Breast Implants vs. Fat Transfer: Pros, Cons, and Which is Right for You?

If you’re considering getting breast augmentation Calgary, you may be wondering if implant breast augmentation or fat transfer is the procedure for you.

After all, both procedures are popular and have their pros and cons. In this article, we will discuss the differences between implant breast augmentation and fat transfer breast augmentation to make an informed decision about which procedure is right for you.

Breast augmentation using implants

The most popular type of breast augmentation is breast augmentation using implants. In fact, when people think of breast augmentations, this procedure is what comes to mind.

An implant is placed underneath the breast tissue or muscle to add volume and shape to the breasts in this procedure. There are two types of implants: saline and silicone. Let’s go a bit more in-depth about each type of implant.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants are made of a silicone outer shell filled with either saline or silicone gel. These gel implants are often considered more natural-looking and feeling, as they more closely resemble the feel of human fat.

However, they also have a higher risk of complications, such as capsular contracture (hardening of the breast), rippling, and leaks. Not to mention, they are also more expensive than saline implants.

Saline implants

On the other hand, Saline implants are made of a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saline solution. Saline implants are less likely to cause complications than silicone implants, but they may be more likely to ripple or leak.

Additionally, saline implants can sometimes give the breasts a less natural look and feel. Some have said that they can look and feel like water balloons. However, they are typically more affordable than silicone implants.

The pros of implant breast augmentation

Naturally, there are both pros and cons to undergoing implant breast augmentation. Let’s get into some of the advantages:

It’s a relatively safe procedure.

Compared to fat transfer breast augmentation, which is a newer procedure, implant breast augmentation has been around for much longer and is thus a more vetted procedure. Additionally, it has a relatively low complication rate.

In fact, the most common complication from implant breast augmentation is capsular contracture, which occurs in about 20-30% of cases.

It’s effective.

Another advantage of implant breast augmentation is that it is an effective procedure. In other words, it does what it’s supposed to do: it adds volume and shape to the breasts.

If you want to achieve a particular look, the chances are that breast implants will be able to give you that look.

It’s fast.

The procedure is relatively quick, taking anywhere from one to two hours. Additionally, recovery from implant breast augmentation is usually pretty fast. Most people take about one to two weeks off from work to recover.

It’s an outpatient procedure.

This means that you won’t have to stay overnight in the hospital after your surgery. Instead, you’ll be able to go home the same day!

You can choose your implant type.

As we mentioned before, there are two implants: saline and silicone. This means that you can choose the type of implant you think will be right for you.

You can also choose your implants’ size, shape, and texture.

The results are typically long-lasting.

While breast implants don’t last forever, the results of your surgery will typically last for many years. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to only need one breast augmentation surgery in their lifetime.

The cons of implant breast augmentation

Of course, no surgery is without its risks and disadvantages. Here are some of the potential drawbacks of implant breast augmentation:

It’s an invasive surgery.

Since implant breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, it is invasive. This means that some risks are associated with the surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and scarring.

It’s a foreign object in your body.

This is perhaps the biggest con of using breast implants: they are foreign objects that will be in your body for the rest of your life (unless you have them removed).

And while breast implants are generally safe, there is always the possibility that they could leak or rupture. If this happens, you will need another surgery to remove or replace the implants.

Fat transfer breast augmentation

If you’ve never heard of this kind of breast augmentation, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Fat transfer breast augmentation is a relatively new procedure, and it’s not as popular as breast augmentation using implants.

In this procedure, fat is taken from another body area (usually the stomach or thighs) and injected into the breasts to add volume. It’s typically injected using a syringe, and multiple injections may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Among all of the previously mentioned, the fat transfer procedure is often considered the most natural-looking, as it uses your body fat. That being said, this natural look comes at a price – fat transfer procedures are often more expensive than implant breast augmentations.

Additionally, fat transfer procedures come with risks and complications, which we’ll be getting into shortly.

The pros of fat transfer breast augmentation

Fat transfer breast augmentation has a few advantages over implant breast augmentation:

It looks and feels more ‘natural’.

As we mentioned before, one of the most significant advantages of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it looks and feels more natural. This is because the fat used to augment the breasts comes from your own body.

It can be used to correct asymmetry.

If you have uneven breasts, fat transfer breast augmentation can be used to correct the asymmetry. This is because the fat can be injected into the smaller breast to add volume and achieve symmetry.

It can be used to correct other breast deformities.

In addition to correcting asymmetry, fat transfer breast augmentation can also be used to correct other breast deformities, such as tuberous breasts.

There is minimal scarring.

In contrast to implant breast augmentation, fat transfer breast augmentation usually results in minimal scarring. This is because the incisions made during the procedure are small, and the fat is injected using a syringe.

There’s no foreign body.

Another advantage of fat transfer breast augmentation is that no foreign body is inserted into the breasts. This means that there is no risk of implant rupture or leakage.

The cons of fat transfer breast augmentation

Now that we’ve gone over some of the pros of fat transfer breast augmentation, let’s take a look at some of the potential drawbacks:

There is a limit to the augmentation.

One of the biggest disadvantages of fat transfer breast augmentation is limiting how much you can augment your breasts. This is because the amount of fat that can be safely removed from another body area is limited.

It’s a two-step process.

Another disadvantage of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it’s a two-step process. First, the fat must be removed from another area of the body using liposuction.

Then, the fat is injected into the breasts. This can often be a lengthy and uncomfortable process for some patients.

The fat can be reabsorbed.

Another potential disadvantage of fat transfer breast augmentation is that the body can reabsorb the fat over time. In other words, the augmentation may not be permanent.

It comes with its own set of risks and complications.

As with any surgery, fat transfer breast augmentation comes with its own set of risks and complications. Some of the complications with fat transfer are:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Fat embolism (when fat enters the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs)
• Lumps and bumps
• Rippling

The Bottom Line: Which should you get?

At the end of the day, the decision of whether to get a fat transfer or an implant breast augmentation is a personal one. There are pros and cons to both procedures, and only you can decide which is right for you.

If you’re looking for a more natural-looking augmentation, fat transfer may be the right choice. However, implants may be your best bet if you’re looking for a more significant augmentation with a more pronounced change.

If you’re still undecided, we recommend talking to a board-certified plastic surgeon or a trusted plastic surgery Calgary clinic to help you decide. They will be able to answer any questions you have and help guide you in making the best decision for your body. Good luck!