A common cosmetic procedure called breast augmentation uses implants to improve the size and shape of the breasts. Breast augmentation with fat transfer is becoming increasingly popular among women, who prefer it to breast implants because it is a more natural procedure.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer, also referred to as autologous fat transfer, is a procedure that enlarges the breasts using the patient's own fat. In order to increase volume and improve shape, this technique entails removing fat from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and transferring it to the breasts.
The specifics of breast augmentation with fat transfer—including the procedure itself, patient selection, postoperative care, and potential risks and complications—will be covered in this article.
The Process: Expectations
Patients typically consult with their surgeon before having breast augmentation with fat transfer to go over their expectations and goals for the procedure. In order to decide if the patient is a good candidate for the breast augmentation with fat transfer. The surgeon will assess the patient's breasts and general health during this consultation.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, the patient will either receive general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation on the day of the procedure. The surgeon will then make a few tiny incisions in the area of the body that will be used to harvest the fat, which is typically the thighs or the abdomen.
The surgeon will delicately remove the fat from the donor area using a specialized cannula. Before being injected into the breasts, the fat is processed to remove impurities and extra fluid. To produce a smooth, natural-looking contour, the surgeon will use a fine needle to inject fat into various breast areas.
Depending on the patient's objectives and the amount of fat that can be safely harvested, different amounts of fat will be injected. To achieve their desired breast size and shape, most patients will typically need at least two to three sessions of fat transfer.
Patients who want a mild increase in breast size and a more natural-looking outcome are best candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer. Patients who desire a significant increase in breast size or who have a significant amount of excess skin are not good candidates for this procedure.
Patients should also have sufficient fat reserves in the donor area, such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs, in order to be good candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer. Patients with low body fat percentages or extreme thinness might not have enough fat available for the procedure.
Additionally, patients should be in good general health and have reasonable expectations for the procedure's outcomes. The surgeon will assess the patient's current health and medical history during the consultation process to determine whether they are a good candidate for the procedure.
Patients usually experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the donor and recipient areas after the procedure. For several weeks, patients might need to wear a compression garment or specialized bra to speed up the healing process.
Within a week or two of the procedure, the majority of patients can return to their regular routines, though they should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few weeks. For a few weeks, patients should also refrain from putting pressure on their breasts or sleeping on their stomach.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer has potential risks and complications, just like any surgical procedure. These may consist of:
The risk of complications can be reduced for patients by being truthful about their medical history and any medications they are taking, carefully following the preoperative and postoperative instructions provided by their surgeon.
Additionally, it's critical for patients to select a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with fat transfer for breast augmentation. To get a sense of the surgeon's skill and aesthetic preferences, patients should also request to see before-and-after pictures of prior patients.
Results: What to Expect
Fat transfer for breast augmentation usually produces subtle, natural-looking results. Patients can anticipate an improvement in breast shape, a slight increase in breast size, and more youthful-looking breasts.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer can produce long-lasting results because it uses the patient's own fat cells. It is crucial to remember that some of the transferred fat cells might not survive, which could eventually lead to a slight decrease in breast size.
Patients who are considering breast augmentation with fat transfer should be aware that the procedure is not a replacement for healthy eating or exercising. Significant weight changes can impact the procedure's outcomes and may necessitate further treatment in the future.
“Patients can achieve a subtle increase in breast size and improve breast shape with breast augmentation with fat transfer, a natural alternative to breast implants. Despite the fact that the procedure is typically safe and effective, it is crucial for patients to select a skilled surgeon and pay close attention to all preoperative and postoperative instructions.”
To discuss your options and determine whether breast augmentation with fat transfer is the right course of action for you, make an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Frequently asked questions about fat transfer for breast augmentation, along with thorough responses to each:
A surgical procedure called breast augmentation with fat transfer uses the patient's own fat cells to enlarge and reshape the breasts.
During the procedure, liposuction is used to remove fat from another part of the patient's body, like the thighs or abdomen. To produce a more natural-looking enlargement of the breasts, the fat is purified and injected.
Depending on the extent of the augmentation, the procedure can last anywhere between two and three hours.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer, when carried out by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon, is typically risk-free.
After the procedure, patients might feel a little uncomfortable and sore, but this can be treated with medication.
After the procedure, patients usually need to take a few days off of work and refrain from strenuous activity for several weeks.
Although breast augmentation with fat transfer can produce long-lasting results, some of the transferred fat cells may not live, which could eventually lead to a slight shrinkage of the breasts.
Yes, liposuction or a breast lift can be done in addition to breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Depending on the desired level of augmentation, the required amount of fat varies, but typically at least 200cc of fat is required per breast.
As the transferred fat cells adapt to their new environment, it can take several months before the final effects of breast augmentation with fat transfer are visible.
Depending on the surgeon, the location, and the degree of the augmentation, the price varies, but it typically falls between $10,000 and $15,000.
As a cosmetic procedure, fat transfer for breast augmentation is typically not covered by insurance.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer entails risks like infection, bleeding, and anaesthesia complications, just like any surgical procedure. Additionally, it's possible that some of the transferred fat cells won't survive, which could lead to asymmetry or a reduction in the size of the breasts.
Patients should carefully follow any preoperative instructions given by their surgeon, which may include quitting smoking and avoiding certain medications.
Patients who want a moderate increase in breast size and have good skin elasticity are typically the best candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Yes, men who want to expand their chest size can get breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery are still eligible for breast augmentation with fat transfer, but the timing of the procedure may need to be coordinated with the patient's oncologist.
Yes, asymmetry between the breasts can be fixed with breast augmentation using fat transfer.
The appearance of breasts after fat transfer during breast augmentation may be improved. Depending on the patient's anatomy, there may be some improvement in the patient's tuberous breasts.
No, liposuction must be used to remove fat from another part of the patient's body in order to perform breast augmentation with fat transfer.
The effects of liposuction can be seen right away, but it may take a few weeks for swelling and bruising to go down and for the final results to show.
Yes, the surgeon can collaborate with the patient to choose a body part for liposuction based on their unique objectives and requirements.
After liposuction, patients are frequently instructed to wear a compression garment for a few weeks to help with healing and reduce swelling.
After breast augmentation with fat transfer, patients should refrain from vigorous exercise for a few weeks to give the transferred fat cells time to adapt to their new location.
After breast augmentation with fat transfer, breastfeeding might still be possible, but it might be more challenging due to the potential disruption of milk ducts during the procedure.
Depending on the surgeon, the location, and the extent of the procedure, liposuction can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000.
After liposuction, patients usually need to take a few days off of work and refrain from strenuous activity for a few weeks.
Liposuction carries risks like infection, bleeding, and anaesthesia complications, just like any surgical procedure.
Due to the small incisions required during breast augmentation with fat transfer, scarring is typically minimal.
A centrifuge is typically used to purify the fat, separating the fat cells from other substances like blood and fluids.
Typically, patients are required to take a few days off of work and refrain from strenuous activity for a few weeks following the procedure.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer can produce long-lasting results, even though some of the transferred fat cells might not survive.
As the transferred fat cells settle into their new location and swelling decreases, it can take several months to see the final results of breast augmentation with liposuction and fat transfer.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer may still be an option for patients with a history of breast cancer, but the timing of the procedure may need to be coordinated with their oncologist.
Breast augmentation with implants involves inserting silicone or saline implants to enlarge the breasts, whereas breast augmentation with fat transfer uses the patient's own fat cells to produce a more realistic-looking enlargement.
Depending on the patient's tolerance for pain, the amount of pain and discomfort felt following breast augmentation with fat transfer or implants may vary.
To determine the right size for the patient's particular needs and goals, the surgeon will consult with them. The size increase could be less than with conventional breast implants due to the limited amount of fat that can be transferred.
The amount of fat required will vary depending on the goals and needs of each patient, but each breast typically requires several hundred milimeters of fat.
The success rate of breast augmentation with fat transfer is typically high, with the majority of patients reporting results that look natural and last for a long time.
The extent of the liposuction and the amount of fat being transferred will determine how long the procedure will last, but it usually lasts several hours.
In order to achieve a more balanced appearance, the surgeon can transfer different amounts of fat to each breast during breast augmentation with fat transfer, so the answer is yes, breast asymmetry can be corrected.
As the procedure depends on the availability of extra fat in other parts of the body for harvesting, patients who are overweight may not be good candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Typically, it takes several hours to harvest, purify, and transfer the fat.
As a cosmetic procedure, fat transfer for breast augmentation is typically not covered by insurance.
Patients who previously underwent breast augmentation with implants may still be candidates for fat transfer, but the surgeon will need to assess each case individually to decide whether it is safe and appropriate.
The effects of fat transfer for breast augmentation can last a long time, but some of the fat cells may not survive and the breasts may gradually lose some volume.
Breast augmentation with fat transfer may still be an option for patients with a history of breast cancer, but the timing of the procedure may need to be coordinated with their oncologist.
Patients with significant sagging or drooping breasts may not be candidates for breast augmentation with fat transfer because the procedure does not address this problem.
When considering breast augmentation with fat transfer, patients should postpone their procedure until they are no longer pregnant or nursing.
Patients should schedule a consultation to discuss their unique needs and goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience and expertise in breast augmentation with fat transfer.
Assoc. Prof. Tarık ÇavuşoğluPlastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist