I recently stumbled upon a conversation that’s been making waves on Southern Charm—the classic debate: breast implants vs. natural breast augmentation.
Salley Carson opened up about removing her implants, while Molly O’Connell shared her experience with fat transfer breast augmentation, using fat from her ankles. Two women, two different choices.
Salley was amazed, like “wait, you got that?” A natural alternative to breast implants, what a surprise for many people. If you missed it, you can catch the conversation here in this reel from Molly O’Connell.
The breast implants vs. natural breast augmentation debate is a conversation that’s happening more and more. And not just on Bravo, but in consultation rooms like mine. What’s the difference between implants and fat transfer? Which one is right for you? Is what Molly told for real?
If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, stick around. Implants and fat transfer for breast enhancement each with their pros and cons, and we`re everything right here.
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implant surgery involves placing silicone or saline implants into the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle. It’s still one of the most popular ways to enhance breast size and shape.
The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision—usually under the breast, around the areola, or in the armpit. The implant is then placed over or under the muscle, depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals.
What’s the benefit of breast implants? A dramatic increase in bust size. Women chose implants to enhance their breasts and customize how they look and feel.
But implants come with two main drawbacks. First, safety concerns—implants can rupture and, in some cases, lead to complications like capsular contracture. Second, downtime—recovery takes about six weeks, with some restrictions lasting even longer.
Implants come in different shapes, including round and teardrop. The two most common types are silicone implants and saline-filled implants. Let’s see what these are.
Silicone vs saline implants
Silicone implants are the most popular choice because they closely mimic the texture, feel, and movement of natural breast tissue. The cohesive gel inside holds its shape well while staying soft.
But there’s a catch. A silicone implant rupture is harder to detect. Unlike saline, it won’t deflate, so you may not even notice. That’s why regular MRIs or ultrasounds are recommended to monitor for leaks.
Saline implants, on the other hand, are filled with sterile saltwater. If they rupture, the body absorbs the liquid safely, and the deflation is immediate—so no mystery leaks. However, they tend to feel firmer than silicone, which means the results may not look or move as naturally.
If the goal is breast enhancement that looks and feels natural, there’s another option worth considering. Keep reading to find out.
What Is Natural Breast Augmentation?
Natural breast augmentation uses your own fat to enhance your breasts, creating a fuller, more natural look. Instead of implants, the surgeon removes fat from one area of the body and transfers it to the breasts for a more natural enhancement.
Fat transfer for breast augmentation offers a safer, minimally invasive alternative to implants. Everything comes from your own body—no foreign materials, no risk of rupture, and a shorter recovery time.
So, how does breast fat transfer work?
Natural breast augmentation starts with liposuction. Fat is removed from areas like the abdomen, thighs, hips, flanks, or buttocks, then purified and carefully injected into the breasts. The goal is to create smooth, even volume while maintaining a natural shape and feel.
And yes, Molly O’Connell’s case is completely possible—you can take fat from the ankles. But for most women, we harvest fat from areas with a bit more to spare.
One of the biggest perks of natural breast augmentation? You get two benefits in one procedure—removing unwanted fat while enhancing your curves. It’s a win-win.
Another advantage is the shorter recovery time. Most patients are back to work in just a few days, with full results visible within three to four weeks.
That said, natural breast augmentation isn’t for women looking for a dramatic size increase. As with any fat transfer procedure, expectations, health, and anatomy all play a role in determining the best approach.
Now that we’ve covered both options, let’s compare breast implants vs. natural breast augmentation to help you decide which one best fits your goals.
Breast Implants vs Natural Breast Augmentation: Key Differences
So here we are, right where Molly and Salley left off—the breast implants vs. natural breast augmentation debate. It’s time to compare the pros and cons of each, so let’s get into it.
What Looks the Most Natural?
If the goal is natural-looking breast enhancement, fat transfer breast augmentation is the clear winner.
Silicone implants offer a more realistic shape and feel compared to saline, but they can still feel firmer or artificial. Why? Because, at the end of the day, they’re foreign materials placed inside the body.
Fat transfer, on the other hand, is your own tissue—so it moves, feels, and looks exactly like you.
And while we’re talking about natural results, let’s not forget about scarring. Any breast enlargement procedure requires surgical cuts. Silicone implants require larger incisions since they come pre-filled by the manufacturer. That means more noticeable scars on your body..
With natural breast augmentation, the only incisions are from liposuction. We just make really small incisions for fat transfer with a canula. This means minimal scarring, if any.
Breast Surgery Recovery Times: How Long Does It Take?
Breast implants require general anesthesia, and the recovery process takes one to two weeks before most women can return to work. Full recovery? Up to two months.
Natural breast augmentation is much faster. Since the procedure is done under local anesthesia, most women are back to work in two to three days and fully recovered within six weeks.
Let’s talk about real results: a patient here at True Contour had liposuction in her arms and abdomen, and we transferred the fat to her breasts. We also did Renuvion Skin Tightening for a smooth, sculpted finish. Here you can see her before and after on Instagram: no scars and looking great and natural, a few weeks post op!
Safety & Health: What Are the Risks?
Now, let’s talk about the risks of breast augmentation surgery. As with any procedure, there are risks involved. But when performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, surgery should always be safe.
The main concern with breast implants is that, over time, they can rupture, shift, or develop complications.
One of the most common complications of breast implants is capsular contracture. What’s this? Capsular contracture is a condition where scar tissue tightens around the implant, causing swelling, discomfort, and changes in shape.
Other potential risks include breast implant illness (BII), which can cause symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. There are also more serious conditions linked to implants, such as Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and Breast Implant-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BIA-SCC).
All this is why many celebrities have had second thoughts about implants: Pamela Anderson, Mena Suvari, Megan Fox. Kylie Jenner even opened up about reversing their implants in favor of a more natural appearance.
Fat transfer breast augmentation, on the other hand, offers a safer method. There’s no risk of rupture, no need for long-term monitoring, and no foreign materials in your body.
So, when choosing between breast implants vs. natural breast augmentation, it comes down to your goals, lifestyle, and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to.
Breast Augmentation Methods: Implants vs Fat Transfer Compared
That’s a lot to take in, right? Let’s summarize the pros and cons of everything we’ve covered:
| Aspect | Breast Implants | Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation |
| Look & Feel | Can feel firmer, less natural | Soft, moves & feels natural |
| Scarring | More noticeable incisions | Minimal scarring, if any |
| Recovery Time | 1-2 weeks off work, full recovery in 2 months | 2-3 days off work, full recovery in 6 weeks |
| Risks | Capsular contracture, rupture, implant illness | Low risk, no foreign objects |
| Enhancement Size | Can increase by 2-3 cup sizes | Typically increases by 1 cup size |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
| Long-Term Maintenance | Requires monitoring & replacement | One-time procedure, no future replacements |
Factors to Consider Before Choosing
So, what’s the right choice—implants or natural breast augmentation? That depends on your body, your goals, and your expectations.
If you’re looking for a dramatic increase—two to three cup sizes—implants are the way to go. And if you want the most natural-looking results with implants, teardrop-shaped implants tend to mimic the natural slope of the breast better than round ones.
On the other hand, natural breast augmentation offers a more subtle enhancement than implants. Typically, it can increase breast size by about one cup, which is ideal for a proportionate, natural look.
However, we know that for some women, this may not be enough to achieve their desired results.
Body type also plays a role. Women with a lower body fat percentage (BMI below 18–19) often aren’t ideal candidates for fat transfer breast augmentation. Simply put, there isn’t enough fat to harvest. In these cases, implants might be the better option.
And of course, money matters, too.
At first glance, breast implants might seem like a one-time expense. But here’s the reality—they require maintenance and eventual replacement.
Implants are more costly in the long run, that’s a fact.
Natural breast augmentation is a one-and-done procedure. Once the fat is transferred, it’s yours for life—no future replacements, no additional surgeries.
And if cost is a deciding factor, there are great financing options available. Check out our financing plans for cosmetic surgery here to explore what works for you.
How To Get Natural-Looking Breast Enhancement?
We’ve talked about how proportion is key. Even celebrities who once opted for implants are now choosing a more natural, balanced look that complements their body.
And that’s exactly what we do at True Contour. Natural breast augmentation isn’t just about enhancing one part of your body—it’s about sculpting your best self.
The confidence. The natural feel.
It’s all you—no plastic, no foreign objects.
So, how do you get natural-looking breast enhancement? With fat transfer.
If you’re considering breast enlargement procedures, you probably have more questions. And I have answers.
I’m Dr. G, Scottsdale’s go-to cosmetic surgeon, with patients from all over the country—New Mexico, Texas, California, Colorado, and beyond.
So wherever you are, book a virtual consultation today. Let’s talk about how we can help you achieve natural, beautiful results.
