Revision Breast Augmentation After Silicone Implants: Fat Grafting to Improve Implant Visibility | 25-Year-Old Female, 6-Month Results2026.10.29
Case Overview | Creating a More Natural Breast Contour with Fat Grafting After Silicone Breast Augmentation
This case features a 25-year-old woman who underwent 360-degree arm liposuction combined with fat grafting to improve the visibility of her existing silicone breast implants at AVAN TOKYO in Ginza, Tokyo.
The patient was 163 cm tall and weighed 42 kg (BMI 15.8). She had undergone silicone breast augmentation at another clinic several years earlier.
Although she was satisfied with her breast volume, she was concerned about the visible outlines and prominent edges of her silicone implants, particularly due to her naturally slim physique and limited subcutaneous fat.
Rather than removing or replacing the existing implants, we performed autologous fat grafting around the implants (fat grafting camouflage) to create a smoother, softer, and more natural breast contour.
Surgical Details
● Patient: 25-year-old female
● Height / Weight: 163 cm / 42 kg
● BMI: 15.8
● Procedure: 360-degree arm liposuction + breast fat grafting
● Previous surgery: Silicone breast augmentation at another clinic
● Pure fat harvested: 400 cc
● Fat injected: Right breast 140 cc / Left breast 120 cc
● Total fat injected: 260 cc
● Injection technique: Fat grafting primarily into the subcutaneous tissue overlying the implants
● Follow-up: 6 months postoperatively
Why Do Silicone Breast Implants Become Visible in Slim Patients?
Silicone breast augmentation can effectively increase breast volume. However, patients with a naturally slim body type and limited breast tissue may experience visible implant edges, implant palpability, or rippling.
This is particularly common in areas where the soft tissue covering the implant is thin, such as the upper breast, décolletage, and outer breast.
For patients who are satisfied with their existing implant size but want a more natural appearance, fat grafting over silicone breast implants can be an effective revision option in selected cases.
By transferring the patient’s own fat into the tissues surrounding the implant, we aim to increase soft tissue coverage and reduce the visibility of implant contours.
Our Surgical Approach | Fat Grafting for Implant Camouflage
Because this patient had a very slim physique, careful fat harvesting and precise injection planning were essential.
We harvested approximately 400 cc of pure fat through circumferential arm liposuction.
Of this, 140 cc was injected into the right breast and 120 cc into the left breast.
The fat was distributed primarily within the subcutaneous tissue to improve the soft tissue coverage over the existing silicone implants.
Our primary objective was not simply to increase breast size, but to soften the visible implant edges and create a smoother transition between the implants and surrounding breast tissue.
At the same time, arm liposuction was performed to refine the upper-arm contour and improve the overall balance of the upper body.
Six-Month Postoperative Results | Improved Breast Contour and Fat Retention
At six months after surgery, the patient demonstrated good retention of the transferred fat and a visibly smoother breast contour.
The prominence of the silicone implant edges was reduced, creating a more natural transition between the breasts and surrounding tissues.
Fat grafting results gradually stabilize as postoperative swelling resolves and a portion of the transferred fat is naturally absorbed.
Although the amount of fat retention varies among individuals, this case showed favorable volume retention at the six-month follow-up.
Importantly, even in patients with a very slim body type, fat grafting may help improve implant visibility when sufficient donor fat is available and the procedure is carefully planned.
However, outcomes depend on tissue thickness, implant position, the degree of visible rippling, and individual fat survival. Complete correction cannot be guaranteed.
Recovery and Downtime
Typical recovery timeline:
● Swelling and bruising: Approximately 1–2 weeks
● Pain and discomfort: Several days to 2 weeks
● Arm firmness and tissue contracture: May begin around 2 weeks and gradually improve over several months
● Breast contour stabilization: Approximately 3–6 months
Recovery varies depending on the extent of liposuction, the amount of fat transferred, and individual healing characteristics.
Potential Risks and Complications
Possible risks include infection, bleeding, hematoma, fat necrosis, oil cysts, calcification, palpable lumps, fat resorption, asymmetry, skin irregularities, pigmentation changes, scarring, and capsular contracture associated with silicone implants.
Procedure Cost
360-Degree Arm Liposuction + Breast Fat Grafting
The total procedure fee, including applicable anesthesia and examination costs, should be confirmed and displayed according to the patient’s treatment plan.
Surgeon’s Commentary | Improving Silicone Breast Implant Visibility Without Implant Replacement
For patients with a slim physique, successful breast augmentation is not only about increasing breast size. Achieving a natural appearance also requires sufficient soft tissue coverage over the implants.
When the layer of tissue covering a silicone implant is thin, implant edges may become visible even when the implant itself is correctly positioned.
In these cases, implant removal or replacement is not always necessary.
Autologous fat grafting can offer an alternative approach to improving breast contour while preserving the existing silicone implants.
For this particular patient, we combined 360-degree arm liposuction with targeted breast fat grafting to improve both the arm silhouette and breast appearance.
At six months, the transferred fat showed favorable retention, and the breast contours appeared smoother and more natural.
However, fat harvesting and grafting must be approached carefully in very slim patients, as donor fat volume and the capacity of the recipient tissues may be limited.
At AVAN TOKYO, a cosmetic surgery clinic specializing in liposuction and breast augmentation in Ginza, Tokyo, we focus on individualized surgical planning based on each patient’s anatomy, body proportions, and aesthetic goals.
If you have previously undergone silicone breast augmentation and are concerned about visible implant edges, rippling, or an unnatural breast contour, fat grafting may be an option worth considering.
We welcome international patients seeking breast augmentation revision, fat grafting, or body contouring surgery in Tokyo.
Contact AVAN TOKYO to arrange a consultation. We will assess your existing implants, soft tissue thickness, and available donor fat to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.