One of the biggest draws of this technique is that fat grafting to the breast doesn’t involve introducing a foreign object like a synthetic implant to the body. Using one’s own tissue, called autologous tissue, avoids the risk of the complications that come with using implants.

Fat grafting to the breast can be boiled down to two basic steps: liposuction to remove the fat and then the fat injection process to add volume to the breasts. Liposuction is used to harvest fat from a part of the body where there is extra fat. Common areas where fat is harvested from are the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen. The fat is then processed to remove impurities and concentrate stem cells.

The purified fat is injected via syringe into the breasts. It requires experience and expertise to create a natural look using this method.

This technique can achieve two goals: adding size to the breasts as well as sculpting away fat from another area of the body. This may not be the best choice for patients who are very thin, as a requirement of the procedure is that patients have enough excess fat deposits to harvest the proper amount for augmentation.

Fat grafting to the breast can also be used to improve the look of breast implants. Using autologous fatty tissue can soften the look of implants and correct issues like rippling or wrinkling.

One of the steps necessary for preparing for the fat transfer is creating enough room in the breast pocket. This is achieved with a tissue expander system called the Brava device. The Brava device is worn for several weeks before and after the procedure. It is an external suction device worn overnight and is used to achieve a greater volume increase in breast size. The device also encourages new blood vessel and tissue growth.

Multiple fat grafts can be done over a period of months to achieve varying degrees of size enhancement.