Breast Implants vs Fat Transfer

It has become increasingly popular for women to explore ways that they can make changes to their appearance and body shape. Often such changes are not linked to medical issues. Instead, these changes are all about how a woman sees herself and how she feels. In particular, breasts are an area of the body that can deeply affect women. If they are unhappy with the size and shape of their breasts, this can lead to them feeling deeply unhappy as well as lacking in self-confidence.

Cosmetic surgery is the obvious approach to making changes to the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. Breast augmentation, or a boob job, is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the UK. When women are seeking changes to their breasts, there is more than one procedure to consider. There is the choice between breast fat transfer or breast implants. Looking at fat transfer vs implants is not always straightforward. Both of the procedures have their advantages and deciding what’s right for you can take time. Here, we’re going to take a look at these options. By the end of this article, we hope that you will feel more informed when it comes to considering fat transfer or breast implants.

Fat transfer vs implants

Both procedures have the aim of leaving a woman with breasts that she is happy with. The exact results, and the way that these are achieved, differ. This means that when looking at fat transfer vs implants it is vital to consult with an expert who can advise which procedure best suits your expectations. Here is a quick overview of the key differences between the two procedures:

Fat transfer

Fat transfer to breasts is actually two procedures in one. Both of these bring benefits to the woman undergoing the surgery. First, fat is removed from areas where it is unwanted. This is done by using liposuction. It is common for fat to be removed from areas such as buttocks, thicks, or the belly area. When the fat is removed it is then transferred to the breasts. By injecting the fat it can be used to make your breasts the size and shape that you desire.

Breast implants

Breast implants are used to allow women to have the size and shape of breasts that they choose. This is probably the most common method used when it comes to breast augmentation. It involves an artificial implant, made of saline or silicone, being used. This implant is placed under existing breast tissue or muscles in the chest.

A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

Our Clinic

A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

Our History

At Home in Sloane Street, London

We are proud that our state of the art award-winning clinic is located in one of the best neighbourhoods in the country

Welcome to Sloane Street

Clinics Nationwide

We offer surgical consultations in London, Birmingham, Chelmsford and Bristol, and attract international patients from all corners of the globe such as as the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

Get in Touch

What is involved with fat transfer?

When considering fat transfer vs implants, women are keen to know what is involved in each procedure. Fat transfer is sometimes referred to as a natural boob job because there is no use of implants. As your own fat is being used it is often the case that this leads to natural-looking results. The procedure itself is invasive and is carried out under general anaesthetic. Depending on how much fat is being transferred it will take 1-3 hours to complete.

The first stage of fat transfer involves using liposuction. This is used to remove unwanted fat from other areas of the body. When the fat has been harvested, it is then cleansed in a special machine to ensure that blood and any other substances are removed. Once the fat is clean and ready to use it is injected into the breasts. The injected fat leads to the breasts being enhanced and can also be used for reshaping.

How are implants inserted?

Breast implants are inserted under general anaesthetic and the procedure is one that takes between 1-1.5 hours. Before the procedure, a surgeon will discuss the options with you in terms of the implant that is used. The most common are saline and silicone. The type that achieves the best result for you is something that your surgeon will advise on.

During the procedure, your surgeon will need to make incisions to insert the implants. Saline implants contain sterile salt water but are not filled until they have been inserted into the body. This means that they often need a smaller incision. Your surgeon will do their best to minimise any scarring and incisions are commonly made around the area of the nipple or where the under wire of a bra would sit.

Words from our clients:

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"There is nothing that I feel could be improved at Cadogan Clinic. I was treated and looked after very well the place was very clean. Perfect. Thank you."

Emma Grant

"The treatment was for my daughter and the aesthetic practitioner couldn't have been more helpful and informative all through the course of treatment, it was a great treatment with a brilliant outcome. The whole experience was very professional and any worries we went in with were soon taken away after the team greeted us and treated us."

Jessica Yates

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

Fat transfer vs implants - recovery time

Whether you opt for fat transfer or breast implants, both are invasive procedures that require a period of recovery. Although the procedures differ, they both require similar in terms of the time that it takes to recover.

Both options are day cases at our award-winning clinic. With either procedure, you should expect to take 1-2 weeks off work. It is expected that most women will make a full recovery within 4-6 weeks.

Fat transfer vs implants - the results

Women who opt for fat transfer are usually seeking a subtle boost to the appearance of their breasts. Fat transfer allows a way to refine the breasts size and shape rather than making dramatic changes. At most, you can increase the size of your breasts by 1-2 cup sizes. Another result seen from fat transfer are the benefits to other areas of the body. Where the fat is harvested from can benefit from the fat removal and appear more sculptured and toned.

Breast implants can give a more obvious change in size. It is possible to increase the size of your breasts by up to 4 cup sizes with this procedure. Fat transfer can lead to breasts that appear perkier and it can be the case that combining the two procedures will give the best results.

Fat transfer vs implants - the risks

As with all procedures, fat transfer and breast implants carry a small amount of risk. The main issues with fat transfer is that it is possible that your body will reabsorb the fat that is injected into the breasts. If this happens you may need to repeat the procedure. Our team of experts ensure that the risk of this happening is minimal.

With breast implants, there is a slight risk that they could leak or rupture. Given how implants have developed over the years, the risk of this happening is probably lower than it has ever been. When looking at the risks these need to be weighed against the clear benefits. For many women, the results of breast augmentation transform their lives.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Fat transfer for breasts allows for natural breast enlargement by using your own fat stores.

View Treatment

Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer to Breast

Fat transfer for breasts allows for natural breast enlargement by using your own fat stores.

Breast Surgery

Breast Enlargement

Breast enlargement and augmentation aims to cosmetically enhance the size and shape of your breasts.

View Treatment

Get in touch

One of our friendly staff will be delighted to help with your enquiry.

0207 901 8500

Or send us an enquiry

Meet Ellie

Our Lead Patient Advisor is here to support with any queries you may have