Implants or Natural (Fat Transfer) Breast Augmentation? Getting the Results You Want (Updated 2023)

For many women, looking natural is the most important factor when it comes to breast augmentation. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer both breast implants and fat transfer breast augmentation as options for achieving fuller, more feminine breasts. Each approach offers its own benefits, and the question of which procedure produces the most genuine-looking results is one I answer often.

In this blog post, I will discuss both implants and fat transfer breast augmentation as options for achieving the natural-looking breast augmentation results you desire.

Breast Augmentation With Implants

Breast augmentation with implants involves the placement of silicone or saline implants into the breasts to achieve a larger, fuller look. Several factors contribute to natural-looking results with breast implants.

• Implant Size: The right breast implant size will flatter your shape and create improvements without looking over the top. Oversized implants are often to blame for breast augmentation results that look unnatural or fake. Choosing a size is one of the most important steps you and your surgeon will take during your consultation. Learn more about what to expect at your consultation in this previous blog post.
• Implant Shape: Teardrop implants help create a natural shape, while round implants may be more effective in other cases. The best option for you depends on your existing breast tissue and body proportions.
• Implant Profile: Profile refers to how far an implant projects from the chest. Beautiful breasts will not project unnaturally from the chest nor appear too wide or flat.

WARNING:

This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.

OK

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

A less invasive option, fat transfer breast augmentation involves harvesting fat from your body and injecting it into your breasts to enhance their size and shape. Multiple factors contribute to natural-looking results with this procedure.

Your Goals

Fat transfer usually achieves an increase of about ¼ a cup to ½ a cup size per treatment and is not ideal for creating larger increases. Results look best in women who are looking for only a modest boost to their breast size.

Candidacy

Candidates should have enough fat elsewhere on the body to harvest and transfer to the breasts. Common harvest areas include the abdomen, hips, and thighs.

Your Surgeon’s Expertise

Like any breast procedure, fat transfer breast augmentation requires the expertise of a surgeon who will place the fat into the breast in a way that looks real and flattering.

Review the infographic below for more information about natural breast augmentation.

Which Will Give You the Results You’re Looking For?

While fat transfer breast augmentation’s shorter recovery time sounds appealing to many, it is not always the best approach. If you are looking for a size increase of more than a cup size, you will likely achieve your breast results with breast implants.

Ultimately, the best way to achieve natural-looking breast augmentation results is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will provide personalized recommendations and customize your procedure specifically for you.

To see examples of the results you can achieve with breast augmentation, please visit my before-and-after photo gallery.

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation from a plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, please contact me online or call (650) 325-1118 (Palo Alto) or (408) 371-1118 (Campbell) to get in touch.