What are the Natural Alternatives to Breast Implants?

Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK, accounting for over 4,000 procedures in 2023. This procedure changes the size, shape and texture of the breasts. The most common Breast Augmentation options are surgical breast implants and natural Fat Transfer. 

What are Breast Implants?

Breast implants are medical devices inserted under the breast tissue and chest muscles to alter the shape and size of the breasts. The most common types of breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone.

Saline implants are made with silicone cases but filled with sterile salt water. The case is filled with the saline solution after being placed inside the tissue which results in symmetrical and firm breasts. The size can be adjusted very specifically depending on the amount of saline inserted by the surgeon.

Silicone Breast Implants are filled with silicone gel and can offer more natural looking augmented breasts compared to saline implants. They come in a greater range of shapes (round, teardrop and conical) as well as the silicone gel is able to hold a shape more effectively than saline implants. At Cadogan Clinic, our surgeons only offer silicone implants as they feel they provide a better result.

Are Breast Implants Safe?

Due to advancements in surgical techniques and the types of materials used, implants are considered safe. However, they are foreign objects being inserted into the body and the reactions to the implants from person to person can vary.

Capsular contracture, leaking, and infection are the main safety concerns. These are potential risks that your surgeon will discuss with you during your consultation. The complications associated with breast implants are rare, but it is important to understand how they may affect your procedure.

Capsular Contracture

Following the insertion of breast implants, scar tissue will form around the implant as part of the natural healing process. In rare cases, over time, the scar tissue may become hard and contract around the implant, causing pain.

Capsular contracture has been linked to genetics and, in rare cases, exposure to a thin layer of bacteria known as biofilm. The bacteria causes a low-grade infection that goes unnoticed but affects the formation of scar tissue. In even rarer cases where a patient has autoimmune diseases, hematomas and seromas can result in capsule contracture. 

To reduce the risk of capsular contractures, your surgeon will thoroughly assess you and your suitability for the procedure. They are meticulous in their attention to detail to ensure they use the right implant size and type.

Infection

Cadogan Clinic has an overall surgical infection rate of less than 1%. Signs of a Breast Implant infection include:

• High fever
• Redness
• Swelling in the breasts
• Discharge from the infected breast
• Pain in the breast

Breast Implant infections may occur due to infection in the breast wound, allergens in the surgical tools, or bacterial or fungal infections in your blood. Most Breast Implant infections can be treated with medication without any further complications.

Leaking or rupturing

Rupturing of an implant is caused by weakness in the shell of the silicone due to micro-fractures over time. This can lead to complications like capsule contracture but a leaking implant can be corrected and replaced surgically.

What are the Natural Alternatives to Breast Implants?

Some patients don’t wish to have breast implants, and this can be for a variety of reasons. The most effective breast implant alternative is Fat Transfer to Breast. This technique involves the surgeon extracting fat from other areas of the body using Liposuction, and injecting it into the breasts.

This method is natural in terms of the results and also the techniques used. As the fat used to enhance the shape and size of the breasts comes from your own reserves, the body won’t reject it and complications such as capsular contracture cannot occur as no foreign objects are being inserted into the body. The results of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation are also very natural and subtle. Most patients achieve a size increase of up to 1.5 cup sizes, but this may be increased with further procedures. The feel of the breast is also natural, being very soft.

Benefits of Fat Transfer to Breast

There are several benefits of a Fat Transfer to Breast procedures as alternatives to a Boob Bob, including natural results, minimal scarring, and short recovery time.

Natural results

A Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation offers the most natural-looking results of any of the alternatives to Boob Job surgery that are available, as it uses your own body fat to give your breasts a natural look and soft feel. Although the size increase may be more limited than what is possible through breast implants, it is a great option for any patients who are looking for a subtle enhancement.

Minimal scarring

Scars from Liposuction and Fat Transfer to Breast procedures are smaller than the incisions made for breast implant procedures. The scars are strategically placed to be less visible and they fade over time. The scars from surgery involving breast implants will also be carefully concealed by your surgeon, usually under the breast crease, but they tend to be longer.

Permanent results

Whilst it’s normal for up to 50% of the injected fat to be reabsorbed into the body, the results of a Fat Transfer to Breast typically last forever. This is because it becomes a natural part of your body. Additional procedures can be considered if you feel like you have reabsorbed too much of the fat and the results have diminished over time. This is something you can discuss with your surgeon as they need to ensure you have enough donor fat for repeat treatments. In comparison, breast implants usually need to be removed and replaced after 10-15 years.

Short recovery time

The recovery time of a Fat Transfer is between 4-6 weeks with most patients resuming light exercises from the second week post-op.

Body contouring

Fat Transfer to Breast extracts fat from the thighs, abdomen, or flanks which can result in those areas becoming more contoured. This is a double benefit of this procedure that can contour areas of your body and enhance your breast size and shape. 

When are Breast Implants More Suitable Than Fat Transfer?

Breast Implants can be more suitable than Fat Transfers for those who desire more dramatic results and who don’t have enough donor fat for the procedure. 

Dramatic results

Fat transfer can only increase the breasts by up to one and a half cup sizes. Breast Implants come in multiple shapes and sizes to cater to the different results a patient has in mind. In cases where a patient seeks more significant results, breast implants are usually more suitable.

Lacking donor fat

Implants are more suitable for patients who don't have enough donor fat for a Fat Transfer. The fat injected into the breasts can also be reabsorbed, meaning you may need to repeat the procedure to achieve the desired results. Implants are typically a single procedure that lasts for 10-15 years or more.

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