Having beautiful breasts can be a point of pride for many women. However, some do not like the size or shape of their breasts, perhaps due to their genetics, a mastectomy, or bodily changes after pregnancy or weight loss. If you are not satisfied with the way your breasts look, a plastic surgeon might recommend that you receive breast implants or undergo a fat transfer procedure. Which of these options might be right for you? This blog post provides some helpful information.
How Do They Work?
A breast implant is a prosthesis that contains a gel or fluid. When it is skillfully inserted by a plastic surgeon, it can enlarge the breast and enhance its shape. Fat transfer breast augmentation, on the other hand, involves the use of liposuction to harvest fatty tissue from another area of the patient’s body. The fat is then moved to the breasts, where it can provide subtle enlargement.
What Are the Results Like?
Often, patients choose implants over a fat transfer procedure because implants are more customizable. You can choose both the size of your implants and their shape. You may be able to go up multiple cup sizes, and you can choose either round implants or more natural-looking teardrop implants. If there are no complications, breast implants can last for 15 – 20 years before they need to be replaced.
On the other hand, the results of fat transfer can only allow you to go up one-half to one full cup size. However, many patients favor this procedure because the results are very natural looking and do not involve the use of any synthetic materials. Fat transfer is permanent, but your body may absorb some of the transferred cells, resulting in less volume than you expected. One thing that many people like about fat transfer is that it is two procedures in one. As your breasts get larger, liposuction can shrink another area of your body.
What Is the Recovery Like?
Full recovery from breast implant surgery can take up to six weeks. During that time, you will have to limit some activities. Recovery from fat transfer is shorter because the procedure is slightly less invasive, so you can expect to get back to your normal routine a little faster.
Which Option Is Safer?
It is important to understand that any surgical procedure comes with a level of risk. With that being said, both fat transfer and breast implants are unlikely to cause any severe side effects. Your surgeon can help you compare the potential risks involved in both surgeries.
How Can You Make the Right Decision?
There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to choosing between fat transfer and breast implants. Both can beautifully enhance your figure! Talk to your plastic surgeon about your goals; they will help you make a wise decision about how to move forward.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Irvin M. Wiesman is the leader of the team at Wiesman Cosmetic Surgery. He offers both fat transfer and breast implants, in addition to other figure-enhancing procedures. If you would like to talk to him about your treatment options, our team is ready to welcome you for a consultation. Contact our Chicago office at 312-981-1290.
