So, you’re considering breast enhancement. It’s a complicated treatment that should never be taken lightly, but it can seem all the more confusing when you look at the different options and try to work out which is the best way forward for you.

Breast augmentation is the UK’s most commonly performed cosmetic surgery. But fast rising in popularity is the procedure’s more ‘natural’ sister: breast fat transfer. Rather than using synthetic implants, as per traditional augmentation, the method uses fat from a patient’s own body. The fat is extracted from another area through liposuction and transferred to the breast. When it comes to which is better, the answer completely depends on what type of result you’re after and your body type.

Breast Implants

Breast implants are popular for a reason: they are unparalleled in their ability to increase the bust by several sizes. With the right surgeon, they can help transform the figure and confidence of patients regardless of whether it’s down to uneven breasts, a lack of volume, or general discontent with their size or appearance.

Breast Enlargement with Implant surgery is suitable for the majority of patients, with little limitation apart from any health concerns. It is always important to disclose anything, no matter how small it may seem, to your surgeon during consultations.

The procedure requires general anaesthetic but most patients can return home the same day. Downtime after surgical breast augmentation is perhaps what puts most people off, but most patients are back to work after 1-2 weeks and back to all their usual activities including exercise after 6 weeks.

Complications following breast augmentation surgery are extremely rare, but you should ensure you understand that before commencing. The results of breast implant surgery are long-lasting, but they are not permanent. It is typically recommended that patients look to remove or replace their implants after 10-15 years. In more recent times, breast implants do tend to last for longer than 10 years. Most patients with breast implants do not find they run into issues as they age and many have had their breast implants for decades without any issues.

Key Points

• Able to increase bust by several cup sizes
• Will generally stay the same size if you lose or put on weight
• Suitable for all patients
• General anaesthetic is required but doesn’t usually require an overnight stay
• Up to 2 weeks inital recovery
• Last 10-15 years before they need replacing
• See more Breast Implant Before and After Photos
• Read Breast Implant FAQs here

Breast Fat Transfer

As a ‘2-in-1’ treatment, breast fat transfer is best for those who are looking to both target pockets of stubborn fat on the body and increase volume in the bust.

There are some requirements that you will need to meet before being suitable for breast fat transfer which includes having enough fat to transfer. At the same time, patients should be as close to their ideal weight as possible. This is because any weight loss following breast fat transfer could affect the results.

Unlike implants, breast fat transfer is not ideal for those looking to increase their breasts by a large amount. We tend to recommend this procedure for those who want a size increase of 1-2 cup sizes, though patients have seen larger increases. Because your fat is used in the treatment the growth potential is completely individual and something very hard to predict before meeting your doctor. It is also common that at least 40% of the fat transferred is naturally broken down in the body.

Fat transfer to the breast can be performed under local anaesthetic, meaning less risk and there is no overnight stay in the hospital. As the material used to increase the breast is natural, there’s little risk of your body rejecting it or having an adverse reaction. Downtime and recovery following a breast fat transfer procedure are similar to breast enlargement surgery. This is because you will be healing from the liposuction procedure too which can cause swelling and bruising. Most patients are back to work within a week and back to all their usual activities within 3-6 weeks.

Results from fat transfer can be permanent, though this does rely on you keeping your weight constant. Unlike breast implants, fat will naturally deplete if you lose too much weight following treatment, which is why we always advise being at a healthy, stable size before you choose to go ahead.

Key Points

• Increase by 1-2 cup sizes
• More ‘natural’ appearance and feel
• Also slims down stubborn areas of fat (e.g. stomach or thighs) through liposuction
• Best performed on patients who are of their ideal weight
• Usually performed under local anaesthetic with patients able to return home the same day
• Relatively small downtime, back to work within 1 week
• Results can be permanent but only if you keep your weight stable
• Read Breast Fat Transfer FAQs here

Summary

Asking which is better out of breast implants and fat transfer is a bit like saying how long is a piece of string. Both treatments have their pros and cons, which all come down to what you’re hoping to achieve. If you’re a relatively thin patient looking to change from an A to an F cup, fat transfer is never going to be the best way forward for you. However, if you’re looking for a slight increase in volume but don’t like the idea of synthetic materials, then breast fat transfer may be a good option. The key to finding the best treatment for you is always working closely with a team of medical professionals who understand what you want and have your best interests at heart.

Breast Enlargement at The Private Clinic

• With clinics and consultation rooms across the country, we’re committed to making it easy for you to get unbiased, uncompromising advice.
• We don’t let patients go ahead with a procedure unless we’re sure it’s the right one for them,
• We believe in explaining every aspect of your treatment so you understand the risks as much as the positives.
• Your body is important; we’re here to respect that so you can achieve the results you want safely and truthfully.
• Our plastic surgeons are highly educated and have thousands of hours of surgical experience, training and medical experience.
• Breast Augmentation consultations are available in London Harley Street, Birmingham, and Northampton.

Breast Surgeons

• Mr Davood Fallahdar, MD&Surg (Hons), FRCS (Eng), Chir Plast (Hons), MicroSurg (Hons), ORL (H&N) GMC Number: 4686602
• Mr Dario Rochira, BS, MD. GMC Number : 6130664
• Mr Navid Jallali, BSc, MB ChB (Hons), MD FRCS (Plast). GMC Number: 4404969
• Ms Helena Antoniadou, MBBS, MD & Surg (Hons), FRCS (Eng). GMC Number: 3700956
• Mr Maisam Fazel, MA(Cantab), MB BChir, MSEd, FRCS. GMC Number : 4767420
• Mr Giuseppe Di Taranto, MD. GMC Number: 7614248
• Sandip Hindocha – Consultant Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, MD, MPhil, MBChB, MRCS, MFFLM, FRCS (Plast). GMC Number: 6122218
• Ms Rieka Taghizadeh, MBChb, MRCS (Glas), FRCS (Plast), GMC Number: 4743910
• Mr George Samouris, MD. GMC Number: 7064009

To find out more about breast enlargement surgery please call 03339209135 or use our online breast augmentation contact form.