Scarring is one of the most common concerns patients raise when considering breast surgery. With fat transfer to the breast, the entry points are much smaller than those used for implant-based breast augmentation. Even so, any procedure that involves the skin can leave marks. Knowing where these marks may appear and how they may look can help patients decide whether this procedure is suitable for them.
How Does the Procedure Work, and Where Are the Incisions Made?
Fat transfer to breast is a two-part procedure. The first part is liposuction, where fat is removed from a donor area of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. Small incisions are made in the donor area to allow the liposuction cannula, which is a thin tube, to be inserted. The second part involves administering the processed fat into the breast tissue through similarly small entry points.
Both sets of incisions are small, typically only a few millimetres in length. Because no large implant pocket needs to be created, there is no requirement for the longer incisions that implant surgery involves. The entry points used to administer fat into the breast are made in less visible locations, though the exact placement will depend on your anatomy and the surgical plan discussed at your consultation.
What Do the Scars From Fat Transfer Actually Look Like?
The marks left from fat transfer to breast incisions are small, but their appearance can vary between patients and may change over time. In the weeks following surgery, the entry points will go through the normal healing process, which includes initial redness and some firmness as the skin repairs itself. Over the following months, this typically settles as the marks mature and flatten.
How a scar heals varies from patient to patient and is influenced by factors including skin tone, genetics, age, and how well aftercare instructions are followed. Some patients will find the marks less noticeable over time, while others may notice more visible scarring. No outcome can be predicted or guaranteed, and this is something to discuss openly with A/Prof Bish Soliman during your consultation.
How Do Fat Transfer Scars Compare to Implant Scars?
Implant-based breast augmentation requires larger incisions to create a pocket for the implant. These are commonly placed in the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast), around the areola, or in the armpit. These incisions are longer than those used in fat transfer and may be more noticeable depending on how the scar heals.
Fat transfer incisions are smaller by comparison, as the procedure only requires entry points wide enough for a cannula. For patients where scarring is a significant concern, this is one of the factors that may make fat transfer a more suitable option, provided they are otherwise a good candidate for the procedure. However, it is important to note that scar size alone should not be the deciding factor. The most suitable procedure depends on your anatomy, the degree of volume change you are seeking, and your overall health.
Where Are the Liposuction Scars Located?
The liposuction component of the procedure leaves small marks in the donor areas where fat was harvested. Common donor sites include the lower abdomen, inner thighs, outer thighs, and flanks. The entry points are placed with care to keep them in locations that are less visible, such as within natural skin folds or creases where possible.
The healing process at the donor sites follows the same pattern as the breast entry points. Visibility over time will depend on the same individual factors that influence all surgical scars.
What Can Support Scar Healing After the Procedure?
Following the aftercare instructions provided carefully plays an important role in how incisions heal. Keeping the area clean and protected during the early healing period, avoiding sun exposure on healing marks, and not placing tension or pressure on incision sites can all support the process.
Patients are advised to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that healing can be assessed and any concerns addressed early. Some patients may be advised to use silicone-based products or other scar management measures once healing has reached an appropriate stage. What is suitable will be discussed at your follow-up appointments.
What Are the Risks Associated With the Procedure?
Although this procedure uses small entry points, there are factors that can affect how these marks heal. These can include infection, slower wound healing, and raised scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. If you have a personal or family history of keloid scarring, this should be mentioned before going ahead with treatment.
Fat transfer to the breast also carries other risks beyond scarring. These may include changes in sensation, fat necrosis (death of fat cells), asymmetry, and the possibility of needing another procedure. These risks should be explained clearly during consultation before any decision is made.
Why Choose A/Prof Bish for Fat Transfer to Breast in Sydney and North Shore
A/Prof Bish Soliman is a FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with specialist registration in plastic surgery, practising across Sydney and North Shore. He holds a Master of Surgery from the University of Sydney and two consultant positions at major Sydney tertiary referral hospitals. A/Prof Bish is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). His training includes a focused international fellowship in North America, where he worked alongside surgeons with extensive experience in breast surgery and fat grafting techniques.
A/Prof Bish Soliman’s approach is centred on honest, patient-focused care. He takes the time to assess each patient’s anatomy and discusses what the procedure involves, including where incisions will be placed, what the healing process looks like, and what scarring outcomes may be realistic for their skin type and anatomy.
