Breast lipofilling: advantages and disadvantages

Would you like to enhance your breast size without using implants? Breast lipofilling may be the ideal solution to help you feel more confident. This surgical procedure uses fat harvested from other areas of your body and reinjects it into the breasts. It allows you to increase volume and reshape your breasts naturally, offering a less invasive alternative to silicone implants. However, like any surgical procedure, it has both benefits and limitations. Here is a detailed overview to help you make an informed decision.

What is breast lipofilling?‍

Breast lipofilling is a breast augmentation procedure that uses fat injections. It is a natural alternative to implant-based augmentation and often delivers more subtle, organic results. However, this technique is best suited for moderate volume increases or to correct contour irregularities by filling hollow areas. Injecting too much fat into the breasts could lead to issues with pressure and vascularization.

The procedure lasts approximately three hours and takes place in two stages:
First, your plastic surgeon harvests fat from a donor area using liposuction. Donor areas typically include parts of the body with excess fat, such as the buttocks, thighs, arms, or abdomen. To perform the liposuction, small incisions are made in the skin, and cannulas are inserted. A vacuum device then extracts the necessary fat. This fat is purified to remove impurities and ensure a smooth, high-quality product.

Next, the refined fat is reinjected into the breasts. The surgeon makes new small incisions to insert cannulas and injects up to 250 cc of fat per breast. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures.

Advantages of breast lipofilling‍

Here are some of the key advantages of fat transfer breast augmentation compared to implants:

• The technique is natural, as it uses your own body fat. There is no need to insert a foreign material such as silicone.
• The result is long-lasting because it involves a fat graft. The fat cells integrate naturally into the breast tissue.
• Results may vary with weight fluctuations, but in general, no long-term touch-ups are needed.
• The appearance is more natural, as the fat adapts to the breast’s original shape. Unlike implants, it does not create an overly round appearance.
• The breasts feel softer and more supple to the touch.
• There is minimal risk of rejection or allergic reaction, unlike procedures that involve foreign materials.
• Recovery is relatively quick and less painful, with no visible scarring. Incisions are just a few millimeters long and heal rapidly.
• The procedure also corrects breast asymmetry or irregularities and can be used for reasons other than volume enhancement.
• It can be combined with a more extensive liposuction procedure to sculpt other areas of the body.

Disadvantages of breast lipofilling‍

Despite its many advantages, breast lipofilling also has limitations to consider:

• The volume increase is limited. The maximum fat injection is around 250 cc per breast, roughly the equivalent of one cup size. In contrast, breast implants typically range around 350 cc or more, equivalent to one and a half cup sizes.
• You must have sufficient body fat available for harvesting. In general, only about 30% of the harvested fat is ultimately injected and retained. To achieve a 200 cc increase per breast, approximately 900 cc of fat must be harvested per side.
• Fat may not always graft successfully and can be reabsorbed. As a result, the final outcome may fall short of expectations.
• Multiple procedures may be required to reach the desired result due to resorption, limited fat availability, or the amount that can be injected in a single session.
• While results are permanent, they depend on your lifestyle. If you lose weight, the breasts may become smaller as the fat diminishes. Conversely, weight gain may increase breast volume.
• Breast lipofilling is generally more expensive than implant-based augmentation.

Conclusion‍

Breast lipofilling is an ideal option if you are looking to subtly enhance your breast volume. It can provide an increase of up to one cup size. It is also recommended for reshaping and refining breast contour. Additionally, the liposuction involved can help sculpt other areas of your body.

However, to maintain lasting results, you must avoid significant weight fluctuations. Volume changes over time are directly influenced by body weight.

If you would like to learn more about this aesthetic surgery technique, you can book a consultation at Brussels Surgical & Esthetic Center. Our aesthetic surgeons will guide you and help you make the best decision for your body and your goals.‍

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