Fat Transfer to the Breast
Fat transfer to the breast in Scottsdale with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Howarth to enhance volume, symmetry, and softness using your own natural fat. Each procedure is thoughtfully planned to align with your body, your goals, and the way you want to look and feel.
Experience the exceptional care and personalized touch of a board-certified female plastic surgeon who prioritizes your well-being every step of the way. Discover why Dr. Ashley Howarth stands out as one of the best plastic surgeons in Arizona for results that look and feel beautifully natural.
Fat Transfer to the Breast in Scottsdale
Fat transfer to the breast is one of the most natural ways to enhance volume, shape, and confidence—especially for women seeking subtle refinement without implants. For many, it’s not about transformation—it’s about returning to a version of themselves that feels more balanced, feminine, and complete. Dr. Ashley Howarth is a Mayo Clinic–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon known for breast enhancement results that are elegant, seamless, and uniquely attuned to each patient’s anatomy.
Recognized as one of Arizona’s most trusted plastic surgeons for aesthetic breast surgery, Dr. Howarth is sought out for her precise technique, artistic vision, and calm, patient-centered approach. Every aspect of the procedure—from fat harvest to injection placement—is performed with meticulous care to achieve natural-looking fullness that feels beautifully your own.
What Is Fat Transfer to the Breast?
Fat transfer to the breast, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a procedure that enhances breast shape and volume using fat from your own body. Through gentle liposuction—typically from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—Dr. Howarth collects and purifies the fat before precisely injecting it into the breast. The result is soft, natural-looking fullness without the use of implants.
For women seeking subtle enhancement, correction of asymmetry, or a more organic alternative to traditional augmentation, fat transfer offers a beautifully understated solution. Dr. Howarth uses advanced techniques and careful planning to ensure smooth contours, even distribution, and long-term volume retention—always with the goal of results that look and feel completely your own.
Reasons Women Choose Fat Transfer to the Breast
ENHANCE NATURALLY
Some women want a subtle increase in volume without the feel or appearance of an implant. Fat transfer uses your own tissue to create soft, natural results that move with your body and age gracefully over time—ideal for those seeking understated enhancement.
REFINE PREVIOUS RESULTS
Whether smoothing edges around an implant or restoring lost volume after implant removal, fat grafting allows for delicate refinement. It’s often used in revision surgery to soften contours, fill hollow areas, or improve shape where previous procedures fell short.
RESTORE BALANCE
After pregnancy, weight changes, or aging, the breasts can lose their natural volume and symmetry. Fat transfer restores harmony by adding fullness in precise areas—while simultaneously sculpting the donor site for a more balanced overall figure.
AVOID FOREIGN MATERIAL
For women who prefer not to have implants, fat transfer offers a biocompatible option that feels completely their own. There’s no risk of implant-related complications, and the results can feel more authentic, personal, and empowering.
Fat Transfer to the Breast Consultation Process
A Thoughtful, One-on-One Conversation
Your consultation for fat transfer to the breast is a thoughtful, one-on-one conversation with Dr. Ashley Howarth—centered entirely on your goals, your body, and the look you want to achieve. You’ll discuss your reasons for seeking surgery, the areas of the body that may be used for fat harvest, and whether this procedure aligns with your vision.
During the appointment, Dr. Howarth will take detailed measurements, assess your natural breast and skin quality, and examine potential donor sites. You’ll review expected outcomes, healing timelines, and what to anticipate before, during, and after surgery. Every aspect of the plan is personalized and clearly explained, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
This conversation is never rushed. It’s a calm, supportive setting where your questions are welcomed and your preferences are heard. For Dr. Howarth, the consultation isn’t just about planning surgery—it’s about beginning a collaborative relationship grounded in trust, understanding, and your long-term satisfaction.
From consultation to confidence
Selecting a Plastic Surgeon with a Commitment to Excellence
Careful Planning
Every fat transfer procedure begins with a personalized consultation focused on your body, lifestyle, and desired outcome. Dr. Howarth takes time to evaluate your anatomy and donor areas, ensuring that every detail—from fat volume to placement—is planned with precision. You’ll leave the consultation with a clear understanding of the process and what to expect.
Surgical Expertise
Dr. Howarth combines gentle liposuction with meticulous fat refinement and placement to create natural-looking results. Using advanced layering techniques, she carefully shapes the breast to enhance volume while preserving softness and proportion. Her goal is always to deliver results that feel seamless, balanced, and completely your own.
Supportive Recovery
You’ll be cared for with the same attention and thoughtfulness throughout your recovery as you experienced from day one. Dr. Howarth and her team provide clear instructions, ongoing communication, and personal follow-up to ensure a smooth healing process. Most patients return to light activity within a few days and describe the experience as surprisingly manageable.
Begin Your Transformation
Meet your surgeon
Ashley Lynn Howarth, MD, FACS
Dr. Ashley Howarth is a board-certified plastic surgeon who completed her training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. Prior to that, she trained in general surgery at Texas A&M Baylor Scott & White, and earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. With nine years of combined surgical training, few surgeons possess the level of academic experience as Dr. Howarth.
She has quickly become one of Arizona’s most in-demand plastic surgeons, recognized for her surgical precision, natural aesthetic, and obsession with detail. Her clinical interests include cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body, and she is known for delivering results that are refined, balanced, and thoughtfully executed.
In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. Howarth serves as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Mayo Clinic, where she helps train the next generation of plastic surgeons. She also serves as the youngest board member and Member-at-Large for the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons, a leadership role awarded by her peers.
As a working mother of three young boys, Dr. Howarth understands the challenges that women face. Her care is grounded in empathy, honesty, and individualized attention, with the goal of helping every patient feel confident, supported, and beautifully themselves throughout the entire process.
She proudly supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and sponsors their Celebrate Youth Gala each year. She also mentors young women interested in medicine and surgery by offering shadowing opportunities and career guidance, continuing her dedication to helping others grow—both in and out of the operating room.
“My life feels full and wonderful due to this transformation. I’m blessed to have had Dr. Howarth complete my surgery. Don’t wait to love your body and yourself!” – M.A.
FAQ
How much volume can fat transfer add to the breasts?
Fat transfer typically creates a modest increase in volume—often about one cup size or less. It’s ideal for women seeking subtle enhancement or soft contouring, rather than dramatic augmentation. The amount of fat that survives long term depends on your body, technique, and healing, but Dr. Howarth uses precise, layered placement to promote retention and natural fullness.
What areas can fat be taken from?
Common donor sites include the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, and inner knees. During your consultation, Dr. Howarth will assess which areas are best suited for gentle liposuction, based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. Patients often appreciate the added benefit of contouring another area of the body as part of the process.
Will I lose all the fat after surgery?
Some of the transferred fat is naturally reabsorbed by the body—typically 30–40%—within the first few months. The remaining fat that establishes a blood supply is considered permanent. Dr. Howarth accounts for this in her technique, using strategic overcorrection and layering to help ensure smooth, lasting results.
Can fat transfer be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Fat transfer is often combined with implant revision, breast lift, or body contouring procedures. It’s commonly used to refine shape, soften contours, or add fullness where needed. Dr. Howarth will design a surgical plan tailored to your goals, whether fat transfer is a standalone procedure or part of a more comprehensive approach.
Is fat transfer safer than implants?
Because it uses your own tissue, fat transfer avoids many of the risks associated with implants—such as rupture, capsular contracture, or implant illness. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Dr. Howarth will explain the benefits and limitations of both options to help you make an informed, confident decision.
What is recovery like after fat transfer to the breast?
Most patients experience mild soreness and swelling in both the donor and breast areas for a few days. Compression garments may be recommended to support healing in liposuction sites. Most women return to light activity within a week, and any bruising typically resolves in 10–14 days. Dr. Howarth and her team will guide you through every step of recovery.
Is this surgery covered by insurance?
Ideal candidates are in good health, at a stable weight, and have adequate fat for harvesting. You should also have realistic expectations and prefer a subtle, natural result. Fat transfer may not be recommended for those seeking significant volume increase. During your consultation, Dr. Howarth will help determine if this is the right approach for your goals.
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