Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Conveniently located to serve Washington DC, Arlington, Bethesda

What is breast augmentation with fat?

Breast augmentation with fat uses your own body’s fat to increase your breast size instead of a prosthetic implant.  Generally, a 1 to 1.5 cup size increase is expected.  There is the double benefit of increasing your breast size while decreasing problematic areas of extra fat.

Who is a good candidate?

Anyone who desires an increase in their breast size and wants to avoid implants.  Given the limitations of fat grafting, your goal should be a small to moderate increase in size, since a large size increase would require implants.  You also would need enough extra fat to “harvest”.  It is not uncommon for a patient who desires implant removal to request some maintenance of volume after surgery.  This procedure is oftentimes performed in conjunction with a breast lift during explant surgery, to reshape and add volume to the breast without the need for an implant.

How does this differ from implants?

There is a more limited increase in size with fat grafting since some of the fat does resorb in the first few months. There is more variability in your final size since the amount of fat that remains is less predictable. The surgery does have the added benefit of liposuction and some patients who come to us for liposuction request this procedure to avoid “wasting” their removed fat.  Since the fat cells are dynamic, weight fluctuations over time can cause your breasts to increase or decrease in size. 

How is this procedure performed?

Tiny incisions are made for the fat harvest (4-5 mm) and placement of the graft (2-3 mm). Fluid is injected to shrink the blood vessels to minimize blood loss. Liposuction is used to remove fat and sculpt your body.  The fat is then processed to remove extra fluid, oils, plasma, and blood to purify the fat.  The processed fat is then injected in small increments into your breast tissue with multiple passes. We inject extra fat to account for some expected loss after surgery (the body will resorb some of the fat). You are then placed in a compression garment and sent home after a few hours of recovery.

Can this procedure be performed more than once?

Yes, it can!  If you want a larger increase in size, multiple stages can be performed as long as you have sufficient remaining fat deposits.  This can achieve more than the 1 – 1 ½ cup size increase that a single stage would accomplish.

Recovery

Recovery is generally quick and most patients are back to work in a few days to a week. You will be given 2 compression garments and will need to wear them for 4 weeks, 23 hours a day, to help with swelling and shaping. You will have some leakage for a few days from the liposuction sites, and swelling is mostly resolved by the 6-week mark (although you will see improvements for up to a year).  Because there are no large incisions, there are no restrictions regarding working out/activities (however you may be sore and likely won’t feel like going back to the gym for a few weeks).

Risks

1. Liposuction risks – see liposuction
2. Fat loss – some fat resorption is expected after surgery, the amount can be variable, but is generally higher in smokers and patients with other medical issues
3. Mammographic changes – some changes in mammography are expected, this may lead to the need for further imaging or biopsy in the future
4. Fat necrosis/cysts – there is a possibility that some of the fat may not have an adequate blood supply and can become hard or create cysts, these can create some areas of hardness in the breast
5. Infection – infection can cause increased graft loss
6. Asymmetry – given the variable “take” rate of fat, some asymmetry is possible
7. Limited cup increase – fat grafting is best for patients that desire a small to moderate increase in size, implants or more than 1 stage may be needed for larger changes.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

The cost of a Breast Augmentation varies, because it is a highly individualized surgery tailored for each patient. The overall price may include anesthesia, operating room facilities, new breast implants, and other related expenses. Additional tests and imaging may also add to your total. Contact us for additional information

Schedule a Consultation

Contact District Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation for your Breast Augmentation in Washington. We will take the time to guide you through the entire process, ensuring results that fully satisfy your aesthetic needs. Contact us today!

Before & After