Breast Implants vs. Fat Transfer For Breast Augmentation

Thinking about enhancing your silhouette with breast augmentation but unsure whether to go with breast implants vs fat transfer? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common questions we receive at CARE Plastic Surgery. Located conveniently in Cary and Raleigh, North Carolina, our team is here to guide you through the journey with expert insight and compassionate care.

Understanding Your Breast Augmentation Options

With each passing year, more and more individuals are exploring breast augmentation procedures to boost confidence and improve body proportions. Both breast implants and fat transfer offer excellent ways to enhance the size, shape, and contour of your breasts, but they do so in different ways:

An Inside Look at Breast Implants

Breast implant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. Patients can choose from saline breast implants, silicone breast implants, or the newer gummy bear breast implants—a type of silicone gel implant known for maintaining its shape and offering a natural feel. These round implants are available in various sizes and profiles, providing patients with ample flexibility in achieving their ideal cup size and upper pole fullness.

During breast augmentation surgery, implants are placed either above or below the chest muscles, depending on your anatomy and goals. While recovery time is generally quick, patients should avoid strenuous physical activities for several weeks post-operatively.

Dr. Brian Coan emphasizes that breast implant procedures are a safe procedure with a track record of long-term satisfaction when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Whether you’re looking to restore volume after weight loss, pregnancy, or breast cancer surgery, implants may provide a more dramatic and immediate result. However, it’s important to consider the long-term maintenance of implants, including the possibility of breast implant rupture, breast implant removal, or capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around the implant).

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

If you prefer a natural way to enhance your breast size without implants, a fat transfer procedure might be right for you. This plastic surgery technique involves removing excess fat from areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, through gentle liposuction. The fat cells are then purified and reinjected into the natural breast tissue to create fuller, more natural-looking results.

This method, often referred to as fat transfer breast augmentation or fat transfer surgery, is ideal for individuals seeking a modest enhancement and improved body contouring in a single session. Patients enjoy the benefit of removing unwanted fat while achieving a soft, subtle increase in volume using their own fat in injections.

Patients considering this option must have enough donor fat and understand that the body may naturally absorb some of the injected fat during healing. However, once settled, results are long-lasting and do not require ongoing maintenance like traditional implants.

What to Consider Comparing Breast Implants vs Fat Transfer

When choosing between breast implants vs fat transfer, consider the following:

Desired Outcome: Silicone-filled breast implants, also known as gummy bear implants, or saline-filled breast implants, are ideal for achieving a noticeable change in cup size. In contrast, patients undergoing fat transfer typically prefer a softer, more natural-looking breast.

• Body Type: If you do not have enough excess fat available for harvesting, fat transfer may not be an option.
• Material Preference: Those wary of foreign materials may prefer fat transfer surgery over saline solution or silicone implants.
• Longevity: Implants may eventually require replacement or breast implant removal. Fat transfer, once it is stable, offers a more permanent result with fewer long-term concerns.

For patients with prior breast reconstruction, breast lift, or reconstructive surgery, Dr. Coan will offer guidance on how best to enhance symmetry and volume safely.

Why Choose CARE Plastic Surgery in Raleigh and Cary?

Led by Dr. Brian Coan, our team provides world-class outcomes with a focus on patient safety, education, and individualized care. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Coan brings years of expertise and a deep understanding of both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

Whether you’re exploring your first cosmetic surgery or seeking breast enhancement after a life change, our supportive environment is designed to make you feel at ease. Take the first step toward achieving your ideal look with a personalized consultation in Cary or Raleigh; contact us to schedule your appointment, or check out our testimonials to hear from our satisfied patients.

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