Breast Augmentation Surgery Using Fat Transfer

What is a traditional breast augmentation surgery

Breast augmentation surgery describes a surgical procedure or operation that increases or augments, the volume of the breasts – helping patients to achieve fuller looking breasts. Traditional breast augmentation surgery is performed using artificial implants filled with silicone or saline. During breast implant surgery, breast implants are placed either under the muscle or over the muscle through an incision in the breast. These incisions are most often located either around the outside of the areola (nipple) or in the fold under the breast where the base of the breast meets the chest wall.

What is a breast augmentation surgery with fat

A newer alternative to breast implant surgery for breast augmentation is to take fat from one place on the body and transfer, or graft, that fat into the breasts to add volume to the breasts. The fat is harvested from areas of fullness, including the belly (abdomen), waist, flanks, back, and legs using liposuction. The fat harvesting procedure is performed through small (1/4 inch) incisions in the skin that are usually hidden in skin folds.

The fat that is harvested is cleaned and filtered and then transferred back into the breast to add volume to the breasts. The transfer process uses a small cannula (blunt needle), inserted through small needle pokes around the outside of the breast to inject the harvested fat into the breast.

Why should I choose a breast augmentation using my own fat

• Fat is a natural alternative to silicone implants
• The augmentation provided from fat can be more natural in shape
• The fat is grafted using only small needle pokes – no large incisions to heal, or hide
• The harvesting of fat has the added benefit of improving the contour of the harvesting sites – the abdomen, waist, flanks, back and legs.
• The surgery does not cut or change the position of the muscles of the chest – improving post-op recovery and function.
• There is no risk of implant related infection, capsular contracture, ALCL, or malposition.

What type of breast augmentation surgery is right for me

A detailed examination will help delineate the best breast augmentation surgery for you. The goal of breast augmentation surgery is to create an aesthetic breast with the size, shape, and projection that is desired by the patient. The decision of the type of breast augmentation surgery is dependent on the patient’s anatomy and the ultimate desired outcome.

Patients with minimal ptosis (droopiness) and a desire for a natural-looking, modest augmentation (about one cup size) are good candidates for breast augmentation without a lift using their own fat.

During your consultation, measurements of the breasts are used as a starting point to recommend surgery and in-office sizing and digital three-dimensional computer simulations are used to help guide your choices and determine if a breast augmentation surgery using your own fat is right for you

Dr. David Tauber and Dr. Alan Yan at DeLuca Plastic Surgery tailor the operation to each individual patient.

Are you concerned that your breasts are too droopy? Check out out blog post: Do I Really Need A Breast Lift?.

Recovery from breast augmentation surgery with fat

Patients do well after breast augmentation surgery with fat. In contrast with traditional breast implant surgery, the pain of recovery is focused more on the harvest locations – the belly, waist, flanks, legs, and back. Patients are asked to avoid sleeping on their chest for 4 weeks to avoid pressure on the breasts. Exercise can start at about 1 week with a return to full activity by 4 weeks. The final results are usually seen at about 3 months.