Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston and Katy, TX

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer Dr. Ricardo Bonnor M.D., F.A.C.S

Breast augmentation with fat transfer, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a natural and innovative procedure that uses your own body’s fat to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. This technique involves harvesting excess fat from other areas of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, through liposuction. Unlike breast augmentation with implants, a fat transfer does not require any synthetic materials. The harvested fat is transferred to the breasts to enhance their size and shape naturally.

Dr. Ricardo Bonnor M.D., F.A.C.S specializes in cosmetic procedures that help women feel beautiful. Contact Texas Surgical Arts at (281) 579-5638 to learn more about how we can help you achieve fuller, more beautiful breasts.

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is dedicated exclusively to excellence in the specialty of cosmetic surgery. (PRNewsfoto/American Board of Cosmetic Surg)

About Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Breast augmentation is a customizable procedure that increases the size of your breasts and enhances their appearance. Many patients prefer a fat transfer because it is a well-tolerated, safe alternative to implants (1) and they do not need to worry about implant rippling or implant exchange.

Fat Transfer vs. Breast Implants

A fat transfer is ideal for patients who are looking for a smaller, natural-looking cup size increase (usually 1 cup size). It does not require the surgical incisions that breast implants do, resulting in a shorter recovery time. If you would like a larger cup size increase with implants but would like the breasts to feel softer, we can perform fat transfer and place implants.

Who is a Candidate?

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is suitable for women who desire a moderate increase in breast size and shape, as well as those looking for a more natural alternative to traditional breast implants. Ideal candidates for this procedure:

  • Have Adequate Donor Sites: Candidates should have enough excess fat in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or love handles, for liposuction and fat transfer.
  • Desire Natural-Looking Results: Candidates should have realistic expectations and prefer a more subtle enhancement compared to traditional breast implants.
  • Are In Good Overall Health: Candidates should be in good overall health and free from any conditions that may impair healing or increase the risk of complications.
  • Are Non-Smokers: Smoking can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. Candidates should be non-smokers or willing to quit smoking for a period before and after the procedure.
  • Have Breast Asymmetry or Volume Loss: Candidates who have naturally asymmetrical breasts or have experienced volume loss due to factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, or aging can benefit from breast augmentation with fat transfer.
  • Have Limited Ptosis (Sagging): Breasts with minimal sagging or mild ptosis can be improved using fat transfer. However, significant sagging may require a different surgical approach, such as a breast lift in combination with fat transfer.

Consultation with Dr. Bonnor

Your initial personal consultation is a vital step in achieving your desired results. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and express your aesthetic goals. Dr. Bonnor will review your medical history, including any relevant previous surgeries or health conditions, to ensure that breast augmentation with fat transfer is a safe and appropriate option for you. He will also conduct a thorough physical examination of your breasts and donor areas to determine whether sufficient fat is available for successful transfer. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Bonnor will explain the entire treatment process and discuss alternative options if necessary.

Procedure

Once you are under anesthesia, Dr. Bonnor will use a thin cannula to extract fat from your body with liposuction. He can extract fat from the flanks, abdomen, or thighs depending on your preferences. He makes a very thin, discrete incision (less than a centimeter) to perform liposuction. He will cleanse the fat cells with tumescent fluid to make them swell for easier removal.

After he extracts the fat, he will purify it in a centrifuge and inject it into your breasts to increase their volume. (2) If you receive a fat transfer with implants, he can use the excess fat to help you achieve a softer, more natural look. (3)

Additional Options for Breast Enhancement

Breast Lift

A breast lift removes excess skin from the breasts and repositions the breast mounds for a perkier look. If your breasts are drooping, Dr. Bonnor can adjust the position of the areola to help you achieve a more youthful form. As you age, the connective tissue – Cooper ligaments – that hold the breasts in place can start to atrophy. If your breasts naturally rest in a lower position, Dr. Bonnor can add volume to the upper poles of the breasts with a fat transfer to balance your proportions.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation increases the size of your breasts with implants to help you achieve a fuller, plumper look. Dr. Bonnor offers different kinds of implants to provide options for your breast enhancement:

  • Silicone Implants: Filled with a soft silicone gel, this implant will provide a natural look and feel to the breasts and is ideal for patients who would like a larger cup size increase or who have a lower body mass index (BMI).
  • Saline Implants: Filled with salt water, saline implants can help you achieve a natural breast size increase and they are filled after we insert them into the breast pocket, meaning you will have a smaller incision.

Augmentation & Lift

Breast augmentation with lift is a procedure that lifts the breasts by removing excess skin and increasing their size with implants, a fat transfer, or both. During the procedure, Dr. Bonnor will use a lollipop incision – a short incision along the edge of the areola known to provide stability to the breast – to insert the implant. For a breast lift, he will also perform a lollipop incision to remove excess tissue. He takes care to preserve the nerve endings in the breasts during the procedure.

Implant Exchange

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer Dr. Ricardo Bonnor M.D., F.A.C.S

A breast implant exchange removes older breast implants and replaces them with new ones. Dr. Bonnor can examine your breasts to determine whether or not an implant exchange is necessary. After he removes your implants, he can place larger ones depending on the shape and size you would prefer. He can make the incision to place the implant along your previous incision to prevent further scarring.

Cost of Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer in Houston

The cost of your breast augmentation will depend on your specific procedure, anesthesia, and surgical fees. We offer CareCredit financing to help make your treatment more affordable over time with monthly installments.

Contact our office or call (281) 579-5638 to learn more about how we can help you achieve fuller, beautiful breasts.

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation with fat transfer?

If you would like to increase the size of your breasts and achieve a natural look and feel without implants, a breast augmentation with fat transfer is likely a good fit for you.

How long is recovery from breast augmentation with fat transfer?

Recovery from breast augmentation with fat transfer can take several weeks. We will provide a compression garment and specific instructions to help your body heal.

Can breast augmentation with fat transfer achieve significant size increases?

While breast augmentation with fat transfer can provide noticeable and natural-looking enhancements in breast size, the degree of size increase may be more conservative compared to traditional breast implants. This is due to factors such as fat absorption and limited available fat donor sites. Dr. Bonnor will work closely with you to understand your aesthetic goals and customize a treatment plan that aligns with your desires.

When will I see the results of breast augmentation with fat transfer?

The results of breast augmentation using fat transfer are typically evident immediately after surgery, but final results evolve over the course of several months as the fat settles and integrates into the surrounding tissue. The enhancement achieved through fat transfer is natural and progressive, providing patients with enhanced breast size, improved shape, and youthful contours.

Will I have scars from breast augmentation with fat transfer?

A breast augmentation with fat transfer will not cause long surgical scars. Dr. Bonnor will make an incision of less than a centimeter to extract excess fat.

Will I need another fat transfer?

If you maintain a stable weight, you should not need another fat transfer to achieve your body goals. Taking good care of your body, exercising regularly, and eating healthy meals can help you maintain your results.

Is a fat transfer better or are implants better?

A fat transfer is ideal for you if you do not wish to use implants to increase your breast size, but would like a soft, natural feel. Although implants can provide a larger cup size increase, they can result in a slightly firmer, fuller feel than natural breasts, which some patients prefer.

If I have breast augmentation with fat transfer and implants, is the recovery period longer?

Since implants require a breast incision, the recovery can be slightly longer to allow your skin to heal. During your consultation, Dr. Bonnor can discuss your specific needs and recovery period based on your aesthetic goals.

References

  1. Autologous Fat Transfer for Breast Augmentation. Dermatologic Surgery. 2016;42(11):1235-1242. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000000791
  2. Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer in Breast Augmentation Surgery: Clinical Outcomes and Considerations for Future Research. Cureus. Published online March 2, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22763
  3. Salibian AA, Frey JD, Bekisz JM, Choi M, Karp NS. Fat Grafting and Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review of Primary Composite Augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2019;7(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002340