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Breast Fat Grafting
Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon
— delivering confidence through precision and care.
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Using Your Own Fat to Enhance Breast Shape
Breast implants are not the only option for increasing breast volume. We can take fat from other areas of your body and use it to improve breast symmetry and give the breasts a little more fullness while keeping a soft, natural look. This method can also be beneficial because we can sculpt donor areas at the same time with liposuction. At May Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian May uses this option for those who want a more subtle enhancement using their own tissue.
Local or general
1-3 hours
1-2 weeks
What Is Breast Fat Grafting?
Breast fat grafting, sometimes called autologous fat transfer or natural breast augmentation, is an alternative option for breast enhancement. Instead of using implants, Dr. May uses your own fat to conservatively increase breast volume. During the procedure, fat is removed from another area of the body using liposuction and then transferred to the breasts.
Breast fat grafting doesn’t provide the same amount of volume increase as implants. Its scope can be a little limited for patients who are hoping for more cleavage or who want to go up a few cup sizes. However, it’s great for patients who want understated improvements, and we may recommend it for those who prefer to avoid the use of breast implants.
- Dr. Brian May
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What Can Breast Fat Grafting Address?
Breast fat grafting is best in situations where a little change can make a noticeable difference. One of the benefits of this option is that other areas will be sculpted during the same procedure, since we will be taking fat from areas like your abdomen or thighs. Breast fat transfer can be used to address:
- Mild breast asymmetry
- Thinner breast tissue or aging skin
- Volume loss after weight loss
- Changes following pregnancy or breastfeeding
Fat grafting does not usually create pronounced upper pole fullness, which is the area associated with cleavage. We will help you decide whether implants or fat grafting will produce the results you are hoping for.
The Art & Science of Breast Surgery With Dr. May
Dr. May recognizes the real experiences that bring patients to his consultation room. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations and the natural aging process all leave their mark on the breasts, affecting how you feel in your clothes, at the beach or in intimate moments. His approach to breast surgery helps you regain your confidence with beautiful results that enhance your natural contours, with an emphasis on restoring proportion and balance.
Dr. May's breast surgery experience spans the full range of procedures, from breast lifts and reductions to augmentations and revisions. He performs each with the same level of detail and precision his patients have come to expect, delivering results that look and feel natural. His thoughtful approach gives you the time, space and guidance to make decisions that are right for your body, helping you feel confident in your choices throughout the entire process.
- Dr. Brian May
Procedure Details
The first step of surgery is administering local or general anesthesia so you stay comfortable for the entire procedure. Then, Dr. May will make a small incision near the area where the fat will be removed. He uses liposuction to collect enough fat to shape the breasts (and maybe a little more), paying close attention to the contour of the donor area.
After the fat is removed, it is processed and purified to isolate the healthiest fat cells for transfer. The refined fat is placed into syringes and injected into the breast to improve volume and symmetry. Dr. May uses a layering technique to make the results look smooth and natural, and he pays attention to each patient's natural shape while injecting the fat.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from breast fat grafting will involve healing in the donor areas and in the breasts themselves. You may have some swelling and bruising, and both areas may feel a little sore in the days following surgery. We will give you tips for keeping the discomfort at bay and helping your incisions and breasts to heal. You should be able to return to most normal activities within a week or two, but we may have you wait a little longer for more strenuous types of exercise.
Not all of the fat that is transferred will survive. It is normal for around 50%-80% of the fat to become a permanent part of the breast and to get its own blood supply. The rest will be reabsorbed in the months after your procedure. Because of this, the volume that you see when you first leave the office may be different from your full results in six months. At this time, your breasts should have a soft and natural shape with improved symmetry and volume.
Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May
Adjunct Procedures:
To take your
Breast Fat Grafting
results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:
Request Your Consultation
If you’ve been considering breast fat transfer, a conversation with Dr. May can help determine if it’s the right option for you. This procedure can offer subtle volume and symmetry improvements in the breast, along with body contouring in other areas. Call May Plastic Surgery at 704-200-2493 to schedule your consultation.
Let's Connect
We are here to help. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to schedule, our team is here to answer your questions about procedures, recovery, and next steps — and to personally guide you every step of the way.