Fat transfer candidacy
Who may be suited to breast fat transfer, who may not, and why donor fat, skin and goals matter.
The amount of fat that can be transferred safely, and the proportion that remains over time, vary. Some transferred fat may not survive, and more than one procedure may be needed to approach a patient’s goals.
Fat transfer data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
ASPS describes fat transfer breast augmentation as using liposuction to remove fat from another part of the body and inject it into the breasts, and notes that it is best suited to patients who want a relatively small increase with a natural result. The ASPS average surgeon fee for breast augmentation with fat grafting is $5,719 (United States, surgeon’s fee only). ASPS also refers to the technique as breast augmentation with fat grafting, and cites research into mega-volume fat transfer with pre-expansion and into techniques intended to double breast size using the patient’s own fat.
Topics to cover
What to discuss at consultation
Candidacy
Who may be an appropriate candidate for fat transfer.
Donor site & liposuction
Donor-site availability and the liposuction component of the procedure.
Realistic expectations
Expected changes and realistic volume limitations.
Recovery
Recovery at both the donor and recipient sites.
Complications
Potential fat necrosis, oil cysts, calcifications, asymmetry and other complications.
Questions
Fat transfer FAQs
Some transferred fat can survive long term, but a proportion may be reabsorbed. The final result varies between individuals, and additional procedures may be considered.
The safe volume and the amount that survives vary individually, so fat transfer is generally associated with a more modest, individualised increase than implant-based augmentation.
In this guide
Explore this guide in detail
Five focused pages on the questions people ask most about this procedure.
The fat transfer procedure
A step-by-step explanation of fat harvesting, processing and injection in breast fat transfer, with what to ask a surgeon.
Fat transfer recovery
What to expect after breast fat transfer, including swelling, donor-site recovery, garments, activity limits and when to call your surgeon.
Lumps and fat necrosis
Why lumps can form after breast fat transfer, how they are assessed and why any new breast lump should still be checked by a doctor.
Fat transfer with implants
When surgeons combine fat transfer with breast implants, the possible benefits, limits and questions to ask about this composite approach.
Continue reading
Related education
Surgical Breast Enlargement
Return to the full category guide.
Safety and warning signs
Candidacy, risks and when to seek medical help.
External research and sources
Study findings, limitations and original publications.