Can Breast Fat Transfer Compensate for Breast Implant Removal? Austin’s Drs. Reid and Gordon Weigh In

You’ve loved your breast implants for many years, but you’re ready for a change. When considering breast implant removal, we like to give our patients options for breast reconstruction and restoration. One of those options is breast fat transfer, a procedure that uses excess body fat to provide additional breast volume. 

Here’s what you need to know about using fat to compensate for breast implant removal in Austin, TX. 

Understanding Fat Transfer for the Breasts

When you’ve got more fat than you’d like in the hips, and not quite enough in the breasts, a fat transfer procedure offers the exciting opportunity to reposition your fat. The process begins with liposuction, a fat extraction procedure that uses suction to manually remove fat cells from the body. We usually choose an area that you’d like to contour, like the waist, hips, or abdomen. The extracted fat cells are processed to remove impurities, and the purified fat is placed into syringes to be injected strategically into the breasts. The injected fat will integrate into the breast tissues, providing lasting volume. 

After a breast implant removal, or explant surgery, the breasts have significantly reduced volume. Without skin removal or adding volume back in, the breasts can look empty and deflated. Fat transfer provides a solution for a loss of breast volume after explant surgery, recreating curves and restoring fullness. 

Will Fat Transfer Work After Breast Implant Removal?

In short, yes, fat transfer works well with breast implant removal. Here are some things you should know about coupling these two procedures: 

• If large-scale volume replacement is needed, you may require a staged procedure with multiple fat transfers.
• Some patients will need a breast lift to remove excess skin in conjunction with their implant removal and fat transfer.  
• Often, we can begin the fat transfer process at the time of your implant removal. Some women will need to separate these two procedures, recovering from their breast implant removal before starting the fat transfer process. 
• Patients must have excess fat to benefit from a fat transfer procedure. Most women have plenty, but if you’re very slender, you may not have the extra fat needed for this procedure. 

If you’re considering this procedure, a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help you weigh options and determine if you’re a good candidate. 

Breast Implant Removal or Exchange? 

If you’re rethinking your breast implants for any reason, removal isn’t your only option. Our skilled plastic surgeons can correct many breast implant complications, such as capsular contracture, implant malposition, and leaking breast implants with an implant exchange procedure. This is also effective if you just want to update your look or your preferences have changed.

If you received your breast implants many years ago, come in and look at the newest options available. We follow the latest advancements in breast implants and offer modern options, including highly-cohesive silicone breast implants (gummy bear implants). New breast implants are very strong and long-lasting. They are available in many shapes and sizes to ensure a perfect fit for every breast type. 

Schedule your cosmetic breast surgery consultation at one of the top plastic surgery practices in Austin Texas, Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre. Contact us at 512-371-8817 or through our online form.