Small breasts are liberating for many women, that’s why they find a way to increase the size of their breasts, that’s why they turn to cosmetic procedures.
All women like to enhance their body shape and feel more confident, so they go with plastic surgery.
One of the most common cosmetic procedures now is breast augmentation. If you have born with naturally small breasts or your breasts get saggy over time for different reasons, breast augmentation is the solution.
Breast augmentation can be performed in two main ways: with breast implants and fat transfer.
But the question is which method is the right option for you, breast augmentation with fat transfer or breast implants? Keep reading to learn more about breast implants vs fat transfer, and the main differences between the two techniques.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE TWO PROCEDURES
- Fat transfer is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure. In addition to making your breasts bigger, it also removes the excess fat from your thighs, legs, and abdomen and makes them slimmer.
- Fat transfer is a minimally-invasive procedure, and it can be done without general anesthesia, whereas augmentation with implants is considered as invasive surgery, and it requires more recovery time.
- Fat transfer gives you breasts with natural look and natural feeling.
- Fat transfer is preferred for reconstructing the breasts and correcting small defects, whereas it is better to consider implants for enlarging the breast for more than one or two cups.
- Most women do not require additional surgery after their original breast implants, while in fat transfer the transplanted fat cells may be absorbed by the body and survive only for a few years.
- Regarding the cost, breast augmentation with fat transfer is a little more expensive than breast implants because it is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure (liposuction and fat transfer).
- When you decide to choose between the two surgeries, remember that the best option is the healthiest one, and your health is more important than your breast size you will get.
What Is Fat Transfer to the Breasts?
Fat transfer is an alternative augmentation technique. This procedure is the two-step process of taking fat from one area of the body and transplanting it to another—in this case, to the breasts.
Fat grafting harvests unwanted fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks and separates the healthiest and hardiest fat cells. The remaining fat cells are then injected into various parts of the breast to create subtle fullness.
AN OVERVIEW OF FAT TRANSFER AND BREAST IMPLANTS
Autologous fat transfer or fat grafting is a new technique in breast enhancement surgery, which aims to reconstruct the breasts, correcting the defects, and enhancing the size and shape of the breasts.
The surgery involves two procedures: first, unwanted fat tissues is removed by liposuction from other areas of the body like thighs, belly, and buttocks, and second, after purifying the extracted fat, it is transferred and injected into the breasts to reshape them and give them the desired look and size.
Breast implants surgery is an invasive cosmetic surgery that aims to rebuild or increase the breast size. In this surgery, artificial breast implants (prostheses) made of saline or silicone are placed under breast tissue or chest muscles.
Breast augmentation with breast implants is very common and people usually mean breast implants surgery when they talk about breast augmentation or ‘boob job’.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FAT GRAFTING AND BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY
Fat grafting
Fat transfer is usually carried out under local anesthesia, and it is performed in three main stages;
Fat removing: Using a thin tube and a suction device, small amounts of fat are sucked out via small incisions in the skin, from other parts of body such as thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. This is the same procedure we refer to as liposuction.
Fat processing (purification): Harvested fat needs processing because it contains blood, collagen fibers, and other fluids, which can cause infections and may be rejected by the breast tissues. The purification process includes washing and filtering the fat using a centrifuge.
Fat injection: Tiny holes are made in the breast skin. Then, using needle and syringe small amounts of fat are injected in the breast area through these holes.
The time required for fat grafting varies from case to case and it depends on the needs and preferences of the patient. Usually fat harvesting may take about an hour when the donor area is carefully sculpted. Processing also takes an hour in itself. The injection procedure also takes about 30 minutes to one hour. So in total, fat transfer might take about three hours.
Fat transfer is a minimally-invasive procedure and there is no need for stitches after the completion of the procedure, neither in the liposuction area nor in the breasts.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE TWO PROCEDURES
- Fat transfer is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure. In addition to making your breasts bigger, it also removes the excess fat from your thighs, legs, and abdomen and makes them slimmer.
- Fat transfer is a minimally-invasive procedure, and it can be done without general anesthesia, whereas augmentation with implants is considered as invasive surgery, and it requires more recovery time.
- Fat transfer gives you breasts with natural look and natural feeling.
- Fat transfer is preferred for reconstructing the breasts and correcting small defects, whereas it is better to consider implants for enlarging the breast for more than one or two cups.
- Most women do not require additional surgery after their original breast implants, while in fat transfer the transplanted fat cells may be absorbed by the body and survive only for a few years.
- Regarding the cost, breast augmentation with fat transfer is a little more expensive than breast implants because it is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure (liposuction and fat transfer).
- When you decide to choose between the two surgeries, remember that the best option is the healthiest one, and your health is more important than your breast size you will get.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE TWO PROCEDURES
- Fat transfer is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure. In addition to making your breasts bigger, it also removes the excess fat from your thighs, legs, and abdomen and makes them slimmer.
- Fat transfer is a minimally-invasive procedure, and it can be done without general anesthesia, whereas augmentation with implants is considered as invasive surgery, and it requires more recovery time.
- Fat transfer gives you breasts with natural look and natural feeling.
- Fat transfer is preferred for reconstructing the breasts and correcting small defects, whereas it is better to consider implants for enlarging the breast for more than one or two cups.
- Most women do not require additional surgery after their original breast implants, while in fat transfer the transplanted fat cells may be absorbed by the body and survive only for a few years.
- Regarding the cost, breast augmentation with fat transfer is a little more expensive than breast implants because it is a ‘two-in-one’ procedure (liposuction and fat transfer).
- When you decide to choose between the two surgeries, remember that the best option is the healthiest one, and your health is more important than your breast size you will get.
Breast implants
Breast implants surgery can be carried out under local or general anesthesia, but in most cases it is done under general anesthesia, in which you are asleep and feel no pain. For performing the procedure the following steps will be done;
Making incision: A single incision will be made in the breast. The incision place might be one these: crease under the breast, under the arm, or around the nipple.
Creating pocket: A pocket is created by separating the breast tissue from the muscles, and this pocket might be either in front of or behind the pectoral muscle of the chest wall.
Inserting implant: The implant will be inserted into the created pocket and fixed behind the nipple. Filling the implant is done before inserting it in case of silicone implants, whereas the saline implants are filled after being inserted into the pocket.
Closing incision: The incision will be closed be the surgeon in a typical way using stitches, skin adhesive and bandage.
Breast augmentation surgery will take from one to two hours.
Recovery process after breast implants vs fat transfer
Fat grafting
It takes up to 6 months for the swelling to completely disappear and the fat cells to settle down so that the final results could be noticed. However, most of the swelling and bruising will subside in about 2 weeks, after that you can get back to work.
Following the instructions of your doctor is very important in the recovery period. Here are some tips and instructions to follow during your recovery period after breast augmentation with fat transfer.
- You should keep the bandages dry and clean after surgery; if they get dirty or wet you have to change them.
- The bandages can be taken off after two days. If there are dissolvable stitches, they will dissolve on their own in two weeks.
- Clean the incisions gently with water and soap during shower, at least two days after surgery.
- Wearing a compression garment and surgical bra should be according to your doctor’s instructions.
- Strenuous works and activities must be avoided for the first two weeks after surgery.
- You can manage your pain by taking medications prescribed by your doctor or over-the counter pain killers.
- Schedule an appointment to the doctor’s clinic for about two weeks after surgery.
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