Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Scars: Common Concerns

Natural fat transfer is an excellent alternative to breast implant surgery because it creates natural-looking results and makes women feel youthful. This cosmetic procedure allows breast size to be increased by up to one cup, and there is no risk of implant rejection, rupture, or leakage.

The scars from breast fat transfers are usually much smaller compared to the ones that are made during augmentation with breast implants. The main reason is that the physician makes incisions only for liposuction. There is no need to create openings for placing implants.

This post explores the scars in great detail. We will discuss what they look like, where they are located, and how long they take to heal. By the end of the post, you will have a clear picture of what to expect from a fat transfer breast augmentation.

What Do Scars Look Like?

Fat transfer breast augmentation is well-known for its minimal scarring. It requires incredibly small incisions, typically between 1/8 and 1/3 of an inch in length. These tiny openings are strategically placed in inconspicuous areas, making them virtually undetectable once healed. After recovery, scars from liposuction look like small dots — they do not affect the appearance of the skin or cause discomfort.

Where Are Scars Located?

Abdomen

The most common place for fat harvesting is the abdomen. Tiny incisions are made in areas with excess tissue, such as the lower and upper belly. These openings are created in discrete locations where any scarring will be hidden. The number of incisions may vary depending on the amount of fat that needs to be collected for breast augmentation.

As a result, the abdominal scars are concealed by the natural contours of the body, underwear, or bikini lines. These scars heal very well and continue to fade over the first year.

Thighs

The inner thighs are typical areas for fat harvesting. Some patients have adequate excess fat deposits on their thighs instead of the abdomen. This tissue is also suitable for liposuction and fat transfer.

Incisions are made high up on the inner thighs, close to the groin area, where the leg meets the torso. The openings are created strategically to conceal any resulting scars. They blend with the natural crease of the thigh and groin. Scars can be hidden by underwear lines, swimsuits, or the hang of shorts.

Flanks (Love Handles)

The flanks or “love handles” on the sides of the torso are also prime areas for liposuction and fat harvesting. Incisions are made discreetly in the natural contours, allowing the physician to remove fat cells from the love handles. The flank scars are extremely small, like in other areas used for fat grafting procedures. They can be concealed with underwear, high-waisted shorts, and swimwear. The scars fade significantly over time and are rarely discernable after recovery.

Upper Arms

Upper arms can also be used for liposuction. Incisions are made along the back of the arm, on the triceps area. The openings follow the contour of the underside of the arm. Any resulting scars may be hidden in the natural shadows and skin folds. They can be concealed even with short-sleeved clothing.

When Do Scars Become Less Visible?

While the initial appearance of the scars might be slightly noticeable, they typically begin to fade dramatically within the first few weeks of recovery. These traces become less prominent and visible as the healing progresses. By 3-6 months, most patients find that their scars have significantly softened and blended with their skin tone.

It is essential to remember that the length of the healing period can vary. Some patients may experience faster scar fading, while others require more time. Consistent aftercare, such as keeping the scars clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun, can help accelerate healing and minimize visibility.

The Role of Experienced physician in Minimizing Scars

Dr. Navjot Singh at JustGO Lipo is a renowned expert in VASER® liposuction that produces almost no scarring and requires minimal downtime. In 2020, 2021, and 2023, he received a “Top Doctor” award for this cosmetic surgery. Dr. Singh uses his expertise to make each breast fat transfer procedure perfect. In this section, we will share some of his secrets:

Dr. Singh’s methodical and meticulous placement of incisions is the most critical factor in reducing the appearance of scars. He only creates small openings along natural body contours where shadows or clothing can conceal them.

Dr. Singh has a keen eye for mapping out incisions during his pre-operative planning, allowing him to reduce their size to 1/16 inch. He considers all aspects of anatomy and healing to determine the optimal locations that will result in virtually invisible scars.

Another aspect of Dr. Singh’s scar prevention is advanced closure. After extracting fat through VASER® liposuction, he carefully stitches the tiny openings. Dr. Singh uses specialized deep sutures to bring the underlying tissues together. This approach helps the inner layers heal faster, reducing surface scarring.

Dr. Singh also places gentle tension-relieving stitches that are perfectly spaced along incisions to promote healing with minimal overlap. Additionally, he may apply medical-grade skin glue to reinforce the sutures. These advanced techniques allow the incisions to heal rapidly after breast surgery and fade over time.

In addition to strategic incision placement, Dr. Singh utilizes advanced techniques that create only minimal tissue injury. He employs VASER® liposuction, which uses gentle ultrasonic energy to break up and lose fat. Compared to traditional methods, this results in less bleeding and bruising. The reduced trauma to blood vessels and connective tissue enables enhanced healing.

Dr. Singh delicately handles the tissue when harvesting fat for breast augmentation procedures. Limiting trauma allows the tiny incisions to close with less inflammation and reduces the risk of visible scarring. His gentle approach removes only targeted fat while preserving surrounding tissue.

Dr. Singh’s customized care sets him apart from most plastic physicians. While technical precision is vital, he also accounts for each patient’s unique anatomy and goals. His incision patterns and closure methods are tailored to achieve natural-looking results based on individual needs.

When creating a surgical plan for each patient, Dr. Singh considers skin thickness, elasticity, fat distribution, muscle structure, and healing ability. Every aspect, from VASER® device settings to suture techniques, is carefully calibrated. This personalized level of care enables him to conceal scars flawlessly after fat-transfer breast augmentations.

Conclusion

Thanks to the tiny incisions (1/8-1/3 inches) needed for liposuction, breast augmentation via fat transfer produces minimal scarring. The resulting traces fade significantly within several months. Expert physicians like Dr. Singh use advanced techniques to ensure that no scarring is visible after the procedure.

The main takeaways from this post:

Scars from fat transfer breast surgery are usually tiny dots

Incisions for fat harvesting are made in discrete areas on the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and arms

Scars blend with natural body contours and shadows where clothing can hide them

Initially noticeable scars dramatically soften and fade after 3-6 months of recovery

Dr. Singh’s meticulous incision placement, gentle tissue handling, and advanced closure methods promote healing with almost invisible scars.

It is easy to schedule a consultation with Dr. Singh on our website. We are always happy to meet new patients and rejuvenate their bodies through our breast fat grafting procedure.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Scars: Common Concerns

What Do Scars Look Like?

Where Are Scars Located?

Abdomen

Flanks (Love Handles)

Upper Arms

When Do Scars Become Less Visible?

The Role of Experienced physician in Minimizing Scars

Precise Incision Placement

Advanced Closure Techniques

Minimal Tissue Trauma

Individualized Approach

Conclusion