Fat Grafting vs. Breast Implants for Breast Augmentation

Fat Grafting vs. Breast Implants for Breast Augmentation

For fifty years breast augmentation surgery has been performed in the United States using breast implants. And as breast implant technology and surgical techniques have improved over 5 decades, women with breast implants now universally report a satisfaction rate of 98 to 99%!

However, in addition to traditional breast augmentation, recent developments in fat grafting technology have presented another option for breast augmentation. During fat grafting, a surgeon uses your own body fat to increase your bust size.

So when it comes to breast augmentation, what is better: fat grafting or breast implants?

In this article Detroit area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali explains the differences between fat grafting and breast implants – and the pros and cons of both techniques.

The Pros & Cons of Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation

Fat grafting uses your own body’s fat to enlarge the breast. Since it is your body’s own tissue, there’s no risk for allergic reactions – and your breasts will look and feel 100% natural.

Additionally, there are virtually no scars associated with fat injections.  Nor is there a risk of rippling. And, since fat is used rather than an implant, there is no possibility of a rupture.

However, with fat grafting there is risks of developing calcification in the breasts. Some doctors are concerned that these deposits can interfere with breast cancer screenings. There is also a risk of lumps and nodules in the breasts – and indents or divots at the location where the fat was harvested.

Generally, the cost of fat grafting is also more than that of breast implants, making grafting cost prohibitive for some patients.

However the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE for most breast augmentation patients is in the SIZE that is achievable. Fat grafting cannot accomplish the same large increase in size as breast implants. Women who are seeking a large change in breast or cup size often are not able to achieve their desired results with fat grafting.

The Pros & Cons of Implants for Breast Augmentation

The biggest advantage to breast implants is that they produce a large and very reliable, predictable and consistent change in breast size. In other words, you select the implant size and shape that you want – and that is exactly what you get.

And because today’s generation of silicone implants are more natural-feeling than ever, there is virtually no difference in how they feel from natural breast tissue or grafted fat.

Also, breast implants do not require additional surgery on other parts of the body – which fat grafting requires in order to “harvest” the fat. Further, in the event a women changes her mind about breast size, implants can be removed – whereas fat becomes permanent once it is injected.

And, as an additionally important factor for many women, the cost of breast augmentation with implants is much less than that of fat grafting.

There are some cons of breast augmentation using implants. Primarily, implants carry a small risk of rupture. And breast implants do not “last forever” which means they may need to be changed at some time over the course of the patient’s lifespan.

Breast implants also have a small risk of developing “capsular contracture” – which is scar tissue forming around the implant. Studies differ on the percentage of women experiencing this complication, but a 2017 study of 496 breast implant patients in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that only 1.3% of the women experienced this.

Finally, breast implants do require incisions, which means that scars for placement are more visible than when compared to fat injections. And although silicone is thought to be extremely safe, obviously nothing is as safe as using your own body fat.

Fat Grafting vs. Breast Implants: The Bottom Line

While fat grafting may be more natural, it simply cannot achieve the larger size and full, perfect shape of breast implants. As a result, the vast majority of patients with whom Dr. Ali consults opt for breast implants.

If you are going to undergo the time and expense of breast augmentation surgery, you want to get the “perfect breasts” you desire – and in most cases only implants can achieve these results.

Detroit Area Breast Augmentation Surgeon

Selecting a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, like Dr. Ali, who has performed many hundreds of breast augmentations helps ensure that you will be 100% satisfied with your results. Setting realistic expectations also plays a role in this level of satisfaction. Dr. Ali is very thorough and careful in assessing each patient’s health and expectations for the surgery. This insures not only that that expectations are realistic and achievable, but that your new breasts will be beautiful, natural-looking, and suit your frame.

Dr. Ali will offer you a consultation to assess your needs, answer your questions and explain your options. Call today and schedule an appointment to see if breast augmentation surgery is right for you.

Detroit Area Breast Augmentation Consultation: 248-335-7200