Suitable Candidates for Breast Fat Grafting?
Suitable candidates for breast fat grafting should meet the following criteria:
- Physical Health: Be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that could interfere with the wound healing process.
- Emotional Well-being:Have realistic expectations and a positive mindset regarding the outcomes of breast implant surgery. As of 1st of July 2023, patients are required to have a psychological evaluation to ensure they are suitable to proceed with surgery.
- Stable Weight:It is recommended to be near your target weight before undergoing the procedure, as weight fluctuations after fat grafting will alter the size of the breast and affect the desired outcome.
- Non-smoker: Smoking or vaping dramatically interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of complications. Therefore, candidates are required to cease smoking for a minimum 6 weeks before and after the surgery.
Breast fat grafting can help address these concerns:
- No Implants: Achieve breast enlargement with fat grafting only (limited to 1 cup size).
- Smaller Implants: Use smaller breast implants with lower complications.
- Reduce Animation: Minimize breast animation from subpectoral placement.
- Correct Asymmetry: Correct mild chest wall asymmetry.
- Tuberous Breast Correction: Improve results in tuberous breast anomaly.
- Breast Asymmetry: Improve mild breast asymmetry.
- Implant Replacement: Replace breast implants with fat transfer.
- Camouflage Rippling: Camouflage implant edges and reduce rippling.
How is Breast Fat Grafting Surgery Performed?
Breast fat grafting is always performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. Depending on the complexity of the procedure it may take 1 to 2 hours, and generally you are discharged the same day.
There are several important considerations to be made during the planning of your fat grafting procedure with Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
AUTOLOGOUS FAT TRANSFER PROCESS
Fat grafting techniques have advanced, making the procedure more effective for cosmetic and functional breast procedures. Modern liposuction techniques preserve fat cells, which are then purified and re-injected into the breast area for more predictable, long-lasting results.
01.
Fat Harvesting
The procedure starts with liposuction, where fat is harvested from areas of the body that have excess fat deposits, like the abdomen, thighs, hips, or flanks. Dr Turner harvest the fat under low suction, using a 3mm multi-hole liposuction cannula to preserve the integrity of the fat cells and minimize trauma to the surrounding tissues. Further liposuction can be done to other areas to helps contour and reshape the body aesthetics.
02.
Fat Processing
The fat is collected in a closed system (LipoCollector 3) that allow the fat to be continuously washed, separated and concentrated while Dr Turner performs the liposuction procedure. After multiple washes of the fat with saline, the excess fluid and blood is removed, and the concentrated fat is transferred into syringes and allowed to rest while any remaining fluid is drained.
03.
Fat Transfer
The fat injections are placed via either surgical incisions or small 2mm incisions around the areola with a blunt-tippled cannula to reduce risk to the blood vessels and sensory nerves. The fat is selectively injected into the breast in multiple tunnels, in various layers of the breast tissue with very small volumes to give maximal chance of graft survival
Up to 70% of the fat injected will “take” and gets incorporated into the body. This figure is much lower in smokers. Sometimes multiple procedures are required to achieve your desired outcome.
01.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting
Fat grafting for breast enlargement is a procedure that uses your own fat to naturally enhance breast size, shape, and contour, offering an alternative to traditional breast implants. It is ideal for those seeking a subtle increase, typically less than one cup size. While some of the transferred fat may be absorbed by the body, the remaining fat cells provide long-lasting results. However, due to the potential for fat absorption, Dr. Turner often recommends combining fat grafting with breast implants for more predictable outcomes. For those choosing fat grafting alone, multiple sessions may be needed to achieve the desired volume, and weight fluctuations can impact the longevity of the results over time.
02.
Hybrid Breast Augmentation - Fat Grafting and Implants
Hybrid breast augmentation combines the use of both breast implants and fat grafting to enhance breast size, shape, and contour. In this procedure, implants provide the primary volume increase, while fat grafting helps refine the shape by softening the implant edges and improving the overall contour of the breasts. This method combines the advantages of both techniques—greater volume from implants with the natural, subtle enhancement of fat grafting.
Dr. Turner often uses fat grafting during breast augmentation to improve implant soft tissue coverage, correct asymmetry, or correct shape and fullness in the lower pole of the breast, particularly in patients with tuberous breast anomaly. For women with reduced soft tissue in the cleavage area, fat grafting helps improve soft tissue, enabling implants to be placed above the muscle to avoid concerns like breast animation.
03.
Breast Asymmetry Correction with Fat Grafting
Tuberous breast correction often utilizes a combination of breast implants and fat grafting to effectively address the challenges of this congenital condition. Tuberous breasts are marked by a constricted shape, breast asymmetry, a high inframammary fold, and enlarged areolas. Combining implants for volume with fat grafting for shape enhancement provides a comprehensive solution. The fat is strategically injected into the breasts to release constricted areas, resulting in a fuller and rounder lower pole. Fat grafting is particularly beneficial for patients seeking subtle corrections for breast asymmetry, as it allows precise contouring and volume adjustments in targeted areas, enhancing overall breast shape.
04.
Breast Lift and Fat Grafting
A breast lift (mastopexy) combined with fat grafting is a natural approach to enhancing breast shape by lifting and reshaping breast ptosis while adding fullness to the upper pole without the need for breast implants. The breast lift removes excess skin, tightens the tissue, and repositions the nipple, for improved breast shape. While the fat grafting complements the lift by adding natural volume to the upper pole and cleavage, providing a fuller breast look.
It’s also an excellent option for those undergoing a breast lift as part of a post-pregnancy procedure, such as with an abdominoplasty and liposuction.
Recovery after Breast Fat Grafting Surgery
Recovering from breast fat grafting involves several stages and requires close adherence to Dr. Turner’s post-operative instructions to ensure optimal results.
- Rest & Elevation: Rest is essential during the first two weeks post-procedure. Keep your head and back elevated on a few pillows while sleeping to minimize swelling. Most patients can sleep comfortably on their sides after about three weeks.
- Post-Operative Dressings: The sutures for all incisions are self-dissolving, eliminating the need for removal. Specialized dressings will be applied to support the wound for the first week and will be changed during your follow-up appointment with Dr. Turner.
- Cold Compresses: Bruising, swelling, and discomfort in the breast area are expected. Applying cold compresses to the cleavage area during the first few days will help reduce swelling and aid in the healing process.
- Compression Garments: You will need to wear a surgical compression bra full-time for the first month to help shape the breasts and alleviate discomfort. Dr. Turner advises continuing to sleep in the garment for six months and wearing a supportive sports bra during the day.
- Incision Care: Scar management is important after breast surgery. Scars will naturally mature over about three years, and Dr. Turner recommends a protocol that includes silicone scar therapy and laser treatments to ensure they heal properly.
- Medications: You will be prescribed antibiotics and pain medication by the anaesthetist to take during the first week to aid in healing and manage discomfort.
- Normal Activities & Exercise: Most patients can resume normal activities within two weeks, but high-intensity exercise and upper body workouts should be avoided for at least six weeks, with chest exercises restricted for three months.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Dr. Turner advises regular follow-up appointments over the first year. These reviews are typically scheduled at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year to ensure the best possible outcome.
Risks and Complications of Breast Fat Grafting Surgery
As with any surgery, it is important that you are fully informed of the potential risks associated with breast lift surgery. While all care is taken to minimize these complications, they may and do occur despite the best medical care.
It is important that you carefully read and understand the potential risks and they will be discussed in further detail when you have your consultation with Dr Turner.
- Fat Reabsorption: Some of the transferred fat may not survive, leading to a partial loss of the volume gained during the procedure. Multiple sessions might be necessary to achieve your desired result.
- Fat Necrosis: In certain cases, the transferred fat cells may die, resulting in the formation of hard lumps or cysts under the skin (fat necrosis). These can sometimes be felt and, in rare instances, may require surgical removal.
- Asymmetry: While the goal is to achieve a symmetrical appearance, slight variations in breast size or shape may occur, especially if the fat is reabsorbed unevenly.
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the liposuction or injection sites, though this is uncommon when proper surgical protocols are followed.
- Cysts or Calcifications: Some patients may develop cysts or calcifications within the breast tissue after fat grafting, which can occasionally be mistaken for suspicious findings on mammograms.
- Poor Fat Integration: The grafted fat may not integrate well with existing breast tissue, leading to lumps, irregularities, or a less-than-ideal aesthetic outcome.
- Scarring: Although the incisions used for fat grafting are small, there is still a minimal risk of scarring at both the liposuction and injection sites.
- Pain and Discomfort: Temporary pain, bruising, or swelling may occur in both the donor areas and the breasts during the recovery period.
It’s important to discuss any concerns or questions with Dr. Turner, who will provide detailed information and guidance to help you make an informed decision about your surgery.
