Fat Transfer to Breast
Natural breast enhancement or correction using your own fat — no implants required.
Fat transfer to the breast is a natural augmentation option that uses your own tissue — harvested by liposuction from areas such as the abdomen or thighs. The result is a modest, very natural increase in volume with the added benefit of body contouring at the donor site. Mr Sarakbi discusses candidacy carefully at consultation, as fat transfer is not suitable for all patients.
Mr Will Sarakbi — Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon View fat transfer results →About fat transfer to the breast
Fat transfer (lipofilling or fat grafting) uses your own body fat to enhance or correct the breasts. Fat is harvested from a donor site — typically the abdomen, flanks or thighs — by gentle liposuction, processed, and then carefully injected into the breast.
Because the procedure uses your own tissue, there is no risk of rejection or implant-related complications. The result looks and feels entirely natural. The dual benefit of slimming the donor site while enhancing the breast is an added advantage for many patients.
Who is it suitable for?
Fat transfer is most appropriate for patients seeking:
- Modest increase in breast volume (typically one cup size)
- Correction of breast asymmetry
- Improved shape or contour after implant removal
- Correction of contour irregularities after cancer surgery or reconstruction
- Natural-looking enhancement without implants
It is not suitable for patients seeking a significant increase in breast size — in these cases, implants remain the more effective option.
The procedure
Fat is harvested using a fine liposuction cannula under general or local anaesthetic with sedation, depending on the volumes required. The fat is then centrifuged and purified before being carefully injected into multiple layers of the breast using a blunt-tipped cannula. The procedure typically takes 2–3 hours.
Not all of the transferred fat survives long-term — typically 50–70% is retained. A second procedure may sometimes be required to achieve the desired result.
Recovery
The donor sites (where fat was removed) are typically sore for 1–2 weeks. Return to desk work is usually possible within 1–2 weeks, and exercise after 4–6 weeks. Final results are visible at around 3–6 months once the retained fat has settled.
To find out whether fat transfer is right for you, book a consultation.
Book a Consultation- Anaesthetic
- General or sedation
- Duration
- 2–3 hours
- Hospital stay
- Day case
- Return to work
- 1–2 weeks
- Fat survival
- 50–70% retained
- Final result
- 3–6 months
Fat transfer uses only your own tissue — no foreign materials, no implant-related complications, entirely natural result.
About Fat Transfer to the Breast
Mr Sarakbi explains what you need to know — in his own words.
Book a consultation
Discuss fat transfer and all cosmetic breast options with Mr Sarakbi at Cadogan Clinic, Chelsea.