Breast fat transfer at a glance
- Duration2 to 3 hours
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or one night
- Time off work3 to 7 days
- Final resultAt 3 months
- Price€5,000 to €10,000
Breast fat transfer (lipofilling) increases breast volume with the patient’s own fat, without an implant. The fat is harvested by gentle liposuction, purified and then reinjected into the breasts, which slims the figure at the same time. It is suited to a moderate increase, of about one cup size per session. The procedure takes 2 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night at the Clinique Oxford in Cannes; time off work is 3 to 7 days and the final result is reached at 3 months.
Price: €5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience in breast surgery
- MD thesis on aesthetic breast augmentation (Nice Faculty of Medicine, 2008)
- Fat transfer on its own, combined with implants, or to correct a breast augmentation with implants
- Qualified plastic surgeon, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine
- Member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery); featured in Nice-Matin
Fat transfer, implants or composite augmentation: which should you choose?
| Breast fat transfer | Breast implants | Composite augmentation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | A moderate increase, with a result that looks and feels natural; enough fat reserves | All patients, especially for a large increase in volume or a change of shape | Slim patients, asymmetry, a cleavage to fill, implant edges to conceal |
| Volume gained | About one cup size per session (about 60% of the fat is retained) | As chosen, depending on your build | As chosen |
| Scars | A few millimetres | Armpit, lower edge of the areola or the fold under the breast | That of the implant + a few millimetres |
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours | About 1 hour | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Anaesthesia | General | General, or local anaesthesia with sedation | General |
| Hospital stay | Day surgery or one night | Day surgery or one night | Day surgery or one night |
| Time off work | 3 to 7 days | 7 to 10 days | 7 to 10 days |
| Final result | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
| Over time | The volume follows changes in weight | Implant to be monitored, average lifespan of 12 to 15 years | Both |
| Price | €5,000 to €10,000 | €5,000 to €10,000 | €5,000 to €10,000 |
To find out how far an augmentation without implants can go and when implants are preferable, see breast augmentation without implants.
What is the technique for breast fat transfer?
After pre-operative markings on the breasts and on the areas the fat will be taken from, the procedure takes place in three stages.
Gentle liposuction
The fat is harvested by gentle liposuction from areas where there is excess, most often the abdomen, hips or thighs. The figure is slimmed at the same time.
Hatched areas: abdomen and hips.
Keeping only the viable fat
The fat is purified by centrifugation or by filtration and washing: the oil, fluid and blood are discarded, and only the viable fat cells are reinjected.
Reinjection in thin layers
The fat is reinjected into the breasts through tiny openings, using blunt cannulas, in thin layers spread throughout the breast. There are no stitches to remove.
About one cup size per session
At first, the volume is increased by swelling; about 60% of the injected fat is retained and the result is final at 3 months. A second session can complete the volume.
Dotted line: the outline before surgery.
Who is breast fat transfer suitable for?
You need enough fat reserves (abdomen, hips, thighs). It is a good option for:
- a moderate increase, of about one cup size per session;
- a moderate difference in volume between the two breasts;
- the imperfections of a breast augmentation with implants: rippling, an implant that can be felt or seen, insufficient volume, a cleavage that is too wide or poorly filled.
An increase of more than one cup size is still possible over two sessions.
When is it not advisable?
- A very slim patient without enough fat reserves.
- A suspicious abnormality on the mammogram or ultrasound: it must be investigated first (core needle biopsy and analysis).
- A suspected inherited (genetic) form of breast cancer in the family.
What tests are needed before surgery?
The assessment includes a clinical examination (measurement and palpation of the breasts), photographs and imaging: mammogram, ultrasound and, if needed, MRI. You also commit to having imaging after surgery, at 1 year and then as recommended by the surgeon. As after any breast surgery, calcifications related to healing may appear; they are different from those seen in breast cancer.
How does breast fat transfer with Dr Médard de Chardon work?
- First consultation€100 at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes: your expectations, examination of the breasts and of the areas with fat to spare, photographs.
- Second consultationThe plan is finalised; detailed written quote and the SOFCPRE information sheet; imaging tests are prescribed.
- Cooling-off periodAt least 15 days, required by law, between receiving the quote and the surgery.
- PreparationPre-anaesthetic consultation; stopping smoking and aspirin.
- SurgeryAt the Clinique Oxford in Cannes, 2 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night. No stitches to remove.
- Follow-upBy Dr Médard de Chardon’s team, with imaging at 1 year.
Patients coming from abroad: the first consultation can be held by video, with the examination completed at the practice before surgery.
What is the recovery like?
The breasts are only slightly painful, or not at all, and there is no bra to wear.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
Does the result last?
Yes. The fat that has taken is permanent and ages like the rest of the breast, neither faster nor slower. The volume follows changes in weight: it decreases if you lose weight and increases if you gain weight.
What are the risks?
Resorption of part of the fat
This may call for a second session.
Small nodules or oil cysts
Fat necrosis (cytosteatonecrosis), not serious.
Calcifications
Related to healing; the radiologist can tell them apart from those of a cancer.
Slight difference in volume
Irregularities in the harvest areas
Risks of any surgery
Haematoma, infection, anaesthesia.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Before and after photos
Breast fat transfer
Unsuitable breast implants
Decision to remove the breast implants and transfer fat to the breasts (lipofilling). Result at 1 year
Fat transfer for breast asymmetry
Fat injected into the right breast only, to correct breast asymmetry with implants and two mild double-bubble folds.
Breast fat transfer
Breast augmentation by fat injection, without implants. Result at 6 months. Breast fat transfer is a technique with millimetre-sized scars that gives a moderate increase in breast volume in a single session, of one cup size at most. For larger volumes, a second session is possible, or breast implants can be used.
Breast fat transfer: fat injection into the breasts
Breast augmentation by fat transfer. The result is moderate in one stage; for more volume, a second injection session can be scheduled.
Breast augmentation by transfer of 340 cc of fat into each breast
Breast fat transfer is an excellent method of natural breast augmentation. The millimetre-sized scars are almost invisible and the results are natural. The increase in volume is, however, moderate: one cup size at most in a single session. A second session is always possible at a later stage.
Filling of the upper breasts: 350 cc injected into each breast, about 200 cc retained.
See all breast fat transfer before and after photos
What does breast fat transfer cost in Cannes?
€5,000 to €10,000
On a written quote after the consultation (€100, free for a patient already followed at the practice), depending on the number of harvest areas and the volume you want. Not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie); cover is possible for certain indications. See the price of a breast augmentation in Cannes.
Frequently asked questions about breast fat transfer
How many cup sizes can you gain with breast fat transfer?
About one cup size per session, because about 60% of the injected fat is retained. For a larger gain, a second session can be scheduled, or a breast augmentation with implants can be considered.
Is the result of breast fat transfer permanent?
Yes, the fat that has taken is permanent; the result is stable at 3 months. The volume of the breasts then changes with your weight, like the rest of the body.
Where is the fat taken from for breast fat transfer?
The fat is harvested by gentle liposuction from the areas where there is excess, most often the abdomen, hips or thighs. The figure is slimmed at the same time.
Do you need to wear a bra after breast fat transfer?
No, no bra is needed. A compression panty is worn for 2 to 4 weeks over the liposuction areas.
Is breast fat transfer painful?
The breasts are only slightly painful, or not at all. Mild pain, like bruises, is felt in the liposuction areas for 7 to 15 days.
Does breast fat transfer interfere with breast screening?
No. Imaging is done before surgery and then afterwards, at 1 year. Calcifications related to healing may appear, as after any breast surgery; the radiologist can tell them apart from those of a cancer.
Can breast fat transfer be combined with implants?
Yes, this is composite breast augmentation. The fat conceals the edges of the implant, makes it less palpable, corrects an asymmetry or fills the cleavage.
What does breast fat transfer cost in Cannes?
The price ranges from €5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after the consultation (€100). It depends on the number of harvest areas and the volume you want; this cosmetic procedure is not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie.