Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in Edison, Marlboro, Warren and West Orange, NJ

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is a procedure that uses your body’s natural fat to refine the appearance of your breasts.

Many women desire fuller, more shapely breasts, but some are either uninterested in receiving implants or cannot receive them due to sensitivities, anatomy, and other factors. Breast augmentation with a fat transfer provides a more organic alternative to enhancing your breasts by harvesting excess fat using liposuction and purifying it before reinjecting it into the breasts. (1,2) By using your body’s own fat, you can ensure softer results.

I’m Dr. Harry Haramis, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast surgeon at Associates in Plastic Surgery; I’ve been helping patients transform their appearance for more than 30 years. I maintain board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have watched liposuction evolve throughout the years. I use VASER liposuction for this procedure for optimal fat viability during the transfer process.

To start working with me, please schedule a consultation online or call the office most convenient for you:

About Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Using VASER, I can take fat from most regions of the body, with common areas including the abdomen, thighs, hips, or flanks. An added advantage of this is that you won’t simply be enhancing your breasts—you’ll be contouring the donor area as well.

Most patients are able to achieve a single cup size after a treatment session, so it is best for those who are looking for a subtler look. However, fat transfer can be performed alongside implant placement for patients who want to soften the breasts and disguise the implant.

At-A-Glance Benefits

There are numerous benefits of undergoing a breast augmentation with fat transfer, including:

  • Natural Look and Feel
  • Improved Balance
  • Minimally Invasive Techniques
  • Dual Body Contouring Benefits
  • Low Maintenance, Lasting Results

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for a breast augmentation with fat transfer if you:

  • Are interested in enhancing the size and shape of your breasts without the use of synthetic implants
  • Are at a stable and maintainable weight
  • Are in good general health
  • Have an adequate amount of excess body fat for harvesting
  • Are nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine
  • Have realistic expectations regarding the results of your procedure

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, I will meet with you to explain what a fat transfer breast augmentation entails. I will carefully assess your candidacy and create your treatment plan if we decide this method is best for your augmentation. After a physical examination, we will know more about the techniques that will work best for you.

As a surgeon who values an in-depth consultation process, I will take the time to answer any questions you may have about your procedure. I want you to feel confident and empowered about your upcoming procedure, and I will do everything in my power to leave the consultation with realistic expectations and peace of mind.

To schedule your consultation and start exploring your options, please contact us online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, please call the office of your choice:

Preparation

Once you schedule your breast augmentation with fat transfer, there are certain steps I tell my patients to take to prepare. For example, I might advise that you:

  • Stop taking certain medications or supplements that could thin your blood.
  • Arrange transportation to and from your procedure.
  • Prepare to take some time away from your job and other responsibilities to allow yourself adequate time to rest.
  • Fill any medications you will need beforehand so you have them ready when you need them.
  • Refrain from any nicotine use for at least four weeks before your procedure.
  • Avoid consuming any alcohol in the days before and after your breast augmentation.

These considerations may vary depending on your unique case, but you can expect to receive a detailed outline of preparation steps from my team and me.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, we will go over your treatment plan to make sure we are all aligned. I will then cleanse your skin, and you will receive general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

I will first perform the liposuction portion of the procedure—using VASER —to collect excess fat for the transfer. I place a very small incision in the donor area and inject a tumescent fluid, which is a solution of lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline. This will further numb the local area, minimize bleeding, and swell your fat cells for easier removal. (3) I will then insert a thin power-assisted liposuction (PAL) cannula through the incision to break up your fat cells before suctioning them from the body.

We then process and purify this fat to ensure we have only the most viable cells. VASER is well known for its ability to preserve healthy fat cells, offering a more efficient transfer and higher retention rates.

I will then carefully administer the fat to your breasts, safely layering the fat to ensure an even and balanced contour.

Recovery

After your procedure, you will need to take some time away from your commitments and responsibilities to focus on resting. You may return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks, but you will need to continue refraining from any physically demanding or strenuous activities until I provide clearance.

It is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the treated areas as you heal. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own as you continue to recover, but you may also manage them using a cold compress, medications that I prescribe, and plenty of rest. I may also provide you with a supportive surgical bra, as well as compression garments for your donor areas, to wear throughout your recovery.

I will see you at several follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing properly and to provide any guidance.

Recovery timelines may vary, but below is a rough timeline that I often discuss with my patients for this procedure:

At-A-Glance Recovery Timeline

  • Day 0–2: Focus on resting during these first couple of days. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness may be present. You can take prescribed pain meds to enhance comfort.
  • Day 3–7: Light activity is okay as healing progresses (gentle walking is best for blood flow), continue to wear your surgical bra and compression garments on donor sites, but avoid strenuous movement.
  • Week 1: Swelling and bruising are still present. The breasts may feel slightly firm. Light walking is still encouraged.
  • Weeks 2–3: Swelling starts to subside, and you can gradually resume more of your daily activities. Still, avoid heavy lifting and high-impact activities.
  • Weeks 4–6: Most bruising resolves at this point. The breasts will begin to soften and feel more normal. Light exercise may be possible with my approval.
  • Weeks 6–8: Swelling is mostly gone now, and the shape looks more natural. You can resume more vigorous exercise gradually (with my approval)
  • Months 3–6: Over time, some of the fat will be absorbed by the body. This is totally normal. This is when the final breast contour becomes apparent.

Results

The results of your breast augmentation will become more apparent as any residual swelling decreases. While the exact results of your procedure will vary, you can expect fuller, more shapely, and more symmetrical breasts. I see great fat retention rates with my VASER liposuction fat transfer, with my patients often seeing 80% of the fat remaining in place.

After the fat fixes itself in place and establishes a new blood supply, it will remain in place permanently, offering you long-term results you can enjoy for years to come!

Cost of Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer in New Jersey

The cost of your breast augmentation can vary depending on several aspects of your treatment, including the type of enhancements you are interested in, the amount of fat I transfer, the overall complexity of your procedure, whether I integrate additional procedures into your treatment plan, and more. Once I meet with you and establish these details, I will give you a cost estimate for your procedure. We also offer financing for all qualifying patients.

To learn more about pricing, please schedule a consultation online or call (732) 548-3200.

FAQ

How much fat can you transfer into the breasts?

The amount of fat that I transfer will depend on your desired results, but most patients can expect a maximum cup size increase of about one size.

How long does it typically take to recover from a breast augmentation with fat transfer?

Your exact recovery timeline will vary depending on the extent of your procedure and how long it takes for your body to heal itself, but it generally takes at least two weeks to get back to most of your normal activities.

How long will the results of my breast augmentation with fat transfer last?

When paired with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, the results of your breast augmentation can last for years to come.

Can you combine my breast augmentation with another procedure?

Yes, I can combine your breast augmentation with another procedure for more comprehensive results. We ask that you schedule a personal consultation for personalized recommendations and further information.

References

  1. Seth I, Bulloch G, Gibson D, et al. Autologous Fat Grafting in Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review Highlighting the Need for Clinical Caution. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2024;153(3):527e538e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000010614
  2. Shih L, Davis MJ, Winocour SJ. The Science of Fat Grafting. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2020;34(01):005-010. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402073
  3. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. Nih.gov. Published February 14, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/#article-112503.s5