Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Subtle yet stunning – Dr. Cabbabe’s fat grafting for a natural breast boost in St. Louis, MO
Technology has advanced to the point where we are now able to augment a patient’s breast using their own fat. Some patients do not like the idea of implants or foreign bodies while others want a subtle, natural breast enhancement. Dr. Cabbabe was an early pioneer of this technique in St. Louis and he performs over 100 fat transfer procedures each year.
Dr. Cabbabe uses fat grafting routinely on many breast surgery patients in order to enhance their results. Fat can be used in large volumes to increase volume or in small volumes to hide other irregularities. New techniques are available that incorporate use of the BRAVA which requires continuous wearing of a vacuum /suction – type device on the breast for months in preparation for surgery and after surgery.
Benefits of Choosing Fat Grafting for Natural Breast Enhancement
For patients who want subtle, natural-looking enhancement without implants, fat transfer breast augmentation offers a unique and appealing option. This technique uses your body’s own fat to enhance breast shape and volume, creating results that feel soft, look natural, and align with your existing proportions.
One of the primary benefits of fat transfer breast augmentation is that it avoids the need for synthetic implants. Instead, fat is carefully harvested from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, purified, and strategically injected into the breasts. This allows for natural breast enhancement while also contouring donor areas of the body.
Patients often appreciate the dual benefit of this procedure. Not only is breast volume improved, but areas with excess fat can be slimmed and sculpted at the same time. This combination makes fat grafting an attractive option for those seeking balanced, harmonious body contours.
Additional breast fat grafting advantages include:
- A soft, natural breast feel without implants
- No risk of implant-related complications
- Subtle volume enhancement with improved shape
- Minimal scarring compared to traditional breast augmentation
- Long-lasting results using your own tissue
- A lower-profile, more conservative increase in size
Fat transfer is especially well-suited for patients who desire refinement rather than dramatic enlargement. It can also be used to improve breast symmetry, correct contour irregularities, or enhance results following previous breast procedures.
Because the procedure relies on your body’s own fat cells, the results integrate naturally into your breast tissue. Once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply, it becomes a living part of the breast, allowing for a very natural appearance over time.
For patients seeking enhancement that looks and feels like their own body—without implants—fat grafting provides an elegant, modern approach to breast augmentation.
the Procedure
In these procedures, fat is removed from an unwanted area of the body which is contoured using liposuction. The fat is then purified by one of several methods and injected into the desired site through multiple small incisions. More than one fat grafting session may be needed in order to achieve the desired result. Many patients tell Dr. Cabbabe that they are approximately “one cup size” larger after each procedure.
A breast lift may be incorporated in order to lift the breast or re-shape the breast while re-centering the nipple – areola on the breast mound.
Antibiotics are given before the procedure and drains are rarely used. Patients are able to shower the next day and go home in a bra. Early range of motion is done with the arms. Compression garments may be used in the area of fat removal. Patients will generally follow-up within 1 week and then approximately 3-4 weeks later and then in several months.
Ideal Candidates
Candidates for this procedure include healthy patients who desire enhanced breast volume with natural appearing breasts. Good candidates have areas of fat that can be removed in sufficient quantity to make the procedure worthwhile.
Recovery
Recovery is approximately 1-2 weeks depending on the procedure performed on the breast (if a breast lift is done) and the amount of fat removed. Most women who have this procedure done will be up and about the next day, moving around although they may need pain medication occasionally.
Dr. Cabbabe strives to make the procedure as easy and comfortable as possible for his patients. Before surgery, patients may receive anti-inflammatory pain medications that do not cause bleeding. At the time of surgery, local anesthesia numbing medicine is used that is long – lasting into the breast. After surgery, early range of motion is begun and pain medications are given.
Risks and Complications
Bleeding may occur after surgery and necessitate a return to the OR. Most women have asymmetry before surgery and minimal asymmetry may be present after surgery. There may be areas of skin that are slow to heal, including the nipple – areola complex. Scars may become thick and irritated and require revision surgery. Some of the fat does not survive and this is accounted for before surgery. Some of the injected fat may not survive and cause fat necrosis or become infected and require further surgery or antibiotics. Rare complications such as blood clots, fat embolism, injury to surrounding structures, pulmonary embolus and death may occur. Revisions may be needed.
Why Patients Choose Cabbabe Plastic Surgery
Choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important decisions when considering fat transfer breast augmentation. Patients consistently choose Cabbabe Plastic Surgery because of the expertise, precision, and personalized care provided throughout the entire experience.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon in St. Louis, Dr. Samer Cabbabe combines advanced surgical training with a refined aesthetic eye. His approach to breast fat grafting focuses on achieving natural, proportional results that complement each patient’s body rather than creating an overdone appearance.
Patients trust Dr. Cabbabe as a breast fat grafting expert because of his attention to detail during every step of the process—from careful fat harvesting and purification to meticulous placement within the breast for smooth, even contours.
Cabbabe Plastic Surgery is known for:
- Customized surgical planning for each patient
- A commitment to natural-looking outcomes
- Advanced techniques in fat harvesting and grafting
- A reputation as a trusted breast surgeon in the St. Louis area
- Supportive care from consultation through recovery
Patients are encouraged to explore before-and-after photos and testimonials to better understand the results that can be achieved through fat transfer breast augmentation under Dr. Cabbabe’s care.
Contact Us to Learn More
Dr. Cabbabe is a highly-skilled, double-board certified plastic surgeon who will develop a surgical plan that’s tailored to your specific needs. If you’re interested in learning more about the procedure, contact our office to schedule your informative consultation today.