---
title: "Breast Fat Grafting"
url: "https://worldwiki.io/entity/breast-fat-grafting"
type: "medical"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-11-12 05:20:00"
independence_score: "96.70"
independent_mentions: "0"
authority_mentions: "0"
---

# Breast Fat Grafting

Breast fat grafting (fat transfer breast augmentation) uses the patient's own liposuctioned fat to modestly enlarge or reshape the breast without an implant.

## Key facts

- **Definition**: Fat is taken by liposuction from other parts of the body and injected to enlarge the breasts [2]
- **Typical donor sites**: Usually the abdomen or flanks, though fat can be taken from almost anywhere (surgeon quoted by ASPS) [3]
- **Typical size increase**: Surgeon quoted by ASPS: ideal candidate wants half a cup to one cup; a larger increase may take two to three procedures [3]
- **Listed risks**: Cysts, infection, microcalcification, death of fat cells (necrosis), and some transferred fat leaving the breast area [2]
- **Pre-expansion option**: Surgeons may recommend an external tissue expansion system in the weeks before surgery [2]
- **Pooled volume retention**: 54% (95% CI 48.5–59.5%) across 25 studies, follow-up 3–36 months [4]
- **Retention by fat preparation method**: Centrifugation 51.5% vs sedimentation 38.7% pooled retention [4]
- **Oncologic safety evidence**: Meta-analysis of 15 studies (8,541 participants): no difference in overall survival, disease-free survival or local recurrence between patients who had fat grafting after breast cancer surgery and controls [5]
- **1987 professional position**: ASPRS (predecessor of ASPS) condemned autologous fat injection for breast augmentation over concerns about cancer detection [6]
- **2009 ASPS Fat Graft Task Force**: Concluded that the literature then available showed no association between fat grafting and higher rates of malignancy [6]
- **US regulatory status**: Following FDA guidance issued in November 2017, autologous fat grafts do not require premarket approval; stromal vascular fraction products receive closer review [6]
- **Relevant FDA guidance**: Same Surgical Procedure Exception under 21 CFR 1271.15(b): Questions and Answers Regarding the Scope of the Exception [7]
- **Suitable for**: People wanting a relatively small increase in breast size who have enough donor fat (ASPS) [1]
- **Sessions**: More than one session may be needed because part of the graft is resorbed [1]
- **Imaging note**: Fat necrosis, cysts and calcifications can appear on mammograms and must be interpreted by a radiologist [1]

## Overview

Breast fat grafting (fat transfer breast augmentation) is a surgical procedure that uses liposuction to take a patient's own fat, usually from the abdomen or flanks, and inject it into the breasts after processing. It is used for small cosmetic augmentations and alongside breast reconstruction. Only part of the injected fat survives. A 2024 meta-analysis of 25 studies found that about 54% of the grafted volume remained, with results varying by how the fat was prepared. Reported risks include fat necrosis, cysts, microcalcifications and infection. A meta-analysis of breast cancer patients found no difference in survival or local recurrence between those who had fat grafting and those who did not. In the US, fat removed and reinjected in the same operation can qualify for an FDA same-surgical-procedure exception. Readers should check the surgeon's training, how much volume to expect and what breast imaging follow-up is planned.

## Related entities

- related to → [Fat Graft Survival](https://worldwiki.io/entity/fat-graft-survival)
- is a → [Autologous Fat Grafting](https://worldwiki.io/entity/autologous-fat-grafting)
- is a → [Breast Augmentation](https://worldwiki.io/entity/breast-augmentation)
- alternative to → [Breast Implant](https://worldwiki.io/entity/breast-implant)
- provided by → [SC301의원](https://worldwiki.io/entity/sc301)
- related to → [SVF Breast Augmentation](https://worldwiki.io/entity/svf-breast-augmentation)
- related to → [Stem Cell Breast Augmentation](https://worldwiki.io/entity/stem-cell-breast-augmentation)
- has instance → [SVF Breast Augmentation](https://worldwiki.io/entity/svf-breast-augmentation)
- related to → [Breast Implant](https://worldwiki.io/entity/breast-implant)

## Related questions

- [가슴 지방이식 후 브라 착용은 언제부터, 어떤 종류가 좋은가요? 압박하면 생착에 방해가 되나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-브라-착용은-언제부터-어떤-종류가-좋은가요-압박하면-생착에-방해가-되나요) — 가슴 지방이식 뒤에는 가슴을 조이는 속옷이 아니라 받쳐 주되 누르지 않는 브라가 권고됩니다. 이식한 지방은 주변 조직과 혈관이 다시 이어져야 살아남기 때문에, 문헌들은 가슴에 가해지는 압박과 쓸림을 줄이라고 설명하고, 한 종설은 이식 부위 압박복을 수술 후 4주간 피하라고 안내합니다. 반대로 지방을 뺀 부위에는 압박복을 입습니다. 다만 이는 전문가 권고 수
- [가슴 지방이식 후 한쪽만 더 빨리 꺼지거나 좌우 차이가 생기면 정상 회복인가요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-한쪽만-더-빨리-꺼지거나-좌우-차이가-생기면-정상-회복인가요) — 수술 뒤 몇 달 동안은 붓기가 빠지고 이식한 지방 일부가 흡수되면서 부피가 계속 변하므로, 이 시기의 좌우 차이만으로 결과를 단정하기 어렵습니다. 결과가 자리 잡는 데는 최대 6개월이 걸린다고 안내되며, MRI 추적 연구에서는 부피가 안정되기까지 253일이 걸렸고 그 시점의 유지율은 46%였습니다. 최종 좌우 차이와 보정 여부는 부피가 안정된 뒤에 판단합니
- [가슴 지방이식 후 임신하거나 수유하면 이식한 지방은 어떻게 되나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-임신하거나-수유하면-이식한-지방은-어떻게-되나요) — 지방이식 뒤의 임신·수유가 결과를 어떻게 바꾸는지 추적한 공개 연구는 거의 없습니다. 거꾸로 수유 경험이 있는 사람이 이식 후 유지율이 더 높았다는 후향 연구(70명, 41.0% 대 30.4%)와, 204개 유방을 다변량 분석했을 때 임신·수유력이 아니라 수술 전 가슴 부피가 유의한 요인이었다는 연구가 있습니다. 이식 후 두 번의 임신 때마다 염증성 유방염
- [나이가 많거나 폐경 전후면 가슴 지방이식 생착률이 낮아지나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/나이가-많거나-폐경-전후면-가슴-지방이식-생착률이-낮아지나요) — 환자 요인별로 유지율을 분석한 연구들에서 나이는 독립적인 예측 인자가 아니었습니다. 63명 연구에서는 나이·체질량지수·채취 부위가 유지율(평균 35.4%)과 상관이 없었고, 204개 유방 다변량 분석에서는 수술 전 가슴 부피만 유의했으며, 재건 환자 연구에서도 나이는 상관이 없었습니다. 전향적 다기관 연구는 17~63세를 포함했습니다. 폐경 전후를 직접 비
- [한 번에 300cc 이상 넣는 대용량 가슴 지방이식은 가능한가요? 조건과 위험은 무엇인가요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/한-번에-300cc-이상-넣는-대용량-가슴-지방이식은-가능한가요-조건과-위험은-무엇인가요) — 가능하지만 조건이 붙습니다. 외부 확장기(Brava)를 4주간 착용한 뒤 가슴당 평균 277~346 mL 를 넣은 연구들에서 12개월 생착률 82%, 6개월 이후 순증 266 mL 가 보고됐지만, 모두 같은 저자 그룹의 근거 수준 IV 연구입니다. 독립 연구에서는 100cc 이상 대용량 이식 뒤 지방괴사(멍울)가 32.9%였고, 한쪽 450cc 를 넘기면 
- [가슴 지방이식이 적합하지 않은 건강 상태나 조건이 있나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식이-적합하지-않은-건강-상태나-조건이-있나요) — 공개된 환자 안내 기준(클리블랜드 클리닉)은 지방이식에 적합한 대상으로 이상 체중에 가까운 사람, 비흡연자이거나 금연할 수 있는 사람, 현실적인 기대를 가진 사람을 듭니다. 흡연은 상처 치유와 같은 기전으로 지방 생착을 떨어뜨리므로 수술 최소 4주 전, 가능하면 10주 전 금연이 권고됩니다. 당뇨·출혈 경향·항응고제 복용 같은 개별 질환은 집도의가 평가해야
- [가슴 지방이식 후 살이 빠지면 가슴도 작아지나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-살이-빠지면-가슴도-작아지나요) — 그렇습니다. 가슴 지방이식을 MRI로 3년간 추적한 연구에서 체중이 유지된 환자의 지방 유지율은 46%였습니다. 체질량지수(BMI)가 1 줄어든 환자는 22%로 떨어졌습니다. 반대로 BMI가 1 늘어난 환자는 57%, 2 늘어난 환자는 85%였습니다.
- [가슴 지방이식 후 지방괴사나 추가 시술이 필요한 경우는 얼마나 되나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-지방괴사나-추가-시술이-필요한-경우는-얼마나-되나요) — 47개 연구, 4,425명을 모은 2026년 메타분석에서 지방괴사는 참여자의 약 4.7%, 추가 지방이식은 약 11.8%, 이후 조직검사는 약 5.6%에서 있었습니다. 이식한 지방의 생착률은 평균 약 53%였습니다. 연구마다 편차가 매우 커서 평균값으로만 참고해야 합니다.
- [가슴 지방이식 후 크기는 언제쯤 자리 잡나요?](https://worldwiki.io/ko/q/가슴-지방이식-후-크기는-언제쯤-자리-잡나요) — MRI로 추적한 연구에서 부피가 안정되기까지 평균 약 253일(약 8개월)이 걸렸습니다. 이전 연구들은 3~12개월로 보고해 왔습니다. 안정된 뒤 남은 지방은 이식량의 약 46%였고, 그 이후에도 체중 변화에 따라 크기가 달라질 수 있습니다.
- [What is breast fat grafting?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-breast-fat-grafting) — Breast fat grafting, or fat transfer breast augmentation, enlarges or reshapes the breast using fat taken from the patient's own body by liposuction. The fat is processed and injected into the breast 

## Evidence & claims

- (outcome, limited) Fat transfer breast augmentation produces a relatively small size increase and may need repeat sessions.

## References

Independent 23/27 · provider-authored 2

1. [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons · evidence level C · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/16
2. [Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Risks and Safety](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/fat-transfer-breast-augmentation/safety) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons · evidence level C · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/272
3. [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) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons · evidence level C · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/273
4. [Volume retention rate after breast autogenous fat grafting and related influencing factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Hu S, Xu H; PMID 38160589; DOI 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.12.003) – abstract record](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=TITLE:%22Volume%20retention%20rate%20after%20breast%20autogenous%20fat%20grafting%22&resultType=core&format=json) — Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (via Europe PMC) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/275
5. [The oncological safety of autologous fat grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Goncalves R et al.; BMC Cancer; PMCID PMC9004160) – abstract record](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=EXT_ID:35410257%20OR%20PMCID:PMC9004160&resultType=core&format=json) — BMC Cancer (via Europe PMC) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/276
6. [Safety and Regulation of Fat Grafting (Raj S, Abu-Ghname A, Davis MJ, Izaddoost SA, Winocour SJ; Semin Plast Surg 2020;34(1):59–64)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7023970/) — Seminars in Plastic Surgery (Thieme) via PubMed Central · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/274
7. [Same Surgical Procedure Exception under 21 CFR 1271.15(b): Questions and Answers Regarding the Scope of the Exception](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/same-surgical-procedure-exception-under-21-cfr-127115b-questions-and-answers-regarding-scope) — US Food and Drug Administration (CBER) · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/132
8. [Breast enlargement (implants)](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast-enlargement/) — NHS (UK National Health Service) · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/7
9. [Breast Augmentation](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons · evidence level C · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/18
10. [Advancing fat graft survival: from adipose-derived stem cell mechanisms to next-generation regenerative strategies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42388980/) — Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2026) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/21
11. [A Study on Breast Augmentation Using Fat Grafting With Stromal Vascular Fraction (Shin DJ, Ann Plast Surg 2023;90(4):380-384)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36881737/) — Annals of Plastic Surgery · evidence level B · provider affiliated · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/27
12. [Impact of donor site on fat graft survival in autologous fat transfer to the breast: A systematic review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42519403/) — JPRAS Open (2026) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/22
13. [Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer: A Systematic Review of its Efficacy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37608190/) — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2024) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/23
14. [Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer and Platelet-Rich Plasma Assisted Lipotransfer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33845642/) — Cell Transplantation (2021) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/24
15. [Safety profile of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in clinical use: an exhaustive literature review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41618435/) — Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2026) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/20
16. [Breast Augmentation by Fat Transplantation With Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cells (Shin DJ, Aesthet Surg J Open Forum 2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33791627/) — Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum · evidence level B · provider affiliated · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/28
17. [FDA Warns About Stem Cell Therapies](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-warns-about-stem-cell-therapies) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/2
18. [지방이식 (Fat transplantation) — N의학정보](https://www.snuh.org/health/nMedInfo/nView.do?medid=BB000374) — 서울대학교병원 · evidence level C · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/36
19. [Liposuction](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction/) — NHS (UK National Health Service) · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/8
20. [Surgical fat transfer (lipofilling)](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/surgical-fat-transfer/) — NHS (UK National Health Service) · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/39
21. [乳房への脂肪移植術の治療手順（第2版・2025年6月作成）](https://jopbs.or.jp/medical/procedure/docs/fat_grafting_procedure.pdf) — 日本乳房オンコプラスティックサージャリー学会 脂肪移植WG · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/333
22. [Degeneration, regeneration, and cicatrization after fat grafting: dynamic total tissue remodeling during the first 3 months (Kato H, … Yoshimura K; Plast Reconstr Surg 2014)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24572875/) — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/334
23. [確認してください！美容医療の施術を受ける前にもう一度！](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_04978.html) — 厚生労働省 · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/328
24. [美容医療サービス（各種相談の件数や傾向）](https://www.kokusen.go.jp/soudan_topics/data/biyo.html) — 独立行政法人 国民生活センター · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/330
25. [Long-Term Volume Retention of Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting Depends on Weight Changes: A 3-Year Prospective Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (Ørholt M, … ; Plast Reconstr Surg 2025;155(6):947-954)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39465661/) — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/343
26. [Fat survival following autologous fat transfer to the native breast: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Giannas E, … ; J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2026;115:146-156)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41791205/) — Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/344
27. [Breast fat grafting and cancer: a systematic review of the science behind enhancements and concerns (Valente DS, … ; Transl Breast Cancer Res 2024;5:14)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38751673/) — Translational Breast Cancer Research · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/342