Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation: A Natural Alternative to Implants

What is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation surgery?

Fat transfer breast augmentation, also known as natural breast augmentation or autologous fat transfer, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses your body’s own fat to enhance breast size and shape. This innovative technique involves harvesting fat cells through liposuction from areas like the stomach or thighs, processing them to extract the most valuable source of stem cells, and carefully injecting the enriched cells into the breasts to create natural looking volume.

Mr Olivier Amar, a leading expert in fat transfer procedures, brings over two decades of experience in advanced regenerative techniques. Working alongside his father, Dr R. E. Amar – the pioneer of Facial Autologous Muscular Injection (FAMI) – Mr Amar is now at the forefront of research and innovation in this field.

Fat transfer to breast surgery works best for those who want a mild to moderate increase in breast size and would like to avoid having implants.

Mr Olivier Amar

Your consultation

Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.

During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step-by-step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.

A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.

Personalised Approach to Fat Removal

Mr Olivier Amar specialises in fat removal and body contouring treatments, carefully developing a tailored approach to help patients achieve their ideal body silhouette. By combining advanced techniques and precise targeting, Mr Olivier Amar aims to sculpt the body for a more refined silhouette that enhances your natural body shape.

Risks associated with surgery

Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.

General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.

Preparing for Your Surgery

All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.

From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.

Prior to breast augmentation surgery, you will need to arrange a pre-operative breast imaging assessment - ultrasound or mammography, with a radiologist specialising in breast imaging. This is to check the integrity of the breasts. The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.

Type of anaesthesia

Fat transfer breast augmentation is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.

Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.

Recovery Guide

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising and swelling typically resolves within 10-20 days.

You will wear a soft, compression bra for 3-6 weeks to help with skin retraction, reduce swelling and support the healing process. Depending on your type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 3 weeks.

Aftercare Information

At your first post-operative appointment with the nurse, scheduled 2-3 days after surgery, incision sites will be reviewed and dressings changed. You will return for an appointment with the nurse at 14 days, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed again, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. At six weeks after surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will evaluate your overall healing and give you next steps to follow.

It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.

Scar placement and management

Any fat transfer breast augmentation scars are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the navel or natural body creases. As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.

The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:

  • Stimulates natural collagen production
  • Reduces scar pigmentation
  • Improves skin texture and appearance
  • Softens scar tissue
  • Promotes tissue remodelling
  • Accelerates bruise healing

Maintaining your results

The result of fat transfer breast augmentation surgery can be best appreciated after 6 months. A combination of wearing your compression garment, maintaining a steady weight and following post-operative instructions is key to a good result.

Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.

What are the benefits of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation surgery?

Unlike traditional breast implants, fat transfer offers several advantages:

  • Uses your body’s own tissue instead of synthetic materials
  • Creates soft, natural looking and feeling results
  • Combines body contouring through liposuction with breast enhancement
  • Minimally invasive procedure with shorter recovery time
  • Harnesses regenerative properties of stem cells
  • Addresses multiple concerns simultaneously
  • Long lasting enhancement

Fat transfer represents a breakthrough in regenerative medicine, harnessing the power of your body’s natural healing abilities. This innovative procedure utilises your own stem cells and growth factors found in adipose (fat) tissue to regenerate damaged or ageing tissues, restore natural volume and replace lost tissue volume.

Unlike synthetic alternatives, fat transfer procedures use your body’s own cellular material, eliminating the need for artificial products. The stem cells and growth factors present in processed fat tissue actively contribute to tissue regeneration and healing, making this approach particularly valuable for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.

Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation surgery right for you?

Fat transfer breast augmentation may be a good solution for individuals who:

  • Seek natural looking breast enhancement
  • Have adequate fat deposits for transfer
  • Maintain a stable, consistent body weight
  • Prefer using the body’s own tissue over implants
  • Do not require a breast uplift procedure
  • Are not planning pregnancy within the next year
  • Have good overall physical health

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation surgery?

Fat transfer breast augmentation, also known as natural breast augmentation or autologous fat transfer, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses your body’s own fat to enhance breast size and shape. This innovative technique involves harvesting fat cells through liposuction from areas like the stomach or thighs, processing them to extract the most valuable source of stem cells, and carefully injecting the enriched cells into the breasts to create natural looking volume.

Am I suitable for fat transfer breast augmentation surgery?

Fat transfer breast augmentation may be a good solution for individuals who:

  • Seek natural looking breast enhancement
  • Have adequate fat deposits for transfer
  • Maintain a stable, consistent body weight
  • Prefer using the body’s own tissue over implants
  • Do not require a breast uplift procedure
  • Are not planning pregnancy within the next year
  • Have good overall physical health

How long does the surgery take?

The length of the procedure varies according to the amount of fat to be re-injected and may take between 60-120 minutes.

What is autologous fat transfer?

Autologous fat transfer is a medical term for fat transfer surgery, where fat is taken from one area of your body and then transferred to another. The key aspect of this procedure is that the fat used comes from the same individual, meaning it is “autologous” (originating from your own body).

Therefore, all fat transfer surgeries are considered autologous fat transfer procedures, as they involve using your own fat to enhance or restore volume in different areas of the body.

How can smoking and alcohol affect the results of my fat grafting surgery?

Certain lifestyle factors can increase the risk of complications during and after your surgery. The most common impact of smoking before your surgery is that it increases your chances of developing an infection and inhibits your body’s natural healing processes.

We insist that all patients stop smoking and using nicotine products at least six weeks before surgery. Reducing alcohol intake is also strongly advised. This is particularly important for fat grafting surgery in which the fat’s viability post-procedure is materially reduced in a smoker population.

How many fat cells will survive the procedure?

Between 50 and 70 percent of the fat cells that are transferred during the procedure will survive, as they establish a blood supply and integrate into the surrounding tissue, meaning the results are permanent. Mr Olivier Amar will allow for this in his initial evaluation of the amount of fat to be injected.

Will I have to wear a garment after surgery?

To support recovery during the healing period and your overall result you will need to wear a soft compression bra for between three and six weeks. A compression bra is easy to hide under clothes and helps with skin retraction and to reduce swelling as the surgical area is healing.

Is fat transfer breast augmentation the best alternative to breast implants?

Fat transfer to the breasts is a good alternative to breast implants for those seeking a natural way to enhance breast size. Unlike implants, which are foreign objects that may require future replacement or removal, fat transfer uses your own body’s fat to increase volume, offering a more natural result without the need for synthetic materials.

This procedure is becoming an increasingly popular choice for breast enlargement, offering a more subtle, natural look compared to implants. It is important to carefully consider the advantages and limitations of each breast enlargement option. Mr Olivier Amar can discuss these with you in detail during a consultation to determine the best approach for your goals and expectations.

Where will the incisions be positioned?

Any fat transfer breast augmentation scars are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the navel or natural body creases. During the fat harvesting and reinjection, small incisions of around 0.5cm will be made.

Is fat transfer breast augmentation surgery painful?

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising and swelling typically resolves within 10-20 days.

When can I return to exercise after surgery?

Depending on your type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 2-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 3 weeks.

WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS from SURGERY?

The result of fat transfer breast augmentation surgery can be best appreciated after 6 months. A combination of wearing your compression garment, maintaining a steady weight and following post-operative instructions is key to a good result.

Can any other procedures be done at the same time?

Renuvion skin tightening combined with fat transfer breast augmentation is designed to sculpt the body’s contours through advanced radiofrequency technology and precise fat removal. This dual-approach procedure achieves body sculpting without traditional skin cutting.

If you wish, Mr Olivier Amar can utilise fat removed from your body to naturally augment other areas of the body, such as buttocks. Combining fat removal through liposuction with fat transfer to the buttocks can improve your body’s overall harmony and proportions.

Fat can also be used in place of artificial filler to rejuvenate your face. As we age, facial fat naturally diminishes, leading to hollow cheeks and temples, deep facial lines, loss of facial contours and tired or gaunt appearance. Facial fat transfer effectively addresses these concerns by restoring the soft, curved contours associated with youth.

Meet Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London

Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London-based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.

“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”

Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world-class care for all patients.

Before & After – What our fat transfer breast augmentation patients say

“I had fat transfer to my breasts and face, along with liposuction to my abdomen and inner thighs 8 weeks ago with Mr Amar. I am thrilled with the results.

Mr Amar is a true artist. I could not recommend him and his team enough. I felt at ease the moment I met him. He is very kind, caring and professional. Thank you again Mr Amar.”

Olivier Amar Cosmetic Surgery London fat transfer breast augmentation before and after
Olivier Amar Cosmetic Surgery London fat transfer breast augmentation before and after
Our patient, aged 32, underwent Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation surgery