Transform your confidence with a hybrid breast augmentation at The Harley Clinic, London, combining breast fat transfer with breast implants. The hybrid approach is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to breast enlargement with implants alone, and delivers natural-looking results that transform the breasts’ appearance.
What is Hybrid Breast Augmentation?
Hybrid breast augmentation combines breast implants with fat transfer to achieve natural-looking customised results. It’s an innovative procedure ideal for women who want subtle volume, corrected breast asymmetry, or enhanced shape without relying solely on implants. At Harley Clinic, our surgeons utilise advanced techniques to harvest fat (which generally comes from the stomach or thighs), which is then paired with smaller implants for a softer, more natural feel.
Watch this video to learn more about hybrid breast augmentation techniques:
Hybrid Breast Augmentation Surgery: Quick Overview
- Surgery Time: 2 hours
- Anaesthetic: General
- Hospital Stay: Same-day or 1 night
- Dressing and Garments: Change dressings at 1 week, remove dressings at 2 weeks, up to 12 weeks wearing a compression bra
- Time Off Work: 1-2 weeks
- Exercise: 6 Weeks
- Mobile: 1 day
- Washing: Shower after 1 week
- Sleeping Position: On your back at a 45-degree angle for at least 2 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6-8 weeks
How Does Hybrid Breast Enlargement Work?
When using a hybrid approach to breast augmentation, you start with the implant augmentation first. As with any type of breast augmentation, you have a few considerations, including the type, size, and position of the breast implants. Anatomical or teardrop breast implants have more volume at the bottom of the implant. In contrast, round breast implants are round on all sides. Breast implant positions include:
- Over the muscle
- Under the muscle
- Dual-plane muscle placement
These are all things you will talk through with your plastic surgeon, as well as the implant material such as saline implants or silicone implants.
The next stage of the procedure is the fat harvesting process. After the breast implants are inserted and closed, your surgeon will harvest fat from the donor site. The fat is then processed and purified to prepare the fat cells. The fat is then injected into the breasts to achieve the desired look.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation Procedure Proces
The hybrid breast augmentation procedure starts with implant placement, customised to the patient’s preference (e.g., round or teardrop implants, over/under muscle). After that, fat is harvested from a donor site (usually the stomach or thighs), purified, and then injected into the breast, enhancing shape and symmetry. The process takes about 2 hours under general anaesthesia.
What are the Benefits of Hybrid Breast Augmentation?
Hybrid breast augmentation creates a customised, natural-looking result through a unique combination of implants and fat transfer. Some key benefits are:
- Natural appearance with a softer, more authentic feel.
- Precise shaping can correct any asymmetry or refine contours.
- Utilises smaller implants, which reduce skin stretching and maximise comfort.
- Ideal for breast replacement or subtle volume enhancement.
With these advantages, hybrid breast augmentation has become a popular choice for positive results at The Harley Clinic.
Who is Suitable For Hybrid Breast Augmentation?
Hybrid breast augmentation is suitable for patients who lack natural breast tissue or have lost breast tissue due to complications with previous breast implants. For example, if a patient had plenty of natural breast tissue with no visible deformities, a breast enlargement with implants alone would be ideal for a natural-looking feel and result.
If a patient lacks some natural breast tissue, has some breast asymmetry, or has a wide gap between the breasts, they may be suitable for the procedure. This is as long as they have enough fat to harvest (usually from the stomach or thighs).
How Long Does it Take to Recover from Hybrid Breast Enlargement Surgery?
Hybrid breast augmentation recovery may be slightly longer than traditional breast augmentation recovery, as the harvested fat donor site is also healing. You will be recovering from both breast augmentation and fat transfer.
In general, your recovery for breast augmentation will take about 6–8 weeks. Your plastic surgeon will talk you through your breast augmentation recovery, from when you can shower after breast augmentation surgery to what to eat and how to sleep comfortably.
After the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 48 hours. You can shower after 1 week but will need to wear a compression bra for up to 12 weeks. Although you continue wearing your compression bra, the most important part of the recovery is in the first 2–3 weeks. You should be able to return to work after 2 weeks and resume exercise in 6 weeks.
Most breast augmentation scars will start red and raised before turning pink then white over time. Your scarring will depend on the incision and implant placement. Your surgeon will take steps to conceal scarring using the natural curves of the body, but any incision will cause visible scarring.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recovery time for hybrid breast augmentation?
Recovery time takes 6–8 weeks, with most patients able to resume work after 2 weeks.
Our team will work with you to develop a personalised aftercare plan, which will include incision care and follow-up visits. By doing this, we’ll make sure your recovery is smooth and optimal.
Am I a good candidate for hybrid breast augmentation?
Ideal candidates for hybrid breast augmentation have limited breast tissue or asymmetry, as well as enough fat for transfer. These criteria can all be confirmed during your consultation.
Women with prior implant complications or a desire for natural enhancements often make strong candidates for hybrid breast augmentation. Our surgeons will look at your goals and make sure the procedure is right for you.
What hybrid breast augmentation before and after results can I expect?
You can expect hybrid breast augmentation before and after results to show a natural change in the breasts, where they have become more symmetrical with subtle volume.
Patients often see enhanced breast shape and improved confidence after their surgery.
What are the risks of hybrid breast augmentation?
Hybrid breast augmentation, like all surgeries, includes potential risks and complications. These include infection, breast scarring, or implant-related issues like rupture or malposition. These risks are minimised at Harley Clinic, where we use experience and advanced techniques for the best results.
With comprehensive pre-surgical consultations and post-operative care, risks and complications are drastically reduced. Safety is our top priority, alongside natural outcomes and ongoing support.
Can You Combine Hybrid Breast Augmentation With Other Cosmetic Procedures?
When it comes to breast surgeries, you have a few options. The first stage of your breast surgery journey is determining the right procedure for you. You have several options to consider, including:
- Hybrid breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Breast lift
- Breast fat transfer
- Breast lift with fat transfer or breast implants
Like most breast surgery, you can combine hybrid breast augmentation with other cosmetic procedures like liposuction and a tummy tuck. If you have multiple areas of concern, speak to your plastic surgeon about your options. They will recommend the best plastic surgery plan for you to make a well-informed decision.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
What Do Our Patients Say at our Harley Street Clinic London - The Harley Clinic
What are the Potential Hybrid Breast Augmentation Side Effects and Risks?
As with any surgery, hybrid breast augmentation has potential risks and side effects, including:
Some potential risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Anaesthesia risks
- Skin and or fat/necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Pain
- Swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Poor scarring
- Nerve injury
- Contour irregularity
- Seroma
- Over/under correction
- Asymmetry
- Damage to other structures
- DVT
- PE
- Chest infection
- Need for further surgery
- Unhappiness with size
- Extrusion
- Weight of the implant and gravity could mean that there’s a need for a breast lift in the future
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Scars
- Loss of nipple or areola
- Infection
- Uneven breast shape or size
- Risks of breast implants include but are not limited to:
- Bottoming out – this refers to a form of breast implant displacement. The implant sinks down to the lower part of the breast area.
- Double bubble – this is a type of implant deformity where the breast tissue descends instead of the implant.
- Animation – excessive movement or distortion when you do activities that involve your chest muscles.
- Wrinkling – this is when you see wrinkling or rippling over the implant.
- Implant rupture (1% per yer) – if a breast implant ruptures, it will start to leak and deflate. Swelling, soreness, and burning sensation are all signs of a breast implant rupture.
- Malposition – when the implant is sitting in the wrong place.
- Asymmetry – this is when your breast implants are uneven.
- Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma – a type of lymphoma that can develop around the breast implants. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. ALCL 1 in 20,000 textured implants sold (MHRA)
- Change in feeling of breasts – the majority of patients experience some change in the feeling of their breasts.
- Capsular contracture
- Extrusion
Why Choose The Harley Clinic for Your Harley Street Cosmetic Surgery
To find out more about our treatments, recovery tips, and more, read our Cosmetic Surgery Blog.
If you’re considering a hybrid breast augmentation, book a consultation today at our Harley Street Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, The Harley Clinic. You can find us at 10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF.
Further Reading:
- Effects of Textured Breast Implants: What You Need to Know
- How Do You Find the Right Bra Size After Breast Augmentation?
- Before and After Breast Implant Photos: 5 Things to Look for
- How to Choose Between Breast Augmentations, Lifts, and Reductions
- What is Breast Re-Augmentation?
- 7 Questions to Ask Before Your Breast Augmentation
- Can You Breastfeed After Breast Surgeries?
- How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery
- How To Choose Between Breast Lift And Breast Fat Transfer Surgery
- 6 Fat Transfer Recovery Tips for Great Results
- Breast Augmentation: Implants vs Fat Transfer