Can I have plastic surgery the same day as my consultation?

This is usually less likely, unless it is a very small procedure done under local anaesthesia and a procedure room slot is available. Singapore MOH regulation also mandates at least a one-week cooling period following consultation for local patients. Additional medical clearance or tests may be required prior to surgery.

Can I have a video consultation/telemedicine consultation?

Yes. Video consultations are suitable especially for out-of-town patients. For local patients, in-person consultation is still preferred. Video consultations will not be recorded and require pre-payment.

I want to do surgery, but I’m so afraid of the pain. What should I do?

It’s expected to have some pain after surgery. At Argent, appropriate analgesia (oral, local anesthesia, or patient-controlled analgesia) will be provided. Supportive garments may also be used postoperatively to reduce swelling and improve comfort.

Can I have more than one procedure done during the same surgery?

Yes, it is possible to combine multiple procedures, depending on the surgery type and postoperative care needs. For more extensive surgeries, sometimes procedures are staged to ensure maximal safety and optimal outcomes.

Should I bring someone along with me during the consultation?

Bringing a close friend, family member, or spouse can provide emotional support. However, if you come alone, that is also acceptable—Dr Lee Hanjing will provide a written discussion of the procedures and cover your questions.

What should I bring to the consultation?

Bring your full medical and surgical history, current medications and supplements, and a list of questions you wish to ask. This helps the surgeon better understand your needs and propose a suitable plan.

Is there a consultation fee?

Yes. Dr Lee Hanjing performs consultations personally, taking time to understand your concerns, examine you, and create a customized plan. The consultation fee reflects this level of personal care and expertise.

Breast Fat Grafting in Singapore

At Argent Plastic Surgery, breast fat grafting is performed by Dr Lee Hanjing, a fellowship-trained specialist plastic surgeon, at Mount Alvernia Hospital. Also known as fat transfer breast augmentation, the procedure uses the patient's own fat, harvested from donor areas such as the abdomen or thighs, to enhance breast volume without implants. It is performed as a day surgery.

What Is Breast Fat Grafting?

Breast fat grafting is an implant-free procedure performed under sedation or general anaesthesia. It utilises a three-stage process:

Fat Harvesting: Fat is gently removed via liposuction from a donor area with sufficient tissue, typically the abdomen or inner thighs, through sub-centimetre incisions.
Processing: The harvested fat is processed using centrifugation (the Coleman technique) to isolate and purify the viable fat cells.
Injection: The purified fat is carefully injected back into the breasts in small aliquots (tiny layers) to maximise its survival and integration with the surrounding tissue.

Benefits of Breast Fat Grafting

Breast fat grafting has several clinical and practical properties that patients commonly consider when discussing their options during consultation:

Uses Your Own Tissue: The procedure is a form of autologous fat transfer to the breast, meaning no foreign implant material is introduced, and there is no risk of rejection.
Dual Body Contouring: Fat is removed from a donor area, such as the abdomen or inner thighs, while the breasts are augmented, refining the body contour in a single procedure.
Natural Look and Feel: Because the transferred fat integrates with the surrounding breast tissue, the result is often described as a natural breast augmentation in both appearance and texture.
Minimal Scarring: Both the liposuction harvest and the fat injection use sub-centimetre incisions, leaving only small, discreet scars.
No Implant-Related Concerns: Because no device is placed, the procedure avoids implant-specific issues such as capsular contracture or implant rupture.

Who Is Suitable for Breast Fat Grafting?

Breast fat grafting is a breast augmentation surgery that is suited to women seeking modest enhancement and natural-feeling results. However, suitability depends on both body composition and individual goals.

The procedure is typically suitable for women who:

Have Sufficient Donor Fat: Patients with enough fat in the abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs to harvest a meaningful volume for transfer.
Are Seeking Modest Enhancement: Patients aiming for a half to one cup size increase per session, rather than a dramatic single-stage change.
Prefer Breast Augmentation Without Implants: Patients who would rather avoid foreign material and the long-term considerations associated with implants.
Want Post-Pregnancy or Asymmetry Correction: Patients seeking volume restoration after pregnancy or breastfeeding, or correction of mild breast asymmetry.
Have Stable Weight and Good Skin Elasticity: Patients whose weight has been stable for some time and whose skin can accommodate the added volume.

Breast fat grafting may not be the most appropriate option for:

Patients with Very Little Body Fat: Without sufficient donor tissue, the volume that can be transferred is limited.
Patients Seeking a Large Single-Stage Increase: Patients who want significantly more than one cup size in a single procedure are usually better suited to implant-based options.
Patients with Significant Breast Ptosis: A breast lift (mastopexy) may be required alongside or instead of fat grafting where there is considerable drooping.

How Is Breast Fat Grafting Performed?

The breast fat grafting procedure is typically performed as a day surgery under sedation or general anaesthesia, and takes about two hours. It is carried out in three stages:

Fat Harvest via Liposuction: Fat is harvested from the abdomen or inner thighs through sub-centimetre incisions, refining the donor area simultaneously.
Fat Processing via Centrifugation: The harvested fat is processed using the Coleman technique, which separates viable fat cells from fluid and other material to prepare them for transfer.
Fat Injection into the Breasts: Fat is injected in small aliquots to maximise survival and integration with the surrounding tissue, and is distributed evenly through fine cannulas across the breast.

Clinical studies suggest that approximately 60-70% of the transferred fat survives long-term, with the remainder reabsorbed by the body in the months following the procedure. The injection technique, the volume transferred per session, and individual healing all influence the final outcome.

Recovery After Breast Fat Grafting

Recovery from breast fat grafting surgery is generally more comfortable than implant-based surgery, as no muscle dissection is involved. A typical recovery timeline consists of:

Day of Surgery: Most patients return home the same day, and a compression garment is fitted to the donor area to support healing and reduce swelling.
Week 1 to 2: Swelling and bruising at both the donor site and the breasts are expected, with most patients returning to desk-based work between three and five days after surgery.
Weeks 2 to 4: The compression garment is worn for four to six weeks, and sports and other high-impact activities should be avoided for at least four weeks.
Three Months: Most of the swelling has settled by this point, and the final volume becomes assessable, at which point a further session can be considered if additional volume is desired.

Deep massage, firm pressure, and prone sleeping should be avoided on the breasts in the early weeks, as these can disrupt the survival of the transferred fat.

Breast Fat Grafting Cost in Singapore

The price of breast fat grafting in Singapore varies depending on the volume of fat to be transferred, the areas requiring liposuction, the number of sessions planned, and the associated anaesthesia and facility fees.

As breast fat grafting is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, the cost is not claimable under Medisave or standard insurance plans. A personalised quote is provided following consultation, once Dr Lee Hanjing has assessed your anatomy and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Fat Grafting

Where can I get breast fat grafting in Singapore?

Breast fat grafting in Singapore is performed by Dr Lee Hanjing, a fellowship-trained, female specialist plastic surgeon at Mount Alvernia Hospital. Dr Lee Hanjing is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Singapore (FAMS, Plastic Surgery) and a member of the Singapore Association of Plastic Surgeons. A consultation at Argent Plastic Surgery includes an assessment of donor area suitability, breast anatomy, and realistic expectations for the procedure.

What is the difference between breast fat grafting and breast implants?

Breast fat grafting uses your own fat, harvested via liposuction, to add volume to the breasts without implants. Breast implants, on the other hand, use a silicone or saline device placed in a surgical pocket to achieve a larger or more defined breast shape.

Fat grafting typically produces a more modest, natural-feeling result and contours the donor area at the same time, while implants can achieve a greater volume increase in a single procedure.

Do fat transfers to breasts last?

How many sessions will I need?

How much does breast fat grafting cost in Singapore?

The cost of breast fat transfer varies depending on the volume of fat to be transferred, the donor areas requiring liposuction, the number of sessions, and the associated anaesthesia and facility fees. As a cosmetic procedure, fat transfer breast enhancement is not claimable under Medisave.

At Argent Plastic Surgery, a personalised quote is provided after consultation with Dr Lee Hanjing at Mount Alvernia Hospital, once your anatomy and goals have been assessed.