How the procedure works
First, fat is taken from a part of the body such as the abdomen, hips or thighs using a fine cannula. The fat is cleaned and placed into the breast in small portions. This leaves only small puncture scars. The method can also be used to even out asymmetries or to reshape the breast after other operations.
Who is autologous fat suitable for?
- You would like a moderate increase in size and a natural shape without foreign material.
- You have enough of your own fat at a suitable donor site.
- Your breast skin is sufficiently elastic. If there is a marked excess of skin, a breast lift is necessary.
The method is less suitable for a significant increase in size or for a very slim figure. In that case, implants are the better choice. The two can also be combined, see Hybrid breast augmentation.
Limits and realistic expectations
Not all of the injected fat survives. Some of it is broken down in the first few months, so the final result can only be assessed after several months and a second session is sometimes advisable. The amount per session is limited because the tissue has to supply the fat with blood.
Possible risks
The general surgical risks apply, such as bruising, swelling and infections. With autologous fat, there are additional risks: fat tissue death (fat necrosis), oil cysts and calcifications, which show up during breast examinations and need to be investigated, as well as dents or irregularities at the donor site. Tell your gynaecologist and the mammography centre that autologous fat has been used.
Aftercare
You wear compression garments at the donor site for a few weeks. Direct pressure on the breast, for example from tight underwired bras, should be avoided during the healing phase. You gradually resume sport and physical activity as instructed by your doctor. Significant changes in weight can affect the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is autologous fat better tolerated than implants?
Autologous fat is your body's own tissue and does not trigger a foreign-body reaction. However, the result and volume are less predictable. Which method suits you is decided during the consultation.
How much larger will the breast become?
A moderate increase of up to about one cup size is usually realistic. This depends on your tissue, the amount of fat and how well it takes.
Is the result permanent?
Fat that has taken behaves like your body's own fat tissue and changes with your weight. Some of it is broken down in the first few months.
Keywords and downloads
autologous fat transferLipofillingLiposuctionNatural volumeFat transfer
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General information. It does not replace medical consultation or a personal advisory conversation. As of: October 2026. The results of an operation are individual and cannot be predicted; success cannot be guaranteed.