Yes, breast augmentation using fat transfer, also known as autologous fat transfer (AFT) or fat grafting, is an increasingly common option for enhancement. This procedure involves taking fat cells from one area of the patient’s body and injecting them into the breasts. Since AFT uses the patient’s own tissue, it provides a natural look and feel while offering the dual benefit of body contouring by slimming the donor area. The success of AFT relies on the transferred fat cells surviving in their new location, and the final outcome depends on the desired volume.
Defining Fat Transfer Augmentation
The term “breast augmentation with fat transfer” refers to two distinct procedural approaches, both utilizing the patient’s own fat cells for enhancement. The first method is Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT) only, designed for patients desiring a modest increase in breast size. This technique is ideal for achieving subtle enhancement, correcting minor asymmetry, or improving breast contour without introducing foreign materials. AFT provides a natural-feeling result because the tissue used is soft and authentic.
The second approach is a Hybrid Augmentation, which combines fat transfer with traditional breast implants. In this scenario, the fat is not the primary source of volume but refines the implant result. Fat cells are precisely placed to soften the implant edges, which is beneficial for thin patients where implant rippling or visibility may be a concern. This hybrid method can also smooth the transition between the chest wall and the implant or improve the contour of the cleavage area.
The Three Stages of Fat Grafting
The fat grafting procedure is completed in three distinct stages, beginning with the collection of donor material. The first stage is Harvesting, which involves using specialized, gentle liposuction techniques to collect fat cells from common donor sites like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. Maintaining the integrity of the fat cells is paramount for their survival after transfer.
The collected material then moves to the second stage, Processing, where the harvested fat is purified and prepared for re-injection. This involves using a centrifuge or filtering system to separate viable fat cells from excess fluids, blood, and damaged fragments. This step ensures that only the healthiest, most concentrated adipose tissue is used for the transfer.
The final stage is Injection, where the purified fat is transferred to the breasts using fine cannulas. The surgeon uses a meticulous, layered technique, placing small amounts of fat strategically in multiple planes within the breast tissue. This maximizes the surface area of the transferred fat, allowing it to establish a new blood supply necessary for the cells’ long-term survival.
Predicting Final Volume and Longevity
Patients should understand the realistic limitations regarding the volume increase achievable per session. AFT typically provides a modest enhancement, often resulting in an increase of about one-half to one full cup size in a single procedure. Achieving a significantly larger volume increase may necessitate multiple sessions, provided the patient has sufficient donor fat.
A portion of the transferred fat will be naturally reabsorbed by the body, a factor surgeons account for during the initial injection. The expected Fat Survival Rate is generally between 50% and 70%, with the final volume stabilizing around three to six months post-procedure. Fat cells that successfully integrate and establish a new blood supply become a permanent part of the breast tissue, meaning the result is long-lasting. Smoking, however, can negatively impact this integration and reduce the longevity of the results.
Donor Site Requirements and Ideal Candidacy
A fundamental requirement for autologous fat transfer is the presence of adequate and accessible fat deposits in other body areas. Common donor sites include the abdomen, flanks, and thighs, which contain high-quality fat suitable for grafting. Patients must have sufficient excess fat to allow for harvesting and to compensate for expected fat cell loss during processing and integration.
Consequently, very lean individuals or those with minimal body fat may not be suitable candidates for AFT, as they lack the required donor volume. The ideal candidate profile includes individuals seeking subtle enhancement, those needing correction of minor contour irregularities, or patients undergoing hybrid augmentation to camouflage breast implants. Candidates must also be in good general health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the achievable volume increase.