Why consider a breast augmentation by fat transfer ?
Breast augmentation by fat transfer is becoming popular because the added breast volume relies on your own tissue, so it is essentially putting something that is already your own tissue into your breast.
What is a breast augmentation by Fat transfer ?
Fat is a versatile substance and is present in your body in different areas. Fat can be taken from these areas (donor sites) such as the thighs, hips or abdomen and it can be placed into the breast (recipient site).
Clearly, using your own tissue does have advantages, such as the fact that you would not get any of the complications, which are known to be associated with breast augmentation by implants, like capsular contracture.
On the other hand, solid breast implants are predictable, unlike fat, which is unpredictable. Fat is living tissue, which means that fat needs to survive to continue to be present. It is possible that some of the fat will not survive the transfer process or similarly may not take to being in the new environment (another part of your body).
There are many technical, patient and time factors that determine the fat survival in a fat transfer to the breast, ultimately no one can predict how much of your fat will survive and how much will die. It is estimated that generally the amount of fat that will survive will be somewhere between 50 to 80 per cent. For this reason, it is necessary to over-correct with fat volume when performing fat transfer to the breast.
This procedure is not for everyone and of course we need enough fat to harvest for this procedure. If you are a slim person, you may consider either gaining weight in order to have enough fat tissue for a transfer or choose to have a breast implant instead. Another advantage of fat transfer to the breast is that you do not have a scar under the breast, because the fat is inserted into the breast through tiny needle-prick holes (small cannula).
How is this procedure performed ?
The areas that you wish to have fat taken away are marked and liposuction is performed in these areas. Dressings are applied to the small 1-2 cm incisions required for the removal of fat by liposuction. The fat is then distributed into smaller containers and it is placed into both of your breasts. Initially your breasts may look very full and swollen, but gradually the fluid will drain from the area.
What will my recovery be like after a fat transfer to the breasts ?
Initially your breasts will be tender and swollen, they may also be bruised. It is important that you take it easy and of course are not exposed to any nicotine products.
After the first week
Generally in the first week your breasts may be swollen and a little bruised. After this time, things should settle down. It is important not to wear tight constrictive clothing while the fat is settling into its new environment. However, you should wear a compression garment on the area or areas where the fat has been taken from, to help with swelling and aid in shaping the area for the long term.
How long does it last ?
Once the fat has settled, in about 6-12 months, that should be how it will stay, provided that you do not lose significant weight in the future.
What are the potential complications of fat grafting to the breast ?
– Fat death/necrosis is one of the main complications of note, in regards to fat grafting. It is possible to have another fat transfer if this occurs, however, again there is no guarantee that all of the fat will survive.
Fat necrosis may result in:
- Loss of breast volume
- Hard lumps
- Liquified cysts
- Seroma
Other complications include:
- Bleeding
- Contour irregularities in the donor site
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Poor scars
- Fat embolism
How much will my surgery cost ?
Your surgery for a breast augmentation by fat transfer will depend on how many areas Dr Wetton will need to perform liposuction to, and how big you would like your breasts to be. The cost will vary, and so you will need to attend a consultation so that this can be determined.
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