Fat can be injected into the breasts through a cosmetic procedure. This technique, known as autologous fat transfer or fat grafting, involves using a person’s own fat cells to enhance breast volume and contour. The process involves removing fat from one body area and placing it into breast tissue for natural augmentation.
The Procedure Explained
The procedure begins with fat harvesting, typically from areas with excess fat deposits like the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks. Liposuction gently removes these fat cells through small incisions, often using cannulas to preserve cell integrity. This initial step can take up to two hours and may be performed under local or general anesthesia.
The harvested fat then undergoes purification. Fat cells are processed, often through centrifugation, to separate viable cells from fluids, blood, and impurities. This ensures only healthy, intact fat cells are prepared for transfer. Maintaining a sterile environment and controlling temperature during this phase are important for preserving fat cell viability.
After purification, the fat is injected into the breasts. Small syringes and fine needles inject the purified fat cells into different tissue layers within the breasts. This multi-layered technique helps ensure fat cells receive adequate blood supply for survival and integrate smoothly into the existing breast tissue. The injection phase can take approximately two hours, with the entire procedure lasting between two to five hours.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate
A suitable candidate for breast fat transfer needs to have sufficient fat reserves in other areas of their body from which fat can be harvested. Individuals who are very lean or have limited fat deposits may not have enough donor fat for a successful transfer. The availability of adequate donor fat is a primary consideration for this procedure.
Patients should maintain good overall health and a stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can impact long-term results. Non-smokers, or those willing to quit, typically experience better healing and fewer complications. Candidates must also have realistic expectations, understanding this procedure usually provides a subtle to moderate increase in breast size, rather than the dramatic changes often associated with implants. Fat transfer can be a suitable option for those seeking to correct breast asymmetry, improve contour after procedures like lumpectomy, or achieve a natural-looking enhancement.
Expected Outcomes and Important Considerations
A notable advantage of breast fat transfer is its natural feel and appearance, as it uses the body’s own tissue. This results in breasts that feel soft and look proportionate. However, it typically provides a modest increase in breast size, often around half to one cup size, and achieving a more significant augmentation may require multiple sessions.
Fat survival rate is a key consideration, as not all injected fat cells will establish a new blood supply and survive. Some fat reabsorption is common, with studies suggesting 50% to 70% of transferred fat may survive long-term. Due to varying fat survival, achieving perfect symmetry can be challenging, and some volume loss is expected.
Another factor is the possibility of fat necrosis, where transferred fat cells do not survive and can lead to calcification. These calcium deposits may appear on mammograms and can mimic microcalcifications associated with breast cancer, potentially complicating diagnosis. Radiologists are trained to differentiate these calcifications from cancerous ones, but biopsies may be necessary to rule out other conditions.
Recovery and Longevity
After breast fat transfer, patients can expect swelling and bruising in both donor and recipient areas. Discomfort is typically manageable, and most individuals return to normal activities within one to two weeks. However, strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for approximately four to six weeks to allow for proper healing and fat integration.
Compression garments are often recommended for the donor site to reduce swelling and support the contoured area. Gentle support for the augmented breasts is also advised. The full results of the fat transfer become apparent after about six months as swelling subsides and the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply.
Fat cells that successfully survive the transfer are considered permanent, remaining in their new location indefinitely. However, overall breast volume can be influenced by significant weight changes. If a patient gains weight, transferred fat cells can expand; if weight is lost, they can shrink, affecting overall size. Some patients may opt for touch-up procedures if they experience volume loss over time.