Changing Size and Shape

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat transfer enlarges the breasts with your own fat instead of an implant. It suits women who want a modest, natural increase in volume — and improves the area where the fat is taken from.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Fatih KılıçUpdated 6 November 20263 min read

What fat transfer can achieve

Fat transfer typically adds about half to one cup size per session. It cannot lift a sagging breast, but it softens contours, fills the upper breast and corrects small differences between the two sides. The result feels completely natural because it is your own tissue.

Breast augmentationSmall breasts before augmentation compared with fuller, natural-looking breasts after implants are placed. SMALL VOLUME IMPLANT ADDS VOLUME AND SHAPEBeforeAfter augmentation
  1. Small volume
  2. Implant adds volume and shape
Figure 1Fat transfer gives a moderate, natural increase in volume.

Who it suits

  • Women who want a moderate increase without an implant
  • Women with enough fat in the abdomen, flanks or thighs
  • Women correcting mild asymmetry or softening the edges of an existing implant
  • Women who had implants removed and want to restore some volume
How to photograph your chest for an online assessmentThree standard views — front, left side and right side — taken from the neck to the waist in good light against a plain background. Front Left side Right side Neck to waist · plain background · daylight · arms relaxed
Figure 2Photographs of the breasts and the donor areas help decide whether fat transfer is suitable.
A patient and doctor talking during a consultation
Time to ask questions — your options are explained clearly and without pressure.

How the procedure is performed

Fat is harvested by gentle liposuction, purified to keep only living fat cells, and injected through tiny openings in many fine layers so that each droplet receives a blood supply. The procedure usually takes two to three hours under general anaesthesia.

Fat grafting in breast reconstructionFat is harvested by gentle liposuction from the abdomen or thighs, purified and injected in small droplets in many layers to refine the breast. HARVEST BY LIPOSUCTION MICRO-DROPLETS IN MANY LAYERS PURIFIED FAT TRANSFERRED
  1. Harvest by liposuction
  2. Micro-droplets in many layers
  3. Purified fat transferred
Figure 3Fat is harvested by liposuction, purified and placed in micro-droplets in many layers.

How much of the fat remains

Part of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed during the first months; the remaining fat becomes permanent and changes with your body weight. The final volume can be judged at about three to six months. If more volume is wanted, a second session can be planned.

  1. 01Typical gainAbout ½–1 cup per session
  2. 02Donor areasAbdomen · Flanks · Thighs
  3. 03Final resultAfter 3–6 months
  4. 04Stay in IstanbulAbout 5–7 days
Figure 4Fat transfer breast augmentation at a glance.

Combining fat with an implant

In composite augmentation, a smaller implant provides the main volume and fat is added around it to soften the edges and create a more natural slope, especially in slim women with thin breast tissue.

Implant placement planesCross-sections comparing an implant beneath the breast tissue in front of the muscle with an implant placed partly beneath the chest muscle. IMPLANT CHEST MUSCLE BREAST TISSUE MUSCLE COVER SubglandularDual-plane
  1. Implant
  2. Chest muscle
  3. Breast tissue
  4. Muscle cover
Figure 5In composite augmentation, fat is layered around a smaller implant to soften its edges.

Recovery

Bruising and swelling are greatest in the areas where fat was removed. A compression garment is worn for several weeks, and pressure on the breasts is avoided at first. Most women return to desk work within a week.

The milk linesFront view of the torso with the two milk lines running from the armpits to the groin; accessory breast tissue most often appears in the armpit. ARMPIT — MOST COMMON SITE MILK LINE ABDOMEN, FLANKS, THIGHS
  1. Armpit — most common site
  2. Milk line
  3. Abdomen, flanks, thighs
Figure 6Common donor areas for fat lie on the abdomen, flanks and thighs.
A woman resting calmly by a bright window
Recovery continues calmly — with clear guidance before you travel home.

Fat transfer to the breast in Istanbul

Fat transfer breast augmentation is planned as a single visit of about a week. If a second session is needed, it is scheduled about six months later.

The personal assessment processFive steps from sharing your medical history and photographs to a personal surgical plan, surgery in Istanbul and follow-up at home. 01 Your history
Reports, dates of surgery and radiotherapy
 02 Photographs
Front and side views, sent privately
 03 Surgeon review
Individual assessment of options
 04 Your plan
Technique, stages and length of stay
 05 Istanbul & follow-up
Surgery, recovery and remote checks
Figure 7A single visit to Istanbul is usually enough for one fat transfer session.

Frequently asked questions

How much does fat transfer breast augmentation cost in Turkey?

The cost depends on the number of donor areas, the volume transferred and whether more than one session is planned. A personal quote follows the online assessment.

Is fat transfer to the breast safe for future mammograms?

Yes. Experienced radiologists can distinguish fat-grafting changes from other findings. Always tell them that you have had fat transfer.

How many sessions are needed?

Many women are satisfied after one session. For a larger change, a second session can be planned about six months later.

What if I am very slim?

If there is not enough fat to harvest, an implant or a combination of implant and fat is usually more suitable.

Dr. Fatih Kılıç

Medically reviewed by Dr. Fatih Kılıç, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon. This page is for general information and does not replace an individual consultation.

Further reading — independent sources

Information & application

Considering breast reconstruction?

You do not need to decide on a surgical technique before contacting us. Share your treatment history and what you hope to achieve — your case will be assessed individually.

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