Complication rate
30.38%
Range 25.00–35.75%
n=2 studies
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cosmetic surgery
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
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.
Quick Facts
- Price range
- Varies by clinic
- Recovery
- Varies
- Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- cosmetic surgery
- Anaesthesia
- Varies
- Min. stay abroad
- Varies
- Price Range (International)
- Varies by clinic
- Average Recovery
- Varies
- Typical Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- cosmetic surgery
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.
Key Considerations
Reported outcomes
Detailed outcomes →Aggregated from peer-reviewed systematic reviews on PubMed. How we extract these rates.
Common Risks
Alternative treatments
Other clinically reasonable options for the same condition. The right alternative depends on the patient's specific anatomy, comorbidities, and goals — discuss with a treating clinician rather than self-selecting from this list.
Larger and more predictable volume gain per single procedure; lifetime implant maintenance.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
If the issue is contour and projection rather than volume.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
Credentials a clinic should hold
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
ISAPS member surgeon
Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.
Verify on the issuer's register →National plastic-surgery board certification
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)
Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
Verify on the issuer's register →
Recovery Timeline
Average recovery for Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
- 01Day 0–1
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
- 02Day 2–2
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
- 03Day 3–3
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
- 04Day 4–0
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, and you can start driving again once you can do so without discomfort. The treated areas are likely to be quite bruised and swollen for a few weeks, and you may want to take a couple of weeks off work. It can take up to 6 months for a surgical fat transfer to fully take effect, because some of the injected fat is reabsorbed by the body during the first few months after the procedure.
*Reference text adapted from NHS (surgical fat transfer) under the Open Government Licence v3.0.*
Questions to Ask Your Clinic
Browse all destinations offering Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation →Detailed cost breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
How long does recovery take, and when will the final result show?
After surgical fat transfer the treated area is likely to be bruised and swollen for a few weeks, and you may want to take a couple of weeks off work. You will need someone to drive you home, and you can drive again once you can do so without discomfort. It can take up to 6 months to see the full effect, because some of the injected fat is reabsorbed by the body in the first few months — which is one reason more than one procedure is sometimes needed.
Conditions treated
Clinical conditions for which fat transfer breast augmentation is a treatment-ladder option.
Related Procedures
Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry
RhinoplastyBreast AugmentationAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)Submuscular Breast AugmentationLiposuctionBrazilian Butt LiftBreast LiftBreast ReductionBreast Implant RemovalBreast Implant RevisionFaceliftNeck LiftBlepharoplastyOtoplastyChin ImplantOrthognathic Jaw SurgeryGynaecomastia SurgeryMommy MakeoverArm LiftThigh LiftBody LiftRevision Rhinoplasty