Breast augmentation with fat transfer is a technique with lasting results, where your own natural fat tissue is used to correct volume and shape. Many choose to undergo body contouring at the same time. First, liposuction is performed where you have suitable fat deposits, and afterwards the fat tissue is injected into the relevant areas. In some cases, it may be relevant to combine your own fat with implants for breast augmentation or for correction or replacement of breast implants after previous surgery.
Fat transfer is a gentle procedure in which the patient’s own natural fat tissue is used to correct breast size, shape, or the after-effects of previous breast surgery. I use the Bodyjet system, with which we first perform gentle liposuction in an area with suitable fat deposits (most often thighs, lower back, or abdomen). The fat cells are rinsed free with the help of fluid, and once the fat tissue is separated from the fluid, it is injected into the area where correction is needed.
Both the liposuction and the fat injection are performed with very fine cannulas, resulting in very discreet scars. Fat tissue contains not only fat cells but also stem cells and growth factors, which is why fat transfer can be used for many types of treatments.
The technique may be relevant if you wish to maintain your natural breast shape but would like more volume, corresponding to about one cup size. How many fat cells survive depends on the techniques used and on you following some simple recommendations during the first few weeks after the procedure. The final result can be assessed after 3–6 months.
For correction of about one cup size, a single treatment is usually sufficient, but supplementary procedures may sometimes be needed. The fat cells retain the properties they had before being transferred. This means they keep the same volume, but the result may change if you lose weight.
Our before-and-after photos say more than words. Here you get an honest insight into how small adjustments can make a big difference – both in appearance and in confidence.
Find answers to the most common questions about the treatment.
Before the surgery, you will attend a consultation. Here, I will examine you and, based on your wishes, your body shape, and your breast form and size, advise you on your treatment options. Together, we will plan where liposuction should be performed. I will show you before/after photos of other patients so that you get a realistic impression of the expected cosmetic result. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member to the consultation. There must be at least one week between the consultation and the surgery if the procedure is considered to be purely cosmetic.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
When you arrive, a nurse will receive you. Before the surgery, I will mark the surgical areas, and you will speak with an anaesthesiologist. The operation lasts 1–1.5 hours. The fat tissue is harvested and injected using very fine cannulas. This means that there are virtually no visible scars on the breast, and there is minimal pain afterwards. The fat is injected between the skin and the breast gland tissue, and beneath the gland tissue. The tiny puncture sites on the breast are so small that they do not need stitches. The small puncture sites from the liposuction are closed with a single stitch and covered with a plaster. You will also receive compressive cycling shorts/body stocking, which help the skin contract and reduce fluid accumulation.
In the first hours after surgery, your heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs will be monitored. Most patients feel well just a few hours after the procedure and can be discharged the same day. The fat cells injected into the breast cannot tolerate pressure during the first days. However, we recommend using compression on the areas where liposuction has been performed. You will have follow-up appointments with us about 2 weeks and 3–6 months after the surgery. We recommend wearing a body stocking/cycling shorts to compress the liposuction area for 6 weeks. Fat injection does not affect breast sensation, the ability to breastfeed, or the possibility of breast cancer screening.
Sport and exercise: can be resumed after 4–6 weeks.
Sun exposure: Avoid sun for 3 weeks after surgery. The scars must then be protected for 6–12 months after the operation with plaster or a bra if you are exposed to sun.
Work: You should expect to take 1 week off work after the operation, depending on how physically demanding your job is.
Smoking: Avoid smoking before and after surgery if you want a good result. Fat cells survive by receiving oxygen from the surrounding tissue during the first days until healing and new blood vessel formation occur. Tobacco use greatly reduces oxygen supply and healing. We strongly advise against smoking and any use of tobacco for at least 4 weeks before surgery and also 4 weeks afterwards.
Fat transfer does not affect the ability to examine breast tissue. In some cases, small benign fat cysts may appear because some of the fat cells do not survive. Fat cysts do not resemble malignant changes.
In the first 6 weeks, there will be swelling of the breast due to the surgery. After 3–4 months, you can evaluate the breast enlargement effect. From then on, the result will be permanent and will follow natural ageing and weight changes.
You will feel tenderness in the breast for 1–2 weeks. In the areas where liposuction has been performed, tenderness often lasts longer. There may also be discolouration due to mild bleeding in the tissue. This will subside.
There will be a few very discreet scars of 4–5 mm at the sites where liposuction has been performed. In the area where fat has been injected, the scars will be so small that they are barely visible. In some patients, scars may become wider and more darkly pigmented.
You may experience sensory disturbances in the areas where liposuction and fat injection have been performed. These disturbances usually disappear within 2–6 months but may, in rare cases (less than 1%), be permanent.
In rare cases, fluid accumulation or unevenness may occur in the liposuctioned areas. If you remember to use compression, your risk is very low.
Many women naturally have asymmetrical breasts. During surgery, we aim to achieve the greatest possible symmetry – but it is not always possible to obtain complete symmetry. If there is a significant difference in volume, several procedures may be necessary to achieve the desired result.
Infection is rare (less than 1%). However, you should contact us if you develop fever, redness, warmth, or pain around the scar tissue.
The transplanted fat cells must survive by receiving oxygen and blood supply from the surrounding tissue. Some of the transplanted fat cells do not survive and may form small cysts. In some cases, a small cyst can be felt, which may also be visible on ultrasound and, if necessary, drained.
Fat transfer should not be performed in cases where a woman has known precancerous changes or has breast cancer that has not been fully treated.
The number of fat cells that survive can vary from person to person. Therefore, in some cases, a supplementary procedure may be necessary to achieve a satisfactory result.
You are always welcome to contact us. We are ready to answer your questions and help you move forward if you need guidance.
DA 
