• Home
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Natural Breast Augmentation

Natural Breast Augmentation

Natural breast augmentation uses your own fat to increase breast size without the use of implants. As breast reconstruction specialists in Wisconsin, we routinely perform this procedure to improve breast shape and contour, and add volume to reconstructed breasts. This same technique is an option for women who are looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and would prefer natural results. It sounds like a dream come true, but there are many issues to consider before undergoing this procedure.

Advantages

• Since a woman is using her own fat, there is no need for an implant. It eliminates any potential risks associated with introducing a foreign object (breast implants) to the body.
• There is the fat reduction and contouring in the area(s) where the fat has been harvested. The only incisions are the four-millimeter incisions used to harvest (liposuction) and inject the fat.
• Recovery is often shorter compared to traditional breast augmentation with implants.
• Very small incisions are made on the breast, so there is little to no residual scarring.
• If the fat heals well, the breasts look and feel normal.
• When used to augment healthy breasts, it has a good track record for few complications compared to implant-based augmentation. Reviews of cases where it has been used for breast reconstruction have found that it has a relatively low complication rate. Most women and their doctors are satisfied with the results. Studies have found it safe and not promoting cancer recurrence or complications.

Disadvantages

• Because the new fat does not have its own blood supply to keep it alive, it must rely on the blood supply already in the breast. Therefore, fat survival is unpredictable. Even with improvements in fat processing, only about 70% of the injected fat may live. Breast enlargement is usually limited to one cup size. If more fat is injected than can be supported, the fat will be reabsorbed and possibly become hardened. Fat resorption means there is no increase in breast size. At most, an A-cup breast will increase to a B-cup. With breast implants, there is no such limitation on size.
• Because there is no predictability in where the fat survives, the breasts may not be symmetrical or evenly contoured.
• Studies have shown that a BRAVA® tissue expansion system, used several weeks before the procedure, can stretch the breast tissue and make space into which fat can be injected. Unfortunately the BRAVA system, with which the original studies were based, is no longer available. There are no other similar devices which have been tested.
• It may take more than one procedure to achieve your desired look. Anyone who wants more than a very modest size change will require multiple treatments.
• There is a limited amount of healthy tissue that can be harvested and injected. Bony areas typically do not work as donor sites. In order to effectively increase breast size, sufficient body fat to harvest at least 500 milliliters of pure fat is needed.
• If a woman has droopy or sagging breasts, natural breast augmentation will not improve the problem. A breast lift is still needed to improve the sagging.
• In addition to the general risks of surgery, fat transfer breast augmentation risks include cysts, infection, microcalcification, necrosis (death) of fat cells, and a possibility that some transferred fat cells will leave the breast area.
• Fat injection may interfere with breast screening examinations. The volume of fat required to enlarge the breast makes the technique prone to calcifications, which will be visible on a mammogram. The pattern of those calcifications is different from calcifications associated with breast cancer. However, they may result in the need for more frequent breast biopsies, especially if there is a strong history of breast cancer in the family. A lifetime of close monitoring and follow-up may be necessary.
• Although fat cells are removed permanently during the procedure, fat transfer does not prevent growth of remaining fatty tissue. Additionally, fat cells injected into the breasts may disperse from the injected area. Your results may also change if you gain or lose weight. You may need touch-up injections to retain the improved shape.

Pricing

A natural breast augmentation, ranging from $8700-$12000, typically costs more than a breast augmentation with implants because it is essentially two procedures: a full liposuction and a full fat injection. Natural augmentation consists of up to 400 cc (about the size of a baseball) for each side as long as the fat is able to be obtained from one site, like bilateral hips. Augmentations over 400 cc OR requiring multiple liposuction sites, will cost more for the additional liposuction sites and the respective increased time for anesthesia and operating room. This is a rare case in which a person with less body fat needs to pay more for a surgery.

A natural breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure, which is not paid for by insurance. The price includes the surgeon’s fee, the operating room fee at the ThedaCare Surgery Center in Oshkosh, and anesthesia.

Due to the unpredictable nature of fat survival, take into consideration that additional surgeries may be needed in order to get the breast volume that you desire.

Usually there are multiple procedure discounts for cosmetic procedures: 15% off the surgeon’s fee for the 2nd cosmetic procedure, and 30% off the surgeon’s fee for the 3rd procedure. The operating room fee is discounted 50% for the 2nd+ procedure, while anesthesia is based solely on time. Although there are zero interest financing options available through Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit, payment by cash gives an additional 5% discount. There may be additional discounts, which are too varied to be mentioned here.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons are ready to help you perfect your personal Renaissance. Women visit us for natural breast augmentation from places such as Green Bay, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan. To get started, request your consultation in either the Oshkosh or Appleton office using our online form or contact us at (920) 233-1540. The non-refundable $100 cosmetic consultation fee can be applied towards the cost of the procedure.

Best Candidates

The best candidate wants a relatively small enhancement to her breasts, has natural lift with good bust contour, and has excess body fat to remove. In reality, most women are seeking a larger size and change in shape and lift than fat transfer can currently offer.

Candidates for breast augmentation surgery:

• Are physically healthy
• Have realistic expectations
• Have fully developed breasts
• Are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too small
• Are dissatisfied with the breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
• Are unhappy with the upper part of the breast appearing “empty”
• Have asymmetrical breasts
• Have one or both breasts that failed to develop normally or have an elongated shape

Breast augmentation does not correct ptosis or sagging of the breasts. A mastopexy (or breast lift) is a procedure that can correct droopy breasts. A breast lift can be done along with a breast augmentation or as a separate procedure depending on the desired results of the patient.

Meet Our Surgeons

Dr. David Janssen and Dr. William Doubek combine experience, refined surgical techniques, and artistry to produce beautiful results for their plastic and reconstructive surgery patients.

Meet Dr. Janssen Meet Dr. Doubek

Request a Consultation Meet the Doctors Meet the Staff Patient Stories Videos & Media Photo Gallery Request a Consultation Upcoming Seminars

Procedure

Anesthesia is administered for the patient’s comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will recommend the best option.

The procedure starts with the harvesting of fat cells with liposuction. Fat can be harvested from donor sites such as the abdomen, hips, flanks, and thighs. The surgeon will help you determine the best area(s) at your personal consultation. Tumescent fluid, which is injected into the areas that will be treated with liposuction, expands the tissues to make it easier to remove fat cells, numbs the treatment area, and minimizes bleeding. Once a large volume of tumescent fluid is injected into the treatment area, the area becomes numb. Depending on the location of the procedure, the surgeon makes short incisions along natural creases of the body in order to easily conceal scars. The surgeon inserts a cannula with gentle suction to remove fat by using a forward and backward motion. Small tunnels are created in the fat layer, but the tunnels will collapse over the next few weeks, resulting in new contours in the specific treatment areas.

The removed fat cells are filtered, cleansed, and purified. Then, the surgeon uses a cannula to skillfully inject the fat cells into the breasts. Fat is slowly added in multiple areas until the desired volume is achieved. The incisions are commonly closed with sutures.

Preparing for Surgery

• Smoking must be stopped one to two months prior to surgery.
• All aspirin and blood thinners must be stopped 10 days prior.
• Patients must have a baseline mammogram within the 1 year prior to surgery.

Preparing for surgery with a clear, complex-carb rich beverage will keep you strong and enhance your recovery. Drinking ClearFast PreOp prior to your medical procedure is a safe way to speed up recovery time, nourish your body, and reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting. It is available at Hometown Pharmacy on N. Sawyer Street, Oshkosh at $8 a bottle. The recommended dosage is one bottle the night before your surgery once you are in the fasting window, and a second bottle two hours before surgery. Consult with your anesthetist before taking the beverage. Afternoon surgery patients are encouraged to take this beverage.

Recovery

Natural breast augmentation is normally performed in an ambulatory surgery center; patients go home the same day usually within two to four hours. Patients will likely need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks to provide support, minimize swelling, and help the skin conform to the new contours of the body.

It is a good idea to allow a few days to recover before resuming daily activities. Excess movement should be minimized at that time. Heavy lifting, sports and other strenuous activity should be avoided for a few weeks to ensure proper healing.

Pain and bruising after the procedure are normal, and typically will fade within a couple weeks. Swelling also may occur and should subside within several months. Breasts will initially appear larger than intended due to swelling. The breast size will also diminish over time as some of the injected fat cells are reabsorbed into the body. The final results will not be apparent until one year after surgery.

Sutures are removed a week following surgery. Be sure to follow any post-op instructions in order to avoid complications and allow the body time to heal.

At your personal consultation, all your questions about natural breast augmentation will be answered by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery today at (920) 233-1540 to schedule a consultation.

Safety Concerns

While there is limited information regarding the long-term implications of this procedure, there are some potential concerns, especially with regard to breast cancer detection. Since the transferred fat may become firm and cause lumps, it may be necessary to undergo radiological studies (mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI) to confirm that these lumps are not due to cancer. It is possible that the firmness may make it more difficult for you or your doctor to examine the breasts. It is also possible that a biopsy may be needed if there is concern about any abnormal findings in your breasts. However, there is no reason to believe at this time that fat transfer procedures may cause breast cancer.

Consultation

As experts on fat transfer breast procedures, Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek look forward to educating you and working with you to make important choices. During a breast augmentation consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Why you want breast augmentation surgery, your expectations and the desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

The surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Examine and measure your breasts, including detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, and placement of your nipples and areolas
• Take photographs
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of breast augmentation and any risks or potential complications

In order to get a definitive quote for breast augmentation, please call for an individual consult with one of our surgeons.  The non-refundable $100 cosmetic consultation fee can be applied towards the cost of the procedure.  Find out how breast augmentation with Dr. David Janssen or Dr. William Doubek at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery can improve the way your breasts look by calling (920) 233-1540. Our board certified Wisconsin plastic surgeons are helping women from all over the upper Midwest to perfect their personal Renaissance. Request your consultation today.