Venus Clinic is a hospital where only liposuction and fat transplant surgery is performed, minimizing the incidence of complications and always ready for the best results.

# Fat Grafting - Breast Fat Grafting

Adding breast volume with your own fat instead of implants

Illustration of breast fat grafting showing the upper chest contour

This illustration was created with AI to aid understanding and does not show an actual surgical result.

Breast fat grafting purifies your own fat, harvested from the abdomen, thighs or flanks, and transfers it to the breasts to improve volume and shape. No implant is used and no incision is made on the breast other than small entry points, so the feel and shape remain natural, and the donor areas are contoured at the same time.

On the other hand, the amount of enlargement possible in one session is limited, and how much of the grafted fat survives differs from person to person. A randomized study found that fat grafting looked more natural than implants, but implants maintained volume better and fat grafting required an average of two sessions. We therefore begin by matching the size you want with a realistic range of change.

Who May Consider It

Those with a hollow upper chest or overall lack of breast volume
Those who want to improve differences in breast size or shape
Those who have concerns about implants, or want to restore volume after implant removal
Those who want both body contouring of the abdomen or thighs and more breast volume
Those who prefer a natural change rather than a large enlargement

How the Procedure Is Performed

STEP 1. Consultation and design

We assess breast shape, skin laxity and asymmetry, and plan how much to fill in the upper, outer and lower breast. A breast ultrasound or other examination may be recommended before surgery.

STEP 2. Fat harvesting

Under tumescent local anesthesia, fat is harvested with a fine cannula from areas with ample fat. Following the liposuction approach Venus Clinic has practiced for 20 years, the contour of the donor area is refined at the same time.

STEP 3. Purification

Blood, anesthetic fluid and free oil are removed to prepare the fat for grafting.

STEP 4. Injection

Through small, inconspicuous entry points such as the breast fold, fat is distributed evenly in small portions into the subcutaneous layer and around the breast tissue using a blunt cannula.

Safety Principles

1. Never concentrated in one spot. When fat is placed as a lump, its center may not survive, which can lead to lumps (fat necrosis), oil cysts or calcification. Distributing fine threads of fat across multiple layers and directions is important for both graft survival and safety.

2. Breast examinations before and after surgery. Lumps after fat grafting are reported to be mostly benign and distinguishable by ultrasound. Please let your doctor know about the fat grafting when you have routine breast screening, and tell us about any history of breast disease during consultation.

3. Additional grafting only after the result settles. The amount of surviving fat varies widely with measurement methods and individuals, so we cannot promise a single number. Once the volume has settled several months after the first surgery, additional grafting is considered if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much larger will my breasts become in one session?

Because the volume that can be injected and the volume that survives differ between people, we cannot promise a cup size. In the literature, about 200 mL per breast was common, and changes were small with less than 150 mL. The amount of fat available for harvest is also taken into account.

Q. Does it interfere with breast screening?

Changes after fat grafting are reported to be distinguishable on imaging in most cases. However, please tell the examiner that you have had fat grafting so the images can be read accurately.

Q. Is it possible if I am slim?

The first question is whether enough fat can be harvested for the breasts. We examine whether fat can be gathered from several areas, and if it is insufficient, we adjust the expected range of change together.

Recovery

Swelling, bruising and tightness may occur in the breasts and donor areas, and a compression garment is worn over the donor areas as after liposuction. Avoid strong compression or massage of the grafted breasts, and resume underwear and exercise gradually as instructed.

※ Possible side effects include bleeding, infection, hematoma, variable fat graft survival, asymmetry, calcification and swelling. Results may vary from person to person.