Many patients who have experienced changes in their breasts shape or appearance after breastfeeding, pregnancy, or losing weight consider plastic surgery to get rid of the excessive amount of skin and make their breasts look naturally lifted.
Breast implants and fat transfer are the two most popular procedures currently performed to enhance breasts appearance and fix the saggy breasts to look more lifted.
Driven and inspired by doctor Tarek Copty’s expertise as a plastic surgeon for more than 12 years, we will break down the essential differences between breast implants and fat transfer. Let’s delve into it.
The Main Differences Between Breast Implants and Fat Grafting
The reasons for having breast augmentation can vary from the unpleasant appearance of droopy breasts to small or asymmetrical ones. Women who fancy breast augmentation will find themselves in the face of the big question: Is breast implants or fat grafting better? We can help you find the answers.
Breast Implants
Breast augmentation using breast implants is a surgical option aims to enhance breast size and shape through inserting the breast implant in the area between the breast tissue and muscles.
In terms of safety, breast implants are extremely durable and they are not likely to leak. However, if your breast implant has ruptured, the silicon gel doesn’t break down or get absorbed by the body, and consequently, this silicone leak doesn’t cause any severe reactions.
Breast Augmentation using silicone implants goes through the following steps:
The surgery is usually done under general anesthesia to eliminate any amount of paint or discomfort can be caused to the patient.
The surgeon starts with making an incision under the breast (inframammary), under the arm (axillary), or around the nipple (periareolar).
The breast tissue will be separated from the chest muscles to make a pocket where the surgeon inserts the silicon implant.
After making the pocket, the surgeon inserts the breast implant and places it in the area behind the nipple.
The last step is to close the incision with absorbable or non-absorbable sutures and surgical tape to cover the incision.
Types of Breast Implants
It’s always recommended to discuss with your surgeons the desired size, shape, and texture of your breast implant and ask to visualize the final results if possible. Here’s the most popular types of silicone used for breast augmentation:
زراعة الثدي بالمحلول الملحي:Saline breast implants is filled with sterile watersalt (Saline fluid) after the empty implant is placed in the breast. One of its downsides is that patients with thin skin may witness wrinkling or rippling on the surface of their skin with Saline implants.
Silicone breast implants:Silicone implants mimics the texture of natural fat resulting in a more natural feel and appearance.
Fat Grafting
Patients who desire a safe and minimally invasive procedure to enhance their breasts natural appearance can definitely go for the fat grafting augmentation. It’s a simplistic plastic surgery that results in a natural-looking breast and youthful appearance.
Fat grafting is performed using liposuction to harvest viable fat cells from other areas of your body with excessive amounts of fat, mostly stomach, thighs, arms or hips and inject it into your breasts.
Perks & Downsides of Breast Implants & Fat Transfer
Both breast implants and fat grafting have been in demand for years and they considered safe options with long-lasting and satisfying results.
The downsides are minimal for both. However, patients may get unwanted results when they don’t follow their plastic surgeon instructions. Here are the top perks and most reported downsides for each option.
Breast Implants
Breast implants breast augmentation results can last up to 20 years or more and patients can choose from different implant types based on their preferred shape, size and texture.
This also is a great option for patients who desire to see results as soon as after the surgery and it works perfectly for those who want a solution for saggy or small breasts.
Now when it comes to the downsides, some of them can be associated with the surgeon’s qualifications and expertise, besides the patient’s adherence to the doctor’s instructions.
Breast implants come with some possible downsides including changes in the breast skin and nipple texture and occasionally implants can get ruptured, but this is not a common risk since implants don’t usually leak and they are very durable.
The Cost of breast implants procedure is relatively higher than fat grafting, this should also be considered before making your decision.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is basically a good option for those who want to naturally enhance the appearance of their breasts using a minimally invasive procedure with the minimal discomfort that usually goes within a few days or 2 weeks at most.
Patients who choose this option can achieve benefits in one procedure, reducing the fat amount in areas with excessive fat and using it to naturally increase the breasts size and restore the shape of uneven breasts.
In terms of the downsides, fat grafting might not be the best option to lift and tighten saggy breasts after breastfeeding, weight loss, or pregnancy. It also should be performed on multiple sessions and results can take longer time to appear than breast implants results.
Also, fat grafting requires harvesting fats from other areas of the body with excessive amounts of fat, which means this isn’t the best option if you’re relatively slim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does breast implant surgery last?
It lasts one to two hours.
How long do breast implants last?
It lasts for at least 10 and up to 20 years and in some cases, patients don’t need to do the procedure again.
What are the types of breast implants?
There are many types of breast implants the most popular ones for breast augmentation are: Saline breast implants and Silicone breast implants.
Do medical insurance companies cover the cost of breast implants?
Insurance companies don’t usually cover breast augmentation costs as they consider it an elective surgery. However, the cost can be covered for women who have had mastectomies due to breast cancer.
Can breast implants get ruptured?
Breast implants are extremely durable and they are not likely to leak. However, if your breast implant has ruptured, the silicon gel doesn’t break down or get absorbed by the body, and consequently, this silicon leak doesn’t cause any severe reactions.
Do breast implants affect breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding with breast implants is safe. However, in some cases the milk supply may get affected by the implant.
How long does it take to fully recover after a breast implant surgery?
Even though most patients can get back to normal life after a few weeks, the full recovery might take up to 6 months.
How long after surgery will I see final breast implants results?
The results can be seen right after the surgery. However, the final results and appearance can be seen within a few months.
Do breast implants cause breast cancer?
There isn’t any medical evidence or research that shows that breast implants can cause breast cancer.
How long does it take to fully recover after fat transfer augmentation?
This procedure causes very minimal pain and discomfort that goes within a few days. The bruises and tenderness will go away shortly after the procedure but it’s recommended to avoid putting pressure on the face or doing high intensity workouts for at least 2 weeks.
How long do fat grafting results last?
One of the downsides of this procedure is that a large amount of fat can get dissolved within a few months after the procedure, which makes the initial results look better. However, the remaining amount of fat can last for a long time.
Which one is better in terms of cost, breast implants or fat grafting?
Breast implants surgery can relatively cost more than fat grafting.
Can slim patients do fat grafting augmentation?
Fat grafting requires harvesting fats from other areas of the body with excessive amounts of fat, which means this isn’t the best option if you’re relatively slim.
