Non-Surgical Breast Augmentation: Fat Transfer, Filler Injections and What to Know

People who do not want implant surgery may look into "non-surgical" options for breast augmentation. Under this heading, two methods are usually mentioned: transferring the person's own fat tissue to the breast (fat transfer) and injecting a filler into the breast. These two methods are very different from each other, and both have important limits that should be known. This article explains these methods, their limits and their risks.

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

In fat transfer, fat is removed by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, waist or thighs, processed and transferred to the breast with fine cannulas. No implant is used and no large incision is made; however, the fat removal and transfer stages are a procedure performed under anaesthesia, so it is not truly "non-surgical".

• The increase that can be achieved is usually more limited than with an implant.
• Part of the transferred fat is absorbed by the body; the result becomes clear over the first months, and more than one session may be needed to reach the desired volume.
• There must be enough fat tissue in the areas from which fat will be taken.
• Cysts, firmness and calcification may develop in the transferred fat. These changes can create findings on breast imaging that need separate assessment. For this reason, the breast imaging recommended by the doctor should be carried out before and after the procedure, and the doctor assessing the imaging should be told that fat transfer has been performed.

Filler (Gel) Injections into the Breast

Increasing volume by injecting a synthetic filler or gel into the breast is promoted in some places as "non-surgical breast augmentation". Serious complications have been reported after these procedures, such as infection, painful hardening and lumps, spread of the filler into surrounding tissues and deformity, which can appear even years later. Because the injected substance can mix with breast tissue, complete removal may be difficult, and it can make breast imaging harder to assess. For these reasons, filler injections for breast augmentation are not recommended.

Which Option for Whom?

• In people who want a slight increase in volume and have enough fat tissue, fat transfer may be considered.
• In people who want a marked increase in volume, breast augmentation surgery with implants may be more suitable.
• If the breasts are sagging, increasing volume alone is not enough; a breast lift may be needed.

If there is a history of breast cancer, breast cancer in the family or an unassessed lump in the breast, the relevant examination and imaging should be carried out first. Breast augmentation procedures are not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The doctor decides which method is suitable after the examination.

After Fat Transfer

• There may be swelling, bruising and tenderness in the area where fat was taken and in the breast.
• The compression garment and bra recommended by the doctor should be worn.
• Pressure on the breasts, sleeping face down and strenuous exercise should be avoided for the period recommended by the doctor.
• Blood thinners and other regularly used medicines should not be stopped without consulting a doctor, and the doctor who will perform the procedure should be informed of them in advance.

Possible Risks

After fat transfer, swelling, bruising, greater than expected absorption of the transferred fat, asymmetry between the breasts, cysts and firmness in the fat tissue, calcification, infection and irregularities in the area where fat was taken may occur. If increasing pain, redness, warmth, fever or discharge is noticed in the breast, a doctor should be consulted immediately. For more information, see our breast augmentation and breast lift pages.

Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın