provider of breast enlargement surgery.