Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation vs Implants: Which Is Right for You?

Fat transfer breast augmentation uses your own body fat to enhance breast size, while implants use silicone or saline devices. The key difference is size: fat transfer typically adds half a cup to one cup size with a natural look and feel, while implants can achieve one to four cup sizes or more with predictable, customizable results. The right choice depends on your size goals, body type, and personal preferences.

At Allure Plastic Surgery, Dr. Elliot Heller offers both options and helps patients determine which approach best fits their goals. “We discuss with the patient during the examination about their goals, and we determine the amount of projection and height that the patient wishes to have,” explains Dr. Heller.

How Does Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Work?

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a two-part procedure that uses liposuction and fat injection to enhance your breasts with your own tissue.

1. First, Dr. Heller performs liposuction to harvest fat from donor areas on your body. Common donor sites include the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, and back. This step provides a body contouring benefit in addition to breast enhancement.
2. Next, the harvested fat is processed and purified using specialized techniques that separate healthy fat cells from damaged cells, oil, and fluids. Only the healthiest fat cells are used for injection.
3. Finally, the purified fat is carefully injected into the breasts in small amounts using thin cannulas. The fat is placed in multiple layers to maximize survival and create natural-looking results. The procedure typically takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much fat is transferred.

Not all transferred fat survives. Typically, 60 to 80 percent of transferred fat cells establish a blood supply and become permanent. Some patients choose to have a second fat transfer procedure several months later if they want additional volume.

How Do Breast Implants Work?

Breast implant surgery places silicone or saline devices into the breast to increase size and improve shape.

Dr. Heller makes an incision in one of several locations: in the fold under the breast (inframammary), around the areola (periareolar), or in the armpit (transaxillary). The best incision location depends on your anatomy and implant type.

A pocket is created either under the breast tissue (subglandular) or under the chest muscle (submuscular). “When you put them behind the muscle, they move a lot more naturally,” says Dr. Heller, explaining why he often recommends submuscular placement.

The implant is inserted into the pocket and positioned properly. For saline implants, the shell is inserted empty and then filled with sterile saltwater. Silicone implants come pre-filled. The incision is closed with sutures.

“We offer the saline implants as well as the gummy bear implants,” says Dr. Elliot Heller. Gummy bear implants are form-stable silicone implants that hold their shape even if the shell is compromised.

The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours. Results are immediate, though final results are visible after swelling resolves and implants settle, usually 3 to 6 months later.

Fat Transfer vs Implants: Size and Results Comparison

The biggest difference between these two options is how much size increase you can achieve.

Fat Transfer Size Results:

Fat transfer typically adds half a cup to one full cup size. The exact increase depends on how much fat you have available for transfer, how much fat survives after injection, and your natural breast tissue and skin elasticity. Results are subtle and natural looking, but significant size increases are not possible with fat transfer alone.

Implant Size Results:

Implants can achieve one to four cup sizes or more, depending on your goals and anatomy. You choose your implant size during consultation, so results are predictable and customizable. Whether you want a subtle enhancement or a dramatic change, implants can deliver the size you want in a single procedure.

If you want a modest, natural enhancement and have adequate donor fat, fat transfer may work well. If you want a significant size increase or very specific sizing, implants are typically the better choice.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

Fat transfer works best for certain patients. Consider whether you fit these criteria.

1. You have enough donor fat. Fat transfer requires adequate fat deposits in areas like your abdomen, thighs, or flanks. If you are very thin or have low body fat, you may not have enough fat to harvest for a meaningful breast enhancement.
2. You want modest enhancement. If you are happy with a half cup to one cup size increase, fat transfer can deliver beautiful, natural results. If you want larger breasts, fat transfer alone will not achieve your goals.
3. You prefer using your own tissue. Some patients feel more comfortable with a natural augmentation using their own body fat rather than placing a foreign device in their body.
4. You want body contouring as well. Fat transfer provides a dual benefit. The liposuction removes fat from problem areas while the injection adds volume to your breasts. If you have stubborn fat you want removed, this is a bonus.
5. You accept less predictable results. Fat survival varies, and you may need a second procedure to achieve your desired outcome. If you need very specific, guaranteed sizing, implants may be better suited to your goals.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Implants?

Implants are appropriate for a wider range of patients. Consider whether these criteria apply to you.

1. You want a significant size increase. If you desire one cup size or more of enhancement, implants can reliably achieve your goals in a single surgery.
2. You want predictable results. With implants, you choose your size and can see examples of that size on your body during consultation. What you choose is what you get.
3. You may not have enough donor fat. Implants work regardless of your body fat percentage. Even very thin patients can achieve beautiful breast augmentation with implants.
4. You want to achieve results in one procedure. While fat transfer may require multiple sessions, implants deliver your desired size in a single surgery.
5. You are comfortable with implants as a long-term commitment. Implants may need replacement eventually, typically after 10 to 20 years, though many last longer. You should be comfortable with this long-term consideration.

Pros and Cons of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Understanding the advantages and limitations of fat transfer helps you make an informed decision.

Pros of Fat Transfer:

1. Natural look and feel. Fat looks and feels like natural breast tissue because it is your own body fat. There is no implant edge to see or feel.
2. Use your own tissue. No foreign material is placed in your body. This eliminates implant-related concerns like rupture or capsular contracture.
3. Body contouring bonus. Liposuction removes fat from problem areas, giving you a slimmer waistline, thighs, or other donor sites in addition to fuller breasts.
4. No risk of implant complications. Fat transfer eliminates risks specific to implants, such as rupture, capsular contracture, implant malposition, and the need for future implant replacement.
5. Minimal scarring. Fat is injected through tiny cannula entry points that typically heal to nearly invisible marks.

Cons of Fat Transfer:

1. Limited size increase. Fat transfer cannot achieve the dramatic size increases possible with implants. Expect half to one cup size maximum per session.
2. Unpredictable fat survival. Not all transferred fat survives. Results depend on how much fat establishes the blood supply, which varies by patient.
3. May require multiple procedures. Some patients need a second fat transfer session to achieve their desired results.
4. Requires adequate donor fat. Very thin patients may not have enough fat to harvest for meaningful breast enhancement.
5. Results can change with weight fluctuation. If you gain or lose significant weight after fat transfer, your breast size may change since the transferred tissue is living fat.

Pros and Cons of Breast Implants

Understanding the advantages and limitations of implants helps you compare options effectively.

Pros of Breast Implants:

1. Predictable and customizable results. You choose your implant size, and the results are reliable. What you choose is what you get.
2. Significant size increase possible. Implants can achieve one to four or more cup sizes of enhancement in a single procedure.
3. Works for any body type. You do not need donor fat. Even very thin patients can achieve beautiful augmentation results.
4. Single procedure for the desired size. Unlike fat transfer, you achieve your full size goal in one surgery.
5. Long track record. Breast implants have been used for decades with established safety data and proven long-term outcomes.
6. Wide range of options. You can choose silicone or saline, round or shaped, smooth or textured, and various profiles to customize your results.

Cons of Breast Implants:

1. Foreign material in the body. Some patients prefer not to have a medical device implanted. Implants are safe, but are not your own tissue.
2. May need replacement. Implants typically last 10 to 20 years but may eventually need replacement. “If you experience a rupture, it can be replaced very easily,” says Dr. Heller, but this is still a future consideration.
3. Implant-specific risks. Risks include rupture, capsular contracture, implant malposition, rippling, and animation deformity with submuscular placement.
4. Ongoing monitoring recommended. The FDA recommends periodic imaging for silicone implants to detect silent ruptures.
5. More noticeable in very thin patients. Patients with little natural breast tissue may see or feel implant edges, especially with saline implants.

Can You Combine Fat Transfer with Implants?

Yes. Composite breast augmentation combines implants with fat transfer to achieve the benefits of both approaches.

With composite augmentation, implants provide the volume and projection you want, while fat transfer adds natural contouring and camouflage. Fat can be injected around implant edges to create a smoother transition, fill the upper pole for a more natural slope, and add fullness in areas the implant does not address.

This combination is particularly helpful for thin patients who want implants but are concerned about visible edges. The fat provides a natural layer of tissue over the implant.

Composite augmentation requires adequate donor fat and adds complexity and cost to the procedure. However, for the right candidate, it offers the best of both worlds.

Fat Transfer vs Implants: Cost Comparison

Cost is an important factor in your decision. Here is what to expect for each option in NYC.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost:

Fat transfer breast augmentation typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 in NYC. The cost is higher than implants alone because it involves liposuction in addition to the breast procedure. If you need a second fat transfer session to achieve your desired results, that adds additional cost.

Breast Implant Cost:

Breast augmentation with implants typically costs $7,000 to $12,000 in NYC. “It can vary anywhere from $7,500 and up, depending on the procedure and if a lift is needed at the same time or not,” explains Dr. Heller. Implant type (saline vs silicone vs gummy bear) also affects the final price.

At Allure Plastic Surgery, we offer financing options through CareCredit and Cherry with monthly payments as low as $150. During your free consultation, you will receive a detailed quote for the approach that best fits your goals.

Fat Transfer vs Implants at Allure Plastic Surgery

At Allure Plastic Surgery, Dr. Elliot Heller has over 25 years of experience with breast implants in NYC and fat transfer procedures. He has performed more than 10,000 procedures and can help you determine which option best suits your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.

Dr. Elliot Heller trained at NYU Medical Center and Mount Sinai and holds hospital privileges at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. He is a founding member of the American Academy of Aesthetic and Restorative Surgery and the New Jersey Cosmetic Surgery Society.

During your consultation, Dr. Heller will examine your breast tissue and body fat distribution, discuss your size and shape goals, explain what each procedure can realistically achieve for you, and provide honest recommendations based on your unique situation.

Our patients appreciate the personalized approach:

“Dr. Elliot and his staff are the most amazing and wonderful, they make you feel safe, happy, and comfortable. I’m so happy with my results. Dr. Heller did an amazing job. I also referred some of my friends and family which all of whom had surgery with Dr. Heller.”

“The front desk staff, nurses, and doc were very kind, compassionate, and thorough during all of my visits. I’m loving the before and after! Highly recommend Dr. Heller and the rest of his staff here at Allure.”

With offices in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Staten Island, and Edison, New Jersey, we make consultations convenient for patients throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Schedule your free consultation today by calling (212) 661-2563 to discuss whether fat transfer or implants are right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does fat transfer breast augmentation last?

Fat transfer results are permanent for the fat cells that survive and establish a blood supply. Typically, 60 to 80 percent of transferred fat survives long-term. However, your breast size can change if you gain or lose significant weight since the transferred tissue is living fat that responds to weight changes.

Is fat transfer safer than breast implants?

Both procedures are safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Fat transfer eliminates implant-specific risks like rupture and capsular contracture. However, fat transfer has its own risks, including fat necrosis, oil cysts, and calcifications. Neither option is definitively “safer” overall.

How much does fat transfer breast augmentation cost compared to implants?

Fat transfer typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 in NYC because it involves liposuction plus breast injection. Breast implants typically cost $7,000 to $12,000. If fat transfer requires a second session, the total cost may exceed implants.

Can I get fat transfer if I am thin?

Fat transfer requires adequate donor fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. Very thin patients may not have enough fat for meaningful breast enhancement. During consultation, Dr. Heller will assess whether you have sufficient donor fat for fat transfer or if implants would be a better option.

Do fat transfer results look more natural than implants?

Fat transfer often provides a very natural look and feel since it uses your own tissue. However, modern implants, especially when placed under the muscle, can also look and feel natural. “When you put them behind the muscle, they move a lot more naturally,” explains Dr. Heller. The most natural option depends on your anatomy and the skill of your surgeon.

Can I breastfeed after fat transfer or implants?

“Most people retain the ability to breastfeed, yes,” says Dr. Heller. Both fat transfer and implants preserve breastfeeding ability in most cases. The breast gland and milk ducts are typically not affected by either procedure.