One of the most common stigmas around a breast augmentation with breast implants is to solely achieve a larger breast size however, a breast augmentation can also be used to address asymmetry or increase breast size subtly without utilizing large implants.  To do this Haute Beauty breast expert Dr. Ran Stark, combines a breast augment with a fat transfer to give his patients more tailored results. This is called a composite breast augmentation.

“A lot of times we tell people breasts are sisters, not twins. By utilizing the implant and fat grafting you’re able to provide more symmetry since most patients are asymmetric to begin with. If someone is lacking a little bit of volume on one side and they just need a little bit more volume, you don’t have to start playing with two different sized implants,” says Dr. Stark.

No one is symmetrical and natural breasts have differing shapes and sizes. There are a variety of things that contribute to breast asymmetry: prominent ribs, larger muscles, more breast tissue, and nipple positioning.

The incision for the breast implant is 3 cm – 4 cm. “The dissection is precise and exact. It’s bloodless with minimal trauma,” Dr. Stark said.

Using the no-touch technique, with a Keller Funnel, the implant is positioned and the patient can heal with little to no pain.

“When augmenting the breast with fat, it will take 100cc-150cc to remain variable to change the cup size,” says Dr. Stark when talking about harvesting fat to transfer to the breast.

Fat is harvested from the body from places like the flanks and abdomen but fat can generally be harvested from almost anywhere on the body. Where fat is harvested is dependent on the amount of fat needed. Fat is removed via liposuction, processed and injected with cannulas, discreetly along the border of the areola. Oftentimes the incisions from the fat transfer does not even need stitches, or one at most.

Dr. Stark equates the composite breast augmentation procedure to the rapid recovery breast augmentation. His patients are not prescribed narcotics and usually take Tylenol or Advil for pain, and back to work within 2-3 days.