Also known as autologous fat transfer, or fat grafting, fat transfer to the breast is an ideal way to create a moderate increase in breast volume while creating natural-looking and -feeling breasts. Autologous means it comes from the patient’s tissue, so the results are as natural as possible; it’s perfect for the woman who doesn’t want the hassle or complications that come with implants. You can choose to combine fat transfer with a breast lift or with a breast augmentation to refine the results.
Since the fat is your tissue, there’s little risk of the fat being rejected or triggering a reaction. The basic idea for a fat transfer to the breast is simple enough; first, your surgeon extracts fat from places with extra to give, processes it, then introduces it into the breast through small, strategically placed injections.
To acquire the fat, Aesthetx uses a variety of modern liposuction systems; we tailor the choice of which to use to your body and desired results. The Hydrasolve tissue liquefaction liposuction system can achieve exceptionally smooth outcomes, as a fat extraction system that gently removes fat from the body without disturbing surrounding tissue. This process ensures the fat is as clean and high-quality as possible. Other forms of liposuction we use are power-assisted liposuction and VASER ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
Aesthetx uses PureGraft, one of the most advanced fat processing systems in the industry. The purer a graft is, the more likely it is to survive; by relying on a completely enclosed, sterile, lipodialysis system, PureGraft creates some of the most viable, most concentrated pure grafts for longer-lasting and predictable results and more efficient fat transfers.
Not only is Aesthetx proud to embrace such state-of-the-art technology, but our Dr. Zeidler also has a long history with Hydrasolve and Puregraft, traveling around the country educating other physicians on their benefits as some of the most advanced tools for fat transfer to the breast.
History of Fat Transfer to the Breasts
For most of its history, fat transfer to the breasts was mainly a way to support reconstruction, rather than an aesthetic procedure. The earliest account of fat transfer to the breasts was for breast reconstruction in 1895, when German-Bohemian surgeon Vincenz Czerny transplanted a lipoma, a fatty lump under the skin, from a woman’s buttocks to her breasts after she had a mastectomy. At the time, extraction methods were in their infancy, and, as a result, it was unlikely the fat grafts would survive. In those days, they did not have the technology to harvest clean or pure enough samples of fat that were viable to survive in their new environment.
As more and more concerns about fat grafting to the breasts mounted, other methods of creating volume, such as artificial implants, started to become more popular. However, in the 1950s, the rise of liposuction sparked renewed interest in performing fat transfer to the breasts, and by 1987, Beverly Hills surgeon Mel Bircoll performed the first reported case of using fat donations extracted through liposuction. 1987 also saw a brief moratorium on fat transfer to the breast after some health concerns; but in 2001, Roger K. Khouri invented the BRAVA breast enhancement device, thus creating the ideal conditions for fat transfer to the breast.
In 2008, after the publication of more influential reports on the safety of fat grafting with new technology, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reversed its halt on fat grafting to the breasts. Today, fat grafting to the breasts is a major alternative procedure for breast enhancement, not just reconstruction.
Nowadays, advanced technology like PureGraft and fat grafting systems like Hydrasolve have made it even easier to get viable samples of fat, and made fat grafting to the breasts one of the safest, most reliable methods of breast enhancement.
FAQs
When Will I Be Able to Return to Work?
If you receive a breast augmentation with fat transfer by itself, you should be able to return to work within two to five days. In many cases, patients choose to combine this procedure with a breast lift or augmentation, which can extend recovery times.
If your job requires strenuous activity or heavy lifting, we strongly recommend planning for additional time to heal before returning to work. Talk to your surgeon about what your work responsibilities entail, and we can help provide an exact answer as to how long you’ll need.
What Risks Does Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Pose?
Fat transfer breast augmentation poses very few risks, which is one of the major draws to this procedure. In rare cases, complications can arise but are generally mild. These can include the transferred fat causing firm but small lumps in the breast known as fat necrosis. Patients can treat this unlikely symptom with gentle massages over six months to a year. Patients may also face post-op infection or cyst formation.
At Aesthetx, we provide every patient with the highest possible level of safety and care to ensure the best possible odds for a smooth recovery.
What’s Recovery Like?
Recovery for breast augmentation with fat transfer is typically very mild and much shorter than the period required for traditional breast augmentation. The most significant factor affecting how long recovery will take is where your surgeon chooses to perform liposuction and how much fat you are hoping to transfer to the breasts.
In many cases, patients can return to work within a week, or at the latest by three weeks post-op.
How Soon Can I Exercise Post-Op?
Light motion and exercise are crucial throughout the recovery period. Walking around the house or block without pushing your limits helps increase circulation and healing. However, you should avoid strenuous activity or high-intensity exercise for around three weeks.
If you have any questions about when it’s appropriate to bring a specific exercise back into your routine, please feel free to reach out and ask your surgeon.
What Are the Benefits of Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?
Some of the most notable advantages of fat transfer breast augmentation include:
- Fast recovery time
- Minimally invasive
- One-time permanent results (no need for implant exchange or removal)
- No effect on breastfeeding
- Natural look and feel
If I Have a Low BMI, Should I Gain Weight Before Fat Transfer?
For some thin patients, fat transfer is not an ideal solution. If you don’t have enough fat to transfer to the breasts, gaining weight can seem like the answer – but it’s unfortunately more complicated than putting on a few extra pounds.
Generally, patients who gain weight before surgery are quite likely to return to their previous natural weight post-op. As such, your body may shrink the fat cells we’ve transferred, nullifying any augmentation. Ideally, fat transfer patients should be at their ideal, maintainable weight before transfer.
Will I Get Both Liposuction and Augmentation on the Same Day?
Yes, both liposuction and fat transfer augmentation happen within the same appointment. The combined benefits of a slimmer figure and enhanced breasts are a major draw to this stunning procedure.
How Much Does a Breast Augmentation With Fat Transfer Cost?
Breast augmentation with fat transfer costs can vary from one patient to the next. Depending on your goals, needs, and lifestyle, we’ll create a customized treatment plan. Because each operation is as unique as you are, there’s no set price.
During your consultation we’ll be able to give you an all-inclusive price estimate, which includes pre- and post-op appointment fees, surgeon costs, surgery center prices, and the cost of anesthesia. If you have any further questions, please give us a call.
Fat Transfer to the Breast With Implants
While it’s possible to do fat transfer to the breast as a stand-alone procedure, fat grafting can also be beneficial for enhancing the results of breast augmentation. Adding fat transfer to implants can boost your figure by creating a natural-looking, full cleavage. Fat transfer to the breast with implants is also wonderful for creating symmetry or rounding out the breast.
Aesthetx has earned a reputation for extremely informative and in-depth consultations. To schedule your private consultation for fat transfer to the breasts or to learn more about the procedure, contact Aesthetx by calling our Campbell, CA, office at (408) 559-7177.
