Fat Grafting For Breast Augmentation: What Women Should Know

Fat grafting for breast augmentation holds both benefits and risks that women should be aware of before considering their options for breast surgery. Fat grafting to the breasts continues to help women achieve more natural-looking results by taking fat cells from one part of the body and injecting them into the breasts.

In the past, fat grafting to the breasts was cautioned, as it made it harder for mammograms to read. With today’s advances in radiology however, physicians can pay more attention to suspicious changes in the breasts, even after breast augmentation surgery. So what should you know when considering fat grafting for breast augmentation? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery shares the benefits and risks. Here’s what you should know:   

Fat cells during grafting do not always survive

What this means: fat that is injected into the breast carries the risk of being absorbed by the body, becoming liquid, forming a cyst, calcifying, or producing scarring.

Multiple sessions for desired results

What this means: Because a vast amount of fat cells may not survive during fat grafting to the breast, multiple sessions may be needed to help women achieve a bigger breast size. Additionally, there might be a limit to the breast size obtained and it can take up to 6 months for your result to take shape.  

Further testing may be needed

What this means: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery stresses that just “as with any other surgical procedure, it is possible for fat grafting to produce changes in breast that may be deemed suspicious on examination by a physician or on mammography, and may lead to further testing to determine if the findings are related to breast cancer.” While testing for breast cancer continues to become more advanced, testing beyond your traditional mammography may be necessary if there are any suspicious signs of breast cancer.   

Fat Grafting is not only used to increase breast size

What this means: While fat grafting is commonly used for breast enhancement, harvesting fat cells to the breasts can also be used to improve implants already in place, adding volume to rippling areas or softening the appearance for a more natural look.  The procedure may also be used during traditional breast augmentation too enhance the shape of the breasts.

As with any plastic or reconstructive surgery, Dr. Mokhtar Asaadi urges you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss all risks and options for your individual anatomy. If you have any questions regarding your fat grafting for breast augmentation, please contact our New Jersey office at 973-731-7000.

Additional Links:

Breast Augmentation NJ

Breast Implants New Jersey

Breast Reconstruction NJ