Is fat transfer cheaper than breast implants?

Thank you for your question. To have fat transfer to the breasts, you need to have enough fat to be transferred to give you a good result. With fat transfer to the breasts, one can expect about a one cup size increase. If the BRAVA external expander is used (which adds to the cost), might be able to attain a larger volume. The advantage of fat transfer is that the breasts look and feel natural, you get a body sculpting procedure (liposuction to collect the fat) and there's no maintenance. The advantage of breast implants are that you can get more than one cup size enhancement, don't need to have an associated surgery, but the implants might need to be changed out in about 10 years. There are also other risks, albeit these are very small, of capsular contracture, malposition, rippling, muscle animation if submuscular, etc. The cost for fat grafting is somewhat more expensive initially (you get two operations), but in the long run it is cheaper since there's no maintenance associated with it. See a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation/evaluation to see what would be the best choice for you. Good luck.

I appreciate your question.





Cost varies by geographic location, surgeon expertise, OR time, anesthesia, length of procedure etc.  I would recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery and who is also a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgery.  You can call their offices in advance and ask for quotes prior to scheduling consultations.





The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.



Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.





Best of luck!





Dr. Schwartz



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



#RealSelf100Surgeon



#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Is fat transfer cheaper than breast implants? No. Fat transfer usually takes multiple sessions. This is something that you can discuss with your plastic surgeon on your consultation. Find a board certified plastic surgeon and get a consultation. There is a residency program in San Francisco that would offer lower rates if cost is a big factor for you.

If your desired result can be achieved with one round of fat grafting to your breasts (which is possible, depending on your goals), the cost can be slightly less than a silicone breast augmentation because you are not paying the extra cost for the implants. A lot of the total price depends on the surgeon's fee and facility/anesthesia fees, as these can vary widely. 

are more economical in the long run... but will it produce a result that is good enough for you?  Implants are guaranteed to produce a larger and fuller breast with one operation but with probably more procedures in your future for maintenance and repairs.  Fat grafting will likely take serial sessions to achieve a fuller breast and you  must be accepting of the risks and downsides that are discussed at your consultation. Finally, you must have adequate fat to harvest to create the breast size you want.  If you just want to be a cup size larger of the current look you have, fat grafting is not a bad idea.

No, not in my office. I am not sure about the prices for other board certified plastic surgeons. BUT, you also want to take into account that breast implants will have to be exchanged after ~10 years or removed. Either way there is another surgery in your future, where with fat grafting there is not.  Plus with breast fat transfer you get liposuction of stubborn fat, so you end up thinner at the same time that your breasts get bigger.