Should I Get Breast Augmentation with Implants or Fat Transfer?
Let’s start by discussing the most common option, breast augmentation with implants. During this procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon utilizes either saline or silicone breast implants to increase breast volume and create a full, round shape. Saline implants are made of an outer shell and filled with sterile saline (saltwater) solution. Silicone implants are made of solid silicone throughout and have a texture more similar to a gummy bear. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Perez has extensive experience working with implants of all types, shapes, and sizes, and works together with each patient to choose the perfect implant for them. To put the implants in position, a few different surgical approaches may be used, including axillary (incision under the armpit), periareolar (incision around darker pigmented skin surrounding the nipple), and inframammary (incision increase beneath the breast). Each approach has pros and cons, and Dr. Perez discusses these with each patient to choose the best approach for them.
Another option for increasing breast fullness is breast augmentation with fat transfer to the breasts. In this approach, the patient’s own fat is used instead of synthetic implants. During this procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon begins by performing liposuction of the back, belly, and sides. This gently sculpts the body and creates a smoother, slimmer silhouette. During this process, Dr. Perez can eliminate stubborn fat deposits such as love handles and back rolls, as well as bring out the patient’s natural curves to create an attractive hourglass figure. Once this process is complete, the collected fat is prepared for transfer. It is then loaded into special syringes and injected into different aspects of the breasts to add natural-looking volume.
Now that we’ve covered these two procedures, let’s discuss the key differences between the two that may make one option better suited for an individual patient than another. In general, breast augmentation with implants can create a bigger increase in breast size compared to fat transfer. Fat transfer to the breasts may result in up to a 1-1½ increase in cup size. For women desiring a greater increase, implants may be a better option. In addition, sometimes women with very low body fat may have difficulty achieving the increase in breast size they want with fat transfer. Finally, fat transfer to the breasts requires liposuction in order to harvest the fat for transfer. Women who do not want any liposuction would therefore be better candidates for implants. On the flip side, natural breast augmentation may be a better fit for women who have reservations about the synthetic aspect of implants and would prefer to use their own natural fat. Furthermore, some women have concerns that implants may look or feel fake and prefer a fat transfer to create a very soft, natural-looking result. In addition, oftentimes women who have had issues with implants in the past are good candidates for fat transfer to the breasts. Women who currently have breast implants and wish to have them removed may also choose to undergo breast explantation with fat transfer at the same time. This helps reduce the chance that the breasts will look “deflated” after implant removal by filling in some of the space left behind with the patient’s natural fat.
Both implants and fat transfer are safe and effective options for enhancing breast shape and size. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and preferences, one may be a better choice than the other. Dr. Perez recognizes this can be a difficult decision and is happy to use his experience and expertise to help patients make the best choice for them. To view examples of real patient transformations using both of these techniques, please navigate to the Gallery tab of this website. If you would like to learn more about your candidacy for one of these procedures, call 813-877-3739 to book your individual consultation with Dr. Jaime Perez today!
