Natural Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer: Answers to Your Top Questions

-by board-certified plastic surgeon Ashley N. Amalfi, MD

Can you get a breast augmentation without implants?

While most of our patients choose an implant for their breast augmentation, newer techniques and natural options are now available. Natural breast augmentation with fat transfer, sometimes called fat grafting, is growing as an exciting and natural option for small breast enlargement.

What is natural breast augmentation, and how does it work?

Fat grafting to the breast involves harvesting and transferring fat cells to a more desirable location, in this case, the breasts. Fat is harvested via a standard liposuction technique. Most patients choose to remove fat from the love handles, abdomen or hips. This unwanted fat is then sterilely processed in the operating room by our surgeon. The processed fat is then put into small syringes and safely injected into the breast tissue to improve the size of the breast and cleavage and to give the upper pole fullness that is often lost after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Who is a good candidate for breast fat transfer?

Natural augmentation with fat grafting has very different outcomes compared to breast augmentation with implants. Fat is only able to give moderate enlargement of the breast and improvement of shape. For my patients complaining of gapping on the top of their bra, injecting fat into this area will give them more fullness. It will help them fill out their bra size, but it won’t necessarily change their bra size. You can see some of my patients’ results in their before and after pictures.

What if my breasts are sagging after pregnancy, and I need a lift?

Combining fat grafting to the breast with a breast lift, or mastopexy, is one of my favorite surgeries for new mothers. The lift will restore the shape and position of the breast, and the added fat gives back the volume and fullness they had lost. (You can learn more about the breast lift procedure in our related blog post.)

What is the typical fat grafting breast augmentation recovery time?

Recovery from fat grafting the breast is usually well tolerated in my patients. Liposuction sites may have a burning feeling that persists for some time, but the breasts themselves are often less sore. There are few restrictions after a liposuction procedure, and many of my patients elect to have surgery on a Friday and return to work the following Monday. RealSelf offers additional information about fat transfer recovery.

This sounds like something I want to learn more about. What should I do next?

I would be excited to meet with you to discuss your options and realistic results from a fat grafting breast augmentation procedure. Please use our online form to request a consultation or call our office at (585) 244-1000 to speak to a Patient Consultant for a personal consultation about this exciting procedure.