Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. Women who are looking to enhance their breast size and shape have two options: breast implants and fat transfer. Breast implants are silicone or saline-filled shells that are surgically implanted into the breast cavity. Fat transfers, on the other hand, involve extracting fat from another region of the body and transferring it to the breasts.
Both methods of breast augmentation are incredibly popular, leaving prospective patients unsure about which method is best for them. Both approaches have their pros and cons, and understanding them can help one make a well-informed decision on which procedure to choose.
Breast Implants
Pros
- More predictable results: Breast implants naturally offer a more predictable outcome than fat transfers, as the final size and shape of the breasts can be more carefully controlled.
- Longer-lasting results: Breast implants last for many years, typically not requiring replacement for at least a decade.
- Various options: Some of the various types of breast implants include saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants. Each type comes with its own pros and cons, so patients can choose the ones that are most to their liking.
- Give women a major boost in self-confidence: Most women report feeling more confident and attractive after receiving implants.
Cons
- Requires surgery: Breast implant surgery is considered a major procedure that comes with a significant recovery period and downtime.
- Risk of complications: As with any surgery, breast implant surgery comes with a good amount of risk. Infection, bleeding, and implant rupture are all potential risks.
- May not look or feel natural: In some cases, patients feel that their implants make their breasts look unnatural. Finding the right implants is important for achieving a natural look.
- May interfere with mammograms: Breast implants can make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram, so women with implants may need additional imaging tests or specialized mammography techniques.
Fat Transfer
Pros
- Natural-looking results: Fat transfers naturally provide more realistic-looking results than breast implants, as this method utilizes the patient’s own fat cells to achieve an enhancement.
- Fat loss in other areas: In addition to enhancing the breasts, this approach also reduces fat in the donor sites (usually flanks, buttocks, abdomen, etc).
- No risk of implant rupture: Patients who choose the route of fat transfer get to forgo the risks of implants, including ruptures, leakages, or capsular contracture.
- Little to no scarring: Fat transfer procedures require very small incisions, meaning that any residual scarring is minor.
Cons
- Limited increase in size: Fat transfer procedures can only increase breast size by a small margin (usually one cup size).
- Multiple sessions may be required: Depending on the patient’s desired outcome, they may need to undergo multiple treatment sessions to achieve satisfactory results.
- Fat absorption: With any fat transfer procedure, there is the risk of reabsorption. When the body reabsorbs the injected fat, there is a decrease in volume.
- Uneven results: Uneven results are always a risk with fat transfers. If fat is absorbed on one side and not the other, the breasts may be out of proportion to each other. There may also be lumps.
What is the takeaway?
Ultimately, patients will need to weigh the pros and cons of both treatments when making a choice for themselves. Those who are looking for a more natural treatment will probably prefer breast augmentation with fat transfer. Those who want more pronounced, longer-lasting results will most likely prefer breast implants.
Before making any decisions on treatment, it is vital that patients refer to an experienced, highly revered practitioner to make an assessment. Getting a professional opinion can help us feel more confident in our choices.
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