Lipofilling, also known as fat transfer, offers a natural alternative to silicone implants for breast augmentation. Using your own body fat harvested by liposuction, the surgeon enhances the shape and volume of the breasts without foreign material. The technique also provides the added benefit of body contouring where the fat is removed. At Blooming, our plastic surgeons are highly experienced in lipofilling and can advise whether it is the right choice for your goals. In this article, we explain the procedure, its advantages, and what results you can expect.
A breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the Netherlands. Each year, more than 9,000 women have their breasts enlarged. The best-known method is with implants. Nowadays, it is also possible via lipofilling — injecting the body's own fat into the breasts. Because we use your own fat cells, you achieve a natural result and the breasts feel much softer than with an implant.
What exactly is lipofilling?
Lipofilling is a surgical method using your own fat to add volume to your breasts, buttocks, or face. This fat is harvested from your abdomen, legs, or hips via liposuction. The plastic surgeon then re-injects the active fat cells — for breast augmentation, into your breasts.
In a previous blog we discussed lipofilling for skin rejuvenation (younger skin with your own body fat: lipofilling). This technique is now so well developed that lipofilling also produces excellent results for breast augmentation.
Implant versus lipofilling breast augmentation
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Which is better depends on your specific situation.
Treatment with your own fat is less invasive
Lipofilling is significantly less invasive than augmentation with an implant, which automatically reduces the risk of complications. The fat is introduced through small incisions in your breasts.
Small, inconspicuous scars
The scars are incisions of approximately half a centimetre. With breast implants, the scars are larger — concealed in the fold under the breast or in the armpit, but approximately 10 cm in length.
Natural result: your breasts feel softer
The result of breast augmentation through lipofilling looks and feels more natural than with implants. A breast implant is always a foreign object. Your own fat feels more natural, because breasts are naturally composed of fat.
Fewer complications with lipofilling breast augmentation
Most complications with lipofilling are associated with fat removal (liposuction). There is a small risk of infection or post-operative bleeding. With an implant, risks include:
- Infection
- Change in or loss of nipple sensation
- Skin wrinkling over the implant
- Scarring
- Capsule formation
- Painful breasts
- Bleeding
Faster recovery
Recovery after lipofilling breast augmentation is faster than with implants. Your breasts may feel sore and you should take it easy the first week, but the small wounds heal quickly. With implants, a capsule of connective tissue grows around the implant and wounds are larger.
Why still opt for breast augmentation with an implant?
With breast augmentation using implants there are more chances of complications, yet depending on your situation this may still be the better option. Enlarging your breasts with lipofilling is simply not possible for everyone.
Insufficient body fat
If your body does not have sufficient fat, lipofilling is unfortunately not an option. You can check this with the Broca Index: take your height in centimetres and subtract 100. The result is your ideal weight. If you are more than 15% above or below that, it may be a contraindication — we often cannot harvest enough fat from your abdomen, legs, or hips.
The body absorbs part of the fat
The result of lipofilling breast augmentation is somewhat less predictable than with an implant. Within a few months, your body absorbs 30%–50% of the injected fat. You may therefore need multiple treatments to achieve the desired result.
A maximum of one and a half cup sizes larger with lipofilling
With lipofilling you can increase your breast size by at most one and a half cup sizes. With implants there is no such limitation.
Consultation with the plastic surgeon
It is important to discuss your wishes, expectations, and current situation with the plastic surgeon. Together you can determine the best treatment method.
Are you unsure whether to choose lipofilling or implants? Please contact us. Call 023-5444974 or email info@bloomingpc.nl.