October 1, 2019
Aesthetic trends are always evolving, and along with them, plastic surgery techniques evolve too. In recent years, we’ve seen a shift away from the exaggerated breast aesthetics of the 90s-00s (think Pamela Anderson) toward more subtle, natural enhancements.
While achieving a natural-looking breast augmentation has always been my priority, accomplishing this with breast implants alone is more challenging for certain patients.
One very effective method I use is to combine traditional breast augmentation, using silicone gel or saline implants, with fat grafting to the breasts. Before I explain the benefits, let me go over the procedure basics.
How does a fat transfer breast augmentation work?
There are two versions of fat transfer breast augmentation: there is fat transfer alone, and secondly, there is placing implants and then enhancing their effects with a fat grafting procedure. In both cases, the fat transfer works like any other body fat transfer procedure. First, I sculpt fat from another area of the body (e.g., hips, abdomen, thighs) using liposuction, then purify the fat, and finally carefully inject small amounts of this fat into the breasts to boost volume, perfect the shape, and improve symmetry.
By using fat as a sculpting tool, I can refine and enhance the results of nearly any breast augmentation.
For the combination procedure, I will also place breast implants, which allows for a greater increase in breast volume. Supplementing with fat injections allows me to add a layer of padding around the breast to conceal the implant edges as well as increase cup size a bit further. This “hybrid” breast augmentation has recently gained attention as a plastic surgery trend, but I have been using this advanced approach for quite some time, knowing how my patients wanted completely natural-looking (and feeling) breast augmentation results.
What are the benefits of breast augmentation with fat grafting and implants?
By using fat as a sculpting tool, I can refine and enhance the results of nearly any breast augmentation.
Adding fat injections ensures a more natural result when augmenting very small breasts
Women who are very lean or who have little natural breast tissue to cover an implant are at greater risk for cosmetic flaws such as visible implant edges, rippling, or wrinkling—if a surgeon doesn’t take extra measures to finesse the results.
Adding even a small layer of fat around the implant helps to conceal the implant edges and achieves a softer, more natural result.
I can very closely achieve the exact shape, symmetry, and fullness you desire
Along with helping you choose the correct implants for your body and then skillfully placing them for the most natural effect, I can use fat to put the finishing touches on your look, added fullness to the top or sides of the breast, further concealing implant edges, or correcting any remaining asymmetry.
Fat allows me to create more natural, full cleavage if you have wider-set breasts
More pronounced cleavage is a common goal with breast augmentation, but this can be difficult to achieve with implants alone for patients who have a broader chest and rib cage and/or naturally wide-set breasts. This is because it is critical to center the implant beneath the natural midline of each breast.
Fat injections are an excellent way to add fullness to the medial portion of the breasts and improve cleavage while still using an appropriately sized implant for the patient’s frame.
You get body contouring with your breast augmentation as a bonus!
When performing a hybrid breast augmentation, I don’t just remove fat for the sake of having fat to add to the breasts. I thoughtfully approach the liposuction portion of the procedure to remove an optimal amount of fat and improve contours in the areas where we choose to harvest fat.
For example, if you’ve always been bothered by a belly bulge or love-handles, I will remove fat from these areas by performing a thoughtful liposuction procedure and sculpting the areas of concern to better flatter your overall shape. This actually produces a synergistic effect: your breast size increase will prove to be even more aesthetically pleasing when complemented with enhanced lower body contours.
Should I add fat injections to my breast augmentation?
For most patients, enhancing breast implants with fat grafting is a great option to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing results possible.
However, there is no getting around the fact that you must have enough fat in other areas to harvest for use in the breasts. If you are very lean from head to toe, you may not be a good candidate for the procedure. In this case, I can help you choose a breast implant size and style that will look as natural as possible with your body.
Additionally, it’s important to understand that once transferred fat takes, it can last a lifetime. This is great news for many patients, as it means they will always have slightly fuller breasts even if they choose to have their implants removed or replaced in the future. However, if you are not prepared for a permanent effect, you may consider other options.
Finally, it’s essential that you choose only a very experienced plastic surgeon for any breast procedure, particularly with fat grafting. This is not a “standard” procedure that every plastic surgeon has training in, and it takes a high level of surgical skill and aesthetic ability to safely perform fat injections and ensure the highest “take” rate.
Have questions about breast augmentation in Denver?
If you’re thinking about breast implants, with fat grafting or without, I invite you to contact my Lone Tree plastic surgery center to schedule a personal consultation. I have personally performed over 4,000 breast procedures over my career so far, many of which have included fat grafting. Call 303-951-5829 to book your appointment time today.
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