Breast Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting to the Breasts)
Breast fat transfer, also called fat grafting or fat transfer breast augmentation, moves fat from another part of your body, such as the abdomen or thighs, into the breasts using liposuction and fine injections. It gives a modest increase in size and can refine shape, either on its own or combined with breast implants. Part of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed, so results are more limited than with implants.
Many people considering breast augmentation want a result that looks in proportion with their body. Fat transfer is most often used alongside breast implants to soften the edges of the implant, add fullness to areas such as the cleavage or upper breast, or improve unevenness between the breasts. Dr Richardson usually performs fat transfer together with implant surgery, or on its own for people who want a small, subtle change in size.
Who may be suitable for breast fat transfer?
- people who want a small increase in breast size, or improved shape, without implants
- people having implants who would like extra soft-tissue cover or fullness in particular areas
- people with mild breast asymmetry or contour irregularities
- people with enough spare fat in areas such as the abdomen, flanks or thighs
- non-smokers at a stable weight who are in good general health
Fat transfer is less suitable for people who want a large increase in size, or who have very little spare body fat. Your suitability is assessed at consultation.
How does breast fat transfer work?
Breast fat transfer is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital, with a specialist anaesthetist. There are three main stages:
- Harvesting: fat is gently removed with liposuction, usually from the abdomen, flanks or inner thighs, through small incisions.
- Processing: the fat is filtered and washed to separate healthy fat cells from fluid and other tissue.
- Injection: the purified fat is injected in small amounts through tiny puncture sites into different layers of the breast, to help the transferred fat establish a blood supply.
There is a limit to how much fat can be safely removed and transferred in one operation, because removing too much can leave the donor area uneven.
How much volume can fat transfer add?
Not all of the transferred fat survives. A 2024 systematic review of 35 studies found that, on average, 58% of the injected volume was retained, ranging from 44% to 83% between studies. The final result is usually judged after several months, once swelling has settled and any fat that hasn’t survived has been reabsorbed. Because of this, fat transfer generally gives a more modest increase than implants, and results vary from person to person.
Will I need more than one session?
Some people choose a second fat transfer session, usually several months after the first, to add more volume or refine symmetry. Whether this is likely in your case is discussed at consultation.
Fat transfer vs breast implants
| Breast fat transfer | Breast implants | |
|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Small puncture sites at the donor area and breasts | An incision, usually in the crease under the breast |
| Size change possible | Modest; some fat is reabsorbed | Wider range of sizes, chosen before surgery |
| Body contour | Liposuction also reduces fat at the donor area | No change to other areas |
| Recovery | Recovery at both the donor area and the breasts | Recovery at the breasts only |
| Ongoing monitoring | Fat can change with weight; tell imaging providers you have had fat grafting | Regular implant checks and imaging; implants are not lifetime devices |
The two are often combined. See fat transfer basics for more on how they work together.
What are the risks of breast fat transfer?
All surgery carries risks, including those of general anaesthesia, bleeding, infection, bruising, swelling and scarring. Risks specific to fat transfer include:
- Fat necrosis: some transferred fat dies and forms firm lumps. This was the most common complication in the 2024 review.
- Oil cysts and calcifications: these can show on breast imaging and may sometimes need further tests to rule out other causes. Always tell your breast imaging provider that you have had fat grafting.
- Unpredictable retention: more or less fat may survive than expected, which can affect size and symmetry.
- Donor-area irregularities: dents or unevenness where fat was removed.
Read more about breast fat transfer risks.
What is recovery like?
Expect swelling and bruising at both the breasts and the donor area. A compression garment is usually worn over the liposuction area, and a supportive bra over the breasts. Many people return to desk-based work within one to two weeks, with strenuous exercise usually avoided for around six weeks. See breast fat transfer recovery for details.
How much does breast fat transfer cost?
The cost depends on how much fat is transferred, whether it is combined with implants and the hospital and anaesthetist fees. Our article on the cost of fat transfer to the breasts explains what is involved, and a personalised quote is provided after consultation.
Individual results vary, and all surgery carries risks. A consultation with Dr Richardson is the best way to understand whether fat transfer, implants or a combination suits your goals.
Source: Seth I et al. Autologous fat grafting in breast augmentation: a systematic review highlighting the need for clinical caution. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2024.
Dr Philip Richardson 
