For those seeking fuller, shapelier breasts, breast augmentation has long been a popular and effective option. But in recent years, more patients are turning to a hybrid approach—combining breast implants with fat grafting—to achieve results that look and feel even more natural. This combination not only enhances volume and shape but also offers the subtle refinement that implants alone may not provide.
Keep reading to discover why more people are choosing to pair implants with fat transfer, what to expect, and how board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stafford Broumand tailors this advanced technique at 740 Park Plastic Surgery in New York City.
What Is Hybrid Breast Augmentation?
Hybrid breast augmentation combines the structure of a breast implant with the softness and contouring benefits of fat grafting.
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Hybrid Implant and Grafted Fat Breast Augmentation: Designing the Pathway to a Future With Breasts Free of Silicone Breast Implants
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
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The procedure begins with liposuction to harvest fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The purified fat is then carefully injected around the implant or in targeted areas of the breast to enhance shape, cleavage, and overall balance.
By blending both methods, Dr. Broumand is able to customize results in a way that’s difficult to achieve with implants alone.
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Composite Breast Augmentation Soft-Tissue Planning Using Implants and Fat.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
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Who Might Consider This Approach?
You may be a candidate for combination breast augmentation with fat grafting if you:
- Want more fullness and definition, but desire a softer, more natural feel
- Have visible rippling or thin tissue coverage that could be improved with fat
- Are looking to enhance cleavage or fine-tune symmetry after previous surgery
- Prefer smaller implants but want an added volume boost
- Have fat available in other areas of the body that could be used to refine results
This technique is especially helpful for patients with limited soft tissue coverage or those seeking a subtle enhancement that doesn’t appear overly augmented.
What Are the Benefits of Adding Fat Grafting?
While breast implants provide the foundation for volume and projection, fat grafting helps refine the final result. Benefits of this combined approach include:
- Smoother contours: Fat can fill in gaps or irregularities around the implant, helping to create a more seamless transition between the breast and chest wall.
- Improved cleavage: Strategic placement of fat allows for enhanced inner breast fullness and more natural-looking cleavage.
- Better symmetry: Fat grafting allows for precise, targeted correction of minor asymmetries in size or shape.
- Reduced implant visibility: In patients with thinner skin or less natural tissue, fat can help minimize visible implant edges or rippling.
- Body contouring bonus: Liposuction used to harvest the fat can slim and shape other areas of the body at the same time.
Together, implants and fat offer the best of both worlds—structure and softness, volume and finesse.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Breast augmentation with fat grafting is typically performed under general anesthesia. The first step involves liposuction from an area with excess fat. This fat is purified and injected into specific areas of the breast
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Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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, typically after the implant is placed.
Dr. Broumand uses a meticulous technique to layer fat in small amounts, which helps ensure optimal integration and blood supply for long-lasting results.
What About Recovery?
Recovery is generally similar to that of a standard breast augmentation, though patients may have some additional swelling or soreness in the areas where fat was harvested. Most patients can expect:
- 1 to 2 weeks of downtime
- Swelling and bruising in both the breasts and donor sites
- Use of a surgical bra and compression garments
- Gradual return to full activity over several weeks
Dr. Broumand provides detailed recovery instructions and follows patients closely to support healing and satisfaction every step of the way.
Are the Results Permanent?
Fat that successfully integrates into the surrounding tissue becomes a permanent part of the breast. However, not all transferred fat survives—some resorption is normal. Because of this, Dr. Broumand may slightly overfill the grafted areas to account for expected loss.
Implants remain in place long-term, though they may need to be replaced at some point in the future. Together, implants and fat provide long-lasting, beautifully customized results.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
This technique requires precision, experience, and an artistic eye. When selecting a surgeon, look for:
- Board certification in plastic surgery
- Extensive experience in both breast augmentation and fat grafting
- A portfolio of natural-looking results
- A practice environment where safety and patient education are top priorities
Dr. Stafford Broumand is known for his refined aesthetic, advanced surgical skill, and dedication to helping patients achieve results that feel authentic to their bodies.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Ideal Shape
Combining breast implants with fat grafting offers a powerful way to achieve fuller, more balanced breasts with a natural look and feel. Whether you’re starting your aesthetic journey or enhancing previous results, a personalized consultation is the best place to begin.
To find out if this approach is right for you, contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Stafford Broumand at 740 Park Plastic Surgery in New York City. You deserve results that look like you—only better.
Sources
1 Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Hybrid Implant and Grafted Fat Breast Augmentation: Designing the Pathway to a Future With Breasts Free of Silicone Breast Implants. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8564703/. Accessed May 7, 2025.
2 Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Composite Breast Augmentation Soft-Tissue Planning Using Implants and Fat. https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/abstract/2013/09000/composite_breast_augmentation__soft_tissue.11.aspx. Accessed May 7, 2025.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation. Accessed May 7, 2025.