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Fat Transfer to the Breasts NYC

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Fat Transfer New York City with Dr. Cangello

A Natural Alternative to Implants

While traditional breast augmentation is an excellent way of enhancing your appearance, some patients prefer not to have implants. With the fat transfer technique, patients enjoy enhanced breast size and shape with entirely natural components—no silicone or saline implants.

As an expert in fat transfer techniques, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Cangello creates long-lasting results that blend in seamlessly with your natural shape and body contour. Dr. Cangello is uniquely trained in the Coleman technique, a specialized method of fat grafting developed by Sydney Coleman, MD, the pioneer of fat transfer. He is one of only two surgeons in the world personally trained by Dr. Coleman.

Contact plastic surgeon Dr. David Cangello today at (212) 644-4416 to schedule a consultation for breast fat transfer in NYC.

What is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

Fat transfer breast augmentation, also called autologous fat transfer or fat grafting, is an innovative cosmetic surgery procedure that produces a modest size increase by transferring excess fat taken from a donor site on the patient’s own body.1 Since the procedure uses real fat cells, the results look and feel entirely natural. Patients who do choose breast implants, however, can also benefit from this treatment, as fat can be transferred to add additional volume.

Ideal Candidates for Fat Transfer Breast Enhancement

Patients who chose this procedure frequently exhibit the following characteristics:

  • Naturally small breasts
  • Asymmetrical breasts
  • Breasts that have lost shape or volume caused by pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, and other factors
  • Unwanted fat in areas such as the thighs or abdomen that can be harvested for transfer

Good candidates for the fat grafting procedure are those with realistic expectations who would like some added volume but are not interested in a dramatic change.2 They should also have an adequate amount of donor fat to be transferred. Patients who want to increase their breasts by more than a cup size or who have low body fat and do not qualify for the grafting procedure may be better suited for breast augmentation with implants. At your initial consultation, Dr. Cangello can help you explore which methods will allow you to achieve your aesthetic goals.

It should be noted that fat transfer alone cannot provide a significant lift to the breasts if you are experiencing loose skin as a result of breastfeeding or weight loss. This is why many women choose to have their fat transfer procedure performed with a breast lift. Paired together, these procedures provide fantastic results, raising the breast position on the chest wall, improving projection, and adding tissue volume.

Benefits of Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Breast enhancement with fat transfer is popular among plastic surgery patients for all the following benefits:

  • Looks and feels 100% natural
  • Provides a modest size increase
  • Improves breast shape
  • Minimal risk of adverse reaction
  • Enhances body proportions and helps slim areas where fat is harvested
  • Produces minimal scarring

Your procedure is customized to your body shape, goals, and expectations. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Cangello to learn more about the surgical process for fat grafting breast augmentation.

Your Consultation for Breast Fat Transfer

Patients considering the fat transfer procedure personally meet with Dr. Cangello to discuss any questions they may have, learn more about what the surgery entails, and decide whether this procedure is right for them. During this visit, Dr. Cangello will take a full medical history and work with patients to identify the best donor area where fat can be removed. Patients often enjoy hearing that the treatment will sculpt specific areas of the body while enhancing breast volume, which is the best of both worlds in many cases.

Ultimately, the decision to undergo breast enhancement is a personal one. It is Dr. Cangello’s goal to provide patients with the information they need to make the best choice. He will also help patients explore their full range of surgical options. Your treatment should be precisely what you’re looking for and exceed your expectations; Dr. Cangello considers the consultation the best time to get to know patients, establish a relationship, and create a plan of care that is best suited to meet their needs. With his commitment to excellent patient communication and beautiful results, Dr. Cangello can help you feel great about how you look.

How the Procedure is Performed

Dr. Cangello performs the fat transfer breast augmentation procedure under general anesthesia by first harvesting excess fat from a donor site—typically areas like the abdomen, thighs, or another part of your body with sufficient fat. This fat harvesting process uses liposuction techniques to carefully remove the fat. Once collected, the purified fat is prepared for injection. The transferred fat is then methodically injected into the breast tissue through small incisions to achieve natural-looking results. Dr. Cangello meticulously controls the amount of fat added to enhance breast volume while maintaining symmetry and creating final results that complement your figure.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery New York

Dr. David Cangello is one of the top board-certified plastic surgeons in all of New York City. His approach of treating plastic surgery with an artistic eye has successfully shaped his practice. Dr. Cangello cares about the result of the surgery as much as the patient does. Read more to learn why you should choose Dr. Cangello for your next procedure.

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Fat Transfer to Breast FAQs

After breast fat transfer, patients will need to wear a compression garment on the areas where fat was removed. These secondary treatment sites may feel tender during the first few days, but Dr. Cangello will prescribe pain medication to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible. There might also be bruising and swelling on the grafted areas, but the majority of these symptoms will resolve within two weeks. The complete healing process generally takes a few weeks up to several months, but most patients can return to work and social activities at the two-week mark.

This procedure requires tiny incisions, so it produces virtually no visible scarring. If you are concerned about scarring, be sure to bring these questions up at your treatment consultation.

It’s common for the body to absorb some of the fat cells after transfer, so many patients choose to have touch-ups until ideal breast volume is achieved.3 However, some patients see excellent results after just a single procedure. Dr. Cangello is thorough in patient outreach and follow-ups after every treatment to establish clear communication. If additional treatments are needed, these can be planned to meet your expectations.

The fat cells that establish a blood supply after transfer will stay there indefinitely.

Yes, many patients choose to combine fat transfer breast augmentation with other cosmetic procedures to achieve more comprehensive results. For example, breast implants can be placed along with fat grafting to enhance cleavage or improve shape in specific areas. A tummy tuck is another popular option, especially for patients looking to contour the midsection while enhancing their breasts. Since fat harvesting is required for the procedure, liposuction is already part of the process—and some patients choose to have liposuction performed in multiple areas of the body, such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, to further sculpt their figure. Dr. Cangello will discuss the best approach for your goals and determine which part of the body is ideal for fat removal.

Dr. Cangello is a leading board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in natural breast enhancement with fat transfer for patients in NYC and the communities surrounding Manhattan. His expertise in fat grafting and cosmetic surgery allows him to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. To learn more and find out if you’re a good candidate, contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cangello today.

Dr. Cangello offers the fat grafting technique as a natural way to achieve enhanced breast volume, without implants. Call Dr. Cangello‘s NYC plastic surgery office for additional information or to schedule a consultation. 

1 Cleveland Clinic. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24033-fat-transfer-breast-augmentation. Accessed March 18, 2025.

2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation. Accessed March 18, 2025.

3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Fat transfer for breast augmentation: The ins and outs of this implant alternative. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/fat-transfer-for-breast-augmentation-the-ins-and-outs-of-this-implant-alternative. Accessed March 18, 2025.

Dr. Cangello has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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