Natural Enhancement
Breast Augmentation with Fat
Many women desire beautifully shaped breasts. While some are naturally gifted, others may be dissatisfied with the size, asymmetry, or sagging due to aging or breastfeeding. Certain medical conditions may also alter breast size and shape, causing emotional distress beyond aesthetic concerns. Additionally, there are areas in the body where unwanted fat accumulates, creating an undesirable appearance.
Today, the dream of breast enhancement without implants is a reality. Aesthetic breast shaping and size augmentation can be achieved naturally using your own fat. Excess fat is harvested from areas where it’s unnecessary and unflattering. Breasts created using your own fat are soft, natural in shape, and move harmoniously with your body. They don’t create separate “implanted” areas and eliminate concerns about damage or detection during medical imaging. The excess fat removal and breast correction can be achieved simultaneously in a “two-in-one” procedure using your own fat.
Advantages of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
- No Incisions: Fat transfer involves no incisions, reducing scarring.
- No allergy: We use one’s own tissues, so there is no allergy.
- Minimal Complications: There are no complications associated with implants (capsular contracture, rupture, infection, shifting, or leakage).
- Quick Recovery Period: Less invasive than breast augmentation with implant. It heals more quickly and women can get back to their regular activities sooner.
- Natural Feel and Movement: Fat-filled breasts have a natural texture, move naturally with body motion, and don’t feel like a foreign element.
- Two-in-one procedure: Unwanted fat disappears from the body, mostly from the stomach, hips and thighs and „reappears” at the breast .
- Longevity: Because the harvested fat tissue contains abundant stem cells and growth factors, new micro veins form, allowing the fat to integrate and transform into a transplanted living tissue. The results of fat transfer can endure for 7-10 years, ensuring long-term satisfaction.
Limitations of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
However, it’s important to note that significant size increase isn’t feasible with this technique. It is also important that the patient has sufficient excess fat on other parts of their body for the transfer. For those desiring firmer, breasts up to two sizes larger, fat transfer offers the optimal solution. If a patient wishes for breasts larger than 300ml, a combination of fat transfer and implants may be necessary. If a woman has sagging breasts, excess skin, significant asymmetries, or not enough fat for harvesting, this may not be the best procedure. In such cases, breast lift and fat transfer or implants and fat transfer may be needed.
The Surgical Process
The procedure requires an adequate amount of harvestable fat, at least four times the volume intended for augmentation. Excess fat is typically extracted from the stomach, thighs, buttocks, or hips. The surgery is performed under anesthesia. Small incisions are made, the patient’s own fat is carefully suctioned through a thin cannula connected to the Vaser ultrasonic liposuction machine. Unlike traditional liposuction, which aggressively removes fat and can damage surrounding tissues, Vaser Liposuction allows for a gentle removal of excess fat. Vaser Liposuction is based on a “tissue-selective” technique, meaning that the ultrasound specifically targets fat tissues while protecting nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Since Vaser Liposuction gently removes fat, the cells themselves remain undamaged, making them excellent candidates for fat transfer. The suctioned quantity is purified and processed. The result is a lump-free “nano-fat” mass. This purified liquid fat is then strategically injected layer by layer into the breast area. Since the “nano-fat” mass is a living culture, it integrates, forming a natural feel and appearance and a significant portion of it remains in the long term, not being absorbed.
Stem Cells and Growth Factors
Fat tissue is an exceptionally rich source of stem cells and growth factors. According to the latest research, fat tissue contains twenty-five times more adult stem cells than bone marrow. These growth factors, similar to hormones, ensure the survival and long-term life of transplanted fat cells. Newly formed blood vessels quickly network around the fat, allowing it to permanently integrate into the body.
Benefits of Body Contouring
A distinctive benefit of fat grafting is its dual-purpose nature. By augmenting your breast size, you’re simultaneously undergoing a body contouring procedure via liposuction. This means you’re not only enhancing your breasts but also refining the shape of other body areas. This impact is particularly significant if fat is extracted from your waist, as it can result in a more defined, hourglass silhouette. In essence, this dual-purpose procedure offers excellent value, providing comprehensive enhancements to your body shape.
How Long Does Breast Fat Transfer Last?
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Breast fat transfer is intended to create a lasting change in breast volume. However, the transferred fat behaves similarly to the fat in other parts of your body. If you gain weight, your breasts may increase in size, and if you lose weight, they may decrease. Normal changes in body composition due to aging can also impact breast size over time.
I'm Considering Having my Breast Implant Removed, Is It Possible to Replace them with Fat?
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Yes, it is a common request from patients and can definitely be done! Whether patients have had their implants for a while or are facing issues with them, many wish to remove the implants but still want to maintain some volume. Fat transfer can be an excellent option to replace this volume. However, in most cases, especially with larger implants, fat may not be able to fully replace all the volume of the implants due to various reasons. It is always an option to undergo additional fat transfer procedures if more volume is desired.
Preconditions and Preoperative Tests
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During preliminary consultations, our plastic surgeon discusses your options and expectations. He will let you know if you have enough fat for the desired outcome, whether you need breast lift or implant alongside with the fat transfer. He reviews your health, allergies, and prior surgeries. Preoperative evaluations indicate that patients who are healthy and symptom-free can undergo the procedure. Since the surgery involves anesthesia, laboratory tests and an EKG are necessary. Smokers are advised to quit at least a week before the surgery.
Risks and Recovery
Despite meticulous care, minor discomforts (bleeding, inflammation, or hypersensitivity to anesthesia) can occur, common to any surgery. Sterile adhesive is applied to the transfer area, recommended for 6-7 days. A sports bra is essential, and push-up bras should be avoided for 2 weeks. Initially, the breast feels firm, softening and assuming a natural texture within 1-4 weeks, relieving tension discomfort. Swelling and bruising, varying in size, appear in the fat suction area. Ice packs are recommended for the first 2-4 days due to their calming and blood-vessel constricting effects. Compression garments should be worn for 8 weeks. Swelling and bruising usually subside within 4-8 weeks. The final results are visible approximately 3 months post-surgery.
