Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAbout the ProcedureAdvantagesDisadvantagesFat Transfer vs. ImplantsHow Much Does It Cost?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
About the Procedure
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fat Transfer vs. Implants
How Much Does It Cost?
Some people like the idea of having bigger breasts but don’t like the idea of breast implants.Breast augmentationwith fat is technically known asautologousbreast augmentation. This procedure uses your own fat instead of implants to increase the size of the breasts. The fat isliposuctionedfrom another body area and injected into the breast.
According to the Aesthetic Society, more than 22,000 people received autologous breast augmentation (also called breast fat grafting) in 2021.
The main benefit of this type of augmentation is that there is no implant, so the breasts feel more natural. Also, this type of surgery tends to have fewer complications. On the other hand, the downsides include limitations in cup size, the inability to lift sagging breasts, and potential issues with breast screening going forward.
This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of autologous breast augmentation.
In the past, theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS) did not recommend using fat to enlarge breasts. In 1987, the ASPS said the side effects could make it harder toscreen for breast cancer. Side effects of autologous augmentation can include:
At that time, plastic surgeons stopped performing the procedure.More recently, the ASPS Fat Graft Task Force has stated that the procedure may be useful in some cases.
The procedure is also called “stem cell breast augmentation.” This label is misleading. A stem cell can develop into different types of tissue based on where it is placed in the body. Fat does containstem cells. However, stem cells alone cannot be injected into the breast to increase breast size. They must be combined with fat.
Before you decide to have this procedure, it’s important to understand the possible long-term effects of fat transfer to the breast.
ProsNo implant usedSmall incisionsUses your own fatLower complication rateBreasts look and feel naturalGood safety recordPatients and doctors are satisfied with the resultsConsNo standard techniqueOnly enlarges one cup sizeBreast lift may still be neededFat may be reabsorbedCalcifications may interfere with breast cancer imagingMust have enough spare fat to transferFat necrosis (small hard masses which look like cancer) may be permanent
ProsNo implant usedSmall incisionsUses your own fatLower complication rateBreasts look and feel naturalGood safety recordPatients and doctors are satisfied with the results
No implant used
Small incisions
Uses your own fat
Lower complication rate
Breasts look and feel natural
Good safety record
Patients and doctors are satisfied with the results
ConsNo standard techniqueOnly enlarges one cup sizeBreast lift may still be neededFat may be reabsorbedCalcifications may interfere with breast cancer imagingMust have enough spare fat to transferFat necrosis (small hard masses which look like cancer) may be permanent
No standard technique
Only enlarges one cup size
Breast lift may still be needed
Fat may be reabsorbed
Calcifications may interfere with breast cancer imaging
Must have enough spare fat to transfer
Fat necrosis (small hard masses which look like cancer) may be permanent
During the procedure, fat is suctioned from another part of the body and injected into the breasts.
The benefits include:
The procedure has a good track record when used to enlarge healthy breasts. It has fewer complications than implant surgery. And fewer people end up needing another operation later.
Case reviews have found that most people and their doctors are happy with the results. And for people who have had breast surgery to treat cancer, studies have found that autologous augmentation does not raise the risk of cancer returning.
Still, there are some disadvantages to autologous breast augmentation. Surgeons have published detailed descriptions of how to remove and inject fat to increase breast size. But there is no standard technique for the procedure.
For this reason, you’ll want to find a surgeon with a successful track record with this procedure. It is also important to know what the procedure can and cannot do.
Other disadvantages include:
Your surgeon may rely on you to manage an external expander before the procedure. Self-motivated people tend to have better results, especially with self-directed expansion.
Because fat does not have its own blood supply to keep it alive, it uses the blood supply already in the breast. That’s why a limited amount of fat can be injected.
If too much fat is injected, it will be reabsorbed. That means the breast size can shrink again. Unfortunately, it’s also possible for the fat to harden.
In addition, not everyone has enough extra fat for this procedure. To effectively increase breast size, the surgeon must harvest at least 1,000 milliliters of pure fat.
Fat transfer is only one type of breast augmentation. Other methods include:
While breast implants offer greater sizing and lifting options, they carry some risks. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), implants may cause breast pain desensitization, plus you run the risk ofbreast implants rupturing or deflating. In some instances, you may have trouble breastfeeding after receiving implants.In addition, breast implants—mostly textured—are associated with a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
Like all procedures, the price of autologous breast augmentation varies based on your situation, where you live, and the surgeon you choose. However, the average cost is around $10,000.
Summary
The procedure has several advantages. First, it uses your own body fat instead of an implant. Also, it requires very small incisions, and the breasts usually look and feel natural.
There are some downsides to consider. One is that your breasts will only be about one cup size larger. Another is that you might still want a breast lift because injecting fat won’t tighten loose breast skin. It’s also possible for calcifications to form, which may complicate breast cancer screenings down the road.
Not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. You might want to discuss other options with your plastic surgeon if you have very little body fat.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Aesthetic Society.Aesthetic plastic surgery national databank statistics 2020-2021.Davis MJ, Perdanasari AT, Abu-Ghname A, et al.Application of fat grafting in cosmetic breast surgery.Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):24-29. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1700958Shida M, Chiba A, Ohashi M, Yamakawa M.Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(12):e1603. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001603Groen J-W, Negenborn VL, Twisk JW, Ket JC, Mullender MG, Smit JM.Autologous fat grafting in cosmetic breast augmentation: A systematic review on radiological safety, complications, volume retention, and patient/surgeon satisfaction.Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(9):993-1007. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw105.Vyas KS, DeCoster RC, Burns JC, et al.Autologous fat grafting does not increase risk of oncologic recurrence in the reconstructed breast.Ann Plast Surg. 2020;84(6S Suppl 5):S405-S410. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002285.Salibian AA, Frey JD, Bekisz JM, Choi M, Karp NS.Fat grafting and breast augmentation: A systematic review of primary composite augmentation.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(7):e2340. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002340American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast augmentation.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Risks and complications of breast implants.Realself.Breast augmentation: What you need to know.Additional ReadingAgha RA, Fowler AJ, Herlin C, Goodacre TE, Orgill DP.Use of autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction: A systematic review with meta-analysis of oncological outcomes.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2015;68(2):143-161. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2014.10.038Largo RD, Tchang LA, Mele V, et al.Efficacy, safety and complications of autologous fat grafting to healthy breast tissue: A systematic review.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;67(4):437-448. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2013.11.011
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Aesthetic Society.Aesthetic plastic surgery national databank statistics 2020-2021.Davis MJ, Perdanasari AT, Abu-Ghname A, et al.Application of fat grafting in cosmetic breast surgery.Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):24-29. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1700958Shida M, Chiba A, Ohashi M, Yamakawa M.Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(12):e1603. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001603Groen J-W, Negenborn VL, Twisk JW, Ket JC, Mullender MG, Smit JM.Autologous fat grafting in cosmetic breast augmentation: A systematic review on radiological safety, complications, volume retention, and patient/surgeon satisfaction.Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(9):993-1007. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw105.Vyas KS, DeCoster RC, Burns JC, et al.Autologous fat grafting does not increase risk of oncologic recurrence in the reconstructed breast.Ann Plast Surg. 2020;84(6S Suppl 5):S405-S410. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002285.Salibian AA, Frey JD, Bekisz JM, Choi M, Karp NS.Fat grafting and breast augmentation: A systematic review of primary composite augmentation.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(7):e2340. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002340American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast augmentation.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Risks and complications of breast implants.Realself.Breast augmentation: What you need to know.Additional ReadingAgha RA, Fowler AJ, Herlin C, Goodacre TE, Orgill DP.Use of autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction: A systematic review with meta-analysis of oncological outcomes.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2015;68(2):143-161. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2014.10.038Largo RD, Tchang LA, Mele V, et al.Efficacy, safety and complications of autologous fat grafting to healthy breast tissue: A systematic review.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;67(4):437-448. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2013.11.011
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The Aesthetic Society.Aesthetic plastic surgery national databank statistics 2020-2021.Davis MJ, Perdanasari AT, Abu-Ghname A, et al.Application of fat grafting in cosmetic breast surgery.Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):24-29. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1700958Shida M, Chiba A, Ohashi M, Yamakawa M.Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(12):e1603. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001603Groen J-W, Negenborn VL, Twisk JW, Ket JC, Mullender MG, Smit JM.Autologous fat grafting in cosmetic breast augmentation: A systematic review on radiological safety, complications, volume retention, and patient/surgeon satisfaction.Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(9):993-1007. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw105.Vyas KS, DeCoster RC, Burns JC, et al.Autologous fat grafting does not increase risk of oncologic recurrence in the reconstructed breast.Ann Plast Surg. 2020;84(6S Suppl 5):S405-S410. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002285.Salibian AA, Frey JD, Bekisz JM, Choi M, Karp NS.Fat grafting and breast augmentation: A systematic review of primary composite augmentation.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(7):e2340. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002340American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast augmentation.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Risks and complications of breast implants.Realself.Breast augmentation: What you need to know.
The Aesthetic Society.Aesthetic plastic surgery national databank statistics 2020-2021.
Davis MJ, Perdanasari AT, Abu-Ghname A, et al.Application of fat grafting in cosmetic breast surgery.Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):24-29. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1700958
Shida M, Chiba A, Ohashi M, Yamakawa M.Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of breast lumps after breast augmentation with autologous fat grafting.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(12):e1603. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001603
Groen J-W, Negenborn VL, Twisk JW, Ket JC, Mullender MG, Smit JM.Autologous fat grafting in cosmetic breast augmentation: A systematic review on radiological safety, complications, volume retention, and patient/surgeon satisfaction.Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(9):993-1007. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw105.
Vyas KS, DeCoster RC, Burns JC, et al.Autologous fat grafting does not increase risk of oncologic recurrence in the reconstructed breast.Ann Plast Surg. 2020;84(6S Suppl 5):S405-S410. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002285.
Salibian AA, Frey JD, Bekisz JM, Choi M, Karp NS.Fat grafting and breast augmentation: A systematic review of primary composite augmentation.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(7):e2340. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002340
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Breast augmentation.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Risks and complications of breast implants.
Realself.Breast augmentation: What you need to know.
Agha RA, Fowler AJ, Herlin C, Goodacre TE, Orgill DP.Use of autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction: A systematic review with meta-analysis of oncological outcomes.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2015;68(2):143-161. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2014.10.038Largo RD, Tchang LA, Mele V, et al.Efficacy, safety and complications of autologous fat grafting to healthy breast tissue: A systematic review.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;67(4):437-448. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2013.11.011
Agha RA, Fowler AJ, Herlin C, Goodacre TE, Orgill DP.Use of autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction: A systematic review with meta-analysis of oncological outcomes.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2015;68(2):143-161. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2014.10.038
Largo RD, Tchang LA, Mele V, et al.Efficacy, safety and complications of autologous fat grafting to healthy breast tissue: A systematic review.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;67(4):437-448. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2013.11.011
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