# Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

> Citation bundle for Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation

- Category: cosmetic-surgery

## Description

Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure by which either a breast implant or a fat-graft implant is emplaced to the thorax to increase the size of the breasts in order to correct congenital defects of the breast and of the chest wall. Consequently, after the breast-enlargement surgery, the symmetrical breast hemisphere is of proportionate size, has a smooth contour, and is anatomically consistent with the woman's body.

## Overview

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a form of breast augmentation that uses the patient's own fat, rather than a prosthetic implant, to increase the size of the breasts. Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure in which either a breast implant or a fat-graft implant is placed on the thorax to enlarge the breasts, with the aim of a proportionate, smooth-contoured result that is anatomically consistent with the woman's body. The procedure is used for three broad purposes: primary reconstruction of breast and chest tissues damaged by cancer, trauma or developmental defects such as the tuberous breast deformity; the revision and reconstruction of complications arising from a previous mammoplasty; and primary augmentation to enhance the aesthetics of the breasts. In the fat-transfer approach, the surgeon uses autologous adipocyte, or fat, tissue: the woman's own refined body fat is injected into the skin envelope of the breast to add volume and correct contour defects. The increase in size from a fat-graft augmentation is typically modest, usually about one brassiere cup size, because the body reabsorbs most of the transferred fat over time. This distinguishes it from a saline or silicone implant, which establishes the initial spherical volume of the breast for the surgeon to contour.

## Peer-reviewed outcome rates

- **Complication rate:** 30.38% (range 25.00–35.75%) — from 2 cited sources

## FAQs

### What is fat transfer breast augmentation?

It is a breast augmentation that uses the woman's own refined body fat, injected into the skin envelope of the breast, to add volume and correct contour defects, instead of using a prosthetic saline or silicone implant.

### How does it differ from implants?

It uses autologous fat tissue rather than a prosthesis. A saline or silicone implant establishes the initial volume of the breast for contouring, whereas fat transfer injects the patient's own refined fat into the breast.

### How much larger can the breasts become?

The size increase from a fat-graft breast augmentation is usually of modest volume, typically about one brassiere cup size.

### Why is the size increase modest?

The increase is modest because the body usually reabsorbs most of the autologous fat graft over time, so only part of the transferred fat remains to add lasting volume.

### What is breast augmentation used for?

It is used for primary reconstruction of breast and chest tissues damaged by cancer or trauma or by developmental defects, for revising and reconstructing complications of a previous mammoplasty, and for primary aesthetic augmentation of the breasts.

## Alternative treatments

- **Implant-based augmentation** — Larger and more predictable volume gain per single procedure; lifetime implant maintenance.
- **Breast lift** — If the issue is contour and projection rather than volume.

## Cited authors

- Jan-Willem Groen — Drs Groen and Negenborn are PhD Candidates, Dr Mullender is an Associate Professor and the Head of Research, and Dr Smit is a Plastic Sur…
- Ishith Seth — From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Bendigo Health.

## Sources

- [Autologous Fat Grafting in Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review Highlighting the Need for Clinical Caution.](https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000010614) — Plastic and reconstructive surgery (accessed 2026-07-13)
- [Autologous Fat Grafting in Cosmetic Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review on Radiological Safety, Complications, Volume Retention, and Patient/Surgeon Satisfaction.](https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjw105) — Aesthetic surgery journal (accessed 2026-07-13)
- [ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery](https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/practice-resources/) — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-06-29)