There have never been more options available to women who want to enhance the size and shape of their breasts – and implants are no longer the only options either.
Today, women are able to choose between breast augmentation using implants or a ‘natural’ breast augmentation that uses excess fat, aka, fat transfer. Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures around today and if you have been weighing up your choices, this is what you need to know about fat transfer vs. implants.
How Fat Transfer Differs from Augmentation with Implants
While traditional breast augmentation surgery requires implants, fat transfer makes it possible to enhance the size and shape of your breasts using the tissue from your own body. Instead of having implants inserted at a clinic such as Form & Face Sydney, your surgeon will use liposuction to remove excess fat from one area of your body and transfer it to your breasts. In most instances, fat is transferred from the buttocks, abdomen or thighs. The fat will also need to be processed before it is injected into the breasts, where after, it will be molded to produce a smooth and natural-looking result.
Enhancing Breasts with Implants: A Look at the Pros and Cons
Pros
- Patients have more say in how big they want their breasts to be because of the specific implant size options that are available
- In most instances, the cost of breast augmentation is lower because it’s usually a once-off procedure that doesn’t require additional steps such as liposuction
Cons
- It is possible for the implants to rupture or cause other complications such as capsular contracture, which might require a second surgery
- While breast implants are not linked to cancer, they can make mammograms slightly more complex because it’s not as easy to produce a clear image
Overall, breast enhancement using implants is still highly effective, safe and popular.
Enhancing Breasts with Fat: A Look at the Pros and Cons
Pros
- There is no need to insert a foreign object into the body to enhance the size and shape of your breasts
- Fat transfer results in fewer complications and produces less scarring because it doesn’t require incisions
Cons
- There is a chance that the fat can calcify, which can interfere with mammograms
- Patients are unable to choose a specific breast size prior to surgery – only a modest size increase is possible
- Fat transfer can be costlier because liposuction is required. Some of the transplanted fat may also be absorbed, which means an additional procedure is sometimes required to achieve the desired outcome
The Ideal Augmentation Candidate
Before you decide on an augmentation option, you need to decide what you want to achieve and what’s important to you. Don’t like the idea of scarring and are happy to moderately increase your breasts? Fat transfer is an ideal option for you.
However, if you want more control over the size of your breasts and don’t mind a slightly longer recovery, go ahead with implants. Naturally, your budget will also play a role in your decision.
If you are still feeling unsure about which option is best for you or if you have specific questions about these two procedures, schedule a consultation with one or more surgeons who specialize in augmentation using one or both techniques.
Not only will these consults help you find the right surgeon but you can get the opinions of more than one professional too, which is always helpful.