Restore natural breast volume and shape after implant removal with fat grafting breast reconstruction in Nashville. Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy uses your own fat to enhance breast contour, offering a soft, natural alternative to implants. This is especially beneficial after explant surgery, supporting a more balanced, feminine appearance through personalized, expert care.
- What Are the Reasons to Consider Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction
- What Is the Recovery Process After Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- Optimize Aesthetic Results After Explant Surgery
- What Are the Expected Results From Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- What Are the Benefits of Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- What Happens During Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
- Contact
Restore Softness and Natural Breast Contours
Fat grafting breast reconstruction uses your own body fat to restore breast volume and contour. Dr. O’Shaughnessy typically performs this after explant surgery or as part of a revision to improve symmetry and softness. Fat is gently harvested from areas like the abdomen or thighs using liposuction, then purified and strategically injected into the breast. Because it uses your natural tissue, the results feel soft and integrate seamlessly, offering a subtle, natural-looking enhancement without the need for implants.
What Are the Reasons to Consider Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- Volume loss after implant removal (explant surgery)
- Irregularities or indentations from previous surgeries
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Rippling or visible implant edges
- Scarring or contour deformities after mastectomy or lumpectomy
- Desire for a natural, implant-free breast appearance
What Is the Recovery Process After Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
After your fat grafting breast reconstruction in Nashville, you can expect mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and soreness in both the liposuction donor sites and the breasts. Most patients return to light activity within a few days and resume normal routines within 1 to 2 weeks. You may experience tenderness at the injection sites, and the final volume may decrease slightly as some fat is naturally reabsorbed. Wearing compression garments and following specific aftercare instructions will help optimize healing and results.
To support a smooth recovery, be sure to:
- Wear compression garments on donor areas as directed
- Avoid direct pressure on the breasts for at least two weeks
- Refrain from strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 2 to 3 weeks
- Sleep on your back to protect the grafted fat
- Keep incisions clean and monitor for signs of infection
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
- Maintain a stable weight to preserve long-term results
Optimize Aesthetic Results After Explant Surgery
Fat grafting offers a natural and highly customizable way to refine your breast appearance following implant removal. After explant surgery, some patients may experience volume loss, contour irregularities, or visible changes in skin texture. Dr. O’Shaughnessy uses fat grafting to restore softness, fill hollow areas, and enhance symmetry without introducing foreign materials. Because the procedure uses your own fat, it integrates smoothly with surrounding tissue, helping you achieve a more balanced, feminine silhouette.
What Are the Expected Results From Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
You’ll begin to notice initial improvement in breast shape and volume within a few weeks as swelling subsides. However, the final results take 3 to 6 months to stabilize once the transferred fat integrates with the surrounding tissue. While some fat is naturally reabsorbed, the fat that survives becomes a permanent part of your body. With stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits, your results can last for many years. Over time, fat grafting provides a soft, natural appearance that ages gracefully in harmony with the rest of your body.
What Are the Benefits of Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction?
- Uses your own natural tissue for a softer feel
- Avoids the need for implants or synthetic materials
- Improves breast contour, symmetry, and volume
- Allows simultaneous body contouring through liposuction
- Reduces the appearance of rippling or indentations
- Offers long-lasting, natural-looking results
- Minimal scarring with small incision points
- Ideal for revision procedures or post-explant reshaping
What Happens During Fat Grafting Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
Your procedure begins with liposuction to gently remove fat from donor areas such as the lower abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs. Dr. O’Shaughnessy uses fine cannulas and tumescent fluid to minimize trauma and preserve the integrity of fat cells. The harvested fat is then processed using centrifugation or filtration techniques to separate healthy fat cells from impurities like blood, oil, and fluid. Once purified, the fat is loaded into syringes and prepared for reinjection.
Dr. O’Shaughnessy then grafts the fat into the breast using microinjection techniques. Small amounts of fat are placed in multiple layers and directions to maximize blood supply and graft survival. This helps create smooth contours, correct asymmetry, and restore lost volume. The procedure may be done in combination with explant surgery or as a staged revision, and is performed under general anesthesia in our fully accredited surgical facility.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. O’Shaughnessy
Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 17+ years of experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. She trained at Northwestern University and completed a specialized fellowship in breast reconstruction. Known for her compassionate care and meticulous surgical techniques, Dr. O’Shaughnessy offers expert care tailored to your goals. If you’re considering fat grafting breast reconstruction in Nashville, schedule your consultation today.
